Mastery
I started playing tournament chess in 2001 and even before then from reading Lasker's Manual of Chess, there was one thing on my mind since the start. Mastery. I don't know what that means even now but early on in playing games and hanging out with chess people a number started to make itself known. 2200. The mythical mastery. I wish and I think there is more in the long run but the first step is crossing this barrier and tonight June 23, 2025 I crossed it at least as far as chess.com is concerned.
But Cody that picture is scary. Yes agreed and I don't want to create the idea that chess cannot be mastered without dichotomy or evil but this picture shows how I felt exactly getting to 2150. I had been here before and I had actually fallen down to 1900 multiple times! My dark passenger (or me) was not going to not let me get to 2200 this time. It took a few days and a real push but I was able to cross it and wanted to share a game with you my readers.
Parents close your ears but I was drinking a beer and listening to Megadeth at full blast. Rust in Peace is an awesome album and I thought I was going to cross at the height of Five Magics but I lost and thought it maybe days later, but I sunk in won two game and crossed it during tornado of souls. I've never been so motivated after a chess game!
But this is for you guys so let's do the drill 3 puzzles to warm you up then let's analyze a game. I wanted to give the game I actually crossed 2200 but it may have been the worst game I've ever played (yet) so feel free to look it up but I cannot present it. The one I'm sharing is much better.
I already did a Karpov blog but I love 12 movers. This is a 12 mover! or 15...
I used to play Be3 but there is better even with an intermezzo! what do you play, I'll accept Be3 too
Now you did it... game over... or...
This is hard! but there is one best move. What do you play here please try.
Mean blunders you need to hang. What is the move here? We're past positional!
You can do it too!
There are a lot of ways to go in chess you can wait for a mistake. You can be positional or attacking etc, but if we want to be "good" (whatever that means) we need to seek mastery. Mastery doesn't come easily for me it took 24 year and I am no where near finished. Hopefully, (along with this blog) it takes you less.
Go Win!
Cody
