Yusupov and the Older Lower Rated Player

Thanks!

The Komodo skill levels are setable as part of the UCI engine parameters. There are instructions on the Komodo site for this and the other parameters.

I got curious what Lucas Chess would say about this game in its analysis using Stockfish 9. It agreed that the game was quite accurate. As for the ELO rating, don't I wish, but I think I did play well above my normal level during it.

So you are not playing these games against Komodo on chess.com, am I right!?

I think it is quite possible to play a so called perfect game once in a while, especially if the opponent is kind enough to assist you with that.  

I play against Komodo on Chess.com a good deal. But I also purchased it and use it within my Fritz 16 user interface. On chess.com you simply choose computer1, computer2, ... computer20.

I have played other games that were similar in accuracy to this one, but never against an opponent that was also this accurate. That is why I am so happy about how I did.

I just can't find computer level 20 that you are referring to. All I get is chess.com computer up to level 10, and that's it.

Ah. The layout of this site can be very confusing. The problem is you are going directly to the computer option. Instead, select "Live Chess". Then under that select "Vs Computer". There are a whole bunch of options that will pop. Select one of them and make sure you have selected the time control and whether you want the game rated or not.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

I have just finished the final test. it took me about four hours to complete it. It feels like my head is gonna explode.  I scored 26 points of 40. 20 points is the pass mark. It is now time for the 5th book.

Finished Evolution 1, chapter 16(3rd orange book). Rather easy one. 19/19 score on the test in well under an hour. It was Knight vs pawn(s) endings. Once you know the few standard positions they were mostly rather easy. Only on the 3 point ones did I wind up setting up the board before writing answer. And one of those was just to confirm. 

Reviewed all of them with physical pieces on board all the same though to reinforce.

Thanks for mentioning the series.  Like you, I'm in my 60's had a 1600's OTB from 2000 and 2116 Postal Rating from the 70's and hadn't played since 2000. I returned to competitive chess to keep my mind sharp. Someone gave me all 9 Yusupov books (3 Build Up Your Chess, 3 Boost Your Chess, 3 Chess Evolution) a few years back and I forgot I had them!  I'll have to start with the first chapter and work through.

How topical! I actually had a Knight vs Pawn Ending in my last game. I managed to hold it. Black to move and draw (not a good problem because there are quite a few correct moves for Black here).

At the time, I was wishing I had a bit more knowledge of these endgames.

I think you will find the series very worthwhile if you give it a spin. It does take a fair amount of effort, but I feel like just going through the first book has definitely improved my game. If you do start going through them, please feel free to post your progress here. I think the buddy system helps keep up the motivation.

Like @madratter7, I think the series is very worthwhile. You do have to work hard at the books, as they are not easy, but the effort pays off. I'm on chapter 21 of the second book and have seen a definite improvement in my game. 

Finished chapter 22 of Boost Your Chess 1 this evening. The topic was coordination of pieces. As usual with Yusupov, the positional play chapters are the most difficult for me. I did pass the test, but only by a couple of points.

Piece coordination is one of those topics that I never used to even consider in playing. Dynamic considerations such as piece activity, piece coordination, and initiative only came onto my radar in the past year, and they have remained somewhat mysterious. Now that my calculation is improving (though still far from good), the dynamic aspects of positional play will be the next area of focus.

One of the great things about chess is that more you learn, the more you realize that you still need to learn.

This game is really humbling. There is just so incredibly much to it. That is part of its charm, but it can certainly be frustrating as well.

All I need to do to be totally humbled is play a game of blitz. I am so past pathetic at that time control it isn't even funny.

Finished Chess Evolution 1, chapter 17(orange books)(Attacking with rook and knight). Scored 18/19. Did spend about 20 minutes on both 3 *** problems. With those, after staring at board and then even moving pieces around for 15 minutes or so, I actually walked away. Came back a few minutes later and found the answer fairly quickly. Others were fairly easy.

Trent: I'm without. I know I'm never going to be a first rate chess player. But I love to learn.  Feel free to post your progress as you go along.

KassySC: It is strange how sometimes walking away can really help you look at a problem differently. I was doing a very high level tactic for me on Chess Tempo. I absolutely could not find the solution. I ended up shutting it down and coming back the next morning. Within a couple of minutes I solved it.

I don't know how many times I have struggled with a tactic or position and all the sudden it just clicks. And when it clicks it is obvious.

As for my own progress, I'm about half way through the introductory material for chapter 2 of boost. This chapter is more positional in nature, and figures to be a very hard one for me.

I finished Boost 1 today. Passed the final test easily, coming within a whisker of "excellent". Some evidence of how effective Yusupov is: before studying this book, I would never have looked at many of the best continuations. After completing the lessons, some of them several months ago, it was possible to accurately analyze the positions and find a good way to proceed.

Next up is Soltis's "100 Chess Master Trade Secrets", and then Chess Evolution 1.

I have a 3 game tournament coming up on the 19th. Those non-Yusupov players better watch out. lol

"I have a 3 game tournament coming up on the 19th. Those non-Yusupov players better watch out. lol"

Probably so!