ADVICE AND REALISM

Over a number of years I have read various articles from Chess coaches and tutors giving advice about Chess and Chess preparation.

Many of them made the point that is is a good idea for Chess players to have a reasonable degree of  physical fitness. It does seem like a good idea.

However, to attain a degree of fitness you have to train, and if you train regularly you will most certainly get an injury eventually.

I have just found there is a flaw in the advice about being fit.  

I have just found out it is best if you stop training about a week before you play in a tournament because if you get a very painful injury it becomes very hard to concentrate on preparing for a tournament.

It must be even worse if it happens during a tournament!

On Monday night I tore a calf muscle while training, it has been very hard to concentrate on Chess because of the discomfort. 

Got Physio treatment on Tuesday and have an appointment  again for more treatment tomorrow.

The Physio I attend has also given me the name of a good sports Physio in Douglas Isle Of Man.  Hopefully I will not need any treatment in the Isle Of Man.

Physiotherapy seems to be a fascinating subject.


Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

I REMEMBER RUSSELL TELLING ME ABOUT SOME BET HE HAD!

Just found this incredible Chess story. I met  Russell quite a few times in Gibraltar. Have not seen him for a while though.

Chess players' 7-year legal battle isn't black and white, says judge

"He told them: "I do not know if you are both thoroughly decent fellows, or both rogues." lol

Here is another link about the story. CHECKMATE: Chess pair told to be nice to each other by Tunbridge Wells judge


It looks like people have been commenting on this on various Chess Forums. Here for example.

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

TED BAXTER TALKS CHESS

I have discovered a video clip of my favourite journalist Ted Baxter talking about Chess. Here it is below.

The clip is taken from the show below.

#

Ecc 2:1  I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

SPECTACULAR MISS

Here is another position from a rated game against Fritz at 2198 level. It is black to move and I am black, if I had found the right move, it would have brought me the most spectacular ever win at a Chess game.

Needless to say I missed the move and only saw it when Fritz showed me the analysed game, the actual game itself ended up drawn.

The time control was 25 minutes for each side.

The winning line is posted in the comments section under this article.

Isaiah 5:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

MISSED WIN

The position above is from a rated game against Fritz 14. Fritz rating was set at 2198 and Fritz is black.

It is me to move as white, I failed to find the best move and ended up with a draw.  When Fritz analysed the game, it pointed out a win for white which shocked me as it seemed so simple, yet I had failed to find it.

No doubt it is the type of position where a Chess master would find the key move quite easily but it is not so easy for club players like myself.

I have found this is a consistent weakness in  my game, I get a good position but fail to find the key move which turns a good position into a won game.

The key move is a tactical move, but it is not a blatant tactical move which instantly wins a pawn or a piece, it was more subtle than that, it was so subtle I failed to see it.

Ecc 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.