29 Jul 08
I have been playing here for a while and have come to the conclusion that my style is boring. I play a grinding style of chess. No fireworks no sacs or traps. I think its because I don't play with a plan. I simply look for what I think is the best immediate move that (a) doesn't lose tempo (b) doesn't leave a piece hang (c) capitalizes on small advantages. But I am getting bored. For the most part I can grind down 1300's but get trounced by 1500's as they set up attacks I fail to see.
I tend to play for closed positions by refusing pawn exchanges in English openings. My question is where do I look for the wick to light some fireworks of my own?
29 Jul 08
Originally posted by cheshirecatstevensPlay some of the RHP popular openings (read: The Hammerschlag, The Tranny attack, etc). Then you'll see some fireworks.
I have been playing here for a while and have come to the conclusion that my style is boring. I play a grinding style of chess. No fireworks no sacs or traps. I think its because I don't play with a plan. I simply look for what I think is the best immediate move that (a) doesn't lose tempo (b) doesn't leave a piece hang (c) capitalizes on small ad ...[text shortened]... sh openings. My question is where do I look for the wick to light some fireworks of my own?
29 Jul 08
Originally posted by cheshirecatstevensI saw you play english,sicilian and all sorts of fianchetto stuff vs 1.d4.No changes needed there.
I have been playing here for a while and have come to the conclusion that my style is boring. I play a grinding style of chess. No fireworks no sacs or traps. I think its because I don't play with a plan. I simply look for what I think is the best immediate move that (a) doesn't lose tempo (b) doesn't leave a piece hang (c) capitalizes on small ad ...[text shortened]... sh openings. My question is where do I look for the wick to light some fireworks of my own?
You probably just need to change your mindset.My advice:
-brush up on your tactics
-try to develop an attacking scheme.You cannot play without at least some sort of plan!
-get your hands on mastergames featuring your openingrepertoire.study the attacking themes,typical sacrifices and combinations.
-look for tactics every move.Use 'computer style search',meaning look at the most forcing moves first.Works well in CC.
-don't cower,be bold and brave
-if you're in the habit of exchanging pieces try to alter this habit.Turn it into a habit of sacrificing pieces instead 😉
-if your first reaction to a threat is to defend(like most players) change this.Your first thought should be 'what's my counterblow so I can ignore his silly threat'
It requires work but pretty soon you'll be lighting up the skies and it'll be worth the effort 😀
29 Jul 08
Originally posted by KatastroofAll that is true but some more gambit, tempo gaining openings wouldn't be bad for him. Like KG as white or Traxler Counterattack as black.
I saw you play english,sicilian and all sorts of fianchetto stuff vs 1.d4.No changes needed there.
You probably just need to change your mindset.My advice:
-brush up on your tactics
-try to develop an attacking scheme.You cannot play without at least some sort of plan!
-get your hands on mastergames featuring your openingrepertoire.study the attacking ...[text shortened]... s work but pretty soon you'll be lighting up the skies and it'll be worth the effort 😀
29 Jul 08
Originally posted by ivan2908Of course,yes,when desiring fireworks gambits are a good choice.However,I'm of the opinion it doesn't matter much which opening one plays.It's the way you play it.
All that is true but some more gambit, tempo gaining openings wouldn't be bad for him. Like KG as white or Traxler Counterattack as black.
Mr stevens here has played nearly 1400 games on this site alone.I assume he knows by now which openings he likes best.
Also,getting acquainted with a new opening requires yet more work.
And on a 3rd note,I simply don't like to advise people on which openings they should play.
29 Jul 08
1 edit
Originally posted by cheshirecatstevensI haven't looked at your games, but 'grinding down' at your level sounds like you might be playing too passively. there shouldn't be any need to grind 1300-1500's, as they usually give up material in all games. and when you play passively, it's only a matter of time before your opponent has built an attack with an unstoppable momentum. which sounds like what you described.
I have been playing here for a while and have come to the conclusion that my style is boring. I play a grinding style of chess. No fireworks no sacs or traps. I think its because I don't play with a plan. I simply look for what I think is the best immediate move that (a) doesn't lose tempo (b) doesn't leave a piece hang (c) capitalizes on small ad sh openings. My question is where do I look for the wick to light some fireworks of my own?
and are you sure that by 'playing closed position' you're not actually just playing passively? because that's not what closed positions are about.
you should always be the one building up that unstoppable momentum. look for the edge, never lose tension, attack, hammer, rip, complicate. create problems as much as possible, and never give him a second to relax.
I'd also suggest that your tactics can't be anywhere near what they could be, which makes you constantly miss all kinds of possibilities. the more you train tactics, the more you tend to home in on all kinds of nasty complications because that's where the meat is. it might not be all there is to chess, but it's a big part of becoming a vicious attacking machine.
think more in terms of activity, pressure, initiative than in terms of material. that's also why gambits have been suggested.
30 Jul 08
1 edit
Originally posted by wormwoodI played pretty much conventionaly, boring and passively before trying gambits. I wouldn't risk a pawn for purpose for anything. Gambits showed me something very important about initiative in chess. So, even if now I switch back to 2. Nf3 in e4 openings or even play d4 my understanding of material/initiative is better than before.
I haven't looked at your games, but 'grinding down' at your level sounds like you might be playing too passively. there shouldn't be any need to grind 1300-1500's, as they usually give up material in all games. and when you play passively, it's only a matter of time before your opponent has built an attack with an unstoppable momentum. which sounds like wha nitiative than in terms of material. that's also why gambits have been suggested.
When I first saw traxler game it seemed like an insane joke to me.. I mean how can you give all of your pieces and deliver checkmate with last one ?
30 Jul 08
Originally posted by cheshirecatstevensIf you want to change your style, then start combing through the games of a player you admire. Also, all those pretty games you see in the books on Alekhine's best games are just the most spectacular among thousands.
I have been playing here for a while and have come to the conclusion that my style is boring. I play a grinding style of chess. No fireworks no sacs or traps. I think its because I don't play with a plan. I simply look for what I think is the best immediate move that (a) doesn't lose tempo (b) doesn't leave a piece hang (c) capitalizes on small ad ...[text shortened]... sh openings. My question is where do I look for the wick to light some fireworks of my own?
30 Jul 08
Originally posted by cheshirecatstevensPlay lots of online blitz games. You generally have to play more aggressively in blitz anyway as it's easier to attack than to defend (i.e. you will lose on time if you are having to find accurate defensive moves all the time!).
I have been playing here for a while and have come to the conclusion that my style is boring. I play a grinding style of chess. No fireworks no sacs or traps. I think its because I don't play with a plan. I simply look for what I think is the best immediate move that (a) doesn't lose tempo (b) doesn't leave a piece hang (c) capitalizes on small ad ...[text shortened]... sh openings. My question is where do I look for the wick to light some fireworks of my own?
Try learning the basics of a couple of new openings, ones which tend to lead to open rather than closed positions (not necessarily gambits) and try these out in the blitz games. Also, search for games played by strong players using these openings and play through loads of their games fairly quickly to get a feel for what sort of plans they use out of the opening. chesslab.com is a really good site for this.
Once you feel a bit more confident with your new opening(s) you can try it in a longplay game on this site. I would suggest you don't use databases at this stage, but just follow your instincts. Afterwards you can play through it to find out where you went wrong!
If you are weak at tactics, especially spotting those of your opponent, spend as much time as you can on the Chess Tactics Server: http://chess.emrald.net/
You will soon start to recognise the standard tactical patterns which crop up all the time.
31 Jul 08
Study some annotated Tal games. His books: Tal v Botvinnik 1960 World Championship, and Life and Games of Mikhail Tal are instructive and very fun to read. He was fantastic at explaining things. He had a very good positional knowledge too, mixed in with awesome tactics.
31 Jul 08
Originally posted by passedpawn22Funnily enough, I play a fire and brimstone blitz game. I don't know what its called but I open typical english, but leave the k side rook undefended. I then attack whole heartedly leaving only a 0-0-0 and finishing (a) win on time (b) devastating checkmate after sac to lure King from stronghold.
Study some annotated Tal games. His books: Tal v Botvinnik 1960 World Championship, and Life and Games of Mikhail Tal are instructive and very fun to read. He was fantastic at explaining things. He had a very good positional knowledge too, mixed in with awesome tactics.