What is common among Chess players!

The only thing Chess players have in common is Chess.  -  Lodewijk Prins 

Effective Training Methods According to Mark Dvoretsky

3 Effective Training Methods According to Mark Dvoretsky

Written by Yury Markushin

Monday, 10 November 2014 00:00

According to a famous chess coach Viktor Goncharov, today's chess training methods have multiple serious flaws. The most significant one is probably theinability of chess coaches (very strong chess players themselves) to understand the difficulties that their students are facing when studying chess. Due to their own high chess level they make assumptions based on their own chess ability, which not always directly translates to their student-players, making educational process more difficult. In simple terms, not every strong chess player is capable to teach one to become a strong player. Another problem according to Goncharov, is greatly related to the absence of the right materials which can teach chess coaches about how to train amateur players. Lastly, any chess exercise should have a meaning which should be beyond simply finding a solution. The student needs to realize the point of that exercise, capture the main idea and to be able to apply it in his own chess games. Otherwise, the knowledge is useless. The main goal of a student is to change their thinking process and to be able to start using common chess algorithms for assisting in decision making process. The main question is how to do that? Mark Dvoretsky suggests three training methods which can help in realizing this goal. Method 1. “Guess a move” approach This method was used by many masters and grandmasters including Bronstein, Gort and Nimzovich himself. The idea is to find a well annotated chess game, and to start guessing the moves right after the opening for one of the players. You should also write down your thoughts and compare them with the annotator’s analysis at the end of the game. Based on this comparison you can draw conclusion about your own understanding of the game. This training approach can help to you to greatly improve positional vision. It will also make sure that you actually understand the game you’re studying in a much greater extent than if you just skim through the moves and read the annotations, without applying yourself. Method 2. Endgame blitz In order to improve endgame play you need to practice in conditions that simulate real games. First, Dvoretsky suggests to think about the position on the board for a few minutes. Then, the position should be played out against a sparring partner, coach or a chess engine. The key of this exercise is to pick meaningful positions to be analyzed and later played out against a human or a computer opponent. By meaningful positions, Dvoretsky means the ones that are common at chess and have a clear way to achieve a win or a draw. Note: If you want to learn how to play common endgames well, I suggest you checking out our premium training course where we spend a lot of time drilling most often occurring chess endings so that you will not have to guess on the winning approach, but simply would know how to win these positions.  Method 3. Analysis algorithm Sometimes it is hard for an amateur chess players to evaluate a complex chess position. In order to simplify this task, Dvoretsky suggests removing all black pieces from the board and focusing only on white pieces at first. The analysis should be done from left to right and position should be evaluated according to importance of pieces. First the position of the King is taken into account, then the Queen, Rook, etc. Next, the white pieces are removed from the board and only the black pieces are setup. The position is evaluated analogous to the previous step but only for black pieces. Finally, both white and black pieces are setup and the analysis is done by comparing the sides, in order to identify what side possesses an advantage. This technique is called a ‘ladder’ technique because first we focus just on white pieces, then just on black pieces and finally we make our way to the complete position.

As an educational tool

Chess as an educational tool.

Chess, after 1, 2 or 3 moves

After each player makes just one move there 400 different positions possible!  After 2 moves – about 72,000 positions possible. After 3 moves – 9 million. After 4 moves – 288 billion (yes, billion with a “b”) positions can arise on a chess boards. There are about 10^50 legal positions in chess possible! 

Even in Chess practice is required!!!!!!

Susan Polgar Global Chess Daily News and Information: 7th Chennai International Open Grandmaster Chess T...

Susan Polgar Global Chess Daily News and Information: 7th Chennai International Open Grandmaster Chess T...



Great endgame!

Susan Polgar Global Chess Daily News and Information: Sochi set for Russian Team Chess Championships

Susan Polgar Global Chess Daily News and Information: Sochi set for Russian Team Chess Championships: Sochi set for Russian Team Chess Championships Jan 4, 2015 The 2015 Russian Team Chess Championships for men, women, juniors and veterans...



Thank you for such a great CHESS platform.

Chess opportunity.

Every child should be given an opportunity to learn Chess within the school premises if not at home or even in the Park.  

Chess freedom for children.

Chess freedom for children

Through over the years chess has been regarded as a game that can have so many benefits on learning and development, especially when it is played from a young age. But children should not be forced. As from this l wish each and every school in South Africa and Africa at large can offer Chess from nursery school level.

Why Chess from a tender age??????????

Chess:

• Develops memory skills
• Improves focusing
• Develops cognitive thinking and mental abilities
• Promotes vivid imagination and creativity
• Enables pattern recognition
• Promotes strategic planning
• Improves problem solving skills
• Teaches independence and discipline
• Develops the capability to predict and foresee consequences of actions
• Inspires self-esteem.
• Develops the scientific way of thinking.
• Improves Mathematical skills
• Pave a way for creativity  
• Improves schoolwork and grades
• Improves one’s mental health and mental clarity
• Best of all - CHESS IS FUN and many more............