Sunday, November 11, 2007
Goals and Circles Update
I have continued using PCT for tactical training and I have completed 17 units since the last major update about 22 days ago which works out to about 3 units completed every four days. I continue to be impressed with the PCT software and their selection of positions. I use PCT and I am doing this form (circles!) of tactical training mostly because I enjoy it. The Knights Errant add camaraderie and motivation because of the the public commitment in "joining" the Knights.
I am a big believer in increasing chess ability through tactical training of this nature and believe it is the major reason my chess rating increased over the years from the 1200s to over 2000. In the past I did not follow a strict circles regimen but I did study tactics aggressively. If I can now raise my rating 800 points in 800 days I may be the highest rated player in the world by 2009! Of course, I do not expect such results.
So what do I expect and why do I do this? My rating is already in the territory that many set as their goal when they commence circle training. I would expect smaller rating increases starting from 2000 than starting from 1200. Arguably, much of what I can learn from PCT, for example, I should already know. Much, but not all.
If I am going to play chess I will regularly study and using a program like PCT is fun and easy and keeps me sharp. It may also lead to improvement for me but that remains to be seen. I am past the peak age for chess players:
the peak age for a GM : 28-29 years
most players reach their peak in their early thirties and begin to decline significantly by the time they reach their early forties.
So I feel that I need to work just to maintain my current level (rating). I would like to obtain a 2200+ rating (USCF Master). Is that amount of increase possible at my age? I suspect the answer is yes but I also know that making master is a challenge and a significant investment in time at any age. I believe that reaching 2200 is for me, mostly a matter of getting better and more consistent at tactics. But I may not have the time to do that. Meanwhile I get older and further past the peak chessplaying age.
While chess is important in my life it is not the most important intellectual challenge in my life. And intellectual challenges are just a part of the big picture. I'll keep playing chess and studying tactics using circles while I enjoy it and while I have the time. Speaking of time, work is about to get crazy busy so circles, posting and commenting may be less frequent. Just another hurdle on my way to 2200.
I am a big believer in increasing chess ability through tactical training of this nature and believe it is the major reason my chess rating increased over the years from the 1200s to over 2000. In the past I did not follow a strict circles regimen but I did study tactics aggressively. If I can now raise my rating 800 points in 800 days I may be the highest rated player in the world by 2009! Of course, I do not expect such results.
So what do I expect and why do I do this? My rating is already in the territory that many set as their goal when they commence circle training. I would expect smaller rating increases starting from 2000 than starting from 1200. Arguably, much of what I can learn from PCT, for example, I should already know. Much, but not all.
If I am going to play chess I will regularly study and using a program like PCT is fun and easy and keeps me sharp. It may also lead to improvement for me but that remains to be seen. I am past the peak age for chess players:
the peak age for a GM : 28-29 years
most players reach their peak in their early thirties and begin to decline significantly by the time they reach their early forties.
So I feel that I need to work just to maintain my current level (rating). I would like to obtain a 2200+ rating (USCF Master). Is that amount of increase possible at my age? I suspect the answer is yes but I also know that making master is a challenge and a significant investment in time at any age. I believe that reaching 2200 is for me, mostly a matter of getting better and more consistent at tactics. But I may not have the time to do that. Meanwhile I get older and further past the peak chessplaying age.
While chess is important in my life it is not the most important intellectual challenge in my life. And intellectual challenges are just a part of the big picture. I'll keep playing chess and studying tactics using circles while I enjoy it and while I have the time. Speaking of time, work is about to get crazy busy so circles, posting and commenting may be less frequent. Just another hurdle on my way to 2200.
Labels: Knights Errant, PCT
Comments:
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Optimistically, Korchnoi's ability to maintain such a relatively level of play in his old age should be an encouragement.
For you glass half-empty people, he's the exception rather than the rule.
For you glass half-empty people, he's the exception rather than the rule.
Korchnoi and Smyslov and Reshevsky and others are all examples of strong players late in life. And I am optimistic, otherwise, why bother?
Another point in my favor in this regard that I did not include in the post is that I have probably never really attained my full potential as a chessplayer so I may have some spare, untapped, capacity. So, while my potential may decline with time, my current potential is still quite a bit higher than I have ever achieved. Maybe.
Another point in my favor in this regard that I did not include in the post is that I have probably never really attained my full potential as a chessplayer so I may have some spare, untapped, capacity. So, while my potential may decline with time, my current potential is still quite a bit higher than I have ever achieved. Maybe.
The book "Chess Master at Any Age" gives me hope. Story of a guy in his 50's - 60's who gets to master, after spending decades as a class B player.
I also like PCT. I'm starting Module 3, which I really like. All the mates of modules 1-2 are gone (mostly anyway, a few mates now and then.)
It's now basic tactics. Fun, fun!
Warped
I also like PCT. I'm starting Module 3, which I really like. All the mates of modules 1-2 are gone (mostly anyway, a few mates now and then.)
It's now basic tactics. Fun, fun!
Warped
# posted by 
: 11:45 AM
: 11:45 AM
Warped, thanks for the "Chess Master at Any Age" reference. I've heard of it before but just now ordered it. It will probably be the subject of a future post.
Great work Glenn! It's really encouraging to see someone past their thirties hitting a rating of 2000+. I turn thirty in half a year, so I guess I still have a shot at the higher levels of chess. ;)
Keep up the god work!
- Chris
Keep up the god work!
- Chris
I got that book a few months ago. I'll withold comment until you've seen it. :)
At my total patzer level (1400-ish at ICC) it just keeps getting reinforced more and more that it is the one-move tactics that decides 90% of my games. Eg my most recent game I missed an easy Knight grab that I coudl have made b/c the Knight defender was pinned to the King! I also missed that he could fork my queen and rook with his Knight.
The complicated crazy tactics in CT-Art are unecessary and quite uncommon. THe simple ones in PCT and CTB are all I need for now.
Good to see someone who kicks ass at chess doing similar kind of basic tactical vision training. I am convinced now, having finished CTB, more than ever that it was the right decision to go with the beginner software (and frankly the higher level problems are quite challenging).
At my total patzer level (1400-ish at ICC) it just keeps getting reinforced more and more that it is the one-move tactics that decides 90% of my games. Eg my most recent game I missed an easy Knight grab that I coudl have made b/c the Knight defender was pinned to the King! I also missed that he could fork my queen and rook with his Knight.
The complicated crazy tactics in CT-Art are unecessary and quite uncommon. THe simple ones in PCT and CTB are all I need for now.
Good to see someone who kicks ass at chess doing similar kind of basic tactical vision training. I am convinced now, having finished CTB, more than ever that it was the right decision to go with the beginner software (and frankly the higher level problems are quite challenging).
Chris - I was probably about thirty when I first passed 2000. I've maintained around 2000 since then but have not advanced much past there.
BDK - I've read both good and bad about that book. I will let you know what I think.
BDK - I've read both good and bad about that book. I will let you know what I think.
I probably will never hit 2000 ... maybe when I have more time to focus on chess when I retire, but in the mean time, as long as I improve (albeit a little at a time), chess keeps me happy!
I'll be overjoyed if I ever hit 1800 in FICS!
I'll be overjoyed if I ever hit 1800 in FICS!
your blog, your posts: lovely on the eyes, first! love the red, love the grey and for sure also--as if that werent enough--you 'obviously know what it is all about' having been there, yourself.
nice work, sir. dk
nice work, sir. dk
"But I may not have the time to do that."
Surely someone who begins playing chess at 30 will not remain rated 800 forever. In other words, a 30 yesr-old still has some ability to improve themselves.
In that Chessbase article they were considering world champions, who likely began intensive studies at age 5-7. Another way of looking at it is, they peaked after 20-25 years of intensive study.
And you just began an intensive course of tactical study. It's not like you've been doing it for 20-25 years already. And you're already close to a 2200 rating
Put it all together and I think your chances are pretty good!
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Surely someone who begins playing chess at 30 will not remain rated 800 forever. In other words, a 30 yesr-old still has some ability to improve themselves.
In that Chessbase article they were considering world champions, who likely began intensive studies at age 5-7. Another way of looking at it is, they peaked after 20-25 years of intensive study.
And you just began an intensive course of tactical study. It's not like you've been doing it for 20-25 years already. And you're already close to a 2200 rating
Put it all together and I think your chances are pretty good!
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