As I mentioned to you last night, Paul and I had a long meeting with Dr. Eric Moskow at his home. We discussed many chess topics and he clearly knows what he is talking about.
One of the topics that Eric mentioned really caught the attention of both Paul and I. He wants to prove something and we both believe that he is right.
Eric was a strong master in his earlier days of chess. Both of my sisters and I played Eric in 1992 when he already left chess. Even without much practice at that time, he gave grandmasters fit. I can say that I was fortunate to win. But as many of our top and talented junior players in America, they have to choose between chess and a different professional career. Eric decided to choose another path. He became a successful medical doctor and later an incredible business person.
Besides being successful in just about everything he does, he is also a loving and devoted father to four children.
Now, he wants to help chess and he wants to prove another very interesting theory. He is a medical doctor. He believes that doctors do get better with age because they understand more and have more experience. Unlike the normal wisdom that chess players go downhill after the early or mid 30’s, Eric believes that chess can be like medicine. He believes that he is better now than he was before and he wants to prove it.
His goal? To train for one year to become an International Master! He missed IM norms by a hair 4 times recently. Some people disagree with his theory and they said that he cannot do it. As a typical winner, he is even more motivated when people doubt him. He wants to prove them wrong. Both Paul and I believe that he can do it.
I believe that one of the reasons why adults do not do as well as young players is because of the circumstances. When we have children, families and responsibilities, it is hard to stay focus with just chess. We do not have the time to train because we have jobs and have to make a living. But if that element is taken out, I do believe that adults can excel in chess.
This will be a very interesting test. I told Eric that I will help him with my special training method. His friend GM Kaidanov is a wonderful trainer and no doubt will make a major impact. I will continue to update you on his progress and we will see where things stand in about a year. What do you think?
Dear Susan,
What is your special training method? I would like to try it, too. I am willing to devote a year to it full time. (Note: Unlike Dr. Moskow, I am just an average player.)
Go Dr. Moskow! If Susan helps you, you will do it. Good luck sir.
I would be interested to know the result in 1 year. This is awesome.
I’m 50-50 on this. I hope he can do it.
Good luck to Dr. Moskow! I bet he’ll do it.
What is your special training method? I would like to try it, too.
Awesome. I know you can do it Eric. Go for it. Your mind is just fine. It simply needs some practice training along chess lines. I wnat to cheer for you in every game you play. With luck I can do that if your games are on Monroi.
Of course this week I will be busy cheering for Judit, Gata and Magnus. But if you have any games this week I am sure I can fit them in.
Susan never fails in any project she undertakes. So be prepared for the chess ride of your life.
This is very exciting. I also agree with the last poster. Susan has never failed any project that she took on. I’m rooting for you Dr. Moskow.
How do you get an IM title anyway? How much elo do you need and how many GMs do you need to beat on the way? Thank you so mch for sharing the knowledge.
Its’ just nice to know that, in all the attention focused on scholastic chess, adults have not been forgotten. We are, after all, the sustaining force behind the USCF, year after year.
Brenan
If he is successful, then most of us oldie chess afficionados might also make at least a GM norm!–wishful thinking.
http://www.fide.com/ratings/id.phtml?event=2003546
Lars Karlsson (2506) was sweating for a bit here: http://www.schackforum.se/Partier/gausdal_gma_6_2006.html
This is quite interesting. There have been pepole of comparable age geting IM or GM titles.
Apparently Dr Moskow’s rating is 2260, so he has a very tough climb to get over 2400 in a year.
Not to mention 3 norms (I assume he does not have any yet) which require 2451 performance.
Good luck to him, but based on the data, if I was to bet money, I’d bet against him being IM by the end of 2008.
David Shenk is doing research for a new book about how “genius” can be created in just about any subject, if certain principles are applied,combined with will and effort on the student’s part. Josh Waitzkin just wrote a book about the process of learning. We know more now than ever before about how “learning” works. If Dr. Moskow has the fortunate circumstances to be able to devote himself basically full-time to his pursuit for the next year, I believe he can do it. He seems to have the will and motivation!
Janet Newton
GM Polgar and Dr. Moskow,
I very much am interested in seeing the results of your collaboration. Two highly motivated and successful people who will not only gain personal joy from your endeavors but also your successes will help chess players now and in the future.
Although, my goal of becoming a 2000 level player is less audacious, I believe it too can be accomplished by an adult who did not start playing chess until the age of 39! You both will be my inspiration to keep studying.
Imagine if we all succeed.
As I had mentioned to GM Polgar and FM Truong when they visited in my home town, the great untapped segment of society that we need to get interested in playing chess is the new adult player. Such new players will be of tremendous benefit to the chess community as they are the ones who have the money! The vendors of chess supplies, the chess coaches, and most importantly the potential sponsors of chess would like no better demographic.
As an orthopedic surgeon, I have both personally and professionally seen the aging weekend warrior who can no longer compete athletically in sports but still wants a competitive recreational interest. What better outlet than chess? Let’s do things to get them involved in this great game.
As always “Best in chess and in life,”
Dr. Mark Mieth
Listen I have little need to prove this to others , I am proving this to me and those that love and support me. I have succeeded beyond any imagination I had in life as a child. This is just tying up loose ends and a great challenge. You see if my son a jewish running back that 5 foot nothing can will his way to college football by hard work , enduring a catholic school football factory, a ruptured spleen and a acl transpant, Then his fat dad can become an Im and get back in shape. Its about mind over matter and the outside world can laugh all they want. In the end I know I will just have to bare up to whatever jabs are thrown at my results. On a chess basis I will succeed for the simple fact that I have onemajor problem failure at the critical moment. You see if my games are put to critical eye, I get great positions, see near win against judit polgar, lev psakhis, rosentalis, krasenkow, karlson to name a few. Its about calming anxiety and eveloping inner belief in myself. When I truly know I can do it, it will occur. Josh has been on the other side of a lousy position with me, see our draw and two other near misses. Maurice ashley could get only two draws, bonin I have a plus score against, even against rohde. Guys with susans help and unlimited training resources from kaidanov, its not maybe its gonna occur, see u just gotta believe. and my kids and wife do. Follow the sports pages for jeremy moskow my youngest as he repeats his brothers legacy, luckily he got the physical attributes and the heart. That jew wioll be d1. Their saying he cant also.
By the way, for those that wanna bet, that can also be arranged, any profits will be given to the polgar foundation. I will contact a legal wagering group to see if its possible, a novel way to finance chess. Before wagering I suggest discussion with greg kaidanov and hans olav for due diligence info
This will be great to see! Also, if we may have some of the training information so we can apply it ourselves, this would be great!
No, I believe Doctor will fail. In the middle of the program he will get out. His family will pull him out, because they need him.
In this world we can not be sure what tomorrow will be.
I may not succeed but that will not be the reason for failure, we see things thrugh thats the whole oint of the exercise, we win and as a team and lose as a team
go dr. moskow. with susan polgar and kaidanov, you’re in great hands. they’re two of the nicest gms in the world. good luck and i hope you’ll do it.
I think it is possible, as Dr Moskow has never really played full-time before. It would be much less likely if he had been a professional for many years and still static at 2260. Perhaps I could make expert some day!
Good luck, Eric! And please publish your special training plan when your quest is done.
Richard Reich, M.D.
If he can be an MD, then he will easily become an IM as he was one of the strongest US Juniors back in the 70s.
The only time I saw him was at the 76 US Junior Open. I was sitting at the board with a friend who asked me if 1.e4 Nf6 was a good opening. I said it was fine. Eric Moscow said that was nonsense as the Alekhine was known to be inferior.
If he can be an MD, then he will easily become an IM as he was one of the strongest US Juniors back in the 70s.
The only time I saw him was at the 76 US Junior Open. I was sitting at the board with a friend who asked me if 1.e4 Nf6 was a good opening. I said it was fine. Eric Moscow said that was nonsense as the Alekhine was known to be inferior.
all I remember of that tournament was a loss to some kid named blankenship in a dragon I was white and he sac his queen. Also I think a made a jerk of myself lifting up a volkswagon. now my kids pull off that stunt. chess and football what a combination for generations.
Well, let’s be clear on one thing. It is easy to become an MD or a PhD or any such academic qualification. What percent of people fail to graduate from medical school?
It’s a lot harder to become an IM or GM.
Eric, I’m surprised you forgot about the cosmetology conference going at the same time as the 76 US Junior.
OK, what about a 1700ish Club player, in his 40s, like me? What can a year of nothing but chess, with professional training do for that person? That’s the experiment I want to see.
I’m willing to volunteer, assuming my salary can be covered, etc.
-Matt
I just hads an email sent to me and then read sam sloan repreenting that he knows me for 25 years, let me clarify I met him 25 years ago, he tells me. I have not spoken to him since except a call he made to me. As I recall was surprised to recieve it, let me be 100 percent clear susan and paul are the only interfaces with the uscf that I will respond to, furthermore no one else will make a deal with me for me and around me. Anyone that represents a connection to me other than them for political purposes is either wishing or lying. periods the end. Furtermore I have no ill will towardsd mr sloan but his representation that he coulds make a deal with me is just one mans conjecture, this fat man is clearly in suans corner. thanks. on anither note big 3 day training with kaidanov this week coming to be followeds by my first im attempt in july.eric