Truly insightful. You have articulated what I have been thinking for some time. May I add that grounding this thinking in prophylaxis by asking the first question, “what is my opponent trying to do?”. Has certainly helped me.
Good luck with your book. I have enjoyed following your journey immensely.
Thanks. That's a great way to ground our thinking. I've been using the "What is that?" trigger - trying to label their move as attack, defense, maneuver, or mistake. I'm not sure there's a best way, but clearly doing something like what you do is a best practice.
Your writing is inspiring. I have read and re-read your posts, especially the last three. It's exciting to hear that you have gained what's necessary to take on this next challenge. I wish you success and hope you will drop a knowledge/insight missive here every once in a while. I am grateful for your efforts to help us (me) improve.
First thank you for your posts. Endless information. Makes sense for the need to take a break and play some chess. This is the best article on improvement I can recall reading in a long time. Will refer to it often when needing redirection from all the choices and information overload for improvement out there that will distract me from playing which is the reason I picked up the game just over 5 years ago. Great comparison to medical insights and treatment choices as well. Thank you again.
Doctor Nick - Thanks for another great perspective on chess improvement. All of your posts have been spot on and full of very useful insights and ideas. You will be missed here, but all the best in your next writing adventure. Also wishing you continued improvement on your chess journey.
I'm sorry to hear you're stopping your posts. I have really enjoyed them. I too think there's a lot said about chess psychology but most of it isn't really psychology and chess, if you see what I mean. There is a real dearth of research. There is a lot said, for example about, how to spend most of your time on tactics (e.g. as in the Woodpecker or de la Maza) and how they lead to improvement, but I have never seen a study comparing the benefits of doing two hours a day (say) on tactics compared with a control decision of doing two hours a day on chess in general. Anyway good luck with the book and thanks for the emails.
A fantastic post as always. I have recently also came to the same conclusion that playing (reps) is so important. I act a little bit differently in my post game losses or wins. What I have started to do is put each and every mistake or blunder into my own chessable courses so I can run those mistakes through their spaced repetition. It has been working extremely well.
probably one of the best adult improver articles i have read Dr. Vasquez, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to write.
Thank you Gus, it's been a pleasure and a passion of mine. I hope you've found it helpful!
I really appreciate your perspective as a MD. Great posts!
Thanks Martin! Best of luck to you and your pursuit!
Truly insightful. You have articulated what I have been thinking for some time. May I add that grounding this thinking in prophylaxis by asking the first question, “what is my opponent trying to do?”. Has certainly helped me.
Good luck with your book. I have enjoyed following your journey immensely.
Thanks. That's a great way to ground our thinking. I've been using the "What is that?" trigger - trying to label their move as attack, defense, maneuver, or mistake. I'm not sure there's a best way, but clearly doing something like what you do is a best practice.
Your writing is inspiring. I have read and re-read your posts, especially the last three. It's exciting to hear that you have gained what's necessary to take on this next challenge. I wish you success and hope you will drop a knowledge/insight missive here every once in a while. I am grateful for your efforts to help us (me) improve.
Thank you Anthony, that’s very kind of you. Wishing you best of luck with your chess!
First thank you for your posts. Endless information. Makes sense for the need to take a break and play some chess. This is the best article on improvement I can recall reading in a long time. Will refer to it often when needing redirection from all the choices and information overload for improvement out there that will distract me from playing which is the reason I picked up the game just over 5 years ago. Great comparison to medical insights and treatment choices as well. Thank you again.
Doctor Nick - Thanks for another great perspective on chess improvement. All of your posts have been spot on and full of very useful insights and ideas. You will be missed here, but all the best in your next writing adventure. Also wishing you continued improvement on your chess journey.
Thank you! It’s a grind!
Thanks for the very helpful post and links. Good luck with your book. Looking forward to seeing it when it's done!
I'm sorry to hear you're stopping your posts. I have really enjoyed them. I too think there's a lot said about chess psychology but most of it isn't really psychology and chess, if you see what I mean. There is a real dearth of research. There is a lot said, for example about, how to spend most of your time on tactics (e.g. as in the Woodpecker or de la Maza) and how they lead to improvement, but I have never seen a study comparing the benefits of doing two hours a day (say) on tactics compared with a control decision of doing two hours a day on chess in general. Anyway good luck with the book and thanks for the emails.
A fantastic post as always. I have recently also came to the same conclusion that playing (reps) is so important. I act a little bit differently in my post game losses or wins. What I have started to do is put each and every mistake or blunder into my own chessable courses so I can run those mistakes through their spaced repetition. It has been working extremely well.
Thanks! I updated the post with chessable courses mentioned. Keep up the good work on your Substack!
You as well.
Thanks, Nick, and all the best, John.
Excellent post. Thanks.
FYI the link to everyones first chess workbook goes directly to apple website and not the book
I’ll fix it. Thanks!
Nice post and lot of good information. Now I will start reading all your past posts. Looking forward to see what the book is about. Thanks.
Thank you!
Great post, Nick. Good luck with your book!
Appreciate it. I will need it! ;)