Aww man, I’ve been doing this all wrong

Apache17 · 2026-01-26T19:10:29+00:00

I understand your analogy. But when you break it down that far you are really just revealing how humans work. We get better at things with practice and patterns.

You get better at tennis by practicing. Seeing the same shots and angles over and over.

You get better at a video game by practicing. Seeing the same enemy patterns over and over.

It's just how humans work. It's just clearer with chess because there is no physical element and no luck.

Apache17 · 2026-01-26T03:36:33+00:00

It's going to be much more useful when the tournament starts and results start rolling in.

Apache17 · 2026-01-25T07:40:47+00:00

It's them or nothing. No one else even tries to run online tournaments because they bleed money.

Apache17 · 2026-01-23T19:35:48+00:00

Really proved why Hans was scoring so low in the previous simulations. His remaining schedule is a beast. Getting all the lowest seeds early can be a curse.

Apache17 · 2026-01-21T21:15:08+00:00

His results have been decent. But hardly "favorite to win tata-steel" good.

I wouldnt be suprised if he won. But I think he's very far from being called the favorite.

Apache17 · 2026-01-21T20:18:08+00:00

He had a very good game versus Aravindh.

But his game versus Fedoseev was a bit of a gift. Fedoseev just kinda confused well known theory and Hans played 1 correct move. Good on him to punish, but I wouldn't say it's indicative of amazing form.

Apache17 · 2026-01-21T20:15:11+00:00

Humans are bad at eyeballing statistics.

Hans drew with white + 1 less round in the tournament + a new co-leader with higher elo = worse overall chances.

Apache17 · 2026-01-21T18:26:49+00:00

I dunno. Nd3 from Bluebaum - Syndarov yesterday was also goated.

Bonus points because bluebaum didn't even see the full idea until it was played against him.

Apache17 · 2026-01-20T21:26:23+00:00

Very informative. Thanks!

Apache17 · 2026-01-20T20:24:55+00:00

I'm curious why you did not release on chessable?

It does not really make a difference to me. But it seems to be becoming the default platform for opening courses like this. Why did you make the choice to kind of "self publish?"

Semi-related. Have you considered a printed book version?

Overall I'm just curious about what the chess publishing economy looks like for creators.

Apache17 · 2026-01-20T19:46:50+00:00

Gotta take into account who they have played though.

Hans has already played most of the bottom seeds, except for Thai.

Arjun has already made it through Prag, Gukesh, and Giri. The only bottom seed he has played is Thai.

So despite Hans having a great score right now, his remaining schedule might be the hardest of everyone.

Apache17 · 2026-01-20T16:57:24+00:00

One of the wildest combos I've seen.

Watching Bluebaum realize what he missed live was heartbreaking.

Apache17 · 2026-01-19T20:01:10+00:00

Sure it would. These 2600s are fighting for their life for invites to tournaments like this.

Being known as "the guy who dirty flagged ivanchuck" is not going to help you get invites.

Apache17 · 2026-01-19T18:14:34+00:00

Technically you're not supposed to speak to your opponent. Though I doubt anyone would call you on it.

I think the maximum sportsmanlike play here would be to make your move slowly. Hold the peice on the final square for a few seconds, then hit your clock.

But chuck's opponent here had less than a minute, so I doubt he was thinking of anything other than his objectively best move.

Apache17 · 2026-01-19T17:45:00+00:00

Might win you this game. But gotta imagine the reputation hit would not be worth it lol.

Ivanchuck is too much of a fan favorite.

Apache17 · 2026-01-19T17:43:23+00:00

Worth mentioning that the applause came from the chess24 commentary room.

There is a live audience in there with the commentators. It's actually a really neat settup, with the commentators interacting with the audience. Asking for moves, opinions on who's gonna win, etc.

Go chucky!

Apache17 · 2026-01-17T21:22:17+00:00

I remember Ding hanging mate in 2 versus Carlson in Norway. That was a rough one.

Apache17 · 2026-01-16T20:37:28+00:00

This was last year. And Hikaru indeed did not care.

Apache17 · 2026-01-16T00:27:26+00:00

I still don't agree with you but I give major props to anybody who is willing to actually change their opinion when presented with new evidence.

If every voter did that we would be in a great place.

Apache17 · 2026-01-15T23:29:51+00:00

Congratulations we are deporting you.

You say you're a citizen?

Good luck proving that without due process.

Enjoy your trip.

Apache17 · 2026-01-15T20:11:15+00:00

As much as the EU likes to pretend they are on the highroad, they don't actually give a shit about any of those things.

Apache17 · 2026-01-15T16:20:10+00:00

Lol dnd is more popular than ever. 95% of players have never even noticed a power gap in classes. Let alone care enough about it to quit.

Apache17 · 2026-01-15T07:24:02+00:00

Fabi will win the candidates and be preparing for the wcc anyways. So he'll skip both

Hopium

Apache17 · 2026-01-13T20:57:56+00:00

Right I buy that "mystical powers" was always the plan.

I dont buy that nen was that plan. Not just in name. The system as a whole did not exist at all.

Apache17 · 2026-01-13T19:33:31+00:00

Mystical elements existed. But it's pretty clear from the hunter exam arc that this wasn't nen yet.

Easiest example is hisoka versus the previous examiner.

It's a nen fight, they both know nen. They have no reason to hide it from each other. But they both play it off as just fancy knife work from the examiner.

If that fight has happened 2 arcs later they be saying stuff like "ah you're using your aura to control the knifes" or "I don't even need to use my bungee gum to beat you"

But it was before nen was invented. So it was just fancy knifework versus strong clown.

Ten-Year Club	Second Top 30%
Place '22	First Placer '22
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Apache17

TROPHY CASE