GordonS Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 3 minutes ago, Trogdor said: There's no doubt that you can still fall into opening traps. It happens to all of us. Sticking to those broad principles should make it less likely but you are correct- it is no guarantee. Those principles are not hard and fast rules. The likes of analysing every check and capture is really important and doing a final 'idiot' check before you move (I often forget to do this and then blunder). I generally don't know a vast amount of opening theory. There are some subtleties of move order that may catch me out now and then. I stick to openings that are simple and without ending up in hundreds of lines and variations. It's not a memory test afterall. Where's the fun in that? I also try to deviate pretty regularly, if you become too predictable you find people may prepare for playing you (particularly in a league format). I totally agree, but I wonder if the value of the general advice has been eroded in the internet age. There are a loads of videos on YouTube telling you how to catch your opponent in a trap and they have millions of views. I had to chose between wising up to them or losing games I should win. I was looking forward to the 360 format cup, because it takes away the memory test... until I drew the best player in the competition. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trogdor Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 3 minutes ago, GordonS said: I totally agree, but I wonder if the value of the general advice has been eroded in the internet age. There are a loads of videos on YouTube telling you how to catch your opponent in a trap and they have millions of views. I had to chose between wising up to them or losing games I should win. I was looking forward to the 360 format cup, because it takes away the memory test... until I drew the best player in the competition. Yeah, the Internet age probably makes a difference. I learnt to play 24 years ago now and the first thing I was taught was how to checkmate with King and Queen and worked back from there. Avoiding scholars mate was the key then. I learnt openings last and really when I wanted to try and improve. As I've got older (with less time) I've veered away from opening theory where I can. Occasionally I get thumped by falling into an opening trap or end up in a passive position with no counter play (that sucks) but more often that not I am undone by a blunder on my part. Sometimes under absolutely no pressure. That's hard to take. I've never played a 360 game in my life. The concept sounds like fun though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeTillEhDeh Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 There's no doubt that you can still fall into opening traps. It happens to all of us. Sticking to those broad principles should make it less likely but you are correct- it is no guarantee. Those principles are not hard and fast rules. The likes of analysing every check and capture is really important and doing a final 'idiot' check before you move (I often forget to do this and then blunder). I generally don't know a vast amount of opening theory. There are some subtleties of move order that may catch me out now and then. I stick to openings that are simple and without ending up in hundreds of lines and variations. It's not a memory test afterall. Where's the fun in that? I also try to deviate pretty regularly, if you become too predictable you find people may prepare for playing you (particularly in a league format). ETA - The bottom line is there is no one way to play and that's what makes the game so interesting. Like you I'm not big on standard moves - but I stick to the key principles you listed.The other thing that does make a difference is flipping the board to see it from your opponent's point of view - to see why they have made the move they have and if you can trap them because they are focused on one part of the board.One other thing I learned early on was that in an end game bishops vs knights will neatly always win on an open board.And practice puzzles - a great way of getting you to think deeper or not miss the obvious. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggysBeard Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 A couple of months ago YouTube had me going from learning the way the horse moves to videos along the lines of "the trap that catches out all GMs" and "win in 8 moves". After a month of getting nowhere I stopped YouTube and got a couple of books aimed at beginners. I reckon OTB with people that know what they're doing would be best. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeTillEhDeh Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 I totally agree, but I wonder if the value of the general advice has been eroded in the internet age. There are a loads of videos on YouTube telling you how to catch your opponent in a trap and they have millions of views. I had to chose between wising up to them or losing games I should win. I was looking forward to the 360 format cup, because it takes away the memory test... until I drew that git in the competition.FTFY. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 1 minute ago, DeeTillEhDeh said: FTFY. That's what I wanted to say, but I was worried I'd cause offence if I kept referring to you as that... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scorge Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Frank - happy to let Psychosis take my spot at the top table, my next three months are looking quite busy so happy to do a pre pack admin so to speak and take the abeyance before maybe coming back. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Psychosis Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 1 hour ago, Scorge said: Frank - happy to let Psychosis take my spot at the top table, my next three months are looking quite busy so happy to do a pre pack admin so to speak and take the abeyance before maybe coming back. That's very good of you but I don't want you to feel obliged. I'll happily start in the seaside leagues, enjoy the journey etc... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Psychosis Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, GordonS said: I totally agree, but I wonder if the value of the general advice has been eroded in the internet age. There are a loads of videos on YouTube telling you how to catch your opponent in a trap and they have millions of views. I had to chose between wising up to them or losing games I should win. I was looking forward to the 360 format cup, because it takes away the memory test... until I drew the best player in the competition. I think if you want to get "good" at chess then you need to focus on playing classical openings (rather than cheap trappy ones) and stick to the fundamental principles. If you want to win a few games on chess.com playing Blitz then just learn a few trappy openings. Both are equally valid, it just depends on what you're trying to do. People who do the latter will probably "improve" faster but will hit a plateau. People who do the former are more likely to actually get good. In terrible footballing analogies its like coaching U16s. Teach them how to stay in position, how to play as an11v11 team with offside trap etc. and they'll probably win loads of games against the teams who just learn ball skills. But by U21 the kids with skills will have shot past them. Edited April 15, 2021 by Uncle Psychosis 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 1 hour ago, Uncle Psychosis said: I think if you want to get "good" at chess then you need to focus on playing classical openings (rather than cheap trappy ones) and stick to the fundamental principles. If you want to win a few games on chess.com playing Blitz then just learn a few trappy openings. Both are equally valid, it just depends on what you're trying to do. People who do the latter will probably "improve" faster but will hit a plateau. People who do the former are more likely to actually get good. In terrible footballing analogies its like coaching U16s. Teach them how to stay in position, how to play as an11v11 team with offside trap etc. and they'll probably win loads of games against the teams who just learn ball skills. But by U21 the kids with skills will have shot past them. Ta. You're right, what I want to do is win games in this league more than I want to win 5 minute matches on Chess.com, so I should stick with the good advice. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggysBeard Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 2 hours ago, Uncle Psychosis said: I'll happily start in the seaside leagues, enjoy the journey etc... Aw aye, it's that patter already. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Psychosis Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 34 minutes ago, ShaggysBeard said: Aw aye, it's that patter already. As a thistle fan it's the only chance I'll get 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggysBeard Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 13 minutes ago, Uncle Psychosis said: As a thistle fan it's the only chance I'll get Fair play, you can have that one. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Grimes Posted April 16, 2021 Author Share Posted April 16, 2021 14 hours ago, Scorge said: Frank - happy to let Psychosis take my spot at the top table, my next three months are looking quite busy so happy to do a pre pack admin so to speak and take the abeyance before maybe coming back. You will be missed 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Grimes Posted April 16, 2021 Author Share Posted April 16, 2021 Division A Round 1 Purplekangaroo89 v ChessBassGuitar Bri1962 v gkneil beef2711 v Dearyme GordonEF v Elrohana AH13STU v madwullie Round 2 Ziggy_The_Spider v Bri1962 Dearyme v Purplekangaroo89 gkneil v GordonEF madwullie v beef2711 Elrohana v AH13STU 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Grimes Posted April 16, 2021 Author Share Posted April 16, 2021 Division B Round 1 Cardinalrichie v hammysgetinpumped eindhovendee v GParsfan Strachanovski v topcateh3 Board_Stupid v RicheyEdwards Arabjoe v GCarlos9 Round 2 NotThePars v eindhovendee topcateh3 v CardinalRichie GParsfan v Board_Stupid GCarlos9 v Strachanovski RicheyEdwards v Arabjoe 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Grimes Posted April 16, 2021 Author Share Posted April 16, 2021 Division C Round 1 mackieboz v DieHardDoonhamer Johnnydun418 v invergowrie GordonS496 v cols407 AimHere v pleslie999 markf268 v RBWatson Round 2 Dandies1983 v Johnnydun418 cols407 v mackieboz invergowrie v AimHere RBWatson v GordonS496 pleslie999 v markf268 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madwullie Posted April 16, 2021 Share Posted April 16, 2021 (edited) 19 hours ago, Frank Grimes said: I’m sure we can squeeze you in We currently have three leagues of 11 A rating of 1500 makes me think you’d be suited to the top league? I wouldn't mind slipping down a league to create space Nvm I've now read the thread Edited April 16, 2021 by madwullie 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loki Posted April 16, 2021 Share Posted April 16, 2021 Just to confirm arabjoe is the correct username and he has an avatar of a beach with a Middle Eastern flag? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Grimes Posted April 16, 2021 Author Share Posted April 16, 2021 4 minutes ago, Loki said: Just to confirm arabjoe is the correct username and he has an avatar of a beach with a Middle Eastern flag? Sounds right 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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