Temposchlucker

 This is the method: Select problem positions with patterns you need to absorb. Don't waste much time with trying to solve a problem yourself. It is about the new patterns you haven't absorbed yet. Solving it yourself is about patterns you already have absorbed. Full understanding is the core of the method. Ignore the details that aren't transferable to other positions. Describe the scenarios in plain language. Clear the square, double attack, annihilate the defender et cetera. This is about conceptualizing the scenarios with the aid of system 2. System 1 looks over the shoulder of  system 2. More precise: both system 1 and system 2 are focussing on where your attention is. Fiddle around with Stockfish to unearth more details of the position. Use spaced repetition to memorize the positions. Speed is taboo. Once memorized, solve the positions with your eyes closed. The last step is my latest discovery. It will clear your head and cement the patterns. You don't need to ...

 While adopting a new strategy, I realized I must change my attitude towards the game. Usually my approach is a bit overambitious. When I accepted the draw in the previous post, we were only at move 27. But I already had somewhat overextended myself mentally. That is no problem when you end before move 35, but I realize that grinding out an endgame until move 80 will become problematic in this way. Hence I must play simpler chess. The game of the previous post was a typical "Bent Larsen moment". By looking overambitious for tactics, I missed the simple positional approach. I looked in the wrong direction. I drained my energy by looking for tactics that weren't there. I adopted the same opening with white that I play with black lately. These types of positions have a tendency to lead to more or less beneficial endgames (which I screw up anyway), so I must learn to manage my mental energy.  The pawns will play a bigger role in my positional approach. So I skimmed through my...

 Yesterday, my 100 points higher rated opponent offered me a draw in this position. White to move n2r1rk1/4q2p/5bp1/pBNbpp2/8/P3P3/1BQ2PPP/2RR2K1 w - - 1 28 I thought for 10 minutes and accepted the draw. The reason that I accepted the draw was that I looked for tactics, but couldn't make any of them work. I was inclined to play 28.Nd7, but I knew that would not work. Today I looked at the position with Stockfish, and it deemed the position as +2.78 for white. The move that I considered scored +1.30, which is giving a lot away. Stockfish confirmed that there is indeed no winning tactic here. Stockfish proposed 28.Qa4 This example made me realize that I need a strategy for this type of positions. When I know that there is no tactic OR I simply am not smart enough to find one OR I cannot make a tactic work, I must make a positional move without further ado. Absorption of more tactical patterns will not help me here. The past 4 months I looked whether it would be possible to make posi...

 After a few months of fiddling around with the center, exchanges, piece activity, restriction, pivot points and invasion, I come to the preliminary conclusion that it will be possible to incorporate these positional ideas into my framework. Meaning, that it make sense to continue with the subjects I was already studying (like endgames) without the risk that I will grind to a hold once I finish them. So I will work the next two years on: further extension of the positional framework (system 2) tactics (system 1). This is the glue between positional ideas endgames (system 2 and system 1) I think that it is a realistic expectation that this will bring me from 1700 to 2000 in about two to four years. If I manage to do so, I consider my case of adult improvement proven beyond doubt. I can't predict what will happen after that for two reasons: I don't know which unexpected discoveries I will make the next years. Be it good or bad. Furthermore, I will get older, and I don't know ...

The following quote seems to be attributed to Einstein.  "You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother." After reshuffling all positional ideas during a few months, it seems that I have found finally an acceptable order: make a pawn plan make a piece plan make an exchange plan To me, the beginning is always the most difficult. The coming time I will elaborate on these plans.

  After studying all kinds of courses about the middlegame, slowly a certain scenario starts to emerge. You must make your own pieces ready behind your pawns This means that your pieces look at the backside of your pawns Then you push one or more pawns The pawns leave pivot points behind in their wake Your minor pieces jump on the pivot point From there they threaten sitting ducks Your opponent starts to defend these ducks In doing so, these pieces start to lose coördination By pressing on different ducks, your opponents' pieces start to move all over the shop Tactical possibilities start to emerge There are a lot of parameters that you need to judge: When are your pieces "ready" Is your opponent more ready than you are? How much will your opponent benefit? Which pieces op your opponent will be restricted? Where are the ducks? How is the color balance? Do you need to trade to adjust the color balance? If it all fizzles out into an endgame, how are your chances? Black to m...

 Study of the middlegame is not easy. A lot of authors try to offer you a quick fix.  Learn this opening with black and you will beat 95% of your opponents with it Obey these 3/5/7 rules and you beat everyone below 2000 with it Don't move your pawns in the middlegame To take is a mistake CCT Don't blunder and wait until your opponent does so Attack, attack, attack! Do not attack! Don't worry about your pawn structure, mate ends the game I wasted years memorizing chess openings, until I learned this People waste years losing at chess, until they learn this SIMPLE STRATEGY Play like Tal/Karpov/Capablanca/Magnus Carlsen Give Me 19 Minutes and I'll Teach You How to Beat Everyone at Chess My life changed when I learned this All these teasers are aiming at to sell you something. This blog is a testimony to TANSTAAFL. At the end of the day you will have to think for yourself! The good thing is that nowadays it is easy to find important and interesting positions with loads of c...