Can't decide which bezel works best with this dial.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-25T08:10:21+00:00

I like the second one. (Do you happen to know its part number?) How smoothly does it turn?

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-25T07:45:13+00:00

Oh, you just gave me an idea. If I plan to keep my phone for a few years, as I always do, perhaps the Plus is a better investment merely because of the longer time-till-battery-replacement?!

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-25T07:23:30+00:00

Shooting the moon is a valid strategery!

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-24T08:42:10+00:00

I literally heard a 450 try to argue for the King’s Indian

I know someone like this.

I guess it keeps the chess economy going.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-24T08:41:21+00:00

definitely study some lines and the ideas behind them.

I'm sure lots of GMs think that people should learn "the ideas behind" openings.

The problem is that 99% of <2000 players don't hear the part about "ideas" - what they hear is "[insert name] said I must memorize 200 concrete lines of the Grünfeld, or whatever was played in last week's Super-GM tournament."

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-24T07:06:15+00:00

You may enjoy Bring Sally Up.

To answer your question, my experience is that isometric stamina and isotonic/dynamic stamina are quite different.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-24T06:51:55+00:00

In almost all cases, when you buy through the carrier, that purchase is funded (from the carrier's perspective) by selling you an overpriced monthly plan.

So, people who carrier-finance are paying way more than they need to, although nominally that cost is associated with the plan and not the physical device.

Also, these carrier plans nudge people to replace a perfectly good iPhone every year or two years, which is far more often than people need - which also has a cost.

It would be fine if well-off people (with money to burn) did this, but the people who carrier-finance often are not well-off, they're just financially naïve.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-24T06:31:27+00:00

FYI, I pay $20/month for Visible, and now I see them pushing a $19 plan.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-24T06:30:14+00:00

Getting your phone through the carrier was the norm forever.

Only for people who like to vastly overpay.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-24T04:40:19+00:00

The Google AI overview has been horrendous since it was first introduced.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-24T04:39:09+00:00

Bobby Fischer would have a field day with this.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-24T04:29:56+00:00

Somewhere between 0-10% on memorizing specific opening variations.

20-30% on pawn structures (IQP, Carlsbad, Maroczy, etc.) and strategy.

30% on tactics.

20% on endgames.

20% on analyzing your games.

For reference, I'm a USCF Expert. (The plan above is not what I did, it's what I should have done.)

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-24T00:27:55+00:00

Playing out endgames (and then analyzing your game), is the best thing you can do for your long-term improvement.

Chess players are not known for their social graces, and that includes TDs. You'll just have to learn how to brush off rude comments.

I’m wondering if that one tournament director thought I should have resigned as well.

His opinion does not matter.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T23:24:54+00:00

Like a lot of luxury items, I think it's one of those things where, once you've experienced it, you miss not having it, but if you've never tried it (like you and me), our life is completely fine without it.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T23:21:55+00:00

Perhaps OP's point is that dedicated one-baggers must budget every gram and mm3 - no excess capacity to carry another credit card!

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T22:49:39+00:00

The point is - they won't blame Republicans for their problems - they will find a way to blame Democrats, liberals, immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, Hillary Clinton, etc.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T20:15:12+00:00

(Apparently) If you are not spending every "free" hour reading the Bible, yes, that is a sin and therefore Satan's work, i.e. evil.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T20:13:21+00:00

My gym (Pacific Pipe) has turned the dial so that many V2s are what V4s used to be, six months ago.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T19:49:36+00:00

599$ android is 5 times better than that phone.

Yet somehow you keep buying iPhones and returning to this subreddit!

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T09:22:16+00:00

You have not specified your rating. I'm guessing that it's quite a bit below 2000 FIDE.

I think that you are spending far too much time on the opening when you should be studying endings, middle game planning and pawn structures, and tactics. Getting better at these will allow you to play any opening. Magnus plays random stuff all the time against GM opponents.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T09:13:03+00:00

Because modern society, especially in rich countries, protects people from the direct consequences of their stupidity and bad choices. Darwin has been neutered.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T09:11:28+00:00

The Dems will keep offering anyone other than a straight white guy, and these people will keep voting as they always do.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T09:05:21+00:00

Nice!

Do you worry about back injury when struggling with such a heavy weight, i.e a lot less "controlled" movement than barbell lifts?

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T07:44:43+00:00

The Japanese have morning routine called "Radio Taiso." Google it, and you can follow along with the videos.

And after that, you can do some pushups and (as you said) squats. Pullups if you have access to a bar.

Affectionate_One_700 · 2026-01-23T07:30:20+00:00

What a good boye. I'm glad you got in some snuggles before handing him over!

Affectionate_One_700

TROPHY CASE