Author: Lawrence S. Tamarkin
Date: 22:35:33 12/12/99
I've been reading the many post below about whether the chess programs 'stunt' or help people's chess play. The fact is, chess improvement (or lack of), is not directly tied to the use of any one (or many) piece's of chess software. Here is a quick summary (baring having a lot of natural chess talent, & even then, a lot of hard work will still likely be needed to achieve this exalted title). * Start young - the younger the better. Have to get the mind (& spirit), focused on the game as soon as possible, so that those growing brain cells will take hold. * Turn off the TV. Don't go out to see any movies. Don't do anything that doesn't have to do with chess. (Seems to me, only Kasparov can 'do it all'). * Books - Read the best chess books at least 3 hours each day. 15 minute Breaks allowed. * Magazines. New In Chess & Inside Chess (on the Web now) - At least one hour. * Software. Chess Base & Fritz or completely required. 3 hours a day. Other Chess software may be just as good, but more GM's use these than any other. * 2 or 3 friends who are 'coming up' together. Useful training group. Or at least one trusted chess friend who will be your cofident & trainer for many years. In the former Soviet Union, all the best player's had this as part of their success. Here in the US, Benjamin, Fedorowicz, Christensian, are a perfect example of a group of 'compatriats' that helped each other (with short draws, friendship & group preperation), for many years. (It really 'freaked' out Kamsky (who only had his pugilistic father to protect him) too:) * Reguler playing shedule of Rated USCF, FIDE & even Rapid, (Please come to the Marshall Chess Club on Fridays!), chess competition. At least 20 hours of competition per week. * 'Hang time' - A foriengn laguage is (especially Russian), is very handy here. When your at the Chess Club or the hotel (in-between rounds), it is always a good idea to be able to talk up your games/positions with your the other chess player's around. Your ever so much more impresive when you can say stuff that other guys (potential oppenents you don't like, for example), in the room won't understand what your talking about - Especially if their name pops up from time to time:) Well that's it. Anybody can become a GM if they start young, put total commitment into it, and forget about having any 'life' outside of chess. Really simple, isn't it? Fact is, I'm 43, don't spend more than a couple of hours a week on the game, because I'm totally 'hooked' on TV/Movies (or whatever), but because I'm totally hooked on the game, buy all the books/software and so forth, I'm able to keep my level aroud 2100 with out sweating it... Larry T.
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