stoyko excercise

I spent 2 hours on my first stoyko... and I went fairly deep in the one line that got me to various check mate or won positions... crazy thing I thought that was the principle variation. Once I was done with it the best move to defend was obvious to me. I wasn't sure it would hold but I saw how it prevented most of the ideas that worked in the other line. I was beginning to see the key squares and control of those squares.

Unfortunately after 2 hours and kids and stuff I started to get worn out. looking 20 ply deep into a line gets tough... and is exhausting. I think I am able to hold 5-10 ply fairly well in this position then it requires much concentration.

I also think that using my notes I am taking helps... As I go I write a line out as I am thinking about it and I am able to remember where the pieces are better.

I think that the stoyko excercises are of equal value to the correspondence games I played. Creates similar analysis and planning and calculations. The big difference is that I can't actually play they lines out.. I have to use my "minds eye"...

This excercise is tough which in my opinion is an indication it fits the deliberate practice. Definitely a once a week or once every other week type of task... very tough...

Deliberate practice

the chess mind article that got me to the "hmm... article"
article that made me go hmm....

Deliberate practice:It's activity that's explicitly intended to improve performance, that reaches for objectives just beyond one's level of competence, provides feedback on results and involves high levels of repetition.

So what is this in chess?

• doing tactical problems that are just barely too hard to get quickly (3-5 seconds) but are not too hard (say take under 1 minute to see the solution...
• Playing people better than you... but no so much better that you get creamed...

So deliberate... well blitz isn't deliberate is it? It is fun but it isn't deliberate. Continued tactical training. Until I reach beyond 1400 on chess tactic server I am going to not do any opening study. I might do a look up here or a look up there or simply try to improve on something I am playing but looking up an alternative... but opening study right now is going to not be my focus...

End game study may come into play. I may resume studying endgames. I think studying end games especially pawn endgames will help me in all phases of the game...

Kamsky vs Topalov game 2

What a disappointment. He used so much time on the first 10 moves that he was just crippled as the game got more and more complicated.

In the end Topalov had used only 19 minutes off his clock and Kamsky got flagged. He had plenty of chances but under the pressure of time made mistakes.

The question now is if Topalov continues to fight or will he shut it down and play drawing chess and put the test to Kamsky to take a risk to win.

What a disappointing game.

College Basketball picks

Well I finally launched my new college basketball picks site. It offers guaranteed selections and we are trying a new sales model where we offer the member plays to promotional customers as a teaser. This way new customers can try before you buy. They have a reason to keep visiting and if they like what they see maybe they will sign up for a paid membership.

Or they can purchase guaranteed picks as well. Hopefully this business venture will go well.

You can get your free promotional membership at www.collegebasketballexperts.com