Does anyone know of/have game annotation software? In trying to
improve my games, I realize I should write down moves and
rationalizations (In my case, irrationalizations). Yes, I could just use
scraps of paper, but....
Preferably, something that would let me step through the games
visually and add/read comments about the moves. Something
like...rival chess but with a window for annotation.
Any suggestions out there?
there are pro's and con's about annotating your own games. True you learn a lot from replaying them over and over again until you can
really understand and feel where you went wrong or where you were particularly good. When its about just a combination, you don't
need the annotation, just try to find it and you will know. When its more positional or emotional (yes) , then annotations tend to limit your
perspective. You will narrow the options for the next reading....
reading annotated games played by others makes more sense, because then you don't have the risk of limiting your internal capabilities.
But that sounds more like chess books isn't it?
Thanks for the info; is see your point about the dangers of annotating
ones own games. Right now I'm trying to do it for two reasons; the
obvious one is to go back and study where I went wrong; for that
aspect I want a record of what I was thinking of at the time. Did I just
not see that pushing the pawn pinned my Queen to the King? Or did I
actually have a plan at the time? Another way of saying that is I'm
interested in seeing whether my thoughts about the games actually
improves as time goes on...
The second reason is simply as a aid to my swiss-cheese like
memory. Every time I go back to a game I stare at the board like I've
never seen it before. Some may argue that is a good thing, but I
know that I've lost my train of reasoning a few times and gone of in a
different tact, often at a cost of tempo, if not immediate pieces.
Thought of the chess books; so far the ones I've looked at seem to
assume I am a better player than I currently am. FYI, I'm very much
a beginning player. Know how the pieces move, trying to get to where
I can plan more than one move ahead... Know of any books geared
for my level?
Hello!
I disagree that annotating your games should be distracting and/or
limiting your scope. After all, when you play in a club/tournament, you
should jot down your moves for later reference. There's also a long-
standing chess-saying that you learn from your own mistakes.
Therefore you MUST be able to replay your own games in the first
place. Get used to it and it will become an automatism. Botvinnik
strongly advised it.
Personally, I write all moves down on self-made scoresheets (keep it
neat). While waiting for opponents' replies I replay the moves over
the board and make annotations (first you make an 'objective'
assessment of both players' position). Just scribble down all thoughts
that pop up and sort them out later (you'll have to delete a lot!). It's
time-consuming (that's why I can't play that many games
simultaneously) when I most of the time - certainly deep into the
middlegame- play through all the moves made upto then. While
doing this you will already find errors (both sides!). Mark them. This
system which might not suit many others, makes me feel comfortable.
Well, each & everyone has his/her own style & peculiarities, I suppose.
For a starter I think John Nunn's 'Understanding chess move by move'
(chess-book of the year at The Chess Café!) is the thing to have. A
bit later Silman's 'How to reassess my chess' is good value for money.
There has been a lot of good info posted and I appreciate it!
Looks like I'm going to have to go ahead and accept my new lifestyle
decision (chess!) and get some books and do some book-lerning. I've
seen some of the ones mentioned and a few seemed on target for my
level. And maybe I can aspire to the rest...
Thanks again! Michael
This is an excellent book...and of course I have it...but find it rather
stodgy for a beginner. The Seirawan series I think is excellent for a
newbie to chess...and then step up to Lasker's Manual of Chess...My
System by Nimzovich...and of course The Art of Attack by Vuckovich.
After that study your openings..endings..and Alekhine and Fischer
games.
Dave
The best way is of course to write the moves down in a
scorebook...which one poster said. But there is also a program called
EcTool...this an email based ches program that does not play..but
records your moves as you enter them in and you can go back at any
time..replay the game..add notes..and annotations. It is a great
deal..and the "lite" version is freeware..and for $15 you can upgrade
it. I have the freeware version and save all of my best games from
here there..just for the same purpose.
Go to www.chessopolis.com click on the email chess link and it will
give you the link to the site to download it.
Dave