So, since I am here at CG thesedays following this Hamberger tournament for the blind, I thought of pointing you to some nice games being played there, like this one, for example, between Banana and Sputnik. Kramnik vs Anand, 2008 A splendid move 42..Qf3!! by banana there.

I begin by saying "You're too true to be dumb", your maj. And valentines can't buy you, neither.

Right, next thing... is <playing against engines>. Exactly two years ago, before playing in my 1st OTB tournament since the late Paleolithic, I *practiced* by playing a sheetload of games against comps. In hindsight, I think it worked pretty well.

I had something called "Kasparov Chess" - now long defunct - which used Ruffian as its engine and could be used to play against virtual opponents with gradings from 1100 to 2400. It wouldn't do analysis, just play games. Some cretin in marketing thought that was what the chess public wanted.

I used it to experiment with openings and styles of play, and the virtual opponent system let me keep track of my progress. Like, gambit openings scored heavily for me up to about 1800 or so, when the comp began to survive the attacks. While with more positional play I could still beat it up to about 2100.

One problem: while my tactical play certainly improved, I also got attuned to comp-style play. When losing, they still choose the objectively best move, where a sneaky human sets a trap and hopes for the best. In my very first tournament game, in a much better position, I walked into just such a trap.

I've pretty much given up playing engines now that I've regularly got club and tournament games, but I suspect this is a mistake. It sharpens you up. I'm getting back to a regime of daily comp workouts before my next tournament.

Re traps and playing styles, this experience has sent me off to the other extreme, in terms of OTB psychology. Now I regard it as *crucial* to work out what your opponent is up to. And not just their plans, but their state of mind -- are they confident? Scared? Bluffing?

Poker players can always tell you what other players are *feeling*, but it never even occurs to many chessplayers. You know those games where somebody resigns with a playable position, maybe only a pawn down? It's because their will to resist is broken -- and spotting this kind of thing is a valuable asset.

End of lecture in, wotsit, <Machine Psychology>. What's that you say? I'm in the wrong lecture hall? But this is room 101-d, isn't it? No. Ohh...

Thanks <dominus>!! Good tips for computer training there. I've just got my rating up to the 1400s now on <Chessmaster>.

A few weeks ago it was a towerng <1080> or something.

Stupid computers.

So, therefore <"Good Morning"> Jess! :^)

<Hi Mal!!>

the games are on in the early morning here. Plus I'm on a different day!!!

Stupid International dateline.>

Hahaha! ;) Yep that <Pacific Ocean> is indeed massive! ~lol~ By game time (the Blindfold game between 'Kramnik vs. Morozevich' of course!) it will just be early in the morning here and you'll be at the opposite end (moving into the next day from the late PM and into very early AM)... ;)

It's the wacky chess world of the Internet in full force! :^) - Mal

heh

<Mal> I think <The Great Dr. Euwe> has a new "regimen" of health which demands he take a break from posting so regularly. I too hope he returns soon, but his health and happiness is all I wish for.

Yours too!!

Too true, my dear <Mal>, too true...>

Yes I know... Besides, I'm in the same boat, so I know this story well! :)

Just read <Eyal>'s Chessforum and found this...

<JFQ: This post just came from <An Englishman> forum.

heh

<Mar-18-08
malthrope: <jessicafischerqueen: Good evening Welcome back <An Englishman>! You have accidentally spawned a new era of polite discourse at <CG.com>.>

That's <<<good>>> enough for me! (I've noted it too!). :) I'll now gather my thoughts and immediately place you on my <favorites list>! Keep up the great discourse! ;) Cheers, - Mal>>

I was ~ROFL~ :))) A new era begins with a fresh <An Englishman> gathering! ;) Best Always, - Mal

PS: In retrospect thought my four exclamation points may have been a tad excessive... Then again, maybe not! ~lol~

Have you seen <There Will Be Spawn>? D-D Lewis is terrific...and he's English. And his discourse is very polite, for the most part, when he's not killing people. (Bowling, anyone?)

Seriously--got an email from an ex-student now living hin Alaska. She says a pilot friend of hers took some pictures of a huge, hairy bipedal creature from his plane. She's going to email them to me (if she doesn't forget!). Can't wait! (Sorry if I posted this before--can't remember, and <Eyal's> not here to tell me how to track these things down.)

Cripes <Bill> if you go any faster...

Heh if you get Sasquatch pics can you email them to me?

I promise not to sell them to <Dom>.

Really.

Glad to hear you are still playing chess. I think I get a lot of "boredom" resigns as well since I take a long time with my moves. But hey they can see the clock before they sit down.

I want Sasquatch please!!

If one happened to be, say, a poor little Icelandic orphan babe of uncertain parentage, found in the snow by a Great Dane ... how would they name you? Nobodysdottir? Doggiesdottir?

Whooo, just in time to watch the game and blow my cover for lurking around...

Besides upgrading my internal hardware and wiring-- I've had to deal with a "back door Trojan" as well....

The balloon < System Alert: Malware threats > is constantly in my face when the puter is on, (I.e. when I'm lurking)

Get it?? MAL-ware ---

---a remote attacker performing various malicious actions"...

Funny HUH??

Luuuuuuuurking

Good to see and hear you, <Mal> and <Jess>, and the kind words.

This forum looks like old times, with <Bill> "looking in briefly"- more often as well... And <Dom> making FAR too much sense every now and then...

Hope to do the same.