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Is there a remedy against blundering?
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nastyho...@gmail.com
Jan 19, 2020, 8:42:42 AM1/19/20
to
Bs"d
Is there a cure for playing blunderfull?
My big problem is my rotten play and especially my blunders. Just played a nice game, routed a decent player, https://lichess.org/V2zsemfOzMIL but when playing it over again, I saw that on move 30 the opponent blundered away a castle, and I didn't see it, but went on to win a pawn.
Didn't matter too much in the result, the opponent resigned on move 32, but it is not good.
All my games are riddled with blunders like that.
Does anybody know a solution for that?
http://tiny.cc/blunders-all-there
Is there a cure for playing blunderfull?
My big problem is my rotten play and especially my blunders. Just played a nice game, routed a decent player, https://lichess.org/V2zsemfOzMIL but when playing it over again, I saw that on move 30 the opponent blundered away a castle, and I didn't see it, but went on to win a pawn.
Didn't matter too much in the result, the opponent resigned on move 32, but it is not good.
All my games are riddled with blunders like that.
Does anybody know a solution for that?
http://tiny.cc/blunders-all-there
nastyho...@gmail.com
Jan 19, 2020, 8:46:02 AM1/19/20
to
The horrible truth is; also on move 31 I could easily win the rook, but also then I didn't see it.
And when I play over the game I see it right away.
Why not during the game??
http://tiny.cc/wait-mistakes
Offramp
Jan 19, 2020, 11:42:50 AM1/19/20
to
After your opponent moves, see if you can see what his threat is.
The Horny Goat
Jan 20, 2020, 3:43:22 PM1/20/20
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On Sun, 19 Jan 2020 05:42:40 -0800 (PST), nastyho...@gmail.com
wrote:
One method that used to be common was recording the move on your
scoresheet before playing it but that's now considered cheating.
In the day it was common even at GM level with the best known case
being during Fischer-Spassky Reykjavik 1972. (The writer was Spassky
though Fischer also did the same occasionally)
If it's a critical position a good method is to get up from the board
and visualize the move from your opponent's side of the board. As long
as you are discreet and don't distract them there should be no
complaint. Obviously you can't do that with every move but it's common
to walk about during a tournament game and if you do it 2 or 3 times a
game at most there should be no issue.
wrote:
scoresheet before playing it but that's now considered cheating.
In the day it was common even at GM level with the best known case
being during Fischer-Spassky Reykjavik 1972. (The writer was Spassky
though Fischer also did the same occasionally)
If it's a critical position a good method is to get up from the board
and visualize the move from your opponent's side of the board. As long
as you are discreet and don't distract them there should be no
complaint. Obviously you can't do that with every move but it's common
to walk about during a tournament game and if you do it 2 or 3 times a
game at most there should be no issue.
Offramp
Jan 20, 2020, 4:32:15 PM1/20/20
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> In the day it was common even at GM level ...
What happened t night?
What happened t night?
nastyho...@gmail.com
Mar 22, 2020, 3:07:55 AM3/22/20
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Bs"d
In this game on move 15 I happily blundered away a full rook: https://lichess.org/8Xa8y614cXwy
Fortunately I still managed to win, but I'm not happy with blundering like that.
I guess I'll have to learn to live with it.
http://tiny.cc/next-to-last
In this game on move 15 I happily blundered away a full rook: https://lichess.org/8Xa8y614cXwy
Fortunately I still managed to win, but I'm not happy with blundering like that.
I guess I'll have to learn to live with it.
http://tiny.cc/next-to-last
Eli Kesef
Mar 27, 2020, 4:26:49 AM3/27/20
to
Bs"d
At least I'm not the only one blundering. Here https://lichess.org/SLk0etSK3Qyl an 1847 who on move 6 blunders away his queen, and resigns.
Easy points and the comforting feeling that I'm not alone in my blunderfull games.
http://tiny.cc/blunders-all-there
At least I'm not the only one blundering. Here https://lichess.org/SLk0etSK3Qyl an 1847 who on move 6 blunders away his queen, and resigns.
Easy points and the comforting feeling that I'm not alone in my blunderfull games.
http://tiny.cc/blunders-all-there
Eli Kesef
Mar 27, 2020, 6:21:26 AM3/27/20
to
Bs"d
More news from the blunder front. In this game https://lichess.org/o73gM2Od26dW I managed to blunder away a horse on move 13. It was not particularly hard to see, the horse was under attack by a pawn, it was just that I didn't bother to look at the position before I made my move.
But the real howler is, that the opponent didn't take my horse. He only took a pawn. :D
And then further on in the weird game, the opponent blundered himself into a mate.
All is well that ends well.
But I start to doubt the quality of the chess games in Lichess...
But then again, a strong GM, Tartakower, he saw that principle already, so maybe it's just a common and inescapable fact of life that we have to learn to live with.
https://lichess.org/o73gM2Od26dW
More news from the blunder front. In this game https://lichess.org/o73gM2Od26dW I managed to blunder away a horse on move 13. It was not particularly hard to see, the horse was under attack by a pawn, it was just that I didn't bother to look at the position before I made my move.
But the real howler is, that the opponent didn't take my horse. He only took a pawn. :D
And then further on in the weird game, the opponent blundered himself into a mate.
All is well that ends well.
But I start to doubt the quality of the chess games in Lichess...
But then again, a strong GM, Tartakower, he saw that principle already, so maybe it's just a common and inescapable fact of life that we have to learn to live with.
https://lichess.org/o73gM2Od26dW
Eli Kesef
Mar 30, 2020, 1:59:49 AM3/30/20
to
Bs"d
And again, in the early morning, I played a horribly blunderfull game: https://lichess.org/YFHPuDJa8uh0
I overlooked one of my favorite moves, a nasty horse fork, for two full moves. Only on the third move that it was possible I actually saw it, and after telling the opponent "Nasty horse fork" I made the fork, forking his queen and king. After the fork I could take his queen, but I decided to take his king and mate him.
How true are the words of GM Tartakower:
http://tiny.cc/next-to-last
That's just the way it is....
Not much I can do about it.
And again, in the early morning, I played a horribly blunderfull game: https://lichess.org/YFHPuDJa8uh0
I overlooked one of my favorite moves, a nasty horse fork, for two full moves. Only on the third move that it was possible I actually saw it, and after telling the opponent "Nasty horse fork" I made the fork, forking his queen and king. After the fork I could take his queen, but I decided to take his king and mate him.
How true are the words of GM Tartakower:
http://tiny.cc/next-to-last
That's just the way it is....
Not much I can do about it.
Eli Kesef
Mar 30, 2020, 7:34:14 AM3/30/20
to
Bs"d
Sometimes chess blindness hits like lightening: https://lichess.org/SNblCrnQiNqX
In a handful of moves I went from +5 to -2 by blundering away two rooks and a bishop.
https://tinyurl.com/chessblind
Sometimes chess blindness hits like lightening: https://lichess.org/SNblCrnQiNqX
In a handful of moves I went from +5 to -2 by blundering away two rooks and a bishop.
https://tinyurl.com/chessblind
Eli Kesef
Mar 31, 2020, 10:48:29 AM3/31/20
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Bs"d
Missing a mate in one is a big blunder, right?
Just did it: https://lichess.org/2JKGp3Pa8X0O
Not that it mattered, I did something else, and the opponent resigned.
It was really not that bad of a blunder, I caught myself in the nick of time almost blundering away a castle by almost taking the pawn on h6 on move 40.
It's getting boring posting all my blunders here. It's an unending and labour intensive story, G.d forbid.
Let's just all accept the fact that I play very blunderful, and that's it.
Please don't hold it against me and please don't start yelling at me because of it.
I really can't help it.
http://tiny.cc/blunders-all-there
Missing a mate in one is a big blunder, right?
Just did it: https://lichess.org/2JKGp3Pa8X0O
Not that it mattered, I did something else, and the opponent resigned.
It was really not that bad of a blunder, I caught myself in the nick of time almost blundering away a castle by almost taking the pawn on h6 on move 40.
It's getting boring posting all my blunders here. It's an unending and labour intensive story, G.d forbid.
Let's just all accept the fact that I play very blunderful, and that's it.
Please don't hold it against me and please don't start yelling at me because of it.
I really can't help it.
http://tiny.cc/blunders-all-there
Eli Kesef
Apr 16, 2020, 8:57:50 AM4/16/20
to
Bs"d
So as Tallybloodyho I had an exact 2000 rating, and started a new rated game: https://lichess.org/iCfKE2hIJIxE
In that game I managed to blunder away a horse on move 7. So I accepted the fact that I was going to sink below the 2000 again, but lo and behold, I managed to win the game!
http://tinyurl.com/Praise-Ha
So as Tallybloodyho I had an exact 2000 rating, and started a new rated game: https://lichess.org/iCfKE2hIJIxE
In that game I managed to blunder away a horse on move 7. So I accepted the fact that I was going to sink below the 2000 again, but lo and behold, I managed to win the game!
http://tinyurl.com/Praise-Ha
Eli Kesef
Apr 16, 2020, 11:12:48 AM4/16/20
to
Bs"d
This one is very interesting: https://lichess.org/4oPiYIp2PbdB
It happens on move 10; the opponent attacks my bishop with a pawn, and I decided that was a good moment to do the castling. He took my bishop, and I just never noticed. Once I won his queen, I was surprised that I was only 2 points ahead, but didn't think to much of it.
Only in the postmortem did I see that I blundered away a bishop.
Like a wise man said: "If I can only get rid of these blunders, my rating would improve by leaps and bounds."
But it looks like I just have to learn to live with them. :(
https://tinyurl.com/blunders-all-there
This one is very interesting: https://lichess.org/4oPiYIp2PbdB
It happens on move 10; the opponent attacks my bishop with a pawn, and I decided that was a good moment to do the castling. He took my bishop, and I just never noticed. Once I won his queen, I was surprised that I was only 2 points ahead, but didn't think to much of it.
Only in the postmortem did I see that I blundered away a bishop.
Like a wise man said: "If I can only get rid of these blunders, my rating would improve by leaps and bounds."
But it looks like I just have to learn to live with them. :(
https://tinyurl.com/blunders-all-there
The Horny Goat
Apr 16, 2020, 11:51:11 PM4/16/20
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Expert. (Not that I ever had much regard for server ratings - I was
2450 once on one of the better known servers though have been a
lifetime OTB high B player with a lifetime personal best of 1905)
Eli Kesef
Apr 17, 2020, 2:22:32 AM4/17/20
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On Friday, April 17, 2020 at 6:51:11 AM UTC+3, The Horny Goat wrote:
> On Thu, 16 Apr 2020 05:57:47 -0700 (PDT), Eli Kesef
> On Thu, 16 Apr 2020 05:57:47 -0700 (PDT), Eli Kesef
> wrote:
>
> >Bs"d
> >
> >So as Tallybloodyho I had an exact 2000 rating, and started a new rated game: https://lichess.org/iCfKE2hIJIxE
> >
> >In that game I managed to blunder away a horse on move 7. So I accepted the fact that I was going to sink below the 2000 again, but lo and behold, I managed to win the game!
> >
> >http://tinyurl.com/Praise-Ha
>
> No offence but blundering pieces before turn 10 is not the mark of an
> Expert.
Bs"d
>
> >Bs"d
> >
> >So as Tallybloodyho I had an exact 2000 rating, and started a new rated game: https://lichess.org/iCfKE2hIJIxE
> >
> >In that game I managed to blunder away a horse on move 7. So I accepted the fact that I was going to sink below the 2000 again, but lo and behold, I managed to win the game!
> >
> >http://tinyurl.com/Praise-Ha
>
> No offence but blundering pieces before turn 10 is not the mark of an
> Expert.
I'm afraid that I'm not an expert.
That's just the way it is.
Eli Kesef
Nov 1, 2020, 8:09:19 AM11/1/20
to
Bs"d
This is one of those days again. In this game I managed to blunder away 2 pieces, and still win the game. What does this say about the opponent?
Both times he didn't notice me blundering away a piece. The first one was on move 10, I thought it was safe to take the pawn, but I overlooked that I would not be able in the end to take with the queen, because of the threat castle e1, pinning my queen on my king, losing the queen. But he played it wrong. https://lichess.org/qyT1WCz9e1bd
Next one was on move 20, I gave away a piece in full daylight, but the enemy didn't see it. HalleluJah!!
https://tinyurl.com/fairytale-1001
This is one of those days again. In this game I managed to blunder away 2 pieces, and still win the game. What does this say about the opponent?
Both times he didn't notice me blundering away a piece. The first one was on move 10, I thought it was safe to take the pawn, but I overlooked that I would not be able in the end to take with the queen, because of the threat castle e1, pinning my queen on my king, losing the queen. But he played it wrong. https://lichess.org/qyT1WCz9e1bd
Next one was on move 20, I gave away a piece in full daylight, but the enemy didn't see it. HalleluJah!!
https://tinyurl.com/fairytale-1001
The Horny Goat
Nov 3, 2020, 12:54:05 AM11/3/20
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If you are truly seeking to advance there is work to do.
No question blunders happen but you do need to try to minimize them
and either resign immediately or fight like hell to recover an
objectively lost position - and I >have< recovered such positions
against players rated 200+ points above me.
Eli Kesef
Nov 3, 2020, 1:34:15 AM11/3/20
to
It takes a lot of mental work = a lot of mental stress to always look very well at the position, and prevent one move blunders. I'm usually not in the mood for that.
This one is interesting: https://lichess.org/Qfw9UGHF7T1D Played it yesterday, the enemy puts a castle right in the line of fire of my bishop, ripe fruit for the taking, and I didn't see it. He also not. This happened on move 15. But the castle stayed there, and I also could take it on move 16. And also on move 17. And also on move 18. And also on move 19. And also on move 20. But on move 21 I saw the light, and I took his castle.
Sometimes it takes a while, but wait long enough and I see good moves.
https://tinyurl.com/last-blunder
Eli Kesef
Nov 5, 2020, 1:18:16 PM11/5/20
to
Bs"d
Here we see an IM, Lichess rating 2463, blundering. The opponent gives away a piece, and he doesn't see it. So if IM's do it, I'm not to blame for my blunderfull moves.
An other interesting thing we see here, is that the IM plays against an opponent who is more than ELEVENHUNDRED (1100!) points below him.
I prefer lower rated opponents, but 1100 points lower?? Even I don't stoop that low.
So I guess I'm not so bad after all.
https://tinyurl.com/combination-satisfy
Here we see an IM, Lichess rating 2463, blundering. The opponent gives away a piece, and he doesn't see it. So if IM's do it, I'm not to blame for my blunderfull moves.
An other interesting thing we see here, is that the IM plays against an opponent who is more than ELEVENHUNDRED (1100!) points below him.
I prefer lower rated opponents, but 1100 points lower?? Even I don't stoop that low.
So I guess I'm not so bad after all.
https://tinyurl.com/combination-satisfy
Eli Kesef
Nov 5, 2020, 3:20:36 PM11/5/20
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Quadibloc
Nov 18, 2020, 6:43:33 AM11/18/20
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On Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 6:42:42 AM UTC-7, Eli Kesef wrote:
> Is there a cure for playing blunderfull?
Unlike computers, humans make mistakes.
> Is there a cure for playing blunderfull?
There may indeed be a practice regimen for chess players which
will improve their ability to see possibilities over the board.
But I recently encountered, in another newsgroup, mention of
an old bit of German doggerel from Bavaria that this reminds
me of, which goes approximately like this:
For fleas, there's powder;
for shoes, there's polish;
for thirst, there's water;
but for stupidity there is nothing.
Of course, blundering at chess is such a reasonable
error that it isn't really the kind of stupidity referred
to here... but your question still called it to mind.
John Savard
Eli Kesef
Nov 18, 2020, 12:21:01 PM11/18/20
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On Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 1:43:33 PM UTC+2, Quadibloc wrote:
> On Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 6:42:42 AM UTC-7, Eli Kesef wrote:
>
> > Is there a cure for playing blunderfull?
> Unlike computers, humans make mistakes.
>
> There may indeed be a practice regimen for chess players which
> will improve their ability to see possibilities over the board.
>
> But I recently encountered, in another newsgroup, mention of
> an old bit of German doggerel from Bavaria that this reminds
> me of, which goes approximately like this:
>
> For fleas, there's powder;
> for shoes, there's polish;
> for thirst, there's water;
> but for stupidity there is nothing.
Bs"d
> On Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 6:42:42 AM UTC-7, Eli Kesef wrote:
>
> > Is there a cure for playing blunderfull?
> Unlike computers, humans make mistakes.
>
> There may indeed be a practice regimen for chess players which
> will improve their ability to see possibilities over the board.
>
> But I recently encountered, in another newsgroup, mention of
> an old bit of German doggerel from Bavaria that this reminds
> me of, which goes approximately like this:
>
> For fleas, there's powder;
> for shoes, there's polish;
> for thirst, there's water;
> but for stupidity there is nothing.
No cure for stupidity....
That means I'm screwed. :(
Well, you get used to the feeling after a while.
http://tinyurl.com/dont-know
Marcos Gonzalez
Nov 19, 2020, 1:36:07 PM11/19/20
to
1. Pain. Nothing teaches you faster than pain (physical or psychological). There you are, thinking hard, evaluating your position and your rival's until you see it, the winning combination. Only it's not a winning combination and you lose a rook and a knight for a lousy pawn. That will cause a great deal of pain. My suggestion is: let that pain run through you and think why you are feeling that pain. This will teach you very, very fast.
2. Practicing tactics. There's many good apps and websites that allow you to evaluate "white to play and win" positions. Start with very simple mate in 1, mate in 2, etc and slowly increase the difficulty. Every 3 to 4 months redo the simpler ones again so you are always practicing. In due time you will start analyzing positions with more care and blunders will be less and less frequent the more you practice. There's no way to avoid blunders altogether. Even international GMs blunder from time to time.
Eli Kesef
Nov 20, 2020, 5:35:56 AM11/20/20
to
I read the book "Rapid Chess Improvement" by De La Maza. So I have CT-Art 3.0, and practice regularly. If there is one thing I learned from it, it is that after long and intensive practice sessions, my real chess after that is worse than ever. I'm dropping pieces all over the place. Somehow it teaches me bad habits. If I then continue playing normal chess, then after a while my rating goes up again, and usually to a higher level than before the practicing with CT-Art. So it does make me better, but it takes time, I have to unlearn bad habits I seem to be picking up with that.
Anyway, that IM which I posted above, overlooks the opponent blundering away a piece. Magnus Carlsen sometimes blunders away a piece. I accept blundering just as a part of chess. That's just the way it is.
https://tinyurl.com/fairytale-1001
Eli Kesef
Nov 20, 2020, 5:42:04 AM11/20/20
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On Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 8:36:07 PM UTC+2, mr.m...@gmail.com wrote:
The weird part is; after the game, when I play over the game manually, without computer analysis, the blunders they like jump in my eye, they are so obvious, you can't miss 'm. But during the game I'm blind to them. What causes that extreme tunnel vision during the game?
https://tinyurl.com/chessblind
azigni
Nov 20, 2020, 1:16:39 PM11/20/20
to
I think you suffer from the common ailment of trying too hard and putting
too much pressure on yourself in a game.
The best players in the world have always lost games in every sport.
If you can look at a game as a series of tactics, or problems instead of
playing against an opponent it may help.
too much pressure on yourself in a game.
The best players in the world have always lost games in every sport.
If you can look at a game as a series of tactics, or problems instead of
playing against an opponent it may help.
The Horny Goat
Nov 21, 2020, 3:27:01 AM11/21/20
to
as many blunders as you. (or me for that matter)
Eli Kesef
Nov 21, 2020, 10:30:58 AM11/21/20
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Of course Magnus doesn't make as many blunders as me, but he does make blunders. Yes, much less, but he blunders nevertheless. Like everybody else. Only less than others.
https://tinyurl.com/hang-Q
azigni
Nov 21, 2020, 3:50:28 PM11/21/20
to
They are only blunders if they do not look brilliant by the end of the
game.
game.
Eli Kesef
Nov 22, 2020, 1:40:50 AM11/22/20
to
On Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 10:50:28 PM UTC+2, azigni wrote:
> They are only blunders if they do not look brilliant by the end of the
> game.
Bs"d
> They are only blunders if they do not look brilliant by the end of the
> game.
Good point. That will happen some times, that after a horrible blunder, it turns out there is a brilliant hidden win.
Can't remember when that happened to me though.
In the meantime I just happily carry on with my blunderfull games.
Here is a fresh one, just played, I was totally winning, materially ahead, and then I blunder away a rook and manage to lose the game: https://lichess.org/fXVEZCEkFqsT
http://tinyurl.com/will-be-fun
The Horny Goat
Nov 23, 2020, 1:49:09 AM11/23/20
to
On Sat, 21 Nov 2020 22:40:49 -0800 (PST), Eli Kesef
<nastyho...@gmail.com> wrote:
>Good point. That will happen some times, that after a horrible blunder, it turns out there is a brilliant hidden win.
>
>Can't remember when that happened to me though.
>
>In the meantime I just happily carry on with my blunderfull games.
>
>Here is a fresh one, just played, I was totally winning, materially ahead, and then I blunder away a rook and manage to lose the game: https://lichess.org/fXVEZCEkFqsT
I had one game where it was a small club event and I was the TD (and
<nastyho...@gmail.com> wrote:
>Good point. That will happen some times, that after a horrible blunder, it turns out there is a brilliant hidden win.
>
>Can't remember when that happened to me though.
>
>In the meantime I just happily carry on with my blunderfull games.
>
>Here is a fresh one, just played, I was totally winning, materially ahead, and then I blunder away a rook and manage to lose the game: https://lichess.org/fXVEZCEkFqsT
playing) so I COULDN'T go home when my game ended.
I played against an expert about 200 pts above me, who was and is a
good friend and past president of the Chess Federation of Canada.
Around move 25 I blundered an exchange and knew objectively I was lost
so went for complications (and prayed).
About 15 moves later I was still an exchange down but had reasonable
compensation. About 15 moves after THAT things were level with me
having the ideal position with N+pawns vs R and about 10 minutes after
that I was winning which I did. At no point was the clock a factor.
Since it was the last round in the December club tournament it was our
last before Christmas and I wished him the best of the season, we
chatted and skedaddled home as soon as the last game finished which
wasn't long afterwards.
I probably would have resigned had I not been TD and committed to be
there till the bitter end as I was just plain an exchange down with
zero compensation and in all honesty it took some effort on his part
to give me the game but the point was I kept sharpening it even though
I was dead lost - until I was first even then winning.
Bottom line is there was no way in hell I should have won that game -
and other than my early blunder it was fairly well played - and in the
end was a positional crush. The kind of thing Dvoretsky would have
liked at least starting from move 35 :) (e.g. after the blunder)
Eli Kesef
Nov 23, 2020, 7:39:28 AM11/23/20
to
On Monday, November 23, 2020 at 8:49:09 AM UTC+2, The Horny Goat wrote:
> On Sat, 21 Nov 2020 22:40:49 -0800 (PST), Eli Kesef
> <nastyho...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >Good point. That will happen some times, that after a horrible blunder, it turns out there is a brilliant hidden win.
> >
> >Can't remember when that happened to me though.
> >
> >In the meantime I just happily carry on with my blunderfull games.
> >
> >Here is a fresh one, just played, I was totally winning, materially ahead, and then I blunder away a rook and manage to lose the game: https://lichess.org/fXVEZCEkFqsT
> I had one game where it was a small club event and I was the TD (and
> playing) so I COULDN'T go home when my game ended.
>
> I played against an expert about 200 pts above me, who was and is a
> good friend and past president of the Chess Federation of Canada.
>
> Around move 25 I blundered an exchange and knew objectively I was lost
> so went for complications (and prayed).
Bs"d
> On Sat, 21 Nov 2020 22:40:49 -0800 (PST), Eli Kesef
> <nastyho...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >Good point. That will happen some times, that after a horrible blunder, it turns out there is a brilliant hidden win.
> >
> >Can't remember when that happened to me though.
> >
> >In the meantime I just happily carry on with my blunderfull games.
> >
> >Here is a fresh one, just played, I was totally winning, materially ahead, and then I blunder away a rook and manage to lose the game: https://lichess.org/fXVEZCEkFqsT
> I had one game where it was a small club event and I was the TD (and
> playing) so I COULDN'T go home when my game ended.
>
> I played against an expert about 200 pts above me, who was and is a
> good friend and past president of the Chess Federation of Canada.
>
> Around move 25 I blundered an exchange and knew objectively I was lost
> so went for complications (and prayed).
Here we have again clear proof that no one should ever underestimate the power of prayer.
> About 15 moves later I was still an exchange down but had reasonable
> compensation. About 15 moves after THAT things were level with me
> having the ideal position with N+pawns vs R and about 10 minutes after
> that I was winning which I did. At no point was the clock a factor.
>
> Since it was the last round in the December club tournament it was our
> last before Christmas and I wished him the best of the season, we
> chatted and skedaddled home as soon as the last game finished which
> wasn't long afterwards.
>
> I probably would have resigned had I not been TD and committed to be
> there till the bitter end as I was just plain an exchange down with
> zero compensation and in all honesty it took some effort on his part
> to give me the game but the point was I kept sharpening it even though
> I was dead lost - until I was first even then winning.
>
> Bottom line is there was no way in hell I should have won that game -
> and other than my early blunder it was fairly well played - and in the
> end was a positional crush. The kind of thing Dvoretsky would have
> liked at least starting from move 35 :) (e.g. after the blunder)
But those are the best games, where you back is against the wall, you are positionally or materially in problems, you fight on, and then you win the game anyway.
Never say die!
https://tinyurl.com/res-no-win
The Horny Goat
Nov 23, 2020, 11:45:14 PM11/23/20
to
compensation you are PROBABLY going to lose at least 2/3 of the time -
you really only have two hopes: (1) getting rid of ALL the pawns, (2)
seeking whatever chance you have for compensation which sometimes is
completely imaginary. If you don't make it real you'll lose
Most of that is true at the B level (Elo 1600-1800) as well.
Large material deficits are not normally recovered without blunders so
if that is your ONLY hope - you can resign any time so try to give
your opponent the best chance to mess up. But most of the time they
won't unless you are determined "not to go quietly"
Bernie
Nov 26, 2020, 5:29:51 PM11/26/20
to
If you are playing a short time limit, I suggest playing a longer time
limit.
Here is a thought, I don't know if it will help you. I'm sure the idea
came from a Twilight Zone episode.
As you play, imagine if you do not take time to look and analyze the
whole board, and make correct movies, someone you love will be punished
for your mistakes.
limit.
Here is a thought, I don't know if it will help you. I'm sure the idea
came from a Twilight Zone episode.
As you play, imagine if you do not take time to look and analyze the
whole board, and make correct movies, someone you love will be punished
for your mistakes.
Eli Kesef
Nov 30, 2020, 8:41:12 AM11/30/20
to
On Friday, November 27, 2020 at 12:29:51 AM UTC+2, Bernie wrote:
> If you are playing a short time limit, I suggest playing a longer time
> limit.
Bs"d
> If you are playing a short time limit, I suggest playing a longer time
> limit.
I usually play 15 min with 15 sec increment.
> Here is a thought, I don't know if it will help you. I'm sure the idea
> came from a Twilight Zone episode.
>
> As you play, imagine if you do not take time to look and analyze the
> whole board, and make correct movies, someone you love will be punished
> for your mistakes.
And the problem with the cruel game of chess is that the pain of losing is much worse than the joy of winning.
Who said life is easy....
http://tinyurl.com/will-be-fun
The Horny Goat
Dec 4, 2020, 11:34:27 AM12/4/20
to
blunder.....it was even worse when I had committed to helping with
site cleanup after the event and had to stay to the bitter end...
Eli Kesef
Dec 5, 2020, 10:29:04 AM12/5/20
to
Isn't it amazing how the joy of winning doesn't even come close to the pain of losing?
I think you have to be a masochist to be a chess player.
Or, of course, you must be playing a lot weaker opponents, so that you don't lose too often. But Lichess is making that now a lot harder. :(
The best thing a person can do is to forget his losses as fast as possible, and enjoy his winnings a lifetime.
I print out my chess games, and on days like today, the shabbat, when I cannot go on the computer, then I play over old games. Of course I make sure I only print out winning games. I don't want to torture myself and get all depressed.
The saying is that by studying your lost games you get better. No way; I never look at them again, and just forget 'm. I want to have fun, not make myself miserable.
Chess is not about getting better, it is about WINNING!!
https://tinyurl.com/winning-only
azigni
Dec 6, 2020, 12:37:20 AM12/6/20
to
text. As to blunder, the greatest athletes and minds in the world make
blunders. Some simple, some outlandishly ill fated.
I really doubt if we had the opportunity to play Magnus Carlson, we would
make many Blunders. The game would be over too quickly for that to occur.
We would make our initial blunder, and after that it would be a
succession of trying to compensate rather poorly until the game was
ended.
Quadibloc
Dec 6, 2020, 11:27:26 AM12/6/20
to
On Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 10:37:20 PM UTC-7, azigni wrote:
> I really doubt if we had the opportunity to play Magnus Carlson, we would
> make many Blunders.
From a Chess standpoint, the first blunder would be agreeing to take advantage
> I really doubt if we had the opportunity to play Magnus Carlson, we would
> make many Blunders.
of the opportunity.
This is a case where "the only winning move is not to play".
John Savard
The Horny Goat
Dec 8, 2020, 1:47:26 AM12/8/20
to
On Sat, 5 Dec 2020 07:29:03 -0800 (PST), Eli Kesef
living in Hamilton (about 90 minutes away) where my loss was in round
5 on a 3 day long weekend tournament and I thought about withdrawing
but stayed as I knew I was NOT in a bye position so waited 4 hours
downtown with everything closed (which was typical of Toronto in those
days in the early 80s) only to arrive for my last round and be told I
had the bye!! I was an experienced TD by then and KNEW under the Swiss
pairing rules I was NOT in line for a bye but the TD said "I don't
give byes to juniors!" - which was completely against the rules but he
was the TD and games were already starting so...... I made the very
long trip home both frustrated at my round 5 result and outraged at
the blatant cheating by the TD to benefit a local player.
It was tempting to take it out on the TD years later when I was on the
national federation executive but took the high road. :)
>Or, of course, you must be playing a lot weaker opponents, so that you don't lose too often. But Lichess is making that now a lot harder. :(
>
>The best thing a person can do is to forget his losses as fast as possible, and enjoy his winnings a lifetime.
Well that may be the best for mental health but how many players see
things that way?!?
>I print out my chess games, and on days like today, the shabbat, when I cannot go on the computer, then I play over old games. Of course I make sure I only print out winning games. I don't want to torture myself and get all depressed.
>The saying is that by studying your lost games you get better. No way; I never look at them again, and just forget 'm. I want to have fun, not make myself miserable.
>
>Chess is not about getting better, it is about WINNING!!
I think we all like to win but most of us "fish" we enjoy the swindles
we have executed most. :)
<nastyho...@gmail.com> wrote:
>On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 6:34:27 PM UTC+2, The Horny Goat wrote:
>> On Mon, 30 Nov 2020 05:41:10 -0800 (PST), Eli Kesef
>> <nastyho...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> For me the worst was always the long drive home after a last round
>> blunder.....it was even worse when I had committed to helping with
>> site cleanup after the event and had to stay to the bitter end...
>
>Bs"d
>
>Isn't it amazing how the joy of winning doesn't even come close to the pain of losing?
>
>I think you have to be a masochist to be a chess player.
Probably my worst was when I was playing in a Toronto tournament while
>On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 6:34:27 PM UTC+2, The Horny Goat wrote:
>> On Mon, 30 Nov 2020 05:41:10 -0800 (PST), Eli Kesef
>> <nastyho...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> For me the worst was always the long drive home after a last round
>> blunder.....it was even worse when I had committed to helping with
>> site cleanup after the event and had to stay to the bitter end...
>
>Bs"d
>
>Isn't it amazing how the joy of winning doesn't even come close to the pain of losing?
>
>I think you have to be a masochist to be a chess player.
living in Hamilton (about 90 minutes away) where my loss was in round
5 on a 3 day long weekend tournament and I thought about withdrawing
but stayed as I knew I was NOT in a bye position so waited 4 hours
downtown with everything closed (which was typical of Toronto in those
days in the early 80s) only to arrive for my last round and be told I
had the bye!! I was an experienced TD by then and KNEW under the Swiss
pairing rules I was NOT in line for a bye but the TD said "I don't
give byes to juniors!" - which was completely against the rules but he
was the TD and games were already starting so...... I made the very
long trip home both frustrated at my round 5 result and outraged at
the blatant cheating by the TD to benefit a local player.
It was tempting to take it out on the TD years later when I was on the
national federation executive but took the high road. :)
>Or, of course, you must be playing a lot weaker opponents, so that you don't lose too often. But Lichess is making that now a lot harder. :(
>
>The best thing a person can do is to forget his losses as fast as possible, and enjoy his winnings a lifetime.
things that way?!?
>I print out my chess games, and on days like today, the shabbat, when I cannot go on the computer, then I play over old games. Of course I make sure I only print out winning games. I don't want to torture myself and get all depressed.
>The saying is that by studying your lost games you get better. No way; I never look at them again, and just forget 'm. I want to have fun, not make myself miserable.
>
>Chess is not about getting better, it is about WINNING!!
we have executed most. :)
The Horny Goat
Dec 8, 2020, 1:50:22 AM12/8/20
to
On Sun, 06 Dec 2020 05:37:18 GMT, azigni <azi...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>I really doubt if we had the opportunity to play Magnus Carlson, we would
>make many Blunders. The game would be over too quickly for that to occur.
>We would make our initial blunder, and after that it would be a
>succession of trying to compensate rather poorly until the game was
>ended.
In that vein you might want to check out the recent Youtube video
>I really doubt if we had the opportunity to play Magnus Carlson, we would
>make many Blunders. The game would be over too quickly for that to occur.
>We would make our initial blunder, and after that it would be a
>succession of trying to compensate rather poorly until the game was
>ended.
where Carlson plays speed chess with the "Beth Harmon bot" (named for
the main character in The Queens' Gambit") where the bot is allegedly
playing at 2700 strength. (Based on what I saw I rather doubt it but
it's worth 15 minutes of your time - if you're interested enter
'Magnus Carlson Beth Harmon chess')
Eli Kesef
Feb 8, 2021, 1:18:55 PM2/8/21
to
The Horny Goat
Feb 10, 2021, 10:29:29 PM2/10/21
to
against blunders.
One of my great memories of the 1971 Canadian Open was my round 1 game
when I was a protected passed pawn up and cruising to victory against
a player 150 points higher than me only to lose my focus and grabbed a
pawn on h7 - the response was g6 of course and I put my face in my
hands and only then looked up - and to my horror saw World Champion
Boris Spassky watching my blunder. (I was playing on the main aisle
that one went up when going from the TD's table to board 1)
To this day nearly 50 years later I wonder whether Spassky remembered
that distraught Canadian teenager in Vancouver when Fischer did
likewise a year later in the first game of their Reykjavik match when
Fischer also grabbed the H pawn.
(One of my few regrets of my teens was that I did NOT attend any of
the Fischer-Taimanov games held in a theatre on the same university
campus - it was an 1h20m bus ride from my home and my parents figured
that was a bit much for 14 year old me. I still have the issue of
Newsweek magazine that featured Fischer on the cover)
Eli Kesef
Feb 11, 2021, 2:10:46 PM2/11/21
to
Was that the same Canadian open that was won by ;Spassky together with the Dutch GM Hans Ree?
Eli Kesef
Feb 21, 2021, 9:23:49 AM2/21/21
to
Bs"d
And I got myself another crass blunder, really a shame, because the game was going so well. I played a Russian defense, hoping for a Stafford, getting a 4 horses game, ripped from the guy a castle, and then blundered away my queen, for the one and only simple reason that I didn't bother to look what was going on: https://lichess.org/SFI16a3G2zYj
Horrible!
Thank God I got compensated for this horrible incident, and in the following two games, I won the queen of the enemy in the opening:
In this one on move 8 I caught him: https://lichess.org/G4bCRfC588Kr
And in this one I trapped the queen on move 9: https://lichess.org/G4bCRfC588Kr
That gives some consolation.
Eases the pain.
https://tinyurl.com/violent-sport
And I got myself another crass blunder, really a shame, because the game was going so well. I played a Russian defense, hoping for a Stafford, getting a 4 horses game, ripped from the guy a castle, and then blundered away my queen, for the one and only simple reason that I didn't bother to look what was going on: https://lichess.org/SFI16a3G2zYj
Horrible!
Thank God I got compensated for this horrible incident, and in the following two games, I won the queen of the enemy in the opening:
In this one on move 8 I caught him: https://lichess.org/G4bCRfC588Kr
And in this one I trapped the queen on move 9: https://lichess.org/G4bCRfC588Kr
That gives some consolation.
Eases the pain.
https://tinyurl.com/violent-sport
Eli Kesef
Feb 23, 2021, 10:32:20 AM2/23/21
to
Bs"d
And I did it again; overlooked a mate in one: https://lichess.org/pN12nfd17K3P On move 36 I had a mate in one, but I decided to do something else. Another blunder festival.
https://tinyurl.com/last-blunder
And I did it again; overlooked a mate in one: https://lichess.org/pN12nfd17K3P On move 36 I had a mate in one, but I decided to do something else. Another blunder festival.
https://tinyurl.com/last-blunder
Eli Kesef
Feb 24, 2021, 7:24:11 AM2/24/21
to
Isn't it weird how things come in clusters? Like I said before: That is a law of nature.
Here above I told you guys about the queen I blundered away, after which I got two in return. Same thing happened again. In this game https://lichess.org/mi7NzPeJ5yGJ I happily blundered away my queen on move 14.
So in the game right after that one, the enemy blundered away his queen on move 12. That's justice.
And then the third game after my disastrous queen sacrifice: https://lichess.org/xAFqHdSTn6u9 yet another combatant blundered away his queen.
That felt good.
Not only does misery love company, but getting paid back double makes it worth it.
Chess isn't so bad after all.
http://tinyurl.com/50-proc-math
The Horny Goat
Feb 24, 2021, 12:13:05 PM2/24/21
to
expiring....
Eli Kesef
Feb 24, 2021, 12:32:17 PM2/24/21
to
When it comes to chess I'm like a blind man groping around in the darkness....
https://tinyurl.com/3-stages
The Horny Goat
Feb 27, 2021, 9:17:00 PM2/27/21
to
On Wed, 24 Feb 2021 09:32:15 -0800 (PST), Eli Kesef
<nastyho...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >https://tinyurl.com/last-blunder
>> Missing a mate in 1 is pretty bad unless your time is seconds from
>> expiring....
>
>Bs"d
>
>When it comes to chess I'm like a blind man groping around in the darkness....
>
>https://tinyurl.com/3-stages
I've had games like that - I usually say "burn the board! burn the
<nastyho...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >https://tinyurl.com/last-blunder
>> Missing a mate in 1 is pretty bad unless your time is seconds from
>> expiring....
>
>Bs"d
>
>When it comes to chess I'm like a blind man groping around in the darkness....
>
>https://tinyurl.com/3-stages
pieces!" but know I actually won't.
Eli Kesef
Feb 28, 2021, 8:35:12 AM2/28/21
to
I accepted the fact that I'm a rotten chess player, and I live with it.
The simple trick to anyway have fun while playing chess is playing against opponents who play even more rotten than I do.
Simple.
Life is simple, but people make it complicated. :)
https://tinyurl.com/gnat-drink
Eli Kesef
Feb 28, 2021, 1:08:50 PM2/28/21
to
On Sunday, November 22, 2020 at 8:40:50 AM UTC+2, Eli Kesef wrote:
> On Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 10:50:28 PM UTC+2, azigni wrote:
> > They are only blunders if they do not look brilliant by the end of the
> > game.
> Bs"d
>
> Good point. That will happen some times, that after a horrible blunder, it turns out there is a brilliant hidden win.
>
> Can't remember when that happened to me though.
Bs"d
> On Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 10:50:28 PM UTC+2, azigni wrote:
> > They are only blunders if they do not look brilliant by the end of the
> > game.
> Bs"d
>
> Good point. That will happen some times, that after a horrible blunder, it turns out there is a brilliant hidden win.
>
> Can't remember when that happened to me though.
Got one!
One of those coarse blunders which make you look brilliant! https://lichess.org/ukhjGVOpSUwM
On move 23 I blundered away my queen. Totally absolutely not seen.
My cursor moved to the resign button, and then, then I saw it! Mate in 2!
Chess can be so incredibly funny!
And it can also be like you want to take a sledge hammer to your computer.
It all depends on the time of day, phase of the moon, high or low tide, earth rays, karma, and more stuff like that.
Let's face it: Chess is a game of chance.
https://tinyurl.com/two-plus-two
Eli Kesef
Feb 20, 2022, 2:05:07 AM2/20/22
to
Bs"d
It is depressing when you play over a winning game with Stockfish and then you see how many times you blundered, and how many times the enemy could have slaughtered you... :(
https://tinyurl.com/fairytale-1001
It is depressing when you play over a winning game with Stockfish and then you see how many times you blundered, and how many times the enemy could have slaughtered you... :(
https://tinyurl.com/fairytale-1001
William Hyde
Feb 20, 2022, 4:29:35 PM2/20/22
to
On Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 2:05:07 AM UTC-5, Eli Kesef wrote:
> Bs"d
>
> It is depressing when you play over a winning game with Stockfish and then you see how many times you blundered, and how many times the enemy could have slaughtered you... :(
Just recall that Petrosian himself, in a crucial game in the Candidates tournament in 1956, in a winning position, under no time pressure, when his opponent had only one active piece on the board, managed to hang his queen.
> Bs"d
>
> It is depressing when you play over a winning game with Stockfish and then you see how many times you blundered, and how many times the enemy could have slaughtered you... :(
Compared to that, all my many blunders look rather inconsequential.
William Hyde
Eli Kesef
Feb 21, 2022, 2:10:47 AM2/21/22
to
Reminds me of the first world championship match between Magnus and Vishy. Magnus gave the game away with a terrible blunder, and after that Vishy blundered as least as bad by not seeing it, and Magnus could save the game.
After his blunder and after Vishy did an innocent move, Magnus' head sunk on the table. :)
I guess we all blunder. But some more than others.
https://tinyurl.com/blunders-lie-in-wait
Eli Kesef
Mar 5, 2022, 5:33:14 PM3/5/22
to
Bs"d
Just blundered away a horse in this game: https://lichess.org/KGvv8OETXvt9 on move 11.
On move 12 the enemy resigned. The threat of the horse fork was too much for him.
https://tinyurl.com/bewilderd
Just blundered away a horse in this game: https://lichess.org/KGvv8OETXvt9 on move 11.
On move 12 the enemy resigned. The threat of the horse fork was too much for him.
https://tinyurl.com/bewilderd
Eli Kesef
Mar 14, 2022, 5:21:40 PM3/14/22
to
Bs"d
I thought I played blunderful, but now I know I'm not so bad after all. It can always be worse.
In this very amusing youtube an IM goes over a game of two 700 players. It is a short game, and it contains 19 blunders.
The comment of the IM is hilaric. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POVEOmjcZwI&t=241s
I feel a lot better now about my games. :D
https://tinyurl.com/last-blunder
I thought I played blunderful, but now I know I'm not so bad after all. It can always be worse.
In this very amusing youtube an IM goes over a game of two 700 players. It is a short game, and it contains 19 blunders.
The comment of the IM is hilaric. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POVEOmjcZwI&t=241s
I feel a lot better now about my games. :D
https://tinyurl.com/last-blunder
William Hyde
Mar 16, 2022, 5:16:34 PM3/16/22
to
William Hyde
Eli Kesef
Mar 18, 2022, 3:48:32 AM3/18/22
to
Eli Kesef
Apr 3, 2022, 9:15:57 AM4/3/22
to
On Monday, November 23, 2020 at 2:39:28 PM UTC+2, Eli Kesef wrote:
>
> But those are the best games, where you back is against the wall, you are positionally or materially in problems, you fight on, and then you win the game anyway.
>
> Never say die!
Bs"d
Got another one: https://lichess.org/JAcPMsspkba8 On move 18 the enemy took a piece from me, and checked me.
No problem, all was foreseen, and I could take his piece, and continue my attack.
The only problem was that the check scared me so much, that I thought I made a horrible mistake, that I was now obligated to move my king, and would loose a piece.
So I moved my king an lost a piece.
While all the while I could just take the chess giving bishop.
Struck with total chess blindness.
Or more accurate, I didn't even bother to look, I knew I made a mistake, I had to move my king, no need to look at he position.
I have to work on that.
But I didn't let me being a piece down bring me down. I fought on. After all, I was playing somebody who was 188 points lower than me, so I soldiered on.
On move 20 I managed to exchange a castle for 2 bishops, having one measly point profit. But beggars can't be choosers.
And a handful of moves later the enemy worked himself into quite a mess, where he had to choose between loosing his queen or loosing his king.
He choose for the latter, and I managed to win the game.
HalleluJah!!
https://tinyurl.com/res-no-win
>
> But those are the best games, where you back is against the wall, you are positionally or materially in problems, you fight on, and then you win the game anyway.
>
> Never say die!
Bs"d
Got another one: https://lichess.org/JAcPMsspkba8 On move 18 the enemy took a piece from me, and checked me.
No problem, all was foreseen, and I could take his piece, and continue my attack.
The only problem was that the check scared me so much, that I thought I made a horrible mistake, that I was now obligated to move my king, and would loose a piece.
So I moved my king an lost a piece.
While all the while I could just take the chess giving bishop.
Struck with total chess blindness.
Or more accurate, I didn't even bother to look, I knew I made a mistake, I had to move my king, no need to look at he position.
I have to work on that.
But I didn't let me being a piece down bring me down. I fought on. After all, I was playing somebody who was 188 points lower than me, so I soldiered on.
On move 20 I managed to exchange a castle for 2 bishops, having one measly point profit. But beggars can't be choosers.
And a handful of moves later the enemy worked himself into quite a mess, where he had to choose between loosing his queen or loosing his king.
He choose for the latter, and I managed to win the game.
HalleluJah!!
https://tinyurl.com/res-no-win
Julian Waldby
May 10, 2022, 9:02:21 AM5/10/22
to
On Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 7:42:42 AM UTC-6, Eli Kesef wrote:
> Bs"d
>
> Is there a cure for playing blunderfull?
> Bs"d
>
>
> My big problem is my rotten play and especially my blunders. Just played a nice game, routed a decent player, https://lichess.org/V2zsemfOzMIL but when playing it over again, I saw that on move 30 the opponent blundered away a castle, and I didn't see it, but went on to win a pawn.
> Didn't matter too much in the result, the opponent resigned on move 32, but it is not good.
>
> All my games are riddled with blunders like that.
>
> Does anybody know a solution for that?
Playing versus the computer can help with that. Maybe twenty games later I wasn't leaving the diagonal holes for the bishops and queen. It is predictable in taking advantage of certain faults and it helps make those faults go away.
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