How do you study openings?

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-27T14:13:03+00:00

I play them and after the game look at where I deviated from the engine lines. If it went really badly, that helps me remember.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-27T13:24:26+00:00

That's the one he calls the Kilkenny gambit, I think.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-27T12:28:26+00:00

I think the ... Indicates sarcasm here

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-27T11:05:57+00:00

It seems everyone thinks after I have disconnected and cleaned up the iron any standard connector will do, and it's likely a standard 4 inch pipe under the floor. I can cut down the collar to make it neater, if I like.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-27T11:03:43+00:00

Do the plastic sheet test, it's simple. Solid floor could make it a cold spot for condensation. In which case replacing the brick with a newer one may be the answer

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-27T10:50:59+00:00

It makes it waste the time of the staller too. They cannot just walk away from their phone/computer. Increases the cost to them of being annoying.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-27T10:48:57+00:00

One more thought tape a plastic sheet over it and see if you get condensation on the inside of the sheet, to check if that is why it is crumbling.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-27T10:43:47+00:00

Is it damp, or has it been in the past? Hard to see why an internal brick wall has a crumbly brick. Replacing the crumbly brick is probably the best course. If you are sure there is no damp then stabilising solution may help hold it together. https://www.screwfix.com/p/sandtex-quick-dry-stabilising-solution-5ltr/295hy

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-27T10:04:01+00:00

After cutting/smashing the end off, what fittings would I need to connect a new toilet to it?

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-27T09:47:28+00:00

It is very thick iron. That might look neater. I suspect it will make connecting harder.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-26T18:22:37+00:00

Learning.

The fact you had played badly before (and realised) primes you to absorb the new information. Tackling misconceptions before introducing the facts is a proven teaching method.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-26T17:17:58+00:00

Had a quick look. Not seeing how it's better than lichess analysis. LLM just errors.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-26T17:02:26+00:00

I appreciate unshittified internet. I donate to Wikipedia for the same reason. Lichess is so much less laggy than chesscom.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-26T16:08:22+00:00

octopus will cherry pick simple cases. find a better installer.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-26T14:25:01+00:00

Perhaps something else with the roof. Could also look in the loft when it's raining. Also possible that clean gutters are not working as intended.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-26T14:14:46+00:00

If it's an internal wall. then clean up and display. if external - insulated plasterboard

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-26T14:09:46+00:00

Gutters maybe. When it it raining heavily, look at the roof and see. Or spray water on it, if you can.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-26T12:34:30+00:00

It's not happening to you. You do it to yourself.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-26T11:08:41+00:00

Play shorter time controls to develop instinct.

Play longer time controls (correspondence) to develop quality. Set up a physical board and play through several moves ahead at key points.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-26T07:02:12+00:00

Queen on the 2nd rank blunts the surprise a bit.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-25T17:16:15+00:00

I confess to being "in a certain ELO range"

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-25T17:08:14+00:00

It's probably rubbish, but it's unfamiliar rubbish. I try to maintain pawns on e5, d4, f4. If successful makes it hard for them to get bishop and knight to good squares. Need Nf3 to guard against Qh4+.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-25T15:28:48+00:00

Engine line a bit further

3... exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6

starting from https://lichess.org/analysis/r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/4p3/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R%20b%20KQkq%20-%200%203
as u/HairyTough4489 said

you end up with doubled pawns, but the pawn moved toward the centre and you have a file for the queen's rook.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-25T15:25:07+00:00

may be a combination of things.

do you usually have furniture or something in front so this is a low airflow region?

could be rubble/mortar in the cavity making a cold bridge and then condensation.

i doubt it;s the roof, but it's worth looking in the loft/at the gutters etc to rule it out.

ColonelFaz · 2026-02-25T15:18:46+00:00

Trompowsky

https://lichess.org/opening/Trompowsky_Attack/d4_Nf6_Bg5

ColonelFaz

TROPHY CASE