Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

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John Upham
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Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by John Upham » Mon Dec 21, 2020 1:03 pm

Richard James has completed his review of


Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Let the debate commence ! :D

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Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset
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Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset
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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:05 pm

Though that blurb doesn't mention it, Hymer is also a pretty decent player himself.

(this does get said in the review, tbf)
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

Roger de Coverly
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by Roger de Coverly » Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:24 pm

Matt Mackenzie wrote:
Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:05 pm
Though that blurb doesn't mention it, Hymer is also a pretty decent player himself.

(this does get said in the review, tbf)
Looking at his history, despite regularly playing in Opens, he has yet to break the 180 barrier. Is that mindset or knowledge? Players of 180 standard are good, but not that good or consistent as is usually proved when they run into players of 200 standard or above.

Mick Norris
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by Mick Norris » Mon Dec 21, 2020 5:23 pm

Matt Mackenzie wrote:
Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:05 pm
Though that blurb doesn't mention it, Hymer is also a pretty decent player himself.

(this does get said in the review, tbf)
More importantly, Barry's a nice guy, and interesting to talk to, as I discovered when sitting next to him at a Manticores curry at Doncaster 4NCL a couple of years ago
Any postings on here represent my personal views

Wadih Khoury
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by Wadih Khoury » Tue Dec 22, 2020 12:44 pm

Excellent book, recommend it.
A lot of obvious things though if you are familiar with growth mindset.

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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Tue Dec 22, 2020 2:07 pm

Mick Norris wrote:
Mon Dec 21, 2020 5:23 pm
Matt Mackenzie wrote:
Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:05 pm
Though that blurb doesn't mention it, Hymer is also a pretty decent player himself.

(this does get said in the review, tbf)
More importantly, Barry's a nice guy, and interesting to talk to, as I discovered when sitting next to him at a Manticores curry at Doncaster 4NCL a couple of years ago
He is certainly pleasant, yes.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

Simon Rogers
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by Simon Rogers » Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:23 am

Sounds like Barry likes a curry after reading this thread.
There is a picture of Barry eating a curry on the Lancaster Chess Club website at their club dinner.
Barry is very down to earth and very well spoken.
He plays for our club, Poulton-le-Fylde on board 2 for the 1st Team. I've had some great games against him.

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John Upham
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by John Upham » Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:40 am

Here is Barry at the October 2013 meeting : Didactics of Strategy Games :

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Barry Hymer at Didactics of Strategy Games
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Simon Rogers
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by Simon Rogers » Thu Dec 31, 2020 6:35 pm

Taken from a time before he joined Poulton-le-Fylde.
The picture on the Lancaster Chess Club website is great.
Next time he comes to Scarborough Congress he can join us for the Indian meal on the Sunday night.

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MJMcCready
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by MJMcCready » Sat Jan 09, 2021 10:36 pm

The review alone suggests that one of the authors is drawing heavily on Piaget's views which then went on to form what is known as constructionism, and that the book on the whole lacks the wisdom that Rowson's publications possess plenty of.

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MJMcCready
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by MJMcCready » Sat Jan 09, 2021 10:38 pm

If you asked either author why improvement is the 'alleged' goal of the book I suspect the answer given would either be disingenuous or unreflective.

Nick Burrows
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by Nick Burrows » Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:24 am

MJMcCready wrote:
Sat Jan 09, 2021 10:38 pm
If you asked either author why improvement is the 'alleged' goal of the book I suspect the answer given would either be disingenuous or unreflective.
Did you read the book?

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John Upham
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by John Upham » Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:21 am

Nick Burrows wrote:
Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:24 am
MJMcCready wrote:
Sat Jan 09, 2021 10:38 pm
If you asked either author why improvement is the 'alleged' goal of the book I suspect the answer given would either be disingenuous or unreflective.
Did you read the book?

You beat me to it Nick !

It would be interesting to compare reviews of books from people that have read the book and from those who have not. Usually it is fairly obvious.
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MJMcCready
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by MJMcCready » Sun Jan 10, 2021 12:43 pm

No because putting the word 'improvement' in the title gives the impression it is yet another cheap sell using a buzz word. Why isn't contentment the topic I wonder? Not so easy to profit from I strongly suspect. At least it wasn't entitled 'Secrets of...' this time.

Nick Burrows
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Re: Chess Improvement: It’s all in the mindset

Post by Nick Burrows » Sun Jan 10, 2021 2:15 pm

MJMcCready wrote:
Sun Jan 10, 2021 12:43 pm
No because putting the word 'improvement' in the title gives the impression it is yet another cheap sell using a buzz word. Why isn't contentment the topic I wonder? Not so easy to profit from I strongly suspect. At least it wasn't entitled 'Secrets of...' this time.
Unsurprisingly you are criticising a book based on an "impression". The book is literally tackling the issue of improvement - thats why its in the title.

A phrase for you to mull over:
Dont judge a book by its cover

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