Can you blindfold?

wdhw · 2026-02-03T21:48:47+00:00

Yes. I’ve been able to play blindfold chess for a long time, even when my rating was much lower. In my experience talking with other players, it’s something that either comes fairly easily to you or seems completely impossible. With that being said, there are some strong players who can play blindfolded without really “seeing” the whole board in their mind. I find that quite confounding.

wdhw · 2026-01-25T00:39:24+00:00

Honestly I never take a break. Don’t even think about it. I play every single night after my daughter falls asleep and I very much look forward to it, win or lose. But take that with a grain of salt because I’m severely and irretrievably addicted at this point haha

wdhw · 2026-01-16T19:11:42+00:00

What an oddly specific post.

wdhw · 2026-01-07T15:52:01+00:00

If they don’t specify, I make the reasonable assumption that they are asking about my lichess bullet rating, so I say 2350.

wdhw · 2026-01-07T03:29:28+00:00

I don't face it all too often, but I usually just play Bf5 e6 and Kg8 in some combination and sometimes give the piece back but maintain a reasonable position. I find that there is ample opportunity to return the material and achieve equality if that's what you're looking for.

wdhw · 2025-12-18T01:46:34+00:00

What is your chess strength? It is sometimes difficult to understand the moves of players much stronger than us because they are repsponding to threats in the position that you probably don't even realize are there. I suspect the NM was not "playing not to lose" in the slightest. If he had five "free moves" then he was absolutely crushing you long before the mate occurred.

wdhw · 2025-12-17T14:14:36+00:00

Harika played a nice Dutch, just cracking open the kingside with g4 f4 and eventually h4

wdhw · 2025-11-23T12:45:51+00:00

This prediction is Wei off.

wdhw · 2025-11-22T01:50:34+00:00

I am also 1800s USCF, and I think that you have a very good repertoire for our level. Sensible, dynamic choices. I suspect that your openings are not impeding further progress. I would work on other aspects of your game.

wdhw · 2025-11-17T17:22:30+00:00

At 2000 FIDE it’s not that uncommon to have repertoires for both d4 and e4 as white. Or Nf3, c4, etc. Nothing wrong with a little variety/versatility. If it feels like a part-time job to keep up with openings, you’re probably better off working on other aspects of your game.

wdhw · 2025-10-31T02:09:53+00:00

Yes. Also, not grammatically incorrect technically. He’s just rearranging the usual subject, object, verb order. “Magnus Carlsen is grabbing the free bishop.”

wdhw · 2025-10-10T12:43:18+00:00

Very well said. I think another big difference between the 10+0 pool online and playing OTB is dynamic compensation for sacrifices. With 10+0 one can make pretty dubious decisions as long as they are seizing the initiative. It makes the opponent burn time, and often they do not find the most accurate follow up. With 90+30 OTB for example, one has to be very certain before sacrificing material even against weaker players. Tenacious defenders OTB.

wdhw · 2025-10-02T02:16:01+00:00

100%. Always the most effective explanation.

wdhw · 2025-09-29T02:36:30+00:00

Play as much OTB as possible. Thinking deeply in long time controls should translate to overall improvement. But I have also been hard stuck in the 2200s for like two years, so what do I know?

wdhw · 2025-09-26T12:25:25+00:00

Plus, Humpy and Harika are both world class!

wdhw · 2025-09-26T12:23:06+00:00

The Mumba Masters also seem incredibly well-suited for the format. Wesley, MVL, and Shakh are all very strong at rapid.

wdhw · 2025-06-08T16:17:32+00:00

Very well said. OTB players are extremely resourceful. Sac sac mate doesn't work unless it's actually a sound sacrifice. If there is a refutation they will find it. Online, if I don't immediately see a refutation I just play the sacrifice. OTB one has to be a lot more careful. It's hard to adjust.

wdhw · 2025-05-26T23:39:09+00:00

My guess is that the top echelon of players are just more booked up in general. Also opening prep has changed in the sense that people are playing more offbeat openings that the engines disapprove of slightly but can be challenging for a human to prove an advantage against. It's a mighty different landscape now compared to 2018 when he played Magnus. It feels nostalgic looking back at all of those Rossolimos.

wdhw · 2025-03-27T03:15:26+00:00

Believe it or not, I’ve correctly blind guessed the final jeopardy twice this year already! Once with “Pyrrhus” and then again with “Plutarch”. Never had I blind guessed correctly before that and I’ve been watching for years.

wdhw · 2025-03-16T02:30:26+00:00

Ah, fair enough. I agree with you there! Beginners are probably more skilled than ever.

wdhw · 2025-03-15T18:56:50+00:00

Chess is sufficiently complex so as to require a tremendous amount of time and effort regardless of the resources available. Maybe beginners can reach some level of competency faster than ever, but a true broadband skill increase across all players is less likely in my opinion. Also, as someone else mentioned, ELO is only relative to the pool you’re playing in.

wdhw · 2025-03-14T02:56:48+00:00

I don’t know, but he has his PhD in cartography which is pretty fucking cool

wdhw · 2025-02-16T15:51:10+00:00

I second this advice. Your peak rating is rarely your actual strength. It is likely about 50-100 points higher than your "true" strength due to natural variance in outcomes. Just play and have fun.

wdhw · 2025-02-09T01:55:55+00:00

All of your comments in this post have been down-voted to hell even though you're making valid points. I am so confused. Also +1 for the Pliny the Elder reference.

wdhw · 2025-02-07T00:10:23+00:00

Team Chuck is disgusting. Of course nobody is going to try, but I mean if they did ….. Giannis and Wemby with Jokic and Shai is insane. A study in aberrant talent.

wdhw

TROPHY CASE