Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Still Busy
I got in a 40 problem review the other day, but otherwise I am struggling just to get in 10 problems a day. I don't know how some of you Knights can do it.
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TCT Circle 1
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 79 % 12-17 left
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 79 % 12-17 left
Finished circle 2 of book problems 204-218
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Keep on keeping on
I got a little break to study tactics problems and finally finished circle 2 of the professional combinations from Seirawan's Winning Chess Tactics. I found them collectively to be beyond my abilities, although I suppose examining all the variations I possibly can is a good workout even if I am not accurate.
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TCT Circle 1
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 79 %
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 79 %
Finished circle 2 of book problems 204-218
Friday, April 22, 2005
Woot!
Just got 100% on a problem set within step 4! First good sign in over a week.
A hint for TCT: if they give you 2 options that both look like they work,
it's a trick - don't believe they are truly equal without full calculation!
Nearly got caught again by that...
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 79 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
A hint for TCT: if they give you 2 options that both look like they work,
it's a trick - don't believe they are truly equal without full calculation!
Nearly got caught again by that...
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TCT CircleResult step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 79 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
Monday, April 18, 2005
Busy busy busy
Due to a case of real life, I am down to 10-20 problems per day for the next week it appears. :-(
TCT Circle
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 79 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
TCT Circle
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 79 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
Monday, April 11, 2005
Alternative Program
Here is my current idea for an alternative program. I like the idea of splitting up time spent on a problem into two sections:
With my recent drop *ahem* I think step 4 and 5 of TCT deserve the old 7 circles treatment. This is going to put my 7 circle total up to 1368 problems. I wonder if that will be enough. I suppose if I need more tactics work after that, there always is more software (oh no!), and by then I'll have a firm foundation on how to best use it.
TCT Circle
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 81 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
- Understanding all relevant aspects of a problem to the best of your ability. Even if you start wrong, or even worse totally guess, you ideally want to end up with all of the right ideas given the original position. At this stage, repeating a problem within 3 days is a bit counterproductive.
- Memorization of a problem. Note: I really don't like the idea of getting into a memorizing circle with alot of problems you don't fully understand, but there does seem to be some evidence that it is better than not doing anything on a problem.
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I am aiming at 3 repetitions of TCT's step 1 and 2. Step 3 will be the testing ground for an alternative approach mentioned above.With my recent drop *ahem* I think step 4 and 5 of TCT deserve the old 7 circles treatment. This is going to put my 7 circle total up to 1368 problems. I wonder if that will be enough. I suppose if I need more tactics work after that, there always is more software (oh no!), and by then I'll have a firm foundation on how to best use it.
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TCT Circle
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 81 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Reality Bites
I have entered step 4 of TCT. It is really not that hard, yet it obviously contains enough unfamiliar positions that I must be learning something new :-P.
On the positive side, Tempo just gave me a link that helps in formulating and fine tuning modified circles: http://www.supermemo.com/articles/20rules.htm
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TCT Circle
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 80 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
On the positive side, Tempo just gave me a link that helps in formulating and fine tuning modified circles: http://www.supermemo.com/articles/20rules.htm
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TCT Circle
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
Result step 4: Average score 80 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Endgame Stuff Part 7
I think that endgame problems build calculation and visualization "muscle", and are valuable as that. Even if those exact positions are never reached by us class players, it typically demands for longer calculations than opening and middlegame problems.
Although I have little time for anything other than tactics, the recent posts of other Knights have spurred me to post a draft of my endgame problem collection approach.
Rather than looking at specific material vs material situation, I have been looking for problems with multiple themes. Here is my working endgame theme list:
To me, these are just like what forks, pins, and skewers are in combinations. Interestingly, some of the most basic endgame problems involve multiple elements.
The Saavedra position (note: it's the second position from the top) is a good example of what I was looking for in endgame problems, and I would include this an a 7 circles collection in the future. It has multiple endgame elements and multiple tactical threats to boot: a King at the edge, a King not needing to ferry a passed pawn, a restricted King (at move 4 on), stalemate threat, underpromotion, pin threats, skewer threat, double attack, and mate threats.
(Arguably if you find yourself in the Saavedra position as Black against a strong endgame player, 1...Rd6+ would be a mistake. In my opinion, something desperate like 1...Kb2 holds out longer in a Queen v. Rook situation, probably giving a 1% chance of a draw rather than 0%.)
My original idea was to get a collection of 30-40 endgame problems and do 7 circles with them, but I already opted to do that with the endgame section of Heisman's Looking for Trouble. Maybe after doing several circles on TCT I will get back to looking into more endgame problems.
Completed step 3 of TCT - it's getting harder!
TCT Circle
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
Although I have little time for anything other than tactics, the recent posts of other Knights have spurred me to post a draft of my endgame problem collection approach.
Rather than looking at specific material vs material situation, I have been looking for problems with multiple themes. Here is my working endgame theme list:
- King opposition types: normal, diagonal, distant, and oblique
- King opposition phenomenon: when you do and don't want the opposition, outflanking, when the opposition is irrelevant
- King activity: centralized King, King at the edge of board, King ferrying passed pawns, tying down opponent's King, a restricted King, King luft problems/interference, stalemate threats, stalemated King, triangulation
- Pawns: promotion, underpromotion, pawn weaknesses, locked pawns, pawn blockades, control of square in front of passed pawn, square of the pawn, when to and when not to push pawns, pawn breakthroughs and the rule of symmetry, using a passed pawn as a King decoy, pushing pawns leaves behind weak squares, races
- Conversion/simplification, trading down
- Principle of two weaknesses
To me, these are just like what forks, pins, and skewers are in combinations. Interestingly, some of the most basic endgame problems involve multiple elements.
The Saavedra position (note: it's the second position from the top) is a good example of what I was looking for in endgame problems, and I would include this an a 7 circles collection in the future. It has multiple endgame elements and multiple tactical threats to boot: a King at the edge, a King not needing to ferry a passed pawn, a restricted King (at move 4 on), stalemate threat, underpromotion, pin threats, skewer threat, double attack, and mate threats.
(Arguably if you find yourself in the Saavedra position as Black against a strong endgame player, 1...Rd6+ would be a mistake. In my opinion, something desperate like 1...Kb2 holds out longer in a Queen v. Rook situation, probably giving a 1% chance of a draw rather than 0%.)
My original idea was to get a collection of 30-40 endgame problems and do 7 circles with them, but I already opted to do that with the endgame section of Heisman's Looking for Trouble. Maybe after doing several circles on TCT I will get back to looking into more endgame problems.
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Completed step 3 of TCT - it's getting harder!
TCT Circle
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Barcza
I have noticed that some people seem to shift to the Barcza or KIA (as well as KID) based on recommendations in Sierawan's opening book. I finally got the book (Thanks!) and am digging into that section to get a better handle on it.
It's understandable why he recommends the opening; it avoids plenty of opening stuff (as far as traps and gambits are concerned), it's economical with tempi and usually completes development in 12 moves or less, it comes equipped with some early ideas/plans that move you into a good middlegame, and ( he says ) it avoids theory. Oh, and on top of that it's less to memorize.
Two things stand out. One, I don't exactly understand why this opening is considered one where you quickly leave theory or avoid theory all together. There are plenty of GM games using this opening. I just don't know where the line of "theory" ends.
The second thing that stands out is Black gets advanced warning about what to expect and can muster up a well planned defense.
Result step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Not completed exercises: step 3 , lessons: [ 17. ]
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
It's understandable why he recommends the opening; it avoids plenty of opening stuff (as far as traps and gambits are concerned), it's economical with tempi and usually completes development in 12 moves or less, it comes equipped with some early ideas/plans that move you into a good middlegame, and ( he says ) it avoids theory. Oh, and on top of that it's less to memorize.
Two things stand out. One, I don't exactly understand why this opening is considered one where you quickly leave theory or avoid theory all together. There are plenty of GM games using this opening. I just don't know where the line of "theory" ends.
The second thing that stands out is Black gets advanced warning about what to expect and can muster up a well planned defense.
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TCT CircleResult step 1: Average score 97 %
Result step 2: Average score 93 %
Not completed exercises: step 3 , lessons: [ 17. ]
Result step 3: Average score 93 %
STILL in circle 2 of problems 204-218
