ill add (1) my experience with time management, (2) thoughts on preparation, (3) blitz tournaments and (4) one thing id like you to change
1 i saw an argument that most games are decided before 30 th move, so it makes sense to spend most of the time to get there. thats not really true. you can have a very easy game (e3 line in QGA for Black 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 e5 4. Bxc4 exd5 5. exd5 where you can almost premove Nf6 Bd6 O-O h6 Nc6 Bf5 Qd7 Rfe8 Rad8 a6), where you shouldnt spend much time, and do most of the thinking on opponents turn, and you can have a difficult position where choosing an inaccurate plan early can be enough to decide the game.
You should know your openings enough to be able to tell what king of position it is. This is very very important, as it allows you to think freely in critical moments (in my last tournament i spent over 40 minutes on one move, cuz I could afford to do so)
2 the goal of the opening is to give you a position you feel more pleasent in than your opponent. your openings should be aimed at practical chances no matter the level (of course, the 'definition' of chances changes with strength) its true you can learn like a colle system and just play chess, but with a repertoire that you understand feel comfortable in, and with room for error for your opponent, you will win many games out of the opening.
3 *in my opinion* they are amazing, but shouldnt take much focus, just like a training tool to gain experience playing stronger opposition. on the board and in your mind aswell. playing a low rated blitz or rapid tournament is pointless for improving, but still can be fun
4 please add full games either in your study, or at least give us more moves than just a position. especially the opening, as im sure youll get plenty of good advice regarding your lines.
I believe in you AlexLeTacticien !
@CkickyCheck said in #11:
> ill add (1) my experience with time management, (2) thoughts on preparation, (3) blitz tournaments and (4) one thing id like you to change
>
> 1 i saw an argument that most games are decided before 30 th move, so it makes sense to spend most of the time to get there. thats not really true. you can have a very easy game (e3 line in QGA for Black 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 e5 4. Bxc4 exd5 5. exd5 where you can almost premove Nf6 Bd6 O-O h6 Nc6 Bf5 Qd7 Rfe8 Rad8 a6), where you shouldnt spend much time, and do most of the thinking on opponents turn, and you can have a difficult position where choosing an inaccurate plan early can be enough to decide the game.
>
> You should know your openings enough to be able to tell what king of position it is. This is very very important, as it allows you to think freely in critical moments (in my last tournament i spent over 40 minutes on one move, cuz I could afford to do so)
>
> 2 the goal of the opening is to give you a position you feel more pleasent in than your opponent. your openings should be aimed at practical chances no matter the level (of course, the 'definition' of chances changes with strength) its true you can learn like a colle system and just play chess, but with a repertoire that you understand feel comfortable in, and with room for error for your opponent, you will win many games out of the opening.
>
> 3 *in my opinion* they are amazing, but shouldnt take much focus, just like a training tool to gain experience playing stronger opposition. on the board and in your mind aswell. playing a low rated blitz or rapid tournament is pointless for improving, but still can be fun
>
> 4 please add full games either in your study, or at least give us more moves than just a position. especially the opening, as im sure youll get plenty of good advice regarding your lines.
Will do my best to rewrite full games, but it was so tense I could'nt remember perfectly what happened...
what a nice post, a real grind lover here, keep it up!!!
I hope it went well!
You got 9th, no? good luck for the IM title, will be very tough. Do you plan to claim the FM title when/if you get to 2300, or if you already have reached 2300 live in the past?
@Karamell1 said in #17:
> You got 9th, no? good luck for the IM title, will be very tough. Do you plan to claim the FM title when/if you get to 2300, or if you already have reached 2300 live in the past?
You are right, I really thought I was 8th :-(
Probably taking FM title if needed for tournament invitation
The Minotaur on the photo looks like a sculpture in Martigny, a town in Switzerland?
@SyG03 said in #19:
> The Minotaur on the photo looks like a sculpture in Martigny, a town in Switzerland?
All right!