Originally posted by Mad RookI'm just trying to say, that if you strive to be the very best and never give up, you WILL achive your goals. You may have different goals, but you will achieve also. Yes, you will need a big ego and a willingness to never give up! You will achieve nothing if you continue to think you're just another dumb schmuck! Rose colored glasses are better than blinders!
Man, how many rose-colored glasses do you own?
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Originally posted by smw6869So you're saying that if two marginally talented people strive to be the very best chess player in the world, then they'll both become the best chess player in the world? What if ten, or a hundred, or a thousand people strive to be the best chess player in the world? They'll all make it?
I'm just trying to say, that if you strive to be the very best and never give up, you WILL achive your goals. You may have different goals, but you will achieve also. Yes, you will need a big ego and a willingness to never give up! You will achieve nothing if you continue to think you're just another dumb schmuck! Rose colored glasses are better than blinders!
My point is that a positive attitude is a noble quality to have, and it can take you far, but it can't always work miracles. You also need to have a realistic attitude when your desire exceeds your abilities.
Originally posted by Mad RookThat is very true. Hard work can take you far in some fields, but natural talent is needed in others. I think chess is one of those that needs both. If you're born with an IQ of 75, no matter how hard you try, you won't become a GM.
So you're saying that if two marginally talented people strive to be the very best chess player in the world, then they'll both become the best chess player in the world? What if ten, or a hundred, or a thousand people strive to be the best chess player in the world? They'll all make it?
My point is that a positive attitude is a noble quality to have, an ...[text shortened]... iracles. You also need to have a realistic attitude when your desire exceeds your abilities.
Originally posted by Mad RookYes. If they never give up. They're only marginal now, but they may want to be top dog. You need that drive and ego. They can't all be world champs at the same time, but they can be world class. Nothing can get in the way. I'm not saying it's easy.
So you're saying that if two marginally talented people strive to be the very best chess player in the world, then they'll both become the best chess player in the world? What if ten, or a hundred, or a thousand people strive to be the best chess player in the world? They'll all make it?
My point is that a positive attitude is a noble quality to have, an ...[text shortened]... iracles. You also need to have a realistic attitude when your desire exceeds your abilities.
Originally posted by YUG0slavYes, a person with a low IQ will not achieve top dog, but he will recognize that very early and lose that drive. People who play and play and study but don't get any better will lose the drive. I'm taliking about those that show some talant and really want it above everything else.
That is very true. Hard work can take you far in some fields, but natural talent is needed in others. I think chess is one of those that needs both. If you're born with an IQ of 75, no matter how hard you try, you won't become a GM.
Originally posted by smw6869My dream is to be able to fly without assistance (no feathers, artificial devices, etc.), just by flapping my arms. I really, really, really want to be able to do this in the worst way, and I'm never going to give up. So do you think I'll be able to do this one day if I just have enough drive and ego?
Yes. If they never give up. They're only marginal now, but they may want to be top dog. You need that drive and ego. They can't all be world champs at the same time, but they can be world class. Nothing can get in the way. I'm not saying it's easy.
Originally posted by smw6869I see you're changing your tune now. Earlier you said, "I'm just trying to say, that if you strive to be the very best and never give up, you WILL achive your goals." Now you admit that it takes other abilities like talent and IQ. I think you just proved my point for me. 😀
Yes, a person with a low IQ will not achieve top dog, but he will recognize that very early and lose that drive. People who play and play and study but don't get any better will lose the drive. I'm taliking about those that show some talant and really want it above everything else.
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Originally posted by Mad Rooklevitation is not a skill, chess is.
My dream is to be able to fly without assistance (no feathers, artificial devices, etc.), just by flapping my arms. I really, really, really want to be able to do this in the worst way, and I'm never going to give up. So do you think I'll be able to do this one day if I just have enough drive and ego?
even though there obviously are limitations, we can never know what they are. and the absolute minimum for getting there is to believe you can do it. if you don't, you've already failed. it takes an iron will to push your limits.
as far as I'm concerned, talent is just another excuse. I will have none of that nonsense.
Originally posted by wormwoodAgreed, but what I was implying is that I believe hard work and iron will alone are not enough to get you to #1 on the FIDE chess ranking. It also takes a lot of natural talent. If you don't have the talent to begin with, you might get fairly good (or even very good) with enough work, but you'll never be #1.
levitation is not a skill, chess is.
even though there obviously are limitations, we can never know what they are. and the absolute minimum for getting there is to believe you can do it. if you don't, you've already failed. it takes an iron will to push your limits.
I'm all for having a positive attitude and for setting high goals, but there needs to be at least a reasonable chance of achieving those goals. Otherwise you're just setting yourself up for some major disappointments further down the line. For example, lets say you've been playing chess for a while, and you put in an average amount of study time and game play time. Your results are nothing special, and improvement isn't coming too easily. It seems that you might not have a whole lot of natural talent for the game. But your entire passion is to be the world's best at chess. Do you quit college, or worse, high school, to devote every waking hour to getting better at chess? After all, you're absolutely convinced that you can do it. Failure is not an option in your book. I strongly suggest that if you don't have the talent, you'd be foolish to pin your entire life's hopes and dreams (and future income) on the long shot of making it to the top of the chess rating list.
I was just struck by smw6869's excessive amount of optimism. He was basically saying that he was CONVINCED that two players on RHP could both make it to the top if they just put in enough work. Yeah, those two are decent players, but I suspect that they've gotten there with lots of hard work already. I'm not sure either one has an unusually high amount of natural chess talent, which I think is absolutely necessary to make it to the top.
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Originally posted by cmsMasterWell, his exact quotes were, "That's why they will both eventualy be two of the top players in the world!" And, "Yes. If they never give up. They're only marginal now, but they may want to be top dog. You need that drive and ego. They can't all be world champs at the same time, but they can be world class."
I think his point is that if Rahim and/or I try hard enough we'll both his 2000+ which is the top 2% appx. of all rated chess players, that's pretty good.
I interpreted those comments as meaning MUCH better than 2000 FIDE, and I think it was a very reasonable interpretation.
BTW, CMS, don't waste your time reading these posts, keep studying for finals!!! 🙂
Originally posted by Mad RookIf you were born with wings you would have a good chance.
My dream is to be able to fly without assistance (no feathers, artificial devices, etc.), just by flapping my arms. I really, really, really want to be able to do this in the worst way, and I'm never going to give up. So do you think I'll be able to do this one day if I just have enough drive and ego?
Originally posted by Mad Rookgetting disappointed is not a big price to pay. screwing up your school is another thing though. not very bright thing to do no matter how talented you were, right?
Agreed, but what I was implying is that I believe hard work and iron will alone are not enough to get you to #1 on the FIDE chess ranking. It also takes a lot of natural talent. If you don't have the talent to begin with, you might get fairly good (or even very good) with enough work, but you'll never be #1.
I'm all for having a positive attitude and for ...[text shortened]... natural chess talent, which I think is absolutely necessary to make it to the top.