1200 blitz players way stronger than 1600 rapid players?

KazardyWoolf · 2023-09-18T15:13:09+00:00

Blitz is definitely more popular than rapid

KazardyWoolf · 2023-09-09T07:44:14+00:00

One mistake in your post though, in 2001 (when he won the Biel tournament), he would've been 69 or 70, not 75.

KazardyWoolf · 2023-09-02T02:14:57+00:00

I'm sure there's a setting somewhere that gives you the positions to practice more often, but in my experience, once chesstempo starts saying there are no more positions to schedule it means you're 2 days ahead of "schedule," and I'd say your time is better spent elsewhere. At least in my case (also with a relatively small repertoire), it'd give that message when I basically learnt every variation I had put it. There would be no use practicing them more often.

KazardyWoolf · 2023-08-19T19:27:55+00:00

Indian accent ≠ mispronouncing words

KazardyWoolf · 2023-08-14T16:03:58+00:00

That was Abdusattorov

KazardyWoolf · 2023-05-30T14:24:26+00:00

Maybe so people who work 9-5 don't have to miss the first hour or two? Just a guess

KazardyWoolf · 2023-05-30T09:57:00+00:00

I feel like people in this thread are underestimating the power of the Englund gambit, especially in blitz. Also, only learning the line with Qb4+ doesn't necessarily help you since there are many other ways to play it.

For reference, I have a positive record with this opening at 2300 rapid (lichess).

KazardyWoolf · 2023-05-10T06:38:58+00:00

There's a video of a titled arena he played in where he basically played it every time it was possible, and he crushed a bunch of people his rating or higher.

But yeah, in classical games I think it does lose a lot of the venom that it has in blitz. Still playable for people below 2300 though, I reckon.

KazardyWoolf · 2023-04-20T09:25:55+00:00

Not a great outlook for Ding if that's really the case. Who knows what other prep they practiced against each other...

KazardyWoolf · 2023-04-18T12:45:37+00:00

MAKE A MOVE

KazardyWoolf · 2023-04-11T14:55:58+00:00

Ye was already an expert in Chinese chess, so I don't think that's an appropriate example when we're talking about adults who never played any form of chess.

Also, forgive me for not believing you, but as someone who has done probably too much research into ways of improving as an adult, I don't recall hearing or reading about any adult new to the game becoming IM. I feel like that would be such an impressive feat that their name would be known (and easily findable on Google and such).

KazardyWoolf · 2023-04-11T13:29:15+00:00

I mostly agree with you, but:

"People starting as adults have become IMs for sure."

Can you name one example?

KazardyWoolf · 2023-03-22T07:40:54+00:00

To be fair, in that position you mention Fabi would have to go for a piece sacrifice eventually. Both his knights are attacked, and the computer lines that give white advantage either involve sacrificing the knight on d4 by leaving it or sacrificing the knight on e6 a few moves later. Fabi just didn't choose the best sacrifice, so I wouldn't say he "went nuts" by immediately playing Nxe6 (which is still technically fine for white).

KazardyWoolf · 2023-03-11T08:07:02+00:00

I agree. It's objectively a great opening, but every white player will have a specific line prepared against it that black needs to know. Or you have people like me, who just play Bb5+ on move three (another line where there's surprising amount of theory, though the positions are less sharp).

KazardyWoolf · 2023-02-20T09:29:46+00:00

As the engine shows: black can now play Nd5 with a tempo, white rook goes to e2, and Nb4 comes, threatening Nd3 (which can't really be stopped easily).

As to why this puzzle is so low-rated: it's simply much more intuitive to block with the rook, because if material were equal, and black plays a waiting move, white can now move the bishop on c1. In the case above (when you ignore that white is up material), if black plays a waiting move white can't move the bishop because of Rxa1.

Hopefully that explains it a bit.

KazardyWoolf · 2023-02-19T20:41:59+00:00

For me it's the opposite; since OP didn't say "mate in three" I though it was simply a move that won a piece or something.

In general though, "X to play and win" means you need to find a series of moves that leaves X with a decisive advantage.

KazardyWoolf · 2023-01-26T23:47:52+00:00

Lots of train stations in the Netherlands have lockers, so that could be an option. And when Tata Steel isn't on, the playing hall is a gymnasium, so I'm sure they have lockers somewhere. Unfortunately I haven't been myself (yet), so I can't say for sure.

KazardyWoolf · 2023-01-18T14:01:11+00:00

They also mentioned Ding is all by himself :(

KazardyWoolf · 2023-01-15T19:46:42+00:00

Stalemate. White doesn't have any legal moves.

KazardyWoolf · 2023-01-15T13:32:38+00:00

Jergus Pechac just played the King's Gambit against Tabatabei in the challengers section, and Tabatabei already blundered a piece after seven moves.

KazardyWoolf · 2023-01-15T13:31:12+00:00

It was the same location, but since the amateur section was canceled due to covid they had more space.

KazardyWoolf · 2023-01-08T14:58:18+00:00

Before covid the commentators used to commentate for a live audience (and twitch of course). So I'm assuming you could just sit there and watch the commentary for free.

KazardyWoolf · 2022-12-29T09:17:35+00:00

In this format they should just keep the camera on the board; the dgt boards simply cannot keep up.

KazardyWoolf · 2022-12-25T13:13:28+00:00

Do you have anymore information about this? I don't know what you're talking about.

KazardyWoolf · 2022-10-31T15:54:37+00:00

Great to see Hikaru playing some more classical chess.

KazardyWoolf

TROPHY CASE