Post about anything you want from the USCF election, Mtel rules, Dortmund, Topalov vs. Kramnik, etc. Or you can ask a question if you wish. I will try to answer as many as I can. Have fun! My next post will be from Chitown or Oak Brook to be exact.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
THanks for the referal with ChessCa
I’ll do my best.
Mike M
Oh yeah..Open Forum.
Topalov Kramnik….its goinog to be great! I’m not too impressed with Mr Kramniks avoidance of the very best to keep his title but Topalov…even though he’s sometimes a little shaky should certainly give him a harder time than Mr Leko did. Looking forward to it.
I feel the problem with the USCF is not entirely, or even mostly, the USCF leadership. I feel its just the way America is. We have so much to chose from to spend our time and money on. We have short attention spans, and fleeting hobbies. We’re a nation of ADD peoples.
Its sad to say, but chess will never take off here. At least not to the level some dream.
Susan,
What would you recommend for someone trying to build an opening repertoire from scratch? Should one try to build an opening book, and try to prepare lines, or positions? What would you advise as the best method?
Also, how should one try to start a study of the endgame, if he/she can not afford to invest in books or software?
Many thanks in advance of your answer!
Bradley
I think it is, 1. gxh6 gxh6 2. a4 h5 3. a5 h4 and so on. White promotes before black can. The only other way would to try to walk the King with the pawn on h for black. Still it is to slow.
Bradley,
I know I am not any Susan Polgar but I have been playing chess for a while. I bielieve that you first have to know your “style” of play.
Ask, are you an open and wild type of playeer that likes tactical struggles. Or are you a more quiet player and like slower positional struggles.
About your study problem. I think getting a computer program, such as Chessbase 9, or Frizt 8 or 9. It is expensive but it is a one time deal and in the long run cheaper than books. It has all the book lines. You can research positions and look at loads of games.
Thanks for listening.
To Jerry: I agree with most of what you said. Chess will never be a big spectator sport here, unlike football or basketball. But a lot can be done to improve its esteem and make it something respected by the public, and that starts with clearing house at USCF.
susan,
I have a couple of questions I have been meaning to ask you. I hope the answers are also useful to others.
1. What are your thoughts on Kramnik-Topalov? Who do you think has the better chances and why?
2. If you were an intermediate player and had 12 hours a week to study, what would you study? What percentage of time would you spend on each area?
3. What is the best way to use computers to improve?
Regards
Jerry, what is your approximate level?
For others, I realize that chess will not be in the same level with the NFL, NBA or MLB. But I sure will try to get it to the NHL level.
Too optimistic? Maybe. But they said that women could never become GM at one time 🙂
Blogging from LGA waiting for my flight to O’Hare.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
vvchess,
Topalov by a VERY SMALL margin.
Tactics and middlegame. Play out positions from GM games after move 10-15. This way, it will help you to come up with the right plan and strategy.
Use the computer to help you with playing out positions. It’s like having a GM coach.
Good luck!
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Chess rules were taught to me by my grandpa about 35 years ago; with some breaks – im a club player since that – I’m skilled in middlegame and tactics – and as a clubplayer – not a tournament player – my opening repertoire is widspread but not deep – I know lot’s of endgame plans, but my technique is for sure improvable … my best rating was above 2000 ELO – 15 years ago – BUT – and this is my question – I NEVER MANAGED TO SUCCEED in a N + B +K vs. K ending … I know of course the principles, I know of course the mate patterns – but in practice – it is impossible, isn’t it?
Would you, as a grandmaster, manage this elementary endgame blindfolded, within the 50 moves rule? (By the way – I was live to see Peter Svidler (27xx ELO) failing in winning a queen vs. rook endgame).
by the way – I use to sac or trade at least one knight a game – to avoid the famous K+N+N vs. K+P ending – always won for the Knight side — HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA – sorry – to me it is a draw ….
sincerly, yours Vohaul
PS: hopefully your family in israel is safe – my friends are – at least at the moment – if praying helps – i’m praying for your’s and mine …
How do I switch from e4 to d4 smoothly?
and
Is playing on a “ladder” where I face similar rated opponents bad, since I’m not playing higher rated players often? (some masters recommend amateurs learn more by playing higher rated opponents).
Thanks
Timmy
Susan, thanks for the Open Forum thread. I have 2 questions:
1. What is the status of a possible chess-related reality tv show you had discussed on this board earlier?
2. Which chess-playing software program has good “strength-reducing” capabilities (so a weak player can still win a game once in a while)?
Thank you.
All software are good for reducing strength. Don’t worry.
Tim, just practice the new opening on line. I do it too.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
susan,
Thanks for answering my questions!
I appreciate it.
Don’t get me wrong, I want chess to succeed. I also beleive that regardless of popularity, there can be respect. I just wanted to note that while the current state of USCF doesn’t help the exapansion of chess, it doesn’t really hurt it either. There are many more reasons and hurdles to overcome for chess to earn respect by the mainstream.
My level in Chess? I would say poor. I suppose some would feel I don’t have the right to make such claims based on my experience in chess. But then again I have the same perspective of the very same people you are trying to woo over. So maybe my viewpoints can be use to create a strategy to get chess to grow.:)
Thanks.
I never did see your response to the question you asked about what is the best software,computer programs,and books to use for training.You mentioned that you would respond back in a few days.I must have missed your reply.Please let us students of chess know your thoughts. Than You.
I am the guy who drew Susan in Simul in Las Vegas (Guy with big Red Cup in photo). In any event, I think Susan’s advice about study GM games after 10-15 moves and play against computer and study tactics is great advice. I would recommend Convekta’s Tactics program CT-ART or if you like a book FIDE’s tactics book. I think it should be mandatory study to go over deeply Fischer’s games from 1970-1972 and study his book My 60 memorable games. There is a lot of chess knowledge you will pick up by doing this since he played all games to win and this is when he reached his peak performance level.
Susan,
[1] In your opinion, is the first poster today wrong in saying Kramnik avoided the best challengers (I believe the poster is wrong)?
Kramnik signed the Prague Agreement. Also, Kramnik’s promise to play the winner of Dortmund was well received by consensus, and Leko’s victory there was not seen as a fluke.
[2] Which format do you think is best for the WCC title, a match or a tournament?
I believe the FIDE tournament cycle should generate the challenger for a match against the World Chess Champion. Instead, now that Kramnik has signed contracts demanded by Kirsan and Topalov, Kirsan has the power to switch the WCC title to being awarded by a tournament (instead of a match).
I feel the match format conveys more prestige on the WCC title.
Thanks.
Gene Milener
http://CastleLong.com/
OK, you asked for it.
Why on earth are elementary nationals always over Mother’s Day weekend?
I think that keeps a LOT of kids from going.
“OK, you asked for it.
Why on earth are elementary nationals always over Mother’s Day weekend?
I think that keeps a LOT of kids from going.”
Why is the chess cruise always the week of a major tournament? I know at least 50 people who would go if it was on a different week. Does the director even care about chess?
I really like that picture=)
Susan,
I just want to thank you for your sincere dedication and all the hard work you’ve put in for chess.
Thank you so much,
Mei.
Susan I am glad you are coming to Chicago area! I hope to get an autograph and would like to know what is a good time to ask you so I will not bother you? I have a chess question also. What do you think of The English opening? I find at intermediate level it is a nice change of pace and can work to my advantage as some players are not that comfortable with it, and I can take advantage then and gain space and then plan an attack.
JohnD
Susan, firstly thank you for this open thread, I am very grateful for it!
I am wondering how someone should go about getting back in to chess? I am 30 years old and played chess very regularly until a couple of years ago with an around 2000 FIDE rating. I miss chess alot and want to start back seriously.
How would you recommend that I go about this? I have probably a few hours a day that I can devote to it, and will, but I need good advice as to where my devotion should be so that it is not wasted.
Many thanks!
I am wondering what chess related websites you visit regularly and you would recommend and why? Also, which would you say give the best coverage of chess events?
Thanks,
Phil
Gene, I sometimes am critical of Kramnik even though he is one of my favorite players. But I am glad he is doing better physically and starting to play chess again. I am looking forward to his match against Topalov. By accepting to play this match, nothing else can be said.
A match is the best way to decide a WC. You can have RR format that leads to the final but the WC match has to be a match.
Mei, you are welcome! They are both very good!
BillytheKid, you can ask any time you see me. It is no bother.
Victor Speakman, do tactics, tactics, tactics! Then the 2nd part would be play out difficult positions or positions after move 10-15 (between 2 GMs) against a computer software. Take one side and play it out then take the other side and do the same. Of course study some endgames as well, especially R&P endgames. Good luck!
Phil, here are the websites I read religiously:
– ChessBase.com (great news and article)
– TWIC (info and games)
I also read many other sites such as the French websites echecs.com and europe-echecs.com, USCF website, chessgames.com, chessville.com, chessgateway.com, etc.
The best and probably the most popular sites for news and coverage are chessbase and TWIC.
However, I like to think that my blog is up there now when it comes to getting out chess news. I work very hard to bring the chess fans news and coverage as fast as possible 🙂 Tough job though and no pay. This is just for the love of the game and something for the chess fans.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Phil,
Not that I would ever pretend to know more about chess than GM Polgar, but I think that Chess Gateway is very under-rated. As a chess addict myself, I find it far more useful where commentary of events are concerned, and am very thankful to Susan for bringing it to my attention on this blog a bit ago.
At the moment, all ChessBase seems to do is put in photo’s with small details and name drop Garry Kasparov kibitzing on their server, etc. (Let’s not forget, they are a product selling website when push comes to shove.) and sometimes they are dormant for days.
For example, compare the coverage of Dortmund. ChessBase are always quicker at putting the reports on, but when the content is compared it is not hard to see why. I think ChessBase is going to the dogs actually, TWIC and Chess Gateway are the sites I check daily for events now, ChessBase once a week or so.
Susan you have succeeded. Every day I always go to TWIC/Chessbase News/Chess Cafe/Migs Daily Dirt Chess Blog/About Chess by Mark Weeks/Yahoo Chess Groups: BrianWallChess, Chess Improvement, Chess Developement, the chessworld.
With these I get my chess info daily!
Hi Susan very nice thread this 🙂 I only have one question, how’re things? Good I hope!
Anonymous, thank you very much for your support and kind words for Chess Gateway, I am very glad that my website is useful to you and is appreciated, it is what it is there for 🙂
I would just like to say, however, that having met Frederic Friedel, the person responsible for Chessbase, he is a very dedicated person where chess is concerned, and works extremely hard. I have the greatest respect for him and what he and his company bring to chess.
Many thanks once again Susan, for all you do!
Hi Susan,
Do you have any Advice for an adult wishing to improve the Quick side of their game. I have a 1550 USCF rating in OTB play at long time controls.
The problem I have is I, of course, do well against similarly rated opponents at slow time controls, but lose game after game when I play those same opponents in blitz or even quick chess (at, say, 20m time controls). One would think that folks with similar knowledge in slow OTB play would be similarly matched when moving to blitz, but this is not the case. I play quite a bit of blitz for enjoyment, but would like to become more of a “wizard” at it.
Any advice for an aspiring Blitz player? (of course, I’m also an aspiring OTB player, but there’s much material already out there for that which I study)
Thanks,
Brad
Topalov-Kramnik Topalov should prevail. Dortmund was great…lotta suprises! Suprises r good sumtimes! but wtf happened 2 aronian??!!! i actually feel bad 4 him. im a native texan…if ur a texan i giv u a big HOW-D!
Hi susan…i was wondering who u thought would win the WC match…or if u think it could go either way
Where can I get info re the 2006 Curacao Chess Festival? Minimally, I would like to know the results but better yet, I would like to know where to get copies of the games themselves.
Thanks for any help that anyone might give.