Each chess teacher has his / her own teaching philosophy. As we know, many big tournaments come down to the last round. Should one play safe in the last round or should one try hard to go for win?
Many chess professionals (because of the economic situation) choose to play safe in the last round to secure some money. A loss would often mean walking away with nothing. I disagree with this philosophy in general.
Since my children started to play chess, I have taught my children to play until the end. I do not accept and allow quick draws. I am also perfectly fine if my children give their best and lose. They would get an A+ in my book for their efforts.
The problem is sometimes they WILL lose. And if they give their best and lost, you as parents / coaches CANNOT get mad at them. Otherwise, the children will get scared mentally and psychologically and they will be afraid to go for the win in the future.
In the recent National K-12 Championship, a draw in the last round would virtually guarantee Tommy a co-champion title. He played against an opponent that he had a tough time against in the past. But he chose to grind it out. If Tommy would have lost, I would have been equally proud of him for giving his all!
Leeam scored only 3 wins in his first National Championship. But I am just as proud of him because he fought hard in every game. The most important thing for me is I want to see my children give their all in everything that they do. I am happy when they give their best.
well also he was simply better for most of the game . when black had over extended c-pawn on the board it was not clear that he could hold this pawn or get any counterplay for it so playing on was very little risk for white. Tommy played the opening somewhat strangely but managed to outplay his opponent in the middlegame. A very nice lesson of patience and determination from one so young.
I totally agree with your philosophy, Susan. That’s why I think your children have both high potential of becoming great chess players in the future. Tommy and Leeam, congratulations!
I totally agree with you. Thanks for sharing this thought.
My parents used to tell me that I didn’t have to be the best, as long as I tried my best. I’m glad to see you have the same point of view. Would that there were more parents like you.
What a great philosophy. I totally agree but don’t think I could have expressed it so beautifully. Thank you. Tommy and Liam are lucky little boys.
When it comes down to the last game…the final play to determine first place…when one is young and developing it is important to learn and master how to study and prepare for an opponent and then play the best option trying for the win!
I suggest that only when a player has matured should they begin looking at whether or not playing for a win against the particular opponent, on that particular date, under those particular settings, of that particular temperament, should a player question the feasibility in pursuing a victory.
Tommy and Leeam are lucky to have a mother like GM Polgar. And I’m not talking about chess playing skill.
Glad to see Susan you avoid the “Politically Correct” position of ‘trying not to offend your opponent by defeating them’ or ‘anger is just love backwards’ B.S. taught to the youth of America these days.
Glad you agree that you should try your hardest to defeat your opponent at every step regardless of their ‘feelings’.
Bravo. One for the good guys!
I absolutely agree with your philosophy, but where it gets hard is when they obviously have not done their best ( i.e. when they walk out of a G/90 game after 20 minutes and their score sheet is a mess ). What is your approach for this problem? It has been my experience that no matter how many times you tell your young child to slow down their play, that many times they can’t help themselves. We can’t really assume that a 7 year old has the same level of self control as an adult.
There are things to be said for both sides.
Certainly short draws are a problem, especially in the last rounds.
But on the other hand, it makes little sense to play in an extended competition, yet pretend that you’re not in a competition at all, but rather only in a single game. Giving your best means not only trying to win an individual game. If you’re playing in a tournament, you should be trying to win the tournament as well. Presumably, the entire tournament is more important than any one game.
Fischer could have clinched a Gold medal in the Havana Olympiad if he’d accepted Gheorghiu’s early draw offer. Instead, playing Black, he refused the draw, went on to lose, and had to settle for Silver.
On the one hand, you have to admire his fighting spirit. But on the other hand, you have to wonder what on earth that extra half point was worth that made it worth it to bet the difference between a Gold and Silver medal on it. There was really nothing to gain and everything to lose by refusing the draw. Was that a smart move, then?
The early draw offer is a carrot that shouldn’t be dangled in front of the player’s nose at all. Don’t allow players to split the point early, put them in situations where it’s beneficial for them to do so, and then trust them not to do it. That doesn’t make good sense. Instead, simply institute the Sofia Rule, and allow no draw offers without TD approval. It would require more work at large events, but it would be worth it.
Leeam is the winner in my book…came out of the tourney with a wife! =)
Susan why do you keep erasing critical comments as soon as they are posted? : )
If someone wants to have a legit complain, do not do it as anonymous. That has always been the standard on this blog. This blog will NOT become rec.games or the USCF forum.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
What you said is as much about parenting as it is about teaching and I applaud it.