Looking for a breakthrough!

It might seem kind of strange to have this kind of state of mind when I just achieved an all time high in my OTB rating. But, the thing about it is I care just as much about the quality of my games as I do about my tournament results or my position in the rating list, although I care about those things too.

          Anyway, I want to play higher quality chess, so I decided to refocus my mind by hitting some trails in the mountains. I think it is helpful to clear your mind and energize your soul when you have a deep desire to play better. For me a good way to do it is to hit the trails. This time it was on some trails at Tallulah Gorge State park that I haven't been on before. Stone place trail and High Bluff.

Altogether it was over 10 miles and 22,000 steps. Well when you are out on the trail that long, the mind tends to wander. One thing I thought about was the G30 time control. Could it be that the reason I haven't been able to play the best chess I am capable of is because the time control is too fast for me? I think probably I could play better with more time. But on the other hand the masters at the world blitz and rapid championship produced some pretty high quality games with even less time than I have in my G30 tournaments. Here is one of my favorite examples from the event. There were some mistakes but overall a high quality game. Magnus Carlsen vs Richard Rapport. Annotated by GM Daniel King on his chess channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eycWQmNx2Ow&t=791s

So what I am saying is that although it is harder to produce good games on shorter time controls, it isn't impossible. One just has to work hard at preparing: opening, middlegame planning, tactics, endgame.....the whole nine yards! So that is the chess trail I'm on......a quest to create beautiful games! Wish me luck!

Until next time!

James