1. Standard membersbacat
    Eddie's Dad
    Raving Mad
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    13 Nov '09 17:39
    Originally posted by heinzkat
    That makes him GM at 20
    See Previous lives/ reincarnation thread in the Spirituality Forum. Explains everything. 😉
  2. Joined
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    54019
    13 Nov '09 19:501 edit
    Yes.
    E. Lasker, for example
  3. Joined
    26 Oct '09
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    15 Nov '09 09:56
    I think it's possible, especially if you have a love or passion for the game.

    ~ChessNetwork~
    http://www.youtube.com/user/ChessNetwork
  4. Standard memberbill718
    Enigma
    Seattle
    Joined
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    3298
    17 Nov '09 04:40
    Originally posted by revan1
    I don't think that you can be great if chess is not your main focus. I think you can be good, but not great. The more I learn about chess, the more I realize how much I DON'T know. Chess is my main outlet for my competitive nature, but if you are an aspiring writer, musician, teacher, whatever, chess just takes too much of your life to be great. (imo)
    The answer to your question is no. I think becoming a great player requires a massive amount of effort over a long period of time, even great talents like Fischer, Kasparov, Karpov, Capablanca etc. worked very hard to become great.😏
  5. Lagos
    Joined
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    17 Nov '09 06:35
    Originally posted by bill718
    even great talents like Capablanca etc. worked very hard to become great.😏
    thought Capa never went professional. Tarrasch was a doctor, etc.
  6. Joined
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    17 Nov '09 12:50
    Originally posted by wormwood
    then the answer is no. you can't get there without living, breathing, eating and obsessing about chess for 15 years straight.
    I tend to agree, but I'll leave this question open to everyone.

    For someone who has a full life outside of chess but is still motivated to get better... what's a realistic goal? A 2000 rating?
  7. Joined
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    17 Nov '09 14:32
    Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper
    what's a realistic goal? A 2000 rating?
    2400+ easily
  8. Account suspended
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    17 Nov '09 14:37
    Originally posted by heinzkat
    2400+ easily
    no way.
  9. Joined
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    17 Nov '09 14:38
    Just because you can't do it, doesn't mean it can't be done by others who actually happen to be good at this game 😛
  10. Joined
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    17 Nov '09 15:06
    Originally posted by heinzkat
    Just because you can't do it, doesn't mean it can't be done by others who actually happen to be good at this game 😛
    Ouch!
  11. Standard memberwormwood
    If Theres Hell Below
    We're All Gonna Go!
    Joined
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    17 Nov '09 15:19
    Originally posted by heinzkat
    2400+ easily
    'easily' is probably the wrong word here, but yeah, I sort of agree with the general idea. meaning it's probably not a very 'realistic' goal, but still within the possibilities. it 'just' takes that burning feverish desire and unyielding willpower.

    and I never meant those couldn't exist parallel to other interests, just that simply dabbling around with chess makes getting Good absolutely impossible.
  12. Joined
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    17 Nov '09 16:14
    Originally posted by Goshen
    thought Capa never went professional.
    "In September 1913 Capablanca secured a job in the Cuban Foreign Office. He had no specific duties but to play chess."

    From http://www.chesscorner.com/worldchamps/capablanca/capablanca.htm
  13. Joined
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    17 Nov '09 16:19
    Originally posted by Fat Lady
    "In September 1913 Capablanca secured a job in the Cuban Foreign Office. He had no specific duties but to play chess."

    From http://www.chesscorner.com/worldchamps/capablanca/capablanca.htm
    I want that job. Would it be vacant? Or has Bruzon taken over this spot 🙁
  14. Joined
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    17 Nov '09 17:07
    Ooh that does sound like a nice job indeed.

    I think that this thread is like weight loss programs.

    Certainly losing x number of pounds is possible.

    For example going to the pub for a few pints could lose you a few pounds.😀

    Walking 3 miles a day for 2 years might also work ...that`s maybe 1 hour a day more or less but not just for 2 days...like chess if you study tactics for 1 hour a day for like 2 years I would predict gigantic increase in your rating.
  15. Standard memberwormwood
    If Theres Hell Below
    We're All Gonna Go!
    Joined
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    10228
    17 Nov '09 17:31
    Originally posted by National Master Dale
    ...like chess if you study tactics for 1 hour a day for like 2 years I would predict gigantic increase in your rating.
    I did about 2-4h tactics a day for 2 years, and got from learning the rules to 1800. some day I plan to do something similar with much harder problems (and maybe 1h a day or so), but it's still probably a couple of years away on the 'to do' list.
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