Oh, that trap. I thought you meant "Never get involved in a land war in Asia," or "Never go in against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line!"
Hehe. Facing the Sicilian can get risky, especially against a well-prepared opponent, and when, well DEATH is on the line.
I guess studying endgames first wouldn't be the worst idea. After all, the Soviets taught their players endgames first and Capablanca's first book he liked was an endgame book.
I doubt a temporary fascination in the endgame is going to hurt you.
It seems sensible that you will want to learn more about the other parts of the game so you can learn to make them work into one of these endings you have learned to love so much.
I've heard too that many masters suggest learning the endgames first. This really makes sense. Then once you go to learn the middle game, you can learn it with the goal of learning how to work into favorable endgames, since you know what they are then. Then, of course, you can start learning openings that can lead to middle games that can lead to favorable endgames.
I doubt a temporary fascination in the endgame is going to hurt you.
It seems sensible that you will want to learn more about the other parts of the game so you can learn to make them work into one of these endings you have learned to love so much.
I've heard too that many masters suggest learning the endgames first. This really makes sense. Then once you go to learn the middle game, you can learn it with the goal of learning how to work into favorable endgames, since you know what they are then. Then, of course, you can start learning openings that can lead to middle games that can lead to favorable endgames.
Yeah, exactly! Each phase flows into the next, and, barring a major blunder on my opponent's part, an endgame will be reached, so starting from the endgame and working backwards is the idea here. As Capablanca said
"In order to improve your game, you must study the endgame before everything else. For whereas the endings can be studied and mastered by themselves, the middle game and opening must be studied in relation to the end game."
(Quote courtesy of chess quotes.com)
I read once that many writers do the same thing when they are writing a novel. They start with the ending and build the rest of the story around it.
I read once that many writers do the same thing when they are writing a novel. They start with the ending and build the rest of the story around it.
That's a very fascinating idea, one I've never heard of before!
Maybe when we sit down to a game of chess, we should envision ourselves winning. Then build the game around that.
Maybe when we sit down to a game of chess, we should envision ourselves winning. Then build the game around that.
:)
endgame will certainly help your chess and the understanding gained helps every other aspect. Being able to put away won games is worth more wins than some realize.
I like kleeofs post best about how you know what to shoot for in the middle and opening.
Every good player uses the threat of a better endgame
Every good player uses the threat of a better endgame
Funny when you think about it. Chess is a game based on threats.
Many authors have talked about the power of threats in chess.
Here is an interesting thread I just found on Chess.com about threats: http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/quota-threat-is-stronger-than-the-executionquot
It's funny you should mention the threat of a better endgame. I am currently involved in a game that could move into a, possibly, favorable endgame for me. This is the first time I think I've ever given it any real thought.
I think, after reading this, I might go for it.
Every good player uses the threat of a better endgame
Funny when you think about it. Chess is a game based on threats.
Many authors have talked about the power of threats in chess.
Here is an interesting thread I just found on Chess.com about threats: http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/quota-threat-is-stronger-than-the-executionquot
It's funny you should mention the threat of a better endgame. I am currently involved in a game that could move into a, possibly, favorable endgame for me. This is the first time I think I've ever given it any real thought.
I think, after reading this, I might go for it.
Neat! Threats are indeed very important in chess.
Apparently the Russian Chess School method focused on learning endgames first, which sounds like a good thing to me.
I actually regret that I did not spend so much time on endgames in the past.
Yeah. I have felt like that. Even though I've only been studying for about 1/2 a year. I don't find endgame study interesting at all. I know some of the basics; r+k vs K, opposition but none of the really heavy stuff.
Apparently the Russian Chess School method focused on learning endgames first, which sounds like a good thing to me.
I actually regret that I did not spend so much time on endgames in the past.
Yeah. I have felt like that. Even though I've only been studying for about 1/2 a year. I don't find endgame study interesting at all. I know some of the basics; r+k vs K, opposition but none of the really heavy stuff.
Well, I find it interesting for a few reasons:
The basic calculation that wins basic endings like Q+Kvs K and R+Kvs K endings.
The calculations involved in winning or drawing K+p vs K endings.
In endgames, you get to see the powers of the pieces in their clearest forms.
With endgame studies, you appreciate the complexity of chess because simple rook and pawn endings can really be mind-bogglingly complex!
With endgame studies, you understand the relative value of the pieces better.
With endgames, you often see in pure form the purpose of certain strategic principles in the middlegame.
So, in a way, Studying endgames, to put it mildly, helps one understand and appreciate the beauty and art of chess!
I kind of like Rag Time!
I think you may have stumbled into the wrong thread Jamie.
I think you want this thread:
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/fun-with-chess/what-is-the-music-that-you-listen-to-when-you-play-chess
I kind of like Rag Time!
I think you may have stumbled into the wrong thread Jamie.
I think you want this thread:
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/fun-with-chess/what-is-the-music-that-you-listen-to-when-you-play-chess
But Lasker's admoniton was, Do not embrace the rag-time and vaudeville of chess.
And that was an excellent music topic! :-)
Ah, right. Well, if it is worth anything to you, I've been listening to Scott Joplin since you posted that.
I can guarantee you that endgame butterfly-flame-like fascination will not last long to the study of Q+p vs. Q or even R+p vs. R.
The endgames will exhaust you sooner than you exhaust them.
I love endgames. I love them not too wisely, but all too well. Emanuel Lasker had a quote that went:
"Do not permit yourself to fall in love with the end-game play to the exclusion of entire games. It is well to have the whole story of how it happened; the complete play, not the denouement only. Do not embrace the rag-time and vaudeville of chess."
However, after purchasing Silman's Complete Endgame course and reading everything through part seven, the USCF expert section, I just can't get enough of them! Yes, I know there are more important things to study at my level, like tactics, but I don't really intend on being a serious chess player, so I can have a little "fun".
Consider a hypothetical, though: What if I kept studying endgames exhaustively, until my brain literally "catches on fire." What kind of strength player would I be? After all, excellence in endgame play requires many of the chess basics that enable success in all chess positions, like calculation, evaluation, piece harmony/coordination, tactical vision.
Thanks for any responses!
chessman