loose = learn (but flunks spelling)
Is Chess Really Good for Your Brain?
Sort:
I would have cut the end of the cigar, dipped it in a glass of cognac, and then pulled out my zippo. Let the cigar serve as the clock for game one.
Well, keep in mind that a Churchill is about a one hour cigar...that's if you actually draw on it...and a bullet game is only a minute. An hour would allow for 60 games and we were only going to play 20. Not my choice. You may recall that that is what he "called me out" for (never end a sentence with a preposition).
But, all that is neither here nor there. And, so that this post is on topic, let me address: "Is chess really good for your brain?" Answer: yes, indeed.
Now, how do we start? Well, I invented (years ago) a really neat improvement of the coin flip. I took a pawn of each color...you'll like this idea, it is quite novel...and shuffled them behind my back, randomly positioning one in each fist, and then I produced both hands at arms length (I chose not to get any closer to the creep) and asked him to choose his color.
He smacked my right hand, ratherly harshly, and tersely said: "That!" (Geez...what a vocabulary.)
Well, as luck would have it, he chose black. But he would have no part of whether his choice might or might not be propitious for me. He snarled: "You gimme white or I ain't gonna play!!!" Eyes glaring like hot, red coals.
You know what? I actually have a preference for black. Sicilian stuff and all that. So, shoot, I let him have his way with me.
I dug out my grandfather's field and track Electra Pocket Chronographic (Gallet Watch company, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland circa 1890's) and some Yahtzee dice and said: "Pick a number from 1 to 960."
He rolled a 597. I said: "Good choice, all odd numbers...not that I am implying that you are odd."
He ignored my helpful comment with silent disdain and impatient aplomb. So, I quickly set up the board thusly:
Mar 4, 2012
0
#44
I think that depends how hard you work with chess and what you train in chess. I think if you study opening even though you may study the theory you are only working with the part of brain the deals with memory.
if you work with tactics trainer and you try so hard to find a solution that your brain hurts without looking at the solution you work with the ability to come up with a solution in a puzzle.
I think it is healthy to challenge your brain to perform no matter how you do it chess, sudoku, cross words and more.
I often play a few games before I do any revision for exams or coursework (as I have just been doing), I usually find it helps me concentrate/focus a bit more.
Talking cigars-
A man went to his doctor seeking help for his terrible
addiction to cigars. The doctor was quite familiar with his very
compulsive patient, so recommended an unusual and quite drastic form
of aversion therapy. "When you go to bed tonight, take one of your
cigars, unwrap it, and stick it completely up your asshole. Then
remove it, rewrap it, and place it back with all the others in such
a fashion as you can't tell which one it is. The aversion is
obvious: you won't dare smoke any of them, not knowing which is the
treated cigar." "Thanks doc, I'll try it." And he did. But three weeks later he came back and saw the doctor again.
"What? My recommendation didn't work? It was supposed to
be effective even in the most addictive of cases, such as yours
is!" "Well, it kind of worked, doc. At least I was able to
transfer my addiction," said the patient.
"What in the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, I don't smoke cigars anymore, but now I can't go to
sleep at night unless I have a cigar shoved up my arse."
seely I do that too, except it takes over all my focus and nothing much happens to the chores I should be doing
A premium, hand-made cigar is nice on special occasions.
Mar 4, 2012
0
#49
e4nf3 wrote:
Well, lads, I've got to tell you this...
In this current era of political correctnes and de-gendered and de-masculinized manhood, there are still five things that are still allowed (well, semi-allowed, I suppose) in the realm of manliness.
These three things include growing facial hair (I happen to have a mustache and beard) and enjoying a fine, handmade cigar on occasion. The other three things? I've forgotten what they are and (probably drinking a lot of Scotch is one of them), in addition, they are irrelevant to the point at hand.
Now, I'm not talking about the cheap cigars that you can buy for a few coins at the local supermarket. I'm not knocking them, either...they are OK for "knocking around". I'm talking about premium, handrolled stuff...made in Cuba (which is illegal to buy in the U.S.A), Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, as prime examples.
An occasional premium cigar is...well, I should say "was"...a celebration of a fine event and one of the things that were manly (of course, about a decade ago, cigars became fashionable for women, too, but the trend fizzled out).
Nor does it mean that someone who enjoys an occasional premium cigar has an addiction. I have a humidor containing dozens. I smoke three per week (that's all my wife allows...LOL...true) and I only smoke them outside, on my porch or at a cigar lounge (rarely...but nice...leather chairs/sofas, candy-store sized walk-in cigar humidor) which is among the last of a "man's club" (women are welcome, but they are generally absent by choice).
So, this "addiction", this stick-it-up someone's butt talk...this is the talk of politically correct boys and girly men.
What I've said is not for the promotion of anything. Nor am I looking for a debate on this issue. I'm just giving my personal perspective. One viewpoint...even if being a man nowadays means being a dickless wonder.
Amen.
Whiskey, whether Scotch or Bourbon, and a cigar is not so much an expression of manliness, but the essence of civilization itself.
What do cigars and alcohol have to do with the benefits of chess? LOL. Please don't hijack my thread, guys. MODS: could you repremand people hijacking the thread, maybe?
Sorry if offended.
I picked up chess with the idea of training my mind to organize deep and complex thoughts without losing focus; it takes a certain level of concentration and acuity to calculate several moves ahead, imagine the movement of pieces across the board, and strategize future attacks simultaneously. Having spent a couple years studying the game more intensely, I don't regret my decision at all. I feel as though studying the game has actually helped my mental capabilities. (On the other hand, my addiction to the game may have hindered it quite a bit as well...)
Anyhow, it's a fun game, and I think it actually does help if you keep up at it.
Ziryab wrote:
e4nf3 wrote:
Well, lads, I've got to tell you this...
In this current era of political correctnes and de-gendered and de-masculinized manhood, there are still five things that are still allowed (well, semi-allowed, I suppose) in the realm of manliness.
These three things include growing facial hair (I happen to have a mustache and beard) and enjoying a fine, handmade cigar on occasion. The other three things? I've forgotten what they are and (probably drinking a lot of Scotch is one of them), in addition, they are irrelevant to the point at hand.
Whiskey, whether Scotch or Bourbon, and a cigar is not so much an expression of manliness, but the essence of civilization itself.
You are partially correct. There's still hope for the salvation of your souls.
Civilization owes its emergence and evolution to laziness, which is a distinctive feature of human beings and is their sublime form of existence.
It is the very foundation of what we pride in and name "cultural evolution", "scientific and technical progress" or other elaborate phrases attempting to avoid its obvious and true nature - mankind's quest for idleness, that is what we owe our biggest achievements to.
Until then, if you don't think for yourself, then think for the well-being of society, for the future generations, for global piece and prosperity, and quit playing chess.
Has it got nutrients that we can internally absorb? There's your answer.
Do not eat your chess set for you will not benefit.
Mar 5, 2012
0
#54
newbchessplayer wrote:
What do cigars and alcohol have to do with the benefits of chess? LOL. Please don't hijack my thread, guys. MODS: could you repremand people hijacking the thread, maybe?
Sorry if offended.
Ignorance does not offend, but is can provoke aggravation. I have spent many years testing the positive effects of moderate consumption of whiskey during marathon sessions of online blitz. One glass of two or three ounces of bourbon has ended many a losing streak. A second glass has brought it back with vengeance.
Here's a recent study by bona-fide scientists on the effects of a less interesting spirit on problem solving success: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/338406/title/Vodka_delivers_shot_of_creativity
No, I've OD'd on Chess countless times. It's pretty messy.
Mar 5, 2012
0
#56
newbchessplayer wrote:
What do cigars and alcohol have to do with the benefits of chess? LOL. Please don't hijack my thread, guys. MODS: could you repremand people hijacking the thread, maybe?
Sorry if offended.
I haven't brushed my hair today, so I can be considered a "MOD". Now to your request:
There is no evidence of a threadjack in your thread. Most breakfast items have been consumed earlier in the day, thus no pictures of waffles, pancakes, or danishes. Since Chess.com is a family site, we will contact your family when such items appear.
Management
Mar 5, 2012
0
#58
PatzerLars wrote:
another hijack try: Is your brain good (enough) for chess ?
Please use the correct language. A "hijack", is a greeting to someone named John, or Jackson. A "threadjack", usually has a maple syrup topping.
Mar 5, 2012
0
#60
trysts wrote:
PatzerLars wrote:
another hijack try: Is your brain good (enough) for chess ?
Please use the correct language. A "hijack", is a greeting to someone named John, or Jackson. A "threadjack", usually has a maple syrup topping.
Strawberries or plums that have been tippled in Sake are good on threadjacks with a bit of whipped cream. The carbs are food for the brain, too, so this meal can be recommended the morning of a chess tournament.
Try this one!!
CHESS is the only GAME where it doesn't matter whether you WIN or LOOSE, but it matters whether you LEARNT a lesson from each of the game that you played or not. Here only tactics work. In this world imaginations and expectations play a major role. And the more you loose the more you learn. In this world Chess is the only game in which we can develop mental power,fun,joy,entertainment and learn a lesson in every game that we play. Our analysis power develops. Our ability to think develops.Play, win/loose,win/loose,learn,play, win/loose,win/loose,learn,.......................................................!!!!!!!!!!
116..