|
< Earlier Kibitzing · PAGE 55 OF 112 ·
Later Kibitzing> |
Jun-10-06
 | | Eric Schiller: In case anyone in the Bay Area is interested at the last minute, I'm giving a free simul today at Barnes & Noblre in Tanforan Center (380 @ El Camino, near SFO) at 1 PM. Tomorrow we have a chess meet at Farallone View Elementary in Montara, also at 1 PM. |
|
Jun-10-06
 | | Open Defence: <Any decent opening will do if you know how to play, and none will work if you don't> that was the logic behind the choice... it was also to divert the time spent on learning the various theory lines more onto principles and as stated earlier focus on middle game ideas and end game technique |
|
Jun-10-06
 | | alexmagnus: <4 move checkmate> Less provoking name:Parham attack. Except the Scolar's mate there is also one other trap one shoulld know, winning black's knight on move 10 (once I saw an NM who lost that knight against another NM.) |
|
Jun-10-06
| | Eric Schiller: To those who wanted to play the simul today, I regret that staff changes at Barnes & Noble let the event fall through the cracks and the simul was canceled. In any case, my car broke down enroute, but I would have gotten there anyway. I called them to let them know I might be late, and no one there seemed to have any idea what was going on. I'll try to arrange another date, probably in the fall. |
|
| Jun-10-06 | | brankat: <Eric Schiller> Hello Mr.Schiller. Are You scheduled to work as the arbiter at Staunton Memorial? If so, does it take place in July or August? Thank You kindly. |
|
Jun-10-06
| | Eric Schiller: <Brankat> Yes, I'll be there as Arbiter. The event starts on August 13 at Simpson's-in-the-Strand, Morphy's old haunt and home to some of the greatest chess. The second half of the event is at Wellington College, alongside the NATO Championship. |
|
| Jun-12-06 | | Chopin: <4 move checkmate> If anyone falls for a 4 move checkmate, chess isn't your game. |
|
Jun-12-06
| | alexmagnus: <Chopin> And if anyone fails to the knight trap in this opening? |
|
| Jun-12-06 | | sldr989: does someone have a game collection of schiller vs grandmasters? |
|
| Jun-12-06 | | apawnandafool: does anyone know if 356 essential endgame positions is a good endgame book? why or why not? |
|
| Jun-12-06 | | apawnandafool: erhm...365 not 356. |
|
| Jun-12-06 | | lasher09: QUESTION: How do we effectively study endgames? |
|
Jun-12-06
| | Eric Schiller: <lasher> For endgames, study with a coach or trainer is the best way. Books can help, but they generally don't give hints to point you in the right direction when you go astray. In my new book, "Of Kings and Pawns", I provide a target position for each endgame to help readers find their way to the solution.
For traditional endgame books, I can confidently say that there are no bad ones. Unlike openings, endgames are objective and while there will sometimes be errors (famously in "Basic Chess Endings", where an addendum is available). So just look a few over and see which formats seem most usable to you. The new endgame book from NIC is a fine volume, but I could name dozens. My only comment is that you should look for books with a lot of prose explanation, not just series of moves.
My own endgame big book 639 Essential Endgames will help, but honestly all endgame books have value and it really is just a matter of taste. |
|
| Jun-12-06 | | Bartleby: Soltis has written a very well received book on Endgame technique called, appropriately: "Turning Advantage Into Victory." He's written one before that as well, "Grandmaster Secrets: Ending," which I like, because it's sort of a "Chess Endgames for Dummies" book. I, like many clubs players, have very little patience with this stage of the game and need the most help on it. Janowsky happened to feel the same way, and as much as I agree with him (quote in bio), I know it's not true. |
|
| Jun-12-06 | | Chopin: <Endgames>
You can't go wrong by studying the games of Capablanca. |
|
| Jun-12-06 | | lasher09: <eric> I have just started using 'Personal Chess Trainer' software by GM Milos. Have you come across it? If so, what can you say about it? I'd like to hear your thoughts. Thanks! |
|
Jun-12-06
| | Eric Schiller: <lasher> I haven't seen it, but I'm skeptical of most chess instructional software, partly because the technology is primitive but more because different people benefit from different approaches. I don't believe a one-size-fits-all approach can work. |
|
| Jun-12-06 | | Chopin: < Dr. Eric Schiller>
Who do you think will win the WC match between Topalov vs Kramnik? |
|
Jun-13-06
| | Eric Schiller: <Chopin> Kramnik in top form will be hard to beat. Topalov takes chances, and Kramnik is good at exploiting them. Topalov will win if Kramnik isn't in great physical condition. But I expect a close match. It is something of boxer vs. brawler, should be a great match! |
|
| Jun-13-06 | | apawnandafool: <lasher09> i just googled for Personal Chess Trainer. it's a free download? i thought the free ones were supposed to be cruddy. why would you use it? |
|
Jun-13-06
| | Eric Schiller: <pawnfool> Just because something is free doesn't make it bad. There are some wonderful things made available by programmers or compilers of data that are just as useful as the high-priced alternatives, though they tend to be buggier and have fewer features. Still, when it comes to chess training, useful materials require a tremendous amount of work. Since the market isn't that large, it rarely pays off for the author. So free items from enthusiasts is sometimes better. There are free places to solve puzzles, but none have the features seen in CT-ART, the best training software for tactics. But I haven't seen anything useful for openings or endgames. There just isn't enough explanation and endgames require elaborate hints. Some sites, like www.chessmagnetschool.com, are trying to build complete online training facilities, but it remains to be seen whether they will attract enough paying customers. Meanwhile, I'll be posting free instructional material at www.chesscountry.com, where some special display technology is being developed that should allow for excellent opening and endgame training in the fall. |
|
| Jun-13-06 | | lasher09: <apawnandafool> The free download you saw was the demo version just like any other comercial software. <eric> Where can one get CT-ART? |
|
| Jun-13-06 | | JustAFish: Lasher, I, too, as a middling 1500ish player, endorse CT-Art 3.0. In a year or so my rating's gone up around 300 points, and I suspect that this is largely due to my tactics practice. It's got a few weird issues, but, largely, a very good, very helpful, program. I don't want to endorse any specific outlet, but Googling it will bring up any number of a resellers, including well-known ones. |
|
| Jun-13-06 | | Maatalkko: <lasher09> CT-ART is a great program. I should use it myself more this summer. It helped my younger brother considerably, helping him improve noticeably after only three weeks of 1 hour-ish daily practice. |
|
| Jun-13-06 | | Maatalkko: If you want to sharpen up for an upcoming tournament, there's nothing better. The program gives you a good way to regain your tactical vision, and some tough problems that get you to practice calculating. |
|
 |
|
|
< Earlier Kibitzing · PAGE 55 OF 112 ·
Later Kibitzing> |
Kibitzing
