Looking to Apprentice

If anyone is interested in apprenticing with me, I am looking to learn alot more about this wonderful sport.

I became the moderator to my school's chess club (hoping to make it into a chess TEAM) and would like to reflect the incredible love I have for this sport with some good solid play. I know what you are thinking but not to worry someone ELSE is coaching the students!

Thus do pick up my open game and we can analyze.

contact me now.

First assignment Grasshopper: Do my laundry.

I want you to paint a one rouble bill indistinguishable from a real bank note.

The Russian government is already doing that ;)

Alright so this is a light-hearted website, wonderful!

I just found a book I bought years ago, "Reassess Your Chess" by Silman. I heard alot of good things about this book, and I will read it and hopefully my game will improve.

Any comments?

I've read How to Reassess your Chess, and it is an excellent read. You may also want to read its companion The Amateur's Mind: Turning Chess Misconceptions into Chess Mastery also by Silman.

I'd love to learn OOrtega, but I only play live chess. So, if you like playing live, drop me a note and we'll arrange a time. Then, we could go over the game. (I'm not very good though).

That is fine, when are you usually free, perhaps around tea time- in the afternoons?

Which would you recommend to do first? I started to read Reassess and I wonder if my level is lower that A?

Definately start reading Reassess.  Early on Silman discusses IMBALANCES.  This is the basis of his teaching.  What he recommends, and what helped me, is getting a notebook and going over master games solitaire style.  Write it all out.  It takes a lot of time but there is no other way, no quick fix.  I use Tal's games and Alekhine because of their great annotations and emphasis on tactics.  Also go to Chesscafe.com and read every one of Dan Heisman's Novice Nook columns.  When you play and lose (and you will lose a lot...you are supposed to) go over your games and analysis them.  Write it all down.  Be objective and merciless.  Look for the turning points in the game.  How you were feeling and thinking.  How you failed to take the opponents plans into consideration.  Identify your weaknesses and when you are tired of losing because of them you will overcome them.  Again this takes a lot of time and patience.  Most people say they want to improve but give up because it is hard work this business of improvement.  It is easier to sit and watch tv.  Good luck. 

I agree with Vooruitgang on this one. How to Reassess explains things to more depth than The Amateur's Mind. Also, How to Reassess uses the examples of professionals to show how to play correctly, while The Amateur's Mind concerns more with examples of how not to play strong chess.

RJCool is free