My favorite GM to learn from is Anatoly Karpov.
Beginners, Do Not Learn From The Masters!
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I didn't have a particular favorite when I was a beginner.
I like Smyslov and Botvinnik right now FWIW. I like the games that are somewhat one sided so the ideas and technique are even clearer. I'm also seeing some old opening variations I didn't know existed but of course have solid ideas behind them.
TAL BABY TAL!!!
Nov 29, 2013
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#5
I'm reading "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" so I suppose the answer is David Bronstein.
oh i learned alot from chick magnet guy.
I think you mean super GMs. It's actually great to learn from the games of low-level masters.
Chuckieman wrote:
I think you mean super GMs. It's actually great to learn from the games of low-level masters.
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I was thinking of the romantic age of chess, where sacrifices and
attacks were the focus. Before the age of positional/defensive chess. Gioachino Greco (1600's) would be one example of the old school of attacking chess. You can learn many traps from this player.
Nov 30, 2013
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#10
hicetnunc wrote:
Morphy and Capablanca
+1Â ... and a little bit of Alekhine.
hicetnunc nailed it. I think Morphy and Capablanca initially, with Alekhine replacing Morphy after a while. Just noticed as I'm about to submit this that PatzerLars had the exact same thought.
carlsen is the strongest player in the world, why NOT learn from him?
Nov 30, 2013
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#13
Paul Morphy..... I remember playing through some of his games when I was a kid, finding some of the most beautiful combinations and sacs that can be imagined. I enjoyed it more than watching tv. My parents thought I was abnormal not to be into television. Why, when there were such lovely games to play through?Â
A great way to discover classic games is through what Dan Heisman refers to as "instructive anthologies". Logical Chess: Move by Move is one I've seen recommended, though I haven't read that myself. My first was Chess: the Art of Logical Thinking, which is a great book, and there are lots of others. You'll inevitably see some Morphy and Capablanca when you go through some books of that type, but if you want to focus more on one player after going through a couple of those anthologies, then I think Morphy and Capablanca supplemented at some point by Alekhine is the way to go.
sapientdust wrote:
A great way to discover classic games is through what Dan Heisman refers to as "instructive anthologies". Logical Chess: Move by Move is one I've seen recommended, though I haven't read that myself. My first was Chess: the Art of Logical Thinking, which is a great book, and there are lots of others. You'll inevitably see some Morphy and Capablanca when you go through some books of that type, but if you want to focus more on one player after going through a couple of those anthologies, then I think Morphy and Capablanca supplemented at some point by Alekhine is the way to go.
totally agree...3 of my faves. The Morphy thing is funny...dude was a genius. I hear modern people say "yeah, but he was playing patzers."
In chess clubs all over the world people play against patzers but dont produce games like Morphys.
if someone cant play like Morphy or Steinitz or Blackburne or Pillsbury or Tarrasch, or at least understand the moves...what business do they have studying Kasparov or Fischer?
It reminds me of the quote attributed to Alekhine. Two lesser masters were going over one of Aleks games and Alekhine said it was like two monkeys examining a watch
Dec 3, 2013
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#17
What you're trying to say is learn how to think like the masters, to not just replicate them.
Did I get your attention? 😜
Actually, I meant to say, I believe that beginners do not learn much from contemporary masters, like Kasparov and Carlsen. I learn much more by studying the games of the old legends, where I can get more tactical and checkmate ideas.
Who was your favorite player to learn from when you were a beginner?