Otb training > computer training anyday
Do today's players develop more quickly?
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Otb still rules, like steam is king in railroading. Forget it.
There is no doubt that it is faster and easier to improve with the
Internet. I am not a serious player, but have gone from 800-900
play in Sept of this year (when I first found chess.com) to a solid
1300, flirting with 1400. Accessible knowledge, practice tools, and
playing time makes all the difference. I have put very little effort
into improvement, yet the ease of game time and practice tools
had made it effortless.
I've been wondering about this. In today's climate of decent opponents available 24/7 (either against the computer or online) you can get a game any time you want. Players of just one generation ago hardly had such a luxury. The only way to get a game and thus improve and/or try out new ideas was to arrange a game against another person OTB. Then add in today's super-strong analysis tools via programs like Fritz. And the massive databases available fairly cheaply with millions of games to search, examine and play through. Then add the large market in chess books and software at the player's fingertips. The quality of the content (checked by computers), as well as the presentation and formatting, of the books seems to be improving all the time (e.g. moves in bold, many large and clear diagrams). Today's player now has a plethora of options to chose from if he desires to study chess, whether it be openings (more monographs out than ever; software such as the Fritz Opening Trainer DVDs by GMs), the middlegame (lots of reprints of classics as well as new titles) or the endgame. Or if he wishes to study the games of the masters, both past and present. Add the books and software available in large quantities which allow him an almost endless supply of tactical puzzles to solve and so sharpen his skills. Then there are all the online resources and aids such as Chess mentor. Today's player can also easily get into contact with a chess coach, should he need one. Most of the information today's player could need is often available almost instantly with a few clicks of the mouse. Today one can have resources which effectively give you a super-strong GM coaching you on many aspects of the game right on your home PC.
Do all the above factors mean that today's players develop their skills and knolwedge of chess much quicker than players of yesteryear, so allowing them to more quickly climb through the ranks of the various classes up until Master level, assuming they have the necessary dedication and persistence?
In other words, is it easier in our day and age to get good at chess faster than in the past?
Any thoughts?