Internal Study Group

All:   As we are all members of this chess "Study Group", I wanted to reach out to see/organize an internal study group for mutual benefit, learning support and knowledge starting.   Many of us are working individually in a structured or non structured way and we could all benefit from coming together for discussion.  If you are interested I am happy to organize and we can help one another get better at this game we all love

Weekly online meeting ( could be Skype video, audio or simply group chat/discussion ).  It is in keeping with the spirit of our group and being proactive as group members to work together to improve.

an excellent idea. timing may be a problem. if there is enough interest, could there be more than one group held at different times?

@Phoenyx75.  I like the idea.  One of the greatest side benefits of doing this is that you are practicing game self analysis which most agree is absolutely crucial for improvement

Sounds great !..

@ringo2nd. More than one group and or meeting times is definitely a possibility ( the goal being a balance between maximum group participation, effectiveness and scheduling ).  Let's gauge group interest and we can propose a schedule options that address the needs expressed

I love that idea! I may/may not be able to do Skype, though Chess.com chatroom sound great!

I think a good idea would be that we have several study sessions, rather than only a couple of lessons, due primarily to time zones, time conflicts, etc. 

Any member who wants to initiate one can announce a study group a few days in advance. Let's say, "Fischer-Spassky Game 6 Study" from 5:30-6:00 PM CST... something random like that.

Just let us know if you all like the idea. I might initiate some of myself.

@EOguel.   Studying the game of the greats is a great study group activity.  The idea of the group is to be ongoing ( not a limited number of meetings on a limited number of topics but regular meetings with rotating/ongoing discussions activity ) .   You most definitely should initiate any effort to gather group interest to review great games ( I am actually working to revive a study group that is dedicated to just this as a club theme ) .   Do me a favor and hold off for a few days and lets coordinate ( as I want to try to have our group efforts organized/clear on communication and collectively work together to get maximum club participation )  .

Keep me in mind

For sure. And the topic was just an example. It could be practically anything.

Six so far ( that is a good number to start for one group ).  @Anderstood.  Are you in Guadeloupe?  If so what time zone does that fall under?

https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/guadeloupe

Atlantic Standard Time

I could.  I do not use any of the traditional openings because I play blitz so much.  I am sorely lacking when it comes to traditional openings.  I use a Saragossa variation with an extended queen.  I would like to practice other variations.  I have found when I join tournaments and a specific opening has begun...  I tend to do poorly.

I like the idea

@Felifar.  Glad to have you on board.  I think it is important to note that in the grand scheme of topics/areas of study to improve ones games in my humble opinion  on a scale of 1 to 4 ( 1 being the higher importance ) openings are a 2.  Study and improvement in the areas of the Middle game, End Game, Decision Making, Piece and position evaluation, calculation, analysis, strategy, end game study, understanding weak vs strong squares, tactics, visualization etc all rank higher than openings  in importance for give you more solid/fundamental improvements to your game play.   In my opinion, these ( and some other items ) are rated in the 1 ... 2 range in terms of priority work in a study plan for most individuals/study groups.

correction in my earlier comment...I would rate openings a 3

I should add as an important point that studying the positions your openings leave you in ( i.e. the start of the middle game ), involves most of the items I mentioned above ( tactics, position evaluation, calculation, strategy etc etc ).  Many may think of this as opening study but it is really study of the middle game and the various lines/conditions/situations/positions and set ups that the openings lines lead you to and their possible continuations.  

I am interested as well please. What time are you guys meeting every week?

@cad1234. Excellent, glad to have you on board.  I'll put out the proposed structure, outline and meeting time later this week and we can get started

Great... Thanks for the initiative...