What to Use AI For

Being a chess nube with delusions of rapid achievement -- exploiting the computer age to help flatten my learning curve seems.... obvious. But what about AI? Artificial Intelligence.

With Non-AI software, the kind of software which is reliant on databases filled with movements and patterns and lookup tables and opening books... the advantage provided by today's digital chess games feels natural in utilization. But AIs are not the same color of horse at all. 

If you search on YouTube: for GothamChess and ChatGPT, we'll have some common understanding on why AI isn't going to be a match made in heaven for several years to come. 

The normal or traditional computer software programs, especially for the topic of Chess, help with finding games, patterns, openings, calculation ... etc. But they do this by performing basically the same tasks you would be required too perform if computers weren't a thing yet. If there were no chess programs, you would have to read through thousands of games and commentary, making notes and developing indexing schemes ... activities performed by the software, only the software gets us to the good bits much faster with more energy to invest into those good bits. 

While AI like ChatGPT have massive volumes of information available for its use, ChatGPT also has the ability to ignore all of that, and make something up -- if it develops a persuasive reason for making that decision. In the video with Levy playing ChessGPT, the AI made pieces disappear, spawned them back when desired and made other 'out of the box ' (or indeed the rule book) responses to Levy's play or because of a challenging position -- and in some cases flat out lied about its actions. 

This result didn't surprise me. We set out to create an AI which processes decisions and activity modeled on the methods and processing of the human brain. Well -- congratulations, ChatGPT lies just like a human. Well done you crazy kids.

With that outcome, the use of ChatGPT for helping with my chess skills could appear to be a waste of my energy. And if I were to try to utilize it with traditional acquisitional schemes there is little doubt it would be. A total wipe, to be sure. 

But what if we used it more in line with the use of a coach or study partner? You know, like it was designed to be used. 

I wish to acquire the skills of chess board memory and visualization with the goal of being able to play blind games. Give me a 20 step process of accomplishing this goal

What I believe is going to be the skill of our age is the ability to maintain a 'full board view' for the understanding of entities like ChatGPT. 

Understating, or grasping the concept of Full Board Vision, came easy for me, because I have gleaned and used the skill before in other areas of my life -- private and professional. Its essence is a grasping of potential. Every position has a 'face value' ... these aspects and details we recognize and understand right away. Then, when we calculate, we are reaching out attempting to discover the board's potential -- this is what it is... and this is what it can potentially become. 

ChatGPT has acres of unrealized potential. 

The bold and italic phrase above is one attempt to discover and capitalize on a potential benefit of having ChatGPT in our chess toolbox.

Here is the AIs response 

Developing the skill of chess board memory and visualization to the point of being able to play blind games requires consistent practice and training. Here is a 20-step process to help you work towards this goal:

1. Learn the chessboard: Familiarize yourself with the layout of the chessboard, including the 64 squares and their positions.
2. Study chess notation: Learn algebraic notation, which is used to record moves on the chessboard.
3. Start with small patterns: Begin by memorizing and visualizing smaller patterns like knight's tours or specific piece configurations.
4. Practice visualization exercises: Train your mind to visualize chess positions without the need for a physical board. Start with simple positions and gradually increase the complexity.
5. Memorize standard openings: Learn and memorize the first few moves of popular chess openings to develop a repertoire.
6. Analyze master games: Study games played by chess masters to improve your understanding of different positions and strategies.
7. Solve chess puzzles: Solve chess puzzles that require you to visualize moves and calculate variations in your mind.
8. Play blindfolded games against yourself: Start by playing simple games against yourself, visualizing the moves and positions in your mind without a physical board.
9. Gradually increase complexity: Progressively challenge yourself with more complex blindfold games as you improve.
10. Utilize visualization techniques: Practice techniques like creating mental images, imagining piece movements, and maintaining a mental map of the board.
11. Focus on board awareness: Train yourself to maintain an accurate mental image of the entire board while visualizing moves and variations.
12. Develop memory systems: Explore memory techniques like creating associations, visualization techniques, and mnemonic devices to remember specific positions.
13. Analyze your blindfold games: Review your blindfold games to identify weaknesses, mistakes, and areas for improvement.
14. Play against strong opponents: Test your skills by playing blindfold games against strong players, either online or in-person.
15. Practice simultaneous exhibitions: Participate in simultaneous exhibitions where you play multiple blindfold games simultaneously to enhance your multitasking abilities.
16. Engage in mental chess exercises: Engage in mental exercises like trying to calculate multiple moves ahead, assessing different strategic plans, and evaluating positions mentally.
17. Work with chess software: Utilize chess software that allows you to play blindfold games against the computer, which can help improve your visualization skills.
18. Join blindfold chess communities: Connect with other blindfold chess enthusiasts or join online communities where you can discuss strategies, challenges, and tips.
19. Attend blindfold chess events or tournaments: Take part in blindfold chess events or tournaments to gain experience and exposure to different playing styles.
20. Maintain consistent practice: Regularly practice blindfold chess to reinforce your memory and visualization skills. Consistency is key to improvement.

Remember, acquiring the skill to play blindfolded games requires patience, dedication, and persistent practice over time. Start with smaller steps and gradually progress towards more complex positions as your skills develop.

Being well versed in Knowing How To Learn, I can tell you those steps are valid and useful. Could I have come up with them on my own? Sure, but it would have cost days and perhaps months to understand the aspects of the game well enough to understand the prioritizing. This took me two minutes.

Google claims that their AI is a 'game master'. That it was developed with puzzle solving and game theory in mind. MidJourney was designed for visual understanding and graphical responses (it draws pictures).

ChatGPT, as its name suggests, was designed to talk to us. To 'learn' from massive libraries of information, and then talk to us about it, with intentions on being able to use that information in real life and in practical ways. It was designed to understand and respond to our ways of communicating concepts. It can gasp, and act on metaphoric meanings, recognize jokes, and explore the secondary and deep meanings of poetry. It still sucks and chess, but ... not because of lack in understanding. And, in understanding, having the ability to pass on the information in optimized compositions. 

using the 20 - 80 rule where eighty percent of the accomplishment comes from twenty percent of the effort, list for me the 20% effort points that will provide the 80% of the gain for learning chess visualization

Response:

Certainly! Applying the 80-20 rule to learning chess visualization, here are the key areas of effort that can provide the most significant gains in your skill development:

Memorizing the chessboard layout: Focus on thoroughly learning and internalizing the layout of the chessboard, including square names and their positions. This foundational knowledge will be essential for visualization.

Regular visualization exercises: Dedicate consistent practice time to visualization exercises where you mentally imagine the positions, moves, and variations. Start with simple positions and gradually increase the complexity as you progress.

Solving tactical puzzles: Work on solving chess puzzles that require visualization and calculation skills. Tactical puzzles often involve identifying patterns, visualizing piece movements, and calculating possible combinations.

Analyzing master games: Study and analyze games played by strong chess players to improve your understanding of different positions, strategies, and piece coordination. Focus on visualizing the moves and the resulting positions in your mind.

Playing blindfolded games against yourself: Engage in regular practice sessions where you play blindfolded games against yourself, visualizing the moves and positions mentally. Start with simpler games and gradually increase the complexity as your skills improve.

Engaging in mental chess exercises: Participate in mental exercises that challenge your calculation and visualization abilities, such as mentally calculating multiple moves ahead, assessing strategic plans, and evaluating positions without a board.

Utilizing chess software: Take advantage of chess software and applications that offer blindfold chess functionalities. Practice playing against the computer blindfolded to enhance your visualization skills and test your abilities.

Reviewing your blindfold games: Analyze your blindfold games to identify weaknesses, mistakes, and areas for improvement. This self-analysis will help you fine-tune your visualization skills and identify patterns in your thinking.

Joining blindfold chess communities: Connect with other blindfold chess enthusiasts through online communities or local chess clubs. Engage in discussions, seek advice, and learn from experienced players who can provide insights and support.

Participating in simultaneous exhibitions: Take part in simultaneous exhibitions or events where you play multiple blindfold games simultaneously. This will challenge your multitasking abilities and improve your overall visualization skills.

By focusing on these key areas of effort, you can make significant progress in developing your chess visualization skills. Remember, consistent practice and dedication are essential to achieving the best results.

have fun!