I was just wondering why I should get better at chess. Are games more fun? Or is simply so that I can say that I'm better than others because my rating is higher?
I wouldn't say they are more fun. They are probably more rewarding. You feel better when you improve. The fun factor is probably at its highest, when you don't care as much about results and just play for the thrill of playing.
Originally posted by randolph 1) more fun to win
2) you win more if you get better
---> more fun to get better
Except as you get better, you play better opponents, so you don't win so much, then you get a bit better. Repeat to fade.
In an OTB environment, there is also a social side to it. Without that, it feels a little soulless to me .. probably why my chess interest is flagging before the start of the new season 🙂
Up to a certain level it is only fun if you learn new things. I think you would get bored of winning or losing in the same old way and would want to learn some new opening/tactic and strategy. THere is then immense satisfaction in using it.
THis learning may or may not make your chess noticably better.
The above, hoever, requires a time investment i can no longer be bothered with so I am happily enjoying playing at my level. If i did improve by learning/dedication I think i would enjoy the process but after reaching the new level would feel little added enjoyment.
Originally posted by Eladar I was just wondering why I should get better at chess. Are games more fun? Or is simply so that I can say that I'm better than others because my rating is higher?
I remember Spassky saying he was bored knowing so much about chess and he wished he could just have a game without knowing anything about the openings so he could just enjoy the game. Maybe the answer is don't try and learn details about theory, just play.
Personally, it's much less fun for me than it was when I first joined. No more crazy games where the balance keeps tipping from one side to the other like a drunken sailor. Now it's all about slowly tightening the grasp.
I'm getting worse now that I don't play a lot. Maybe I'll get the fun back.
Originally posted by Palynka Personally, it's much less fun for me than it was when I first joined. No more crazy games where the balance keeps tipping from one side to the other like a drunken sailor. Now it's all about slowly tightening the grasp.
I'm getting worse now that I don't play a lot. Maybe I'll get the fun back.
there's always blitz for the crazy stuff. try any weird and foolishly aggressive complication, screw it up, shrug it off, and start a new game. at move 2 you won't even remember the previous stupid loss.
it's amazing how far you can get with insultingly bad openings in blitz. like pushing all pawns 1 square before doing anything else. (of course those backfire often as well, but not nearly as often as you'd think.) - here you lose the initiative, and grasp at straws for 20 moves to get it back. no drunken sailors allowed.