I have recovered from my feeling sorry for myself, at least chess-wise that is. In the process of trying to improve my chess, I see myself as my primary enemy rather than the person across the board from me. I sometimes push and think so hard and put so much pressure on myself that I get frustrated at losing games or being behind in games. Rather than give up, I have taken up the challenge to play through the frustration.
I have just become comfortable and have reached a satisfactory understanding of Opening Principles for chess. So I now have turned my attention to the Mid-Game. Upon doing that I look at the Mid-Game and say, “OK, what now?” You see I am trying to put more deliberation and planning into all facets of my play. I don’t want to just react and plan, but I want to strategize rather than react. That is a subject that for now, I am having a hard time figuring out where to start my learning and studying. Here’s why…
For almost all of my life, I have relied upon myself, and those chess books that I’ve come across, to help me improve my game. It had mostly been a solitary journey. Because of that, I feel I have missed some basic knowledge that those with a coach/teach get as part of their training. Also, my terminology might, and probably is, different than the standard chess terms. All of this leads me to my first guiding principle for improving my chess play.
1. Spend time reading books and take in the content. No speed reading on those books.
Now this might seem silly to most of you, but it is easy for me to skim read and not take time to absorb the content of each chess book I read. I am starting with the books I now have because they are considered classics and I can honestly say, I haven’t really taken the time to study them. Also, this principle is a recognition that within myself, I cannot really grasp some basic, timeless principles of chess without help.
Principle 2 for improving my chess play is:
2. No one game will make or break my play ability.
Sometimes I put so much pressure on myself to win each game that I grow more fearful in my play. The book The Amateur’s Mind points out that playing with fear is really bad. It leads to all kinds of bad play. If I don’t put so much value on each game, then the fear of losing will be lessened. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not saying I will not care about losing or winning, but I will not focus or freak-out about each game. Principle 3 grows out of 2.
3. No one move will destroy me when the game is about even.
Sometimes when I am playing a higher rated person, I grow fearful of “the move.” “The move” is a move that will put my opponent ahead in the game in such a way that I can never pull even again. Now an opponent might play a brilliant move that puts them in command of the game, but there is no one move that would destroy my game.
4. There is value in playing games, many games. It grows the level of experience and allows me to grow in my knowledge of positions and game play.
I have noticed that as I have grown comfortable with an opening and how it plays, then I can increase in my skill and confidence in playing it. I figure that as I play more and more games, my confidence in my game and what I can do in each position will increase. I don’t want to play tons, but I do want to keep playing. Without play, I can’t gain the experience. It is the experience with the game that I want to increase. I believe I will start to recognize winning positions, because of so many others I have played. Also, as I see postions I have played poorly in, then I can improve.
5. Take chances and play out openings and theory that you want to try.
I guess each idea needs to be tried in an actual game. So, I am going to have to take chances and try out new things. Failure is sure to happen, I need not fear the losses.
So those are my 5 Principles to Improving Chess Play
1. Spend time reading books and take in the content. No speed reading on those books.
2. No one game will make or break my play ability.
3. No one move will destroy me when the game is about even.
4. There is value in playing games, many games.
5. Take chances and play out openings and theory that you want to try.
I realize there is nothing ground breaking, maybe that is where the value in these lie. They are useful and they speak to needs my game has.
Finally, I am trying to recognize when a game needs my full attention and when it doesn’t. More times than not, I am not giving my games enough attention. That is something to get back to. Also, I need to play some slow live games. Another early Saturday session with Chessmaster just might be in order.
