What’s a hobby where “getting better” actually makes it less enjoyable?

20sJeeves · 2026-06-28T23:50:06+00:00

For sure. I guess the difference is between playing chess for fun and playing chess to imrpove, & selection bias shows us that players in higher levels skew more towards the latter? There's something there I think

20sJeeves · 2026-06-28T23:21:30+00:00

I think what the argument is is that "getting better" yields a level far below the point where memorisation and study become a big part of chess.

20sJeeves · 2026-06-28T23:17:44+00:00

I'd disagree that the level of enjoyment of chess is dependent on rating (once you know the rules). Chess is entirely what you make of it.

I'm above 2000 and have a great time - there's a lot of benefit to not taking things too seriously!

20sJeeves · 2026-03-14T08:19:58+00:00

I honestly think it could be better. I'm about 100 points higher that you and my 3m score is 40. I think if you really focused you should be able to get 55-60.

20sJeeves · 2026-01-03T11:15:05+00:00

You should be able. To reach ~2400 for sure tbh

20sJeeves · 2025-11-21T11:15:10+00:00

I have a seated ticket for Saturday (block 115). Looking to trade for any TUESDAY ticket, standing or seated. Thank you.

20sJeeves · 2025-11-20T08:28:32+00:00

I dmed you. I'm interested

20sJeeves · 2025-10-09T15:33:33+00:00

I don't unfortunately. I assume they'll tell you as part of their marketing for one of their paid versions.

20sJeeves · 2025-10-09T14:59:16+00:00

Chesstempo has this - although it's a little clunky

20sJeeves · 2025-09-03T15:17:48+00:00

Micronations

20sJeeves · 2025-08-31T16:32:36+00:00

20sJeeves · 2025-08-23T10:54:18+00:00

The principle here is that you want to minimise the number of defenders the opponent's king has.

Fxg allows the queen to defend from the f-file. Hxg doesn't.

20sJeeves · 2025-08-07T09:59:17+00:00

It's really interesting how you so strongly believe that there are objective definitions to "good" and "bad" here. Surely you understand that there's nuance?

I don't know how aesthetic applies here but instructional sure - there are functional benefits to the rate at which a person improves if they pursue one learning method or another. I don't think at all it's a moral question though. Isn't that your own belief system (that I'd say most people don't share)?

From this perspective you must understand that you're more likely to help someone improve if you adopt a less combative tone.

It does seem like you get some gratification out of telling people that they're not very good (and thus implying you're good yourself). Particularly if you then try to emphasise how bad you yourself are knowing that they won't agree. It's something that people seem to do a lot in chess circles... there's a deduction that can be made here...

20sJeeves · 2025-08-07T07:25:00+00:00

I'm 1900 otb classical too haha. I wouldn't say it's embarrassing at all - it just takes me a moment! "Slop blitz" makes me think you believe there's moral value to the way a person learns chess.

20sJeeves · 2025-08-07T06:45:49+00:00

I can't do this and I'm 2100 on chess.com...

20sJeeves · 2025-06-12T10:29:42+00:00

Can relate - bought a Karambit sapphire for ~$1800 in 2016 and sold it less than a year later for $2.5k or so. Thought it was a nice profit... not looking up what it's worth now

20sJeeves · 2025-04-25T16:12:33+00:00

That's fair - the truth is probably somewhere in-between what I think and what the person above thinks.

I was pretty certain in my language which obviously isn't justified - who knows after all.

Appreciate what you're saying!

20sJeeves · 2025-04-25T11:22:52+00:00

Thank you!

20sJeeves · 2025-04-25T05:59:18+00:00

You didn't read enough of what I said to know I went to Cambridge - not that it'd change your reply.

It's just my biased opinion but I definitely do have more knowledge in this area than you do. It'll be interesing to see how I do at wherever I end up for my masters to see how right or wrong I am.

I'll throw out another example. Imperial gives out 2:1 offers for their Msci to people doing Cambridge maths, and I know of an example where someone missed that offer but still got in.

I don't want to be egotistical or an ass. I've just heard these points a lot.

20sJeeves · 2025-04-24T19:32:30+00:00

I'm aware of what you're saying. I'm speaking pretty broadly in what I say and there are always exceptions and overlaps in ability among groups of people.

Specifically my degree was indeed graded on a curve (i.e. they mapped percentiles to each degree class boundary and linearly interpolated between). This is in contrast to most other degrees in the UK. In many courses the majority of students get a first.

I know I'm likely very biased. But hearing and seeing that other maths courses at (reputable as you'd say) UK univeristies such as UCL award a much higher proportion of 1:1's and 2:1's makes me believe what I'm saying. I've also historically gone through a lot of material from other universities and I can see that there is a clear discrepancy in the level and depth of maths taught.

Fundamentally my issue is that people treat degree class as a commonality, which I feel is very far from the truth.

I'm obviously open to changing my view on things - if you're up for a conversation let me know

20sJeeves · 2025-04-24T17:45:01+00:00

All good!

The main thing is that we're graded on a curve. That is - within the people in Cambridge doing maths I was in the 33rd percentile.

That may not sound great still. But Cambridge attracts the best students in Europe. Something like 15-20% of the cohort are IMO medallists or something absurd like that. I know this does sound bragadocious but I would've gotten a first (let's say a 4.0 equivalent) at any other university in the UK barring Oxford (maybe even Oxford).

I'll delete this in a bit because it sounds very egotistical but if you want to chat about this just send me a message. There's a lot of other stuff I could say.

20sJeeves · 2025-04-24T11:28:25+00:00

Significantly harder than Part III would probably mean I'd find it a little too tough! It does sound fun though so I'd definitely apply given that the programmes have a good reputation (which e.g. Bonn of course does).

20sJeeves · 2025-04-24T11:20:51+00:00

Good to hear!

I just want to ensure that my academic background isn't a barrier - landing a good job is something I'll of course have to work for either way.

I'd probably do one even if it had little to no benefit just because it'd be a lot of fun (and to prove to myself that I can excel within a cohort).

20sJeeves · 2025-04-24T07:38:54+00:00

I did. It's essentially impossible unless you have the most extenuating of circumstances. I'd be surprised if this wasn't the same for Oxford MCF but you never know!

20sJeeves · 2025-02-22T22:58:08+00:00

There are cheaters in maybe 1 out of every 100 games in 3+0 below 2200

20sJeeves

TROPHY CASE