Originally posted by Westside MobsterMaybe you expect a tough game & concentrate more?
I find myself playing better against stronger players and worse against weaker players!
I'll receive any comments on this phenomenon.
Perhaps you try cheap tricks against much lower rateds, but play soundly against higher rated players.
Higher rated players may use openings books and/or databases. If you decide to do likewise, the quality of play will probably be much higher if these resources are used properly.
Originally posted by SquelchbelchI agree! Except I don't try cheap tricks against lower rated players. I always TRY to play soundly,
Maybe you expect a tough game & concentrate more?
Perhaps you try cheap tricks against much lower rateds, but play soundly against higher rated players.
Higher rated players may use openings books and/or databases. If you decide to do likewise, the quality of play will probably be much higher if these resources are used properly.
Originally posted by Westside MobsterI think perhaps what's happening is you're used to playing against sound, conventional fundamentals. But lower rated players throw out the unexpected [but less sound] play and you don't quite know how to exploit it.
I agree! Except I don't try cheap tricks against lower rated players. I always TRY to play soundly,
Originally posted by Westside MobsterOne of the toughest games I have played on RHP was against a player who played so unconventionally that it drove me insane. Had he thrown a play my way earlier than he did he would have had me in real trouble, but he waited and made silly pawn moves instead. Not too PC saavy, so I can't do a PGN of the game but if you want to look at it it is my game 5953758. I think we tend to not know what to do when odd plays are thrown our way. In fact I also believe one tends to lower one's guard against the weaker player or play more unsoundly because subconciously perhaps we believe we can pull off a come from behind win should we fall behind and undersetimate opponent. Makes for interesting games so I don't complain.
I find myself playing better against stronger players and worse against weaker players!
I'll receive any comments on this phenomenon.
Originally posted by scacchipazzo
One of the toughest games I have played on RHP was against a player who played so unconventionally that it drove me insane. Had he thrown a play my way earlier than he did he would have had me in real trouble, but he waited and made silly pawn moves instead. Not too PC saavy, so I can't do a PGN of the game but if you want to look at it it is my game 5953758...
Hi - White missed a few chances for a quicker wrap.
Black should have tried the stalemate trick, it would have given
White a fright. In this position White played Ne7 and he was lucky
that he could stop the perpetual with a mate.
Would have been a nice way to end it though.
Note White can never take the Rook with the Queen or King.
Edit 1: if 6...Rh4+ King can get to f5 when Queen can take Rook.
Originally posted by greenpawn34I was hyperaware of the stalemate potential so I played cautiously at the end. The point in highlighting this game is how very frustrating playing someone who appears to play more for complications can be. I agree there were many earlier chances for traps, ect, but frustration sets in. Also, black slowed down play so much I was ready to set myself on fire and made some mistakes black failed to exploit.
Hi - White missed a few chances for a quicker wrap.
Black should have tried the stalemate trick, it would have given
White a fright. In this position White played Ne7 and he was lucky
that he could stop the perpetual with a mate.
Would have been a nice way to end it though.
Note White can never take the Rook with the Queen or King.
[pgn]
[FE . Kh5 Rg5+ 7. Nxg5[/pgn]
Edit 1: if 6...Rh4+ King can get to f5 when Queen can take Rook.
Originally posted by Westside MobsterI agree w/ the other posters. I know w/myself a couple of weeks ago I lost to a opponent in two games back to back and I was ranked several hundred points higher . I was livid w/ myself for taking the games lightly to start out with. I know better then this. Low ranked players can still play but,they are either streaky,unorthodox,or just get alot of time outs. Or, all of the above. I do my best to play as soundly as possible despite their rank. If they do some outrageous stuff and throw the book out the window,just slow down look at all their possibilities real hard then find the best way to make them pay for their erratic play. A good book for every conceivable unorthodox opening is ; Unorthodox Chess Openings by Eric Schiller
I find myself playing better against stronger players and worse against weaker players!
I'll receive any comments on this phenomenon.
It's just a trained eye.
I'm sure if Swiss Gambit or Heinzcat had seen the game they
would have spotted the shot instantly.
It's the Knights on e7 and f7 that did it. Problem and study solvers
have a back pocket full of these patterns so sometimes you
can just tell by looking at certain positions that there is something
like this on.
I think you nailed the OP's question.
Without looking at any games this may well be the case.
He could be level v a weaker opponent but fall for a two move trap.
(not cheap trick - moving a pawn from h5-h7 is a cheap trick).
Yet v a player well versed in the game he could be postionally
lost after 8 moves and although the game lasted over 40 moves
he never really had a chance from move 8. Well put.
Hi scacchipazzo
I got the impression you were aware of the stalemate but I wanted
to show it 'cos it's nice and inctructive.
You did most things OK in that game. It's annoying the Rook
holding a Queen and two Knights at bay. I'm now off to compose
a wee study just based on that theme - see if I can knocked
together a Queen sac Knight mate.
Cheers.