Caissa: a great ego deflator
I have been finding Wolff's problems on weak squares pretty difficult. I guess that's because I hadn't thought about 'em much before. Also, I am very busy with work so have been very tired when I get home. My admiration for those of you who held down full-time jobs while finishing the circles continues to grow. I hope I can manage it.
I have had a string of crappy games, too. This is partly because I have been trying to incorporate some of the new info from Wolff into my games (space, weak squares, etc). Hopefully it means I am migrating to a new local maximum in my skills. I have noticed in other Knights that this often entails taking a few hits on the way.
I have had a string of crappy games, too. This is partly because I have been trying to incorporate some of the new info from Wolff into my games (space, weak squares, etc). Hopefully it means I am migrating to a new local maximum in my skills. I have noticed in other Knights that this often entails taking a few hits on the way.
posted by Blue Devil Knight at 4/07/2006 11:01:00 AM
8 Comments:
>I have had a string of crappy games, too.
I hate that, too. I know that it is a common phenomena for anyone attempting to play differently, but still it's not much compensation :-).
It simply takes time to value these things. How important is a hole in your front of your pawn. When does it matter and when not.
When revelations come it is easy to overestimate them.
Tempo, it is exactly that: I need to learn the relative importance of all these things. I have begun to undervalue material considerations for positional stuff (and I don't really have a good understanding of the latter anyway). This has bitten me in the ass. For instance, I have learned that it is better to have a backwards pawn than to lose a bishop :)
"I have begun to undervalue material considerations for positional stuff "
Heisman has an article about this called something like "The principle of tactical dominance".
A case can always be made that "tactics flow from good positions." Indeed, Fischer's comment is quite true. However, I'm not sure at our level how much position plays a part in good tactical threats. Your opponent is likely to play just as equally as you in terms of position, but I think tactics and recognizing them is critical. In fact sort of a reverse statement can be made. If you recognize tactical threats of your opponent, you wont end up with a crappy position, because you'll still have material equality....and material is everything.
I wouldn't be upset if you are having trouble with Wolff's problems. They may not actually be good excercises for you. I've found some books "speak to me" more than others. A lot of that has to do with the authors style of writing and method of teaching.
Hi! A bit of a random, but related post here! I'm intending to start De La Maza's program after my exams (in a couple of months) and after a bit of research I found these blogs - I was wondering how would I go about joining the Knights Errant? I can't find a link to some central blog or somewhere to post to let others know if you are about to embark on this perilous journey...
Thanks,
Matt
hi anonymous/matt! it's not hard to become a knight errant. you just start a blog, and if you are following MDLM's plan or any other tactical plan, you are automatically a knight errant if you so desire. if you really want to find a central blog, i would check out Man de la Maza's. he was the founder of the group. good luck with your exams and with starting the chess studies.
Matt, Temposchlucker maintains a post that describes how to be a Knight Errant. Welcome to the chess blogosphere, and best of luck!
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