Three hundred and how many pages left to go? Awhile ago, we had someone tell us that he was working his way through Watson's Play the French book. If I remember correctly, after about a month, we were told that about a fourth of the project was done. I don't remember seeing any more about it after that.
I refuse to believe Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual (DEM) is reserved for players rated 2000+.
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I don't see how that's related.
You may be correct... It is all a matter of the trade-off between time and the yield of new applicable info to your games, and in general most lower/mid-level club players can find lots of simpler things to learn before diving into that manual. Looks like you hit the rare jackpot of being in the the exact same position analyzed in a book.
May 14, 2017
0
#5
If you're finding insights and improvement from it, I say keep going.
I've never read it, but I've heard great things. If you understand things like Opposition and Mined Squares, you'll certainly have an advantage over the players who don't know about such things. Best of luck!
BlunderLots wrote:
If you're finding insights and improvement from it, I say keep going.
I've never read it, but I've heard great things. If you understand things like Opposition and Mined Squares, you'll certainly have an advantage over the players who don't know about such things. Best of luck!
Exactly. Everyone develops differently.
May 14, 2017
0
#7
strikingtan wrote:
I have only read the first twenty pages so far. After attempting a few problems, I realized why everyone calls this book hard. I googled on whether it's right for me (1500) and even saw a WIM telling me, it's too advanced. After attempting some more problems which Dvoretsky himself calls difficult, I found myself discouraged and put the book down again.
Today I played a few games. But what was most astonishing is that I actually, toward the end of this one game, found myself in the exact position as the Alekhine - Yates game (page 19)! I even won the opposition after learning about 'mined squares', and finally the game. Too advanced, my foot.
Black to move loses
With all due respect, you shouldn't discourage someone from doing something if they find it enjoyable. Yeah, they might not get the most benefit from it unless they start with more basic books. But after one read, the material will stew in their subconscious and on their second read, will be clear as day.
i wouldn't say it's too advanced for you, and indeed might help you reach 2000...
May 17, 2017
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#8
I read 50 pages of this book yet. Best chess book by far. Nothing even close
May 17, 2017
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#9
Various people have various levels of intellect and depth.
It's admirable that you could analyze that endgame through to its conclusion, and remarkable that you managed to apply something (quite complex) from the book right into your game.
A 1500 player with a 2000+ intellect will make 2000+ with the right attitude, materials, time and dedication.
Endgame Manual actually has materials that even below 1600 can digest.
"... before discussing the specifics of Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual [henceforth 'DEM'], a word of warning is in order. I must emphasize that this is a terribly advanced work that I don't think is a very good way for the average player to study the endgame. The majority of the examples are complex and position-specific, and neither the average student nor even strong masters will follow or play over most of the hundreds of positions that are given extensive analysis, not to mention the subvariations derived from those positions. Even when introducing 'the basics', Dvoretsky's approach is often more complex than is necessary for an average student, and in any case such a thick book will seldom be used for the sake of elementary instruction. The majority of the other material is frankly very difficult. So take note: I don't want to be blamed, in praising this book, for your purchasing something that you find intimidating, relatively dull, or otherwise unsatisfying. That said, if you are up to a real challenge and have a great deal of time to devote to reading and playing over examples you will inevitably derive great value from this work. ..." - IM John Watson (2005)
http://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/the-end-game-comes-before-we-know-it
Here's a disclaimer.
DISCLAIMER: This will take you down the rabbit hole of the endgame. If you are looking for a simple reference, look elsewhere. Otherwise, every example will take you on a trip, but every trip will be worth your while.
I guess such relation between books & ratings is mere statistic, so one shouldn't pay much attention for it. I'm a beginner yet I have no problem with understanding any book even advanced ones.
I've recently started reading the blue parts of the manual & I find it very instructive. My plan is to reread it as a whole after finishing the blue parts.
I have only read the first twenty pages so far. After attempting a few problems, I realized why everyone calls this book hard. I googled on whether it's right for me (1500) and even saw a WIM telling me, it's too advanced. After attempting some more problems which Dvoretsky himself calls difficult, I found myself discouraged and put the book down again.
Today I played a few games. But what was most astonishing is that I actually, toward the end of this one game, found myself in the exact position as the Alekhine - Yates game (page 19)! I even won the opposition after learning about 'mined squares', and finally the game. Too advanced, my foot.
Black to move loses
With all due respect, you shouldn't discourage someone from doing something if they find it enjoyable. Yeah, they might not get the most benefit from it unless they start with more basic books. But after one read, the material will stew in their subconscious and on their second read, will be clear as day.