You should watch the showdown in St. Louis from last year. It's on youtube. That commentary was good. Getting back to the subject; ripping the backyard professor is such a low and pointless thing to do. The man has enthusiasm and though he makes mistakes, he is not telling everyone that he is an expert. His analysis is good for a beginner level when you are trying to learn more about the big picture of strategy and he uses sources. He is not pretending to come up with all of this stuff. He really shows an appreciation for the teaching materials, the masters whose games he covers, AND most importantly, HIS VIEWERS! Give the guy a break he has been a boon to the internet chess community.
How good is the Backyard Professor?
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Mar 31, 2016
0
#63
The idea that instructors should have some degree of expertise in their subject is so terribly old fashioned. And elitist.
And it's also flawed logically, saying that only titled players can succesfully teach other players about chess is laughable.
I started a few years ago with my chess career with BYP, I really love his enthiousasm and maybe it's true he isn't a tactical god but he is good in explaining concepts from Silman books and thats all I needed to learn from him!
Mar 31, 2016
0
#65
MonkeyH wrote:
And it's also flawed logically, saying that only titled players can succesfully teach other players about chess is laughable.
I'm not a titled player and I've been teaching chess for more than 15 years. I am substantially better than those I teach, however.
It is very difficult to find anyone less skilled that the BYP. Such players, if they could be found, have no business reading Silman's books. Rather, they should be solving exercises focused on checkmate in one move and seeing the piece that is en prise.
As good as dead--R.I.P. BackyardProfessor.
Where chess is concerned the teacher should be at least a class or two higher than the student . If I try to teach another NM it would be rather useless as he/she already is at the same level as me . It would be an absolute joke if I was trying to teach chess to say ... an IM or GM .
Ziryab wrote:
The idea that instructors should have some degree of expertise in their subject is so terribly old fashioned. And elitist.
Are you serious ?
Mar 31, 2016
0
#69
Reb wrote:
Ziryab wrote:
The idea that instructors should have some degree of expertise in their subject is so terribly old fashioned. And elitist.
Are you serious ?
Does it seem so in the light of my other posts in this thread?
Mar 31, 2016
0
#71
I'm sure charism is a common enough trait among scam artists, but BYP doesn't charge money.
So I'm curious if this is a somewhat unique case where beginners (and some who should know better) are attracted to a clueless, but enthusiastic self fashioned instructor (who isn't taking their money).
Does anyone know of any specific cases, where, for example, a painter attracts painting students, but can't hardly put paint to canvas? I assume it wouldn't work so well there, as the results aren't as esoteric as chess.
In any case, these backyard followers are lucky he's not selling books, or handing our robes and pamphlets...
Doggy_Style wrote:
GM_Dingo wrote:
Ah I thought he was much much higher, he says he is about 2250 to 2300 somewhere I think.
Then he's added a thousand!
More like 2000.
how is it that these BYP threads go on and on and on?
I heard he doesn't make chess vids anymore. do people STILL watch him?
thegreat_patzer wrote:
how is it that these BYP threads go on and on and on?
I heard he doesn't make chess vids anymore. do people STILL watch him?
Because there's always 1-2 people who blindly defend him.
Mar 31, 2016
0
#75
The BYP is great, with his training videos I managed to reach my current rating. I will keep watching his super instructive videos!
Dirty_Sandbagger wrote:
It's just that false "Professor" in his name that seems to confuse people.
If he was called the Backyard Weirdo or the Backyard Hermit it would give a more realistic expectation of his chess skills...
Mar 31, 2016
0
#78
How good is the Backyard Professor?
He's the Best! :)
In all fairness, BYP is probably the most entertaining chess dude ever! In that sense, he's the best! He may be an inspiring figure to lower rated players and those who don't play chess. So, all in all, he's a positive force out there. :)
The BYP enthusiasm for the game is the main reason I even became a chess player.
I can tell you right now if real chess players had the enthusiasm as the BYP
Chess would be as popular as soccer is around the world.
The fact of the matter is the Real chess players usually are unexciting and lack any enthusiasm.
I think the main problem stems from the commentary.
If they would get spanish commentators the problem would be solved. Just substitute some spanish soccer commentators into doing chess commentary.
Over night chess would probably become a million dollar sport like soccer.
After every pawn promotion I want a commentator to scream GOALLLLLL!
After every move I want the commentator to get sad or excited to make us feel as if we are there playing that game ourselves. If they can not do that than they suck as commentators and the sport will continue to be less popular.