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Slowing Down

Slowing Down

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h

Joined
03 Feb 07
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21 Feb 07
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Hello All
I'm still a newbie to the game
One of my main problems in my play is moving too fast which results in plenty of mistakes.
Any recommendations on exercises or ways to help?
Thanks

d

1. e4!!

Joined
23 Dec 06
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Just take your time.

i
SelfProclaimedTitler

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06 Feb 06
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I had that problems for half a year on this site and I made several terrible blunders. I posted hundreds of threads because I felt that I was not improving... Then I started to move once or two times a day, blunder checking, thinking about position or even annotating each move. I thought that 1500 players are way to tough for me, and they was to strong one month ago, but I just changed my approach, and now they seem banal players to my and I assume that I
will be at least 1600 within a month.
I can beat 1600 and I can lose from 1000. What do you think is more satysfing? So, believe me you can be way stronger then you are right away but displicine yourself, check for stupid obvious blunders and that alone will increase yor rating by at least 250 points.

R

Joined
17 May 05
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22 Feb 07
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Approach each move with fear and trepidation.

b

Joined
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Originally posted by Regicidal
Approach each move with fear and trepidation.
Yes, and beyond that, specifically, check all diagonals, ranks, and files, looking for how your opponent could just pick off one of your pieces. And as was said, just take your time. My game really improved when I adopted the habit of asking myself after each of my opponent's moves, where is the threat? Just asking really helps the seeing.

g

Joined
15 Feb 07
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667
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22 Feb 07
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In general, play will center on 2 opposing elements which have to be balanced.

The first is to look for opportunities to take advantage of your opponent's weaknesses, and to set up your own pieces in preparation for your strike. This can take many forms, from taking an unguarded piece, to obtaining complex strategic advantages (such and space and mobility) which could pay off later in the game.

However, because your opponent is very likely to be doing the same thing, you also want to try and figure out what your opponent is trying to do, and to find ways to counter his plans, preferably before they can be put into motion.

Go too far in either direction and you risk losing. Too much offensive may leave you vulnerable, but too defensive and you fail to move the game forward, and an aggressive opponent will stand a good chance of wearing you down.

k

Joined
01 Jun 06
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22 Feb 07
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In every chess game, you've got to think...
So think and come out with the best move.
Take time to think..

h

Joined
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Thanks All
I'm used to figuring out quick answers to problems in my job etc. But I'm finding out real quick it doesn't apply to this game.

k

washington

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18 Dec 05
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22 Feb 07
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i open up the analyze board and just make the move then look at it and analyze in my head that way i wont accidently press the submit button right away.

w
If Theres Hell Below

We're All Gonna Go!

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Originally posted by hamltnblue
Thanks All
I'm used to figuring out quick answers to problems in my job etc. But I'm finding out real quick it doesn't apply to this game.
haste makes waste. people in CC might take hours a day, over a week or two, to find the best way to take advantage of your errors.

P

Joined
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22 Feb 07
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flip the board before you confirm your move and look at it from the opponents perspective.. this really helps

j

Joined
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22 Feb 07
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I like Emmanuel Lasker's advice.

When you see a good move, stop and check to see if there is a better one.

How long was Lasker world's champion?

G

Stockholm, Sweden

Joined
31 Jan 06
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3059
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22 Feb 07
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Originally posted by hamltnblue
Hello All
I'm still a newbie to the game
One of my main problems in my play is moving too fast which results in plenty of mistakes.
Any recommendations on exercises or ways to help?
Thanks
You must take enough time to make your move, even if your clock starts running beyond your opponent's. It might simply be that you opponent is better than you because he can make such good moves using so little time while you need more time to find a good reply. But don't try to move faster than you can.

1. Sit on your hands.
2. Do not get drawn into the haste of your opponent. If your opponent moves fast doesn't mean you should.
3. Work on your openings a little, just so you know some basics at least. It is usually too time consuming to re-invent opening theory at the board. It is better to have prepared plans/ideas, at least initial such. When the position starts changing from what you are familiar with, you must start looking.

g

Kalamazoo, MI

Joined
30 Dec 06
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23 Feb 07
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Heisman's column addresses the same issue this month:

http://www.chesscafe.com/heisman/heisman.htm

R

South River, NJ

Joined
22 Jan 07
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23 Feb 07
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I'm the same way, mainly because I play at work...or while watching TV...or email...4-5 games at a time. I'm the KING at blundering and loosing my QUEEN. haha.

It's actually kind of funny, even on ICC, if I say ok....no joke I'm going to beat this 1200-1300 player. I 99.9% of the time do.

whats even WORSE for me to get over is I play so much online chess, playing OTB, I get confused easily because I can't see the lines as easily.

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