whats the point

I like to compare chess with golf.  Most of us golfers would be lying if we didn't admit to standing over a putt and imagining that it's for something great.  We take it serious because we want to move forward (improve).  It's a life long quest.  I don't ever think that I'll be the next great golf pro, nor the next great chess master, but I'm constantly trying to improve.  That handicap goes down a notch or two in the middle of summer....puts a smile on my face.  My chess rating goes up a bit.....even bigger smile!  Life long quest, without expecting too much.

well the way i see ratings...   (random # for example)   a 1400 is rarely a hundred ahead of a 1300...   just 50... or rather 51...  they are at a 1350 level but on average just a little bit better than 1350... less averagely better than 1360 and so on until not 1400... but a few hundred higher...   its like quantum physics...  there is no defined rating for someone.. it is just a wave of probability...  losing is always part of that probability and so is winning...  its 50/50 closer you get to your own rating... and disproportioned as it leaves it...   also like quantum physics you cannot measure someones skill without changing the result... guy A 1400 faces guy B 1500 to see if 1500 is really better... but once the results are in 1400 may turn into 1380 or 1420  likewise with 1500 (maybe not 20 but im just plucking random #s)    and so in the end it wasn't really a match against 1400 and 1500 it was between 1420 and 1480...                so it was a more even match to start than one may have thought...    but...   thats whatever...   point being (becuase i seem never to really have one anymore)    that if you want to play at a higher level...   for the most part you'll have to win your way up to it...   most 1800 players won't want to face a 1000  becuase it would be like taking candy from a baby...     (maybe a really stong baby   but they wouldn't know)     sure some do but for the most part... players of one skill level want to face other players of the same skill level for that challenge...    in order to get better you lose alot... but your goal is to get good enough to not lose alot...  and i'd say that Clintaf's got it right          we're greedy for success weither we think so or not...  (the good kind of greedy... like a wilting flower has a greed for water)...  and so it feels good to have the skills to achieve it (success might not be to win... but to have the ability to win    if your going to be good enough to face stronger players  it means you'll have to be good enough to beat weaker ones)

but you can't really expect to beat someone 200 points higher... if you can't beat someone 200 point below either

i guess it goes over the heads....    well im done with this as nobody seems to really get what im saying... they just get what they think they are hearing...

As I write I can see a copy of Nimowitzch's my system. Possibly the last of a collection of chess books that I've had for years and started collecting when I was a real keen chess player.  I got rid of the rest as I realised that I really was'nt going to get any better just by the causual read every now and then and I wasnt willing to put in the time to really study those darn books haha!  I've come to the conclusion now, that unless you are a dedicated player with few other interests then its a waist of time maybe with the exception possibly of a book on openings(oops still got a copy of the pocket guide to chess opeinings). 

 

Well, playing chess is a point, because you will train your brain, and you will think some moves ahead. And if you win the world champion you will get $2 million!

why fall in love?

why play in an orchestra?

why forge a katana?

infinite beauty.

I think chess gets exponentially more enjoyable as you get better as in all things. When I was 800 and I was deciding to make a move I would think “Are any of my pieces hanging? Are any of his pieces hanging?”. Now at 1550 I think “What are the weak squares in this position? What is my worst piece and how can I improve it? Which trades would benefit me and which would benefit my opponent considering the nature of this position? Which pawn break is most effective in this position? Etc.”. The vast complexities and uniqueness of each position is finally being seen by me and it’s so fun taking all these factors into account to determine my plan and yet… I’m only at the tip of the iceberg.