Playing Scared

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Date: 12 Nov 2006 19:35:15
From: John Evans
Subject: Playing Scared

I've been spending alot of time trying to pinpoint where I can improve my
approach to the game. I'm not talking about just learning another line or
variation, but I am talking about a change in my psychological approach. At
my level confidence sames to be the biggest obstacle. Read this and let me
know what you think.

http://growwithchess.com/2006/11/dont-play-scared.html

--
Thanks,
John
http://growwithchess.com/

Date: 14 Nov 2006 02:42:17
From: John Evans
Subject: Re: Playing Scared

Before I started parrticipating in this news group I thought news groups
were dead, but I'm so glad I was wrong. You guys are helping me so much. I
had no idea what books to get or even how to study, but you guys are helping
me with all of that.

Thank You All!

--
Thanks,
John
http://growwithchess.com/
"John Evans" <[email protected] > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've been spending alot of time trying to pinpoint where I can improve my
> approach to the game. I'm not talking about just learning another line or
> variation, but I am talking about a change in my psychological approach.
> At my level confidence sames to be the biggest obstacle. Read this and let
> me know what you think.
>
> http://growwithchess.com/2006/11/dont-play-scared.html
>
> --
> Thanks,
> John
> http://growwithchess.com/
>

Date: 13 Nov 2006 13:22:47
From: SBD
Subject: Re: Playing Scared

[email protected] wrote:

> Watson's "Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy" COVER TO
> COVER TWICE.

Only twice? At 2200, I had to read it cover to cover no less than six
times before I understood the depth of his ideas. Watson is a prime
example of the type who, if his playing skill equalled his analytical
ability and understanding of the game, would be practically
undefeatable.

And at this level, surely Pachman is the much better choice?

SBD

Date: 13 Nov 2006 06:37:08
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Playing Scared

John Evans wrote:
> I've been spending alot of time trying to pinpoint where I can improve my
> approach to the game. I'm not talking about just learning another line or
> variation, but I am talking about a change in my psychological approach. At
> my level confidence sames to be the biggest obstacle. Read this and let me
> know what you think.
>
> http://growwithchess.com/2006/11/dont-play-scared.html
>
> --
> Thanks,
> John
> http://growwithchess.com/

First, you are playing scared becasue you have a lack of chess
understanding in parts of your game - probably all of them. Do you
freak out in the opening of your opponent does not play the 'book'
moves?

And I would disagree with this statement: "I hate being strangled by my
opponent and if I am going to lose I want to go down swinging. The best
way to avoid this style is to study tactics".

The study of tactics is one aspect of chess. Anyone can create tactical
threats during a game, but you want to play moves that are consistent
and have a coherency with a given plan that the position calls for. It
makes no sense to attack an unprotected pawn if when protecting that
pawn, you help your opponent improve his position. That would be
categorized as 'wasting a move'.

I would say that you play scared priily because you play chess
without an active, viable plan in place during your games. You would
benefit the most by reading something like Ludek Pachman's "Modern
Chess Strategy" or Watson's "Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy" COVER TO
COVER TWICE. Your lack of a plan is precisely why you 'waste moves'
during your games. And remember, a plan is only as good as the next
move, so always be on the alert to change your plan, ESPECIALLY after
pawn moves that change the structure of the pawns.

If you want some help, read this blog:
http://chess-training.blogspot.com from the beginnning.

Date: 13 Nov 2006 16:25:02
From: Ron
Subject: Re: Playing Scared

In article <[email protected] >,
"[email protected]" <[email protected] > wrote:

> > http://growwithchess.com/2006/11/dont-play-scared.html

What this article misses is that playing without fear isn't just about
playing aggressively. It means trusting your calculations and
evaluations.

Sometimes it means playing defensively - eg, accepting a sacrifice you
believe to be unsound, even though the position is complicated.

-Ron

Date: 13 Nov 2006 15:03:23
From: bellatori
Subject: Re: Playing Scared

Playing Chess is a balance of Tactics and strategy. It is very satisfying
to win a game with some brilliancy or other but generally the brilliancy
arises from a long term strategy and an opponents inability to see it and
reply. The advice given particularly the reading seems pretty good to me.

One thing you might consider is to look at how a decent computer program
plays. If you can aset the ply depth (half moves) on the computer analysis
you can then look at how it improves its game as it looks further into the
position (more ply) At a very few ply it will be looking tactically in the
sence that to win it needs a quick comboination. If you can plan deeper
than the computer you will win. (Which is one of the reasons I don't play
computers - they can see strategically further than I can) Set it to
unlimited and it will be playing rather more strategically. It appears to
have a plan....

Date: 13 Nov 2006 15:05:34
From: Terry
Subject: Re: Playing Scared

<[email protected] > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> John Evans wrote:
>> I've been spending alot of time trying to pinpoint where I can improve my
>> approach to the game. I'm not talking about just learning another line or
>> variation, but I am talking about a change in my psychological approach.
>> At
>> my level confidence sames to be the biggest obstacle. Read this and let
>> me
>> know what you think.
>>
>> http://growwithchess.com/2006/11/dont-play-scared.html
>>
>> --
>> Thanks,
>> John
>> http://growwithchess.com/
>
> First, you are playing scared becasue you have a lack of chess
> understanding in parts of your game - probably all of them. Do you
> freak out in the opening of your opponent does not play the 'book'
> moves?
>
> And I would disagree with this statement: "I hate being strangled by my
> opponent and if I am going to lose I want to go down swinging. The best
> way to avoid this style is to study tactics".
>
> The study of tactics is one aspect of chess. Anyone can create tactical
> threats during a game, but you want to play moves that are consistent
> and have a coherency with a given plan that the position calls for. It
> makes no sense to attack an unprotected pawn if when protecting that
> pawn, you help your opponent improve his position. That would be
> categorized as 'wasting a move'.
>
> I would say that you play scared priily because you play chess
> without an active, viable plan in place during your games. You would
> benefit the most by reading something like Ludek Pachman's "Modern
> Chess Strategy" or Watson's "Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy" COVER TO
> COVER TWICE. Your lack of a plan is precisely why you 'waste moves'
> during your games. And remember, a plan is only as good as the next
> move, so always be on the alert to change your plan, ESPECIALLY after
> pawn moves that change the structure of the pawns.
>
> If you want some help, read this blog:
> http://chess-training.blogspot.com from the beginnning.
>

Good advice.

Regards

Date: 12 Nov 2006 21:20:34
From: Inconnux
Subject: Re: Playing Scared

Date: 12 Nov 2006 21:10:44
From: Matt Nemmers
Subject: Re: Playing Scared