Great article, Nick, I appreciate it. Could you share more (possibly in a future post) about how to stop making the same errors? Like is there a way to train yourself in games you play, if you keep making 2-3 mistakes over and over?
Yes! Will be publishing articles on all three steps (and one or two other facets) in the coming weeks/months. Currently suffering from food poisoning so it may be a bit.
That being said, the quick and dirty of analyzing games and finding patters I wrote about here: https://bit.ly/3DcTsLi
Once you know the pattern, then you have a why or a hook with which to go learn about it. Tactics are usually it which for me is that visualization is weak. I went back and have been training visualization and tactics. That's working for me. It will depend on the most common problem but my belief is that for most/all players <1500-1600 FIDE it's those two.
Oh wow, I'm a fan of your podcast! I'm a beginner chess player, learning in my early 50s, pretty bad but really having fun. Your podcast has been in my ears for the last couple of months. :)
Funny, I own Zen To Done... long ago. I've moved to the Time Sector System by Carl Pullein which is so helpful. Anyway, Leo if you're new to the game allow me to recommend strongly working on visualization (or conceptualization as others call it). Critical first skill and something most adults aren't strong at
Thanks Nick! I've been studying for the last couple of months, super weak at everything but tactical pattern recognition is slowly improving, and I'm now focused on calculation/visualization but I think it'll take a long time for me to get any good at that. I appreciate the recommendation. You probably should have recommended I start before the age of 52!!
Yeah, chess is humbling as you get older, but also a great activity to (try to) stay sharp. Leo, don't want to hijack Nick's post, but feel free to message me if you ever have any questions.
This is true. I've tried to limit my Chessable study to one tactics course, one course for a White openings, and one course for a Black opening. My goal is one hour on Chessable total per day though I often don't hit that number. I always start by Reviewing what I've learned and then I try to learn a few more. I've also tried to break it up by day (I do tactics everyday and then I review/study White openings on even days and Black openings on odd days). Then I play at least 7 rapid games per week. Usually, I get most of those in on the weekend and I also benefit from not having any kids. But what I resonante with is instead of trying to do every chessable course, just focusing on consistent practice and not trying to do everything.
Excellent post. If I may add (noted by Dan Heisman at least a decade ago): part of the problem that adult improvers face is that what is being marketed to us is 90% in the first category: books, courses, and videos on openings, endgames, strategies, etc etc. As Dan also notes: for adult improvers, the most bang for the buck, the low-hanging fruit is -- exactly as you say -- getting rid of the mistakes.
another excellent article Dr. Vasquez. If we listen carefully to Heidi, she keeps repeating "thought process error". In my humble opinion, this is at the top of my list ie: tunnel vision, checking for safe moves ... all the "seven deadly chess sins" as Rowson explains in his books". :)
Thank for this very thoughtful insight. This is road that I have unfortunately taken, subconsciously thinking that if I get lots of books and chess apps I will learn by osmosis. Lots of FOMO, maybe this is the "one" app or book that will make a genius in the least amount of time
We've all done that. Best is to focus in on what will concretely get you improvement. Typically that's tactical patterns and visualization training for most adults. Just spend most of your time here, and you'll make improvements. Wishing you luck!
Great article, Nick, I appreciate it. Could you share more (possibly in a future post) about how to stop making the same errors? Like is there a way to train yourself in games you play, if you keep making 2-3 mistakes over and over?
The answer to your question about mistakes is coming tomorrow morning
Amazing
Yes! Will be publishing articles on all three steps (and one or two other facets) in the coming weeks/months. Currently suffering from food poisoning so it may be a bit.
That being said, the quick and dirty of analyzing games and finding patters I wrote about here: https://bit.ly/3DcTsLi
Once you know the pattern, then you have a why or a hook with which to go learn about it. Tactics are usually it which for me is that visualization is weak. I went back and have been training visualization and tactics. That's working for me. It will depend on the most common problem but my belief is that for most/all players <1500-1600 FIDE it's those two.
Excellent, thank you for all of that!
Hi Leo, I just wanted to say I am a big fan of Zen Habits. I didn't know you were a chess player!
Oh wow, I'm a fan of your podcast! I'm a beginner chess player, learning in my early 50s, pretty bad but really having fun. Your podcast has been in my ears for the last couple of months. :)
Funny, I own Zen To Done... long ago. I've moved to the Time Sector System by Carl Pullein which is so helpful. Anyway, Leo if you're new to the game allow me to recommend strongly working on visualization (or conceptualization as others call it). Critical first skill and something most adults aren't strong at
Thanks Nick! I've been studying for the last couple of months, super weak at everything but tactical pattern recognition is slowly improving, and I'm now focused on calculation/visualization but I think it'll take a long time for me to get any good at that. I appreciate the recommendation. You probably should have recommended I start before the age of 52!!
Yeah, chess is humbling as you get older, but also a great activity to (try to) stay sharp. Leo, don't want to hijack Nick's post, but feel free to message me if you ever have any questions.
Amazing, will do.
Let me be somewhat humble here by quoting a famous saying 😜 “Great minds think alike”.
I fully agree with what you wrote and thank you for sharing such intimate feelings about your way of going about improving.
This is true. I've tried to limit my Chessable study to one tactics course, one course for a White openings, and one course for a Black opening. My goal is one hour on Chessable total per day though I often don't hit that number. I always start by Reviewing what I've learned and then I try to learn a few more. I've also tried to break it up by day (I do tactics everyday and then I review/study White openings on even days and Black openings on odd days). Then I play at least 7 rapid games per week. Usually, I get most of those in on the weekend and I also benefit from not having any kids. But what I resonante with is instead of trying to do every chessable course, just focusing on consistent practice and not trying to do everything.
Great to hear! Oh the freedom of no kids..
Excellent post. If I may add (noted by Dan Heisman at least a decade ago): part of the problem that adult improvers face is that what is being marketed to us is 90% in the first category: books, courses, and videos on openings, endgames, strategies, etc etc. As Dan also notes: for adult improvers, the most bang for the buck, the low-hanging fruit is -- exactly as you say -- getting rid of the mistakes.
(But harder to sell a book on that!)
A great point!
Great post!
Thanks! Appreciate that coming from you
another excellent article Dr. Vasquez. If we listen carefully to Heidi, she keeps repeating "thought process error". In my humble opinion, this is at the top of my list ie: tunnel vision, checking for safe moves ... all the "seven deadly chess sins" as Rowson explains in his books". :)
Man… thought process errors are my specialty!
Thank for this very thoughtful insight. This is road that I have unfortunately taken, subconsciously thinking that if I get lots of books and chess apps I will learn by osmosis. Lots of FOMO, maybe this is the "one" app or book that will make a genius in the least amount of time
We've all done that. Best is to focus in on what will concretely get you improvement. Typically that's tactical patterns and visualization training for most adults. Just spend most of your time here, and you'll make improvements. Wishing you luck!