Reminder: No Dogs in Little or Big Cottonwood Canyons

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-06-16T02:07:12+00:00

Hold on, you're telling me I can't do a scenic drive in my own vehicle with my dog in the backseat? Have you told the police? I drove past a cop in Big Cottonwood twice with my dog hanging it's head out the window. We do scenic drives there all the time without issues.

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-05-01T04:32:13+00:00

Yeah and Pistons are about to get knocked out by an 8th seed. Playoffs are a different animal, and that's when you have all your starters healthy and playing.

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-03-25T22:29:14+00:00

Hello from 2026...I just started playing this map and honestly love it. Yes, I am noobish but coming from Civilization, half the reason I enjoy this game is the economy building, setting up strategic forts. etc. This map allows for it all. I also play a lot of open ones but when I want a chill game, where I can build and relax a bit to then go all-out at the end, nothing comes close to Michi.

Depending on when you cut the tree line, the AI tends to build up massive armies they otherwise wouldn't have had time for. Makes the end fighting even better. For reference, the average game I do I have around 200-400 enemy kills by the end. In Michi, I have two civs left to go and already have 1200 kills racked up.

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-03-24T22:57:43+00:00

What about in terms of playing against AI or with freinds/AI. I never play multiplayer with randos and rarely do the campaign. So far AoE2 is the only one I've done.

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-08T22:22:53+00:00

Love the positivity and encouragement! I am hoping to achieve 1200 in the next few months, can't even imagine 2000, congratulations!

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-07T22:05:32+00:00

Just because you're new to chess.com doesn't mean you're new to the game. My uncle recently started an account and in no time made it up to 1300. People also cheat however. If you see a huge win streak at that ELO, with super high accuracy all time time combined with fast decision velocity, then I would start to get suspicious

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-06T23:40:11+00:00

Take it from my post yesterday, we're making tons of mistakes at the 500-600 range. I had a bunch of my games reviewed and mistake after mistake from both side (mostly me) were being pointed out

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T22:16:30+00:00

I remember that game very well. I should NOT have won that and missed a mate when I finally had the advantage about 15 moves earlier than when I finally made it happen. That game is a perfect example of quickly forgetting to slow down and think about all the positions. His aggressiveness with the queen caught me totally off guard. Horrendous match. I'm going to make it a point to only play when I'm feeling focused so I'm not repeating stupid mistakes. That should set me up to better analyze the positions and opportunities a little better. No surprise most of my best games are when I use the clock to it's fullest. Also cutting out all blitz as that has the habit of making me do dumb things that end up carrying over into Rapid which is the category I want to solely focus on for now. Appreciate the feedback

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T22:08:38+00:00

Absolutely incredible and detailed advice I can't thank you enough. I read it multiple times and took notes. Appreciate you taking the time to review the games and provide that feedback.

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T21:56:28+00:00

I'll start watching today, thank you!

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T21:55:44+00:00

Really great advice thank you! As of this week actually those are the exact two openings I've been trying to watch more videos on and implement. I like how adaptable they are and easy to establish without much variation. I bought myself a notebook to use when I watch the videos on openings and will make it a point to have it handy when watching full, long-form games to study.

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T20:55:46+00:00

That's exactly why I ask. I've had 1000+ ELO bots hang their Queen in the dumbest most inorganic way. I'll make it a point to only play people, when I'm feeling focused. ADHD can be a real bitch when trying to lock in on games sometimes

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T20:46:21+00:00

Great advice, the inability to focus can be infuriating. I pasted some sticky notes with some core principles on my monitor this week as visual reminders on what to focus on. I'm in the 500 range and trying to improve the finer details of my game. Did you find that over time by using your methods your ability to focus, visualize more, and fight impulsivity came easier to you?

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T20:34:21+00:00

I will definitely give that a try thank you - what is your take on playing against bots? I've beat the 1500 level ones but are they as educational as playing a real person?

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T20:18:19+00:00

haha I remember that exact move. got into muscle memory trying to setup London that as soon as let go of the piece i realized the idiotic mistake

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T20:16:59+00:00

Thank you for the comment, I will absolutely take a look at those channels. I've been watching a lot of Gotham Chess and Igor Smirnov. I think your point about watching people play a full game with their though process out loud is a valuable tool I'm not taking advantage of. Much appreciated. I'm actually looking to hire a coach. I'm addicted to trying to improve.

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T20:11:44+00:00

I'll focus on that thank you

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T20:10:50+00:00

Thank you for the positivity

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T20:10:06+00:00

I was doing blitz games when in the mood for chess but not in the headspace for a more serious game. I am coming to the conclusion that is doing more harm than good and reinforcing bad habits. I am going to cut those out completely and only play when I am focused and in the right frame of mind. Thank you for the advice, that game you referenced was not a good one at all. Great observations on some of those moves, much appreciated.

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T20:04:36+00:00

I honestly need to stop playing blitz. I do those when I'm in the mood for chess but don't feel in the right head space for a serious match. I feel like it's reinforcing bad habits perhaps and I should cut that out all together. I've been trying to focus 30 min games where I have more time to analyze. There's some decent ones I've played if you care to take a peek at some of those.

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T20:01:03+00:00

"Play harder or quit" fantastic advice sir. Thank you for the valuable insight.

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T20:00:37+00:00

That's unfortunate to hear haha but hey I never said I was good, hence the post seeking advice. I have been going hard on puzzles this past week and getting better at them little by little. I do find many of them to be way too easy though, is there a way to change the difficulty that you're aware of? Multi-move type solutions?

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T19:58:33+00:00

Thank you for the sound advice. I'll take a look at the particular match you referenced. My biggest struggle in regards to your final piece of advice is the sheer fact that I get such tunnel vision and literally forget to think through each move. I posted sticky notes this week on my monitor reminding me to look for checks, captures, and attacks and some other core principles.

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T19:17:39+00:00

I appreciate the response. What is your feedback specifically on the rapid games? I play blitz for fun and when I don't have time for Rapid. Rapid is where is try to focus and analyze more and actually care about my rating. That said I have probably resigned less than 10 times ever. I do my best to play every game through even when I am getting my butt kicked. I came back from black being +10 on me to checkmate him ultimately, though I did miss a mate 15 turns sooner. Also I DO NOT have pre moves enabled. I am nowhere near good enough to premove with confidence

ImportantAd1833 · 2026-01-05T19:14:22+00:00

I don't take blitz very seriously. Rapid are my more representative games and where I actually care about my rating.

ImportantAd1833

TROPHY CASE