Chess psychology bookshelf
I stumbled upon a Chess psychology bookshelf from Rick Kennedy over at chessville. It is a useful and fairly exhaustive annotated bibliography of books that examine the psychology of chess and chess improvement. And I can't resist giving a big Huzzahhh for our inspiring and brilliant new President-elect Barack Obama. Also, a hearty handshake goes to McCain, whose gracious concession speech showed us his true self for the first time in months. If we had seen more of the Real McCain during the campaign, he likely would have won.
posted by Blue Devil Knight at 11/04/2008 02:32:00 PM
8 Comments:
Interesting list of books. It seems like this field of chess psychology falls into two parts- the first being how chess players think during games, and the second being how chess players behave away from the board. The first is perhaps more practical for patzers like us, though I admit I enjoy reading the odd little vignettes about great players' eccentricities. The relationship between these two parts is perhaps the most interesting issue.
As far as the election goes, I can only agree with you completely. I was surprisingly impressed by McCain's speech, especially while comparing his behavior to the less than gracious crowd.
Joe: yes, there are a few categories. Like you said, there's the 'How to think' type book on one hand, and the 'How do the masters think' written by actual psychologists on the other.
That's quite an extensive list of books. It's funny because I've never really looked at "Think Like a Grandmaster" as a book on chess psychology per se. I'm not an expert on chess psychology but I've always looked at it in terms of how players respond to the various external factors involved. How do these external things impact our thinking and calculating in a give situation?
Regarding Tuesday, what a night. I was impressed with both speeches. I think both men spoke beautifully. Too bad Mc Cain had a bunch of knuckleheads in his audience that took away from his gracious words.
Polly: Yes, 'thought process' is usually included. It's sort of applied psychology. Err...or at least a thinking 'how to' book, and since psychology deals with 'thought' I guess it's like a practical psychological manual, like a self-help book (they are in the psyche section at bookstores). :)
I'm willing to cut them some slack after such an emotional campaign. Plus, he selected for knuckleheads in the way he campaigned the past month. It was good that he shut them up. :)
The best part of that video was around the 5:15 mark when the crowd started chanting "John McCain! John McCain!". The camera focused on some old bearded guy who was probably also saying it, but barely moving his mouth.
I hope the GOP gets back to its libertarian roots. In my day, when I was a Republican, it was more aligned with Jefferson than Pat Robertson.
And I walked backwards up an ice cube road to school.
Thanks for that link, it is a very good list, and I have a majority on my shelf.
I wrote some posts about Dr. Colby's "Grandpatzer" book awhile back, and I wish someone would reprint it. With him being a Ph.D in psychology and enthusiastic chess amateur I think his book, more than any other, is enjoyable and useful for the non-master.
Post a Comment
<< Home