I got this from a site Russ linked us too, an interview with Yasser Seirawan. It's a question about what to study as a beginner.
Capablanca said that one should study endgames first. Others insist that tactics are all that matters. Positional concepts for beginners are more or less ignored. And most seem to be addicted to memorizing opening moves. What do you think a beginning player should study? A class “C” (1400-1599)? An expert (2000-2199)?
Capablanca is right. Endings for everyone. Memorizing openings is a serious waste of time. Only with endgame knowledge can one have chess understanding. A good endgame player will recognize the long-term deficits and advantages of any opening variation. Why study the Zaitsev Spanish if a player plays the Exchange Spanish and beats you every time in an equal ending? The problem is that studying the endgame has been so dry and sterile that players would rather stop playing chess then study the ending. Teachers who can make endgame study sparkle and hold interest are rare and vital. I was quite fortunate in that my earliest chess teachers made me enjoy this facet of the game. Consider that my admired players include Kortchnoi, Timman and Minev, all great endgame specialists.
For the ones that do not know, Capablance was one of the best players ever.
It's pretty interesting scince alot of people here have often claimed otherwise. I think I can find myself in Yasser's opinion, it's easier to understand the game with less pieces on the board. About 2 years ago, I bought a training program that was concentrated on endgames and believe me or not, I really felt that I was getting better, alot!
Olav
Originally posted by martinbeaverMaybe if "most beginners addicted to memorizing openings" there is a little bit of money to be made in opening books for beginners? 😉
if Seirawan believes that studying openings is a waste of time then i wonder why he wrote 'Winning Chess Openings' which is aimed at beginners? 😉
Originally posted by martinbeaverHe had wanted to write the Winning Chess Endings book first, but his publisher wasn't convinced it would sell. They asked him to write an openings book first, and he oblidged.
if Seirawan believes that studying openings is a waste of time then i wonder why he wrote 'Winning Chess Openings' which is aimed at beginners? 😉
By the way, I don't think Yasser has ever said it is a waste of time studying openings. He just said that more time should be spent on the endgame and on positional elements.
Originally posted by martinbeaverAlso, in Chapters 7, 8, and 9 of his openings book, Seirawan advocates an opening system (Barcza), a response to d4 (Kings Indian Defense), and a response to e4 (Pirc Defense) for beginners. All are based upon his concept of "building a house" to protect the king and avoid some of the pitfalls of the sharper opening systems.
if Seirawan believes that studying openings is a waste of time then i wonder why he wrote 'Winning Chess Openings' which is aimed at beginners? 😉
I would agree that studying the endgame at the beginning is very important. After all, the purpose of the opening and middle game is to get to a favorable endgame. I would follow the endgame with a study of basic strategy, then tactics, and finally some basic opening systems and gradually build an opening repertoire.
BTW, I have four of Seirawan's books (Winning Chess Endings, Strategy, Tactics, and Openings) and I highly recommend them for beginning players. If you do buy them, work through the exercises and problems using a good chess software package such as Fritz (which I use) or Chessmaster.
Originally posted by LivingLegendLL: "About 2 years ago, I bought a training program that was concentrated on endgames ...... "
I got this from a site Russ linked us too, an interview with Yasser Seirawan. It's a question about what to study as a beginner.
[i][b]Capablanca said that one should study endgames first. Others insist that tactics are all that matters. Positional concepts for beginners are more or less ignored. And most seem to be addicted to memorizing opening mo ...[text shortened]... ed on endgames and believe me or not, I really felt that I was getting better, alot!
Olav
Can you tell me the name of that training program and where it is sold ?
Originally posted by ivanhoeI'll have to look it up, wasn't really good, but it helped me improve alot, it was a program with the sole purpose to train. Just positions, question's and answers. Looked pretty DOS-like, but it worked on XP.
LL: "About 2 years ago, I bought a training program that was concentrated on endgames ...... "
Can you tell me the name of that training program and where it is sold ?
It might be Chessica or something, but maybe I'm mixing up names now... I'll PM you about it, I could send you a copy I guess! 🙂
O.
Originally posted by LivingLegend
I'll have to look it up, wasn't really good, but it helped me improve alot, it was a program with the sole purpose to train. Just positions, question's and answers. Looked pretty DOS-like, but it worked on XP.
It might be Chessica or something, but maybe I'm mixing up names now... I'll PM you about it, I could send you a copy I guess! 🙂
O.
Great idea, LL !