at what elo (FIDE) and age did u start to receive professional coaching (if any)?
Ask Me Anything! With GM Sipke Ernst & Karel van Delft
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23 days ago
0
#123
Ben_Lucas schreef:
Many intermediate players get good with their main openings and tactics but get stuck eternally at 2000 level. What's the biggest factor and ways to break through from that point and get better? I also study endgames but have been the same rating for 5 years.
If you have a good structured approach to chess studying you should eventually surpass 2000 level. So study your openings deeply, Do a lot of tactics and calculation exercises, alalyse your own games and study your favorite player.
23 days ago
0
#124
jooooshygrain schreef:
How do you think the role of psychology and emotional regulation is evolving in elite chess training, especially with younger players growing up in a high-pressure, engine-dominated environment?
Self-management and information processing are key in chess performance and improvement. Both have everything to do with psychology. They are trainable via thinking tools. Thinking tools help you to perform better during training and during playing.
Self-management is the ability to regulate behaviours, thoughts and emotions, in a way that better serves you and your tasks.
Information processing is about procedures by which data are transformed in more useful information.
23 days ago
0
#125
Ereghedon schreef:
I have participated in unrated OTB tournaments until now and won a couple of them. Considering this I have been thinking of registering to my National Chess Federation but I am not 100% sure if I should do it. Do you consider that I would improve more if I would play in rated tournaments?
Every game and tournament you play will improve your chess understanding.
23 days ago
0
#126
RyanZ_MD schreef:
why do I always lose as white, but always win as black in my otb tournaments?
Maybe you know your black repertoire better. With white you need to be prepared for way more openings. Also it could be that with white you play more agressive than with black.
23 days ago
0
#127
Iris_for_the_Pin schreef:
I am considering improving my visualization with blindfold chess. I've never done it, except a little as a child, but it would be best to answer as though I've never done it, because that was a long time ago.
Do you have tips/steps on how to proceed?
You can try the chess-variant blindfold chess on chess.com. Also possible to take it in steps: 7 moves blindfold and then you see the position and continue next 7 moves blindfold from there.
23 days ago
0
#128
Private_island_dude schreef:
Which piece is more valuable between a Bishop and a Knight?
Depends on the position!
23 days ago
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#130
What is the best way to moderate the mental pressure of playing chess for hours on end in over the board tournaments?
23 days ago
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#132
nukanook schreef:
Hello Sipke and Karel! Sipke, I met you many years ago at the Lost Boys tournament. Karel, it is nice to see you on here doing what you do best( please tell Merijn hello) My question to both of you is- What is the best way to combat time trouble. I find as I get older I am having more and more issues with this. Thank you!
Wishing you and your family well!
PS Chess for Educators is a great book!
Sincerely,
Nikki
Good to hear from you! Thanks for compliments about Chess For Educators. One can find sample pages, sources of the book and reviews via https://chesstalent.com. Also the book ‘Mastering Positional Sacrifices’ of Merijn is there. I will convey your greetings to him. On the home pages is a video in which he (in English) discusses the differences between a scientist and a sportsman, relevant for time trouble.
About time trouble see my article on the Max Euwe site: https://maxeuwe.nl/grootmeester-friso-nijboer-waarschuwt-voor-de-domheid-van-tijdnood (GM Friso Nijboer warns for the stupidity of time trouble). In Dutch but Google translate is your friend. Nijboer states you should be practical. Some practical advice by me: play ten games like you do normally, then play ten games with maximum of three minutes per move. What differences happen?
23 days ago
0
#133
Hi, I have a rapid rating of about 700. What time controls do you recommend for me to play as a beginner? Thanks 
Where do babies come from?
How do you recommend me to train to become as good as posible? I am currently working with "100 engames you must know" and might start the "Attack and Defense" soon, by Jacob Aagard. Im 14 and have a fide rating of 1800
23 days ago
0
#136
Do I actually need to study openings to improve further? I always thought opening theory is boring. But I am scared of the Sicilian with white, it seems like I have to learn it.
OnlySpookyPenguin wrote:
Hi, I have a rapid rating of about 700. What time controls do you recommend for me to play as a beginner? Thanks
Definitely a longer time control. I would recommend the classic 15/10. This gives you plently of time to think, and check for checks, captures, and threats on every move (crucial for your level), as well as a nice increment to avoid time scrammbles (since it's rapid and not blitz).
How do you deal with stress as a professional chess player? Sometimes traveling hours by car or plane only to lose badly or not play your best in a chess tournament is the worse nightmare for a chess player who depends on his chess earnings for a way of living.
I'm by no means a professional but I'm an active 1600 USCF chess player, yet stress is a common factor of why I lose games. Sometimes I'm up a piece but I'm low on time in a complicated middlegame, sometimes I'm in a drawn endgame but I make one mistake and I lose the game.
Also being 1600, what would you say are the future plans for me in order to get to a higher standard or level of chess (I'm trying to get to 2000). Any middle game strats or ideas you can share with me as well?
Stress
Stress is the body's natural response to challenges or demands. Stress is a physical and mental response to a situation that is perceived as threatening or overwhelming. It occurs when the load (what is being asked of you) is perceived greater than your capacity (what you can handle).
Stress-management has to do with self-management and coping strategies.
To deal with it you should understand it, and develop thinking and behaviour routines. Those routines are a matter of mindset and skills which can be trained.
While relaxation techniques are helpful, a cognitive approach that involves changing your thought patterns and accepting yourself and your tasks is often more effective in managing stress. Stress is the result of how you perceive situations. It is self-imposed. It happens when the task at hand is important for you. Would you be stressed if you were asked to put some flowers in a vase?
Problems you can reframe: see them as a challenge.
Some practical advice: Identify what causes stress and why. Visualize a situation in advance and decide how to cope with it. Be physically in good shape. Go for a good performance (good moves, learning experiences), not for results (1-0, this you cannot always influence). Use a mantra (leading thought). Your opponent might also suffer from tension. Discuss coping with stress with training partners and a coach. Time and energy management during training and games.
Reverse rule: Think about five reasons to become stressed, reverse the reasons. E.g. My opponent has a higher rating in ‘this will be an interesting challenge’.
Stress-management has to do with self-management. In a chapter in Know Your Next Move we mention there are at least 17 ‘selfies’, such as Self-development, Self-discipline, Self-knowledge and Self-talk.
Aristotle said: We are what we repeatedly do.