Chess strategy for the older player
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Chess strategy for the older player
"Chess Strategy for the Older Player" would be a timely book were it written. I was flicking through the pages of Colin Crouch's latest book, "Why We Lost at Chess," where he describes the impact his stroke had on his play. But in reality all of us suffer in chess strength -- albeit to a milder degree -- as we age. We can't calculate as fast, as accurately, as tirelessly, as the brigades of young punks barely out of their diapers. Our brains change physiologically. So we have to counteract calculational skill and stamina with other qualities -- positional judgement, sitzkrieg, endgame knowledge, cunning and guile. But to my knowledge no-one has written a book directed at the over-40s describing how to make mincemeat of chess punks. Some of my sweetest victories have been about outwitting adolescent players out of victories that should rightfully have been theirs.
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
See http://www.andrewmartinchessacademy.com ... ode=NRDCFSArshad Ali wrote:"Chess Strategy for the Older Player" would be a timely book were it written. I was flicking through the pages of Colin Crouch's latest book, "Why We Lost at Chess," where he describes the impact his stroke had on his play. But in reality all of us suffer in chess strength -- albeit to a milder degree -- as we age. We can't calculate as fast, as accurately, as tirelessly, as the brigades of young punks barely out of their diapers. Our brains change physiologically. So we have to counteract calculational skill and stamina with other qualities -- positional judgement, sitzkrieg, endgame knowledge, cunning and guile. But to my knowledge no-one has written a book directed at the over-40s describing how to make mincemeat of chess punks. Some of my sweetest victories have been about outwitting adolescent players out of victories that should rightfully have been theirs.
and http://www.andrewmartinchessacademy.com ... e=NRDHTBYP
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Twitter: @BritishChess
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
The second one looks just the ticket.John Upham wrote: See http://www.andrewmartinchessacademy.com ... ode=NRDCFS
and http://www.andrewmartinchessacademy.com ... e=NRDHTBYP
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
You guys should try anti aging medicine. It works wonders for speeding up stamina, spatial skills and well being.
Louise
Louise
You might very well think that ; I couldn't possibly comment.
' you turn if you want. The lady's not for turning'
' you turn if you want. The lady's not for turning'
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
Didn't Nigel Davies write a book on this very subject ... or maybe a DVD?Arshad Ali wrote:But to my knowledge no-one has written a book directed at the over-40s describing how to make mincemeat of chess punks
The Abysmal Depths of Chess: https://theabysmaldepthsofchess.blogspot.com
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
What?? This sounds like quackeryLouise Sinclair wrote:You guys should try anti aging medicine. It works wonders for speeding up stamina, spatial skills and well being.
Louise
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
Not at all - it is growing rapidly in popularity. In fact quite a number of well known people take advantage of it and it is very big in America and Europe especially Belgium. Anyone who is interested should buy a copy of Hormone Solution by Thierry Hertoghe.I see a specialist myself and since starting it my blood pressure fell, my gum health improved and my energy levels rocketed. Best money I have spent in years - it also lowers cholesterol, increases sexual vigour and reduces abdominal fat.
Louise
Louise
You might very well think that ; I couldn't possibly comment.
' you turn if you want. The lady's not for turning'
' you turn if you want. The lady's not for turning'
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
At the age of 44 and nearly 30 years after I started playing seriously I have just had my best season - +9 = 7 -1 against an ave opponent of 140-150.
DHEA and the right vitamins (and good sleep) certainly keep you fresh and up for the challenge.
Gary
DHEA and the right vitamins (and good sleep) certainly keep you fresh and up for the challenge.
Gary
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
You two (Louise and Gary) seem to have a symbiotic relationship. Do you by any chance know each other?
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
Isaac
We certainly do know each other been together since 1987 and met in 1985 at the local chess club.
Louise
We certainly do know each other been together since 1987 and met in 1985 at the local chess club.
Louise
You might very well think that ; I couldn't possibly comment.
' you turn if you want. The lady's not for turning'
' you turn if you want. The lady's not for turning'
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
I have noticed that as I have got older, and my grade has declined , these are the issues:-
1. I make more stupid blunders, perhaps as often as every 6th game I make a game-losing move in a decent position
2. I have a lot more draws than I used to.
3. I am much less tolerant of quickplay finishes at 10.30 in the evening, so much so that I have given up evening League chess.
Is that the general experience?
1. I make more stupid blunders, perhaps as often as every 6th game I make a game-losing move in a decent position
2. I have a lot more draws than I used to.
3. I am much less tolerant of quickplay finishes at 10.30 in the evening, so much so that I have given up evening League chess.
Is that the general experience?
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
The kind of energy-conserving positional chess we older players engage in (of necessity) means it's more difficult to prevail against stronger players. Hence the larger incidence of draws. To beat stronger players, one has to unbalance the game -- offering or accepting a sacrifice, say -- and then engage in a lot of concrete calculation. That's where we start going wrong. Missing a finesse at the end of a calculated sequence is often what decides the game between strong players. Hence the larger incidence of blunders in sharp positions.Phil Neatherway wrote:I have noticed that as I have got older, and my grade has declined , these are the issues:-
1. I make more stupid blunders, perhaps as often as every 6th game I make a game-losing move in a decent position
2. I have a lot more draws than I used to.
3. I am much less tolerant of quickplay finishes at 10.30 in the evening, so much so that I have given up evening League chess.
Is that the general experience?
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
I referenced these in a previous post within this very thread.Jonathan Bryant wrote:
Didn't Nigel Davies write a book on this very subject ... or maybe a DVD?
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
My grade has stayed almost the same for 20 years but I no longer enjoy the concentration it takes to play
In fact I haven't even played this season!
In fact I haven't even played this season!
Cheers
Carl Hibbard
Carl Hibbard
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Re: Chess strategy for the older player
Another problem is a low-maintenance opening repertoire. Again, okay for drawing against stronger players (particularly as white) but not so good for beating them. To beat stronger players, you have to join battle in some of the sharper lines and so you have to be au courant with them. Could be the Sveshnikov, KID, Najdorf, Grunfeld, .... And of course if you play these sharp lines you have to play them in their true spirit -- which means dynamically, concretely, and not shying away from sacrifices.