PoPLoAFun REDUX
In search for salient cues, I stumble again on my PoPLoAFun system.
r1b2rk1/1pq1bppp/p3pn2/3n2N1/3R4/2N1B1P1/PPQ1PPBP/R5K1 w - - 0 15
Then have a look at the lines of attack.
And the Functions (defenders, overloaded pieces etc.)
And here you have it. Way too much information. And somewhere in this mess there a few essential salient cues. Less is more. When we can find a methodology to restrict the mind to the essential information, we might come further.
PoP = point of pressure
LoA = line of attack
Fun = function
Take the following position.
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| Diagram 1. White to move |
r1b2rk1/1pq1bppp/p3pn2/3n2N1/3R4/2N1B1P1/PPQ1PPBP/R5K1 w - - 0 15
Ni H. vs. Adly, A., Shenzen 2011
Let us first have a look on the balance of the points of pressure.
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| Diagram 2. Same position. PoPs. White to move |
Then have a look at the lines of attack.
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| Diagram 3. Same position. LoAs. White to move |
And the Functions (defenders, overloaded pieces etc.)
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| Diagram 4. Same position. Functions. White to move |
And here you have it. Way too much information. And somewhere in this mess there a few essential salient cues. Less is more. When we can find a methodology to restrict the mind to the essential information, we might come further.
Where to start? If there are any forcible imbalances in the position, then I suppose that the overloaded defenders should lead us the way.
The most obvious starting point (for ME) is the d5-square. Attackers/defenders on the d5-square are [3:2] before considering functions. The BNd5 "protects" BQc7 and BNf6, thus it already has two functions. The BNf6 “protects” BNd5 and h7, thus it already has two functions. The WNc3 appears to be pinned but it also can discover a double attack on the BQc7 if it captures on d5, with a Zwischenzug capturing the BBe7 with check if the WQc2 is captured. Given that the BRa8 and BBc8 are totally out of play regarding the kingside, White has local temporary superiority in the center and on the kingside. Attack the weakest point where you have superiority!
ReplyDeleteYou already drew the lines of attack. After 1. Nxd5 Qxc2 2. Nxe7+ Kh8, the Black king is FORCED into the corner (with NO MOVES!) AND 2. Nxe7+ also clears the LoA to the back rank for the WRd4. With the Black king immobile in the corner, it is easy to “SEE” that the BRf8 can be diverted off the back rank with 3. Nxf7+ Rxf7 (forced). Mopping up occurs after 4. Rd8+ Rf8 5. Rxf8+ Ng8 6. Rxg8#. Black resigned after 15. Nxd5!
That sounds too simplistic; I must be missing something vital.
The point is to “SEE” the critical “chunk” as the starting point of consideration; the weakest square of the position will almost always be part of that starting point. It is not the B.A.D. h7-square [2:2] because the LoA of the WQc2 can be closed easily, eliminating the potential Q+N mate on h7 (even presuming the BNf6 can be destroyed or diverted with tempo).
I have the feeling I'm trying to work miracles with System 2.
ReplyDeleteI suggest revisiting your post: How to feed system 1,
DeleteOctober 08, 2020.
A few thoughts about what I read on the internet.
ReplyDelete* the older world top (Kasparov cs) complains that the new generation have a lack of chess knowledge. They are only better at calculation due to working with the computer
* Carlson says that he is bad in chess puzzles
* Sindarov trains without a computer with a physical board
My conclusions:
Knowledge is not important for the trick.
Context is paramount for narrative building.
A puzzle provides too little context.
Knowledge books provide too many context.
Temposchlucker wrote (in the post and in a comment):
ReplyDeleteAnd here you have it. Way too much information. And somewhere in this mess there a few essential salient cues. Less is more.
I have the feeling I'm trying to work miracles with System 2.
I’m not trying to chide you, BUT...
You have “way too much information” because you are using System 2 to mechanically mark ALL PoPs, ALL LoAs, ALL Functions—before you allow yourself to experience an “intuition” (based on pattern recognition) from System 1, pointing to a particular local area that is “interesting” for some unknown (to System 2) reason as to what the position is really about. You ASSUME that you must thoroughly identify ALL these things in order to get System 1 to work its “magic.” That is a WRONG assumption.
The combined system of the mind [System 1 PLUS System 2] doesn’t work effectively like that. All that is needed to start the associative memory (System 1) working is recognition of a single point of interest. Think of that single point of reference as being like a rock [the single recognized pattern] thrown into a body of water [the “pool” of patterns that we have accumulated over time]. As soon as the rock hits the water, ripples are spread from that point of contact in all directions. This corresponds to recognition of adjacent patterns being activated but (perhaps) at a lower intensity level, just as the ripples start out large and then diminish as they move away from the initial contact.
I suggest you STOP trying to be so thorough. This is NOT an academic exam; there is no need to be thorough. Relax and allow your mind [System 1] to work its “magic” without insisting on System 2 controlling everything. If you will, DAYDREAM about the position without having any specific goal in mind. Our usual adult approach is: “I [System 2] MUST SEE and catalog everything using a sequential logical process in order to make sure I don’t miss anything.” No, you don’t. What you need is an approach that is called BEGINNER’S MIND in Zen.
As an interesting aside, most Western adults misconstrue that concept because their assumed definition of “beginner” is “novice,” someone who is unskilled. On the contrary, Zen BEGINNER’S MIND requires experience and skill in switching from reliance on System 2 to allowing System 1 to “speak” to and for us (knowing that System 1 does not use language to communicate; that is a System 2 function because communicating using language is a sequential process). The purpose of the Zen koan is to cause the logical mind to “run into a brick wall,” metaphorically speaking, so that System 1 can be heard clearly.
I’m not touting learning Zen or any other “religious” idea. (You cannot learn Zen using System 2 anyway.) I’m merely suggesting avoiding using System 2 to enforce control over the process.
Relax and enjoy the process unfolding on its own. I guarantee that if you just sit quietly and contemplate the position “as it is,” your System 1 will begin suggesting a point of interest (something that you subconsciously recognize) and then it will suggest other connections spreading out from that point of interest. And, if you allow it, you will find yourself in a state of “flow” with time passing without any consciousness of it. On the other hand, if you won’t allow it, it will prove to be very frustrating!
I understand your confusion.
ReplyDeleteYou are quite right when we talk about the tournament hall. No system will help you during an OTB game. Since there is no time for System 2 fiddle-faddling around. I never used PoPLoAFun or CCT during an OTB game.
In the study room anything goes. Since we need to discover things.
The situation is totally different from 2020. Back then, I had no idea how to educate System 1. Nowadays, that is totally clear, and I train that way on a daily basis.
You can't investigate without excessive use of System 2.
The remark about working miracles by System 2 was with tongue in cheek.
What am I looking for? I abandoned trial and error because it isn't productive in a bushy tree of analysis. You get lost in the thickets. I abandoned CCT because it has too much redundancy. I abandoned the use of intuition as the main guide in the study room, because that only works AFTER you have educated your System 1. We are in the position before that.
So I'm looking for a system that is able to prune the tree of analysis in a more efficient way than CCT.
I'm sorry: I did not "SEE" your tongue in your cheek. ;-)
DeleteBack in 2020, my study tempo was effectively about 1 problem per day at average.. Since about a month or two, the average tempo is more like 7 problems per day. I have become much more effective already. Understand the trick! My posts explain it all.
ReplyDelete