03 Oct 06
Originally posted by Monty348This sounds like a good idea but whenever I try to play against >1400 players (I am 1350-1400...ish) I just get my ass kicked lol
In RHP chess, what opponent-rating offers one the best opportunity for both learning and getting the maximum score from a win?
As a 1400 level player should I limit my games to players rated between say 1500-1600?
03 Oct 06
Originally posted by BLReidDon't worry, I happen to have just lost 2 games to a p.1200. Then again his friend let me know that he was no match for the provisional (who used to be 2300 uscf) and wanted to find him a better challenge. I wasn't...
Beware of posting open invites with no rating limits. I am on the losing end of an endgame right now against an opponent who is rated 200+ points lower than me. No comment on why and how I think we got here, I'll just say that I have obviously not played my best chess.
03 Oct 06
Originally posted by Monty348I think this is quite individual. If you are supermotivated and not easily discouraged, consistently playing players 100-200 rating points above you may be a good strategy. I prefer to play players a bit closer to my level (which is what I get through clan challenges) for the majority of my games, and have some games against much higher or much lower rated players in between. Games against much higher rated players can be great especially if they are willing to share some of their knowledge with you. Games against lower rated players can be relaxing and fun, and they can be helpful in a chess crisis when you have had a losing streak and have the feeling that you are completely hopeless (of course if you lose, it'll be even more frustrating...).
In RHP chess, what opponent-rating offers one the best opportunity for both learning and getting the maximum score from a win?
As a 1400 level player should I limit my games to players rated between say 1500-1600?
04 Oct 06
Originally posted by gambit3That would be about 200 points higher then (to have a 75% win expectancy).
I have been told that chess coachs say that if you play against players that will beat you 75% of the time you will learn the game at a optimum rate. I do not know what level rateing it would take for your opponents to be able to do that.
I agree this probably is where you are in the optimal learning range. I suppose it's good to play lower rated opponents too though, since if a certain lower rated opponent always beats you it might help to point out a glaring weakness in your style.
04 Oct 06
1 edit
Originally posted by gambit3What happens when you can't find anyone who can beat you more than 2 games out of 10! The only player I've met on the island of O'ahu who can beat me in a set 10 games match is a grandmaster who hangs out in Waikiki! His name is George of the Jungle! That's we call him. I can't win a single game off of him, but I play him just so I will be humbled a bit after beating everyone else.
I have been told that chess coachs say that if you play against players that will beat you 75% of the time you will learn the game at a optimum rate. I do not know what level rateing it would take for your opponents to be able to do that.
Incidentally, that's why I'm glad I own my Mephisto/Kasparov chess computer. My Chess Explorer is rated in the top 1%! I haven't beaten it yet! Came close once, but it always worms its way out of my guns.
04 Oct 06
Originally posted by Monty348Ideally, I think a person should play at most around 75 points below their rating, and probably up to 150 above. As long as the players are near equal, equal, or superior to you, you should learn something.
In RHP chess, what opponent-rating offers one the best opportunity for both learning and getting the maximum score from a win?
As a 1400 level player should I limit my games to players rated between say 1500-1600?