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tactical_abyss 01-Apr-13, 14:39 |
 New Member Introductions:Do not let the name..."elite"become intimidating to you!Elite stands for club quality and the services that the club members will be able to provide to your game and do its best to help improve your game play as time marches on.So you can be a complete beginner,intermediate or master and always return back to the club for questions and answers....and be given the same equal respect as a player that might be 2600 in rating.My handle name on GK is tactical_abyss and many of you know me from past/present GK forum posts.I have been playing chess since age 8,so its been approx 50 years that I have been involved in chess.Chess clubs in High School,College,USCF OTB and Corresp. tourneys,postal chess and many chess correp.websites and blitz sites over the years have honed my chess knowledge and skills.My experience playing and mingling with strong players up to real GM's at the Manhattan and Marshall Chess clubs in NYC have given me insight into the game that has improved my personal play over the decades immensely.While I am not here in this club to be a personal trainer/mentor to anyone,I do enjoy giving some of my "abyss"tips and bulldoze out a road for you,giving you perhaps a better direction for your insight and continuing study into the royal game.Not everything I mention will be some kind of "magic formula" that will suddenly improve your play by several hundred rating points,but may very well lay a foundation for your game improvements or renewed interests in the game.Not everything I mention as time moves on you may agree with or understand.Sometimes I may show you how to take advantage of and exploit your opponent's weakness's or bad habits and crush him without mercy!But then,all is fair in "love and war" as I always say! Good luck to all,and hope the members and myself can be of service to you in time! The club may be small in numbers for a while,but will hopefully grow in time. TA |
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sixofspades 04-Apr-13, 10:40 |
Deleted by tactical_abyss on 07-May-13, 16:20.
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tactical_abyss 04-Apr-13, 10:49 |
Deleted by tactical_abyss on 12-Jun-13, 15:00.
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mistee 05-Apr-13, 06:15 |
Deleted by tactical_abyss on 04-Jul-13, 03:21.
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tactical_abyss 05-Apr-13, 06:30 |
Deleted by tactical_abyss on 04-Jul-13, 03:21.
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Thanks for Inviting me. I am self-employed and have owned my Land Surveying Company since 1988. I got started in chess by always asking my older brother to play, they were pretty one-sided games until around 1972, when I read “Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess”, I think that was the name. I still have that paperback book somewhere. I played on a junior chess team, never was outstanding. I continued playing chess as an adult, when it would rain you couldn't survey in the field with the instruments, so we would break-out the chess sets and play. Sometimes if we had more than one crew on a job, we would have mini-tournaments, I hardly lost those games. I joined A Local Chess Club in the mid-eighties, where we met weekly often having rated tournaments with clocks (which were new to me). I had to join the USCF to play in these tournaments so I did, I did have a rating of 1117P with the USCF. I stop attending and playing back in 93. My experience with players on GK has been wonderful, although my chess game has not improved very much. I have thoroughly enjoyed the concept of team chess, I’m not really into studying chess from a book. This site GK, is my first experience with the Internet environment as far as interacting with people whom you really don’t know. I have joined a few clubs, and I’m an avid reader of other peoples opinions, while at the same time I have learned it is better to thoughtfully review your posts before posting them. I hope this club will open up avenues where I can improve my chess skills, that is why I accepted an invitation to join this club. |
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tactical_abyss 10-Apr-13, 15:02 |
I'm sure the club will be able to help you in time.Already,I have noticed that in your first page of past games and second page you seem to limit your opening play as white to primarily 1.e4 games.While 1.e4 is ok....I can already suggest that you "widen"your horizons to playing other types of openings to expand your strength on the board.Most of my strongest games have been played with the Queen pawn opening...1.d4,NOT 1.e4.I also suggest 1.c4 or even 1.Nf3.I will mention the "whys"to this,but not just now in this thread. I will get into some chess theory in time,some for beginners,some for advanced players.Openings are important,but are not the first things to study.But again,limiting yourself to 1.e4 can prove detrimental in the long run. |
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I have become dependent on Wikipedia and 365chess for openings and I'm trying to wean myself off them. For the last year or so I've mainly played Ruy Lopez opening but within the last month I started playing the Sicilian at chess.com. I'm in a bit of a losing slump right now and I'm trying to learn how to deal with that physiologically but the good news is I still enjoy the game. I look forward to getting to know everyone here. Friar |
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tactical_abyss 12-Apr-13, 16:31 |
Well,as far as I see,you may be in a slump(like most of us do from time to time),but for the amount of games you have played in your life,you are doing above average in my book!A class C player is considered either average or a bit above average across the USA.Hopefully the club will be able to add atleast a hundred points to your rating in time!I would already suggest investigating other openings beyond the Ruy....perhaps some of the 1.d4 openings.Personally,I have pared better with many of the Queen pawn games over the King pawn games,but thats another thread! Again,see you in the club over the next few months! TA |
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marmalite 13-Apr-13, 04:58 |
intro.. When i was young i thought chess was all about how many moves you can see ahead, now i'm far more interested in the positional aspects, how you can make a move or a sacrifice that wins you the game 20+ moves down the line, even simple things like claiming a weak square or moving a rook onto the correct file. I never like to reveal too much about my style, but i'll give advice to those who want it or take advice from those who think i need it Hopefully i can make a good contribution to the club in future! best wishes to all LP |
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tactical_abyss 13-Apr-13, 05:32 |
The senior master who taught me is still still around at my chess club,but he is like 78 years old.He is still stronger than me on the board,but he has a weakness....brandy!And lots of it!So my "ploy"is usually to meet up with him at the local pub,offer ALOT of free brandy and then we head over to the chess club!Where I beat the crap out of him on the board!If he was sober,he would crush me like a million anvils falling on me from 10,000 feet!Ha ha!But with the free booze,perhaps he is the real winner!? |
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tactical_abyss 15-Apr-13, 13:46 |
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Membership |
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tactical_abyss 02-May-13, 04:10 |
The only areas I do not have expertise in is the GK tournaments,leagues,teams ect,since I do not belong to those functions,I usually do not comment on those things. |
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doc3170 02-May-13, 10:48 |
That was in '05; Ray & I came here & started a chess team. We did that for years, but after a while I kind of burned out. I've Captained a team (that was in the top 10) , played on the League, I've played & run many Mini-Tournaments (I was near the top 100) & been on the Ladder(I was in the top 10%). If anyone has any questions about these groups, I'd be happy to help. When I started my chess training I found a book. It stated that not everyone could be a master, but that anyone of normal intelligence with the right training, can become an expert. This became my goal. I believe his theory is correct, but it takes lots of hard work. It takes hours of daily training for years; And that takes LOTS of dedication. I didn't make it, I burned myself out instead. These days I only play for fun; I play occasionally & usually with friends. I like to think I'll come back one day & achieve my goal, but not right now. Right now I'm just glad to be here. I still enjoy reading & talking about the game; And I love chess puzzles! Anyone here is welcome to friend me & chat Remember to have fun in all your games, Olie AKA, Doc |
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tactical_abyss 02-May-13, 11:52 |
Welcome to the club!Yes,I can remember way back when Chessmaster came out,there were other versions over the years.Rather than software,I learned to improve alot on a number of tabletop chess machines like Chess Challenger,Boris,Mach 3 & 4,Tasc R-30 and the Phantom Chesster Eyeball.And of course,alot of books.Then,of course,I was lucky enough to be a member of 2 great chess clubs in NYC which catapulted my chess strength over the years. In any case Doc,I hope the club can be of assistance to you in time.I'm not into ladder games,teams or tournaments on GK,although I get involved with some tournaments through the USCF.My puzzle and tactical solving abilities are now primarily my "blitz" play where I will test my own "mates"in live action,rather than against a GK computer.Please feel free to post away,ask questions on theory or what have you.This club is not designed as I mentioned for all kinds of club tourney play,but I certainly have no problem with any games that members want to set up between themselves or annotate,ect ect. TA |
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Experiences |
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tactical_abyss 03-May-13, 03:06 |
In High School,I was in Chess Club as well,but we did not have "teams".We just played against each other individually all school season long until an overall 1st,2nd and 3rd place winner came about by the end of school that year....(plus a few honorable mentions).The wife of the teacher who ran the club was a professional in making kiln baked items,and she made our trophies....A 14 inch high Queen for 1st place,12 inch high Rook for 2nd place and a 10 inch high Knight for 3rd. I had won 1st place in all HS years....9.10,11 and 12th!Some players feared me so much,that they forfeited the game without making one move!Back then,you could do that and just call it a loss against me,no penalty of any kind. I also had MCO-12 back then to learn from(It was in descriptive notation).But my books went alot farther back than that including "Point Count Chess" and "The Complete Chess Course"by Reinfeld. Your around my age Ed.Did you play USCF postal chess back then at all?Or did you ever practice on some of those tabletop chess machines? |
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chess history If anyone has looked, I think I have a game invitation that only this club can see. I would like to use it as a learning tool for both of us. My idea is to write what your thoughts are when choosing a move. It won't matter who wins but perhaps we can learn something. -ed |
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Hi Everyone |
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tactical_abyss 12-Jun-13, 13:07 |
Don't give it a second thought about the late intro.There are a few club members who have not introduced themselves at all yet,after several weeks or wrote one word!They must all be too busy...ha,ha!I'm not a chess coach or mentor,but hopefully I can help your game a bit as time goes on.I like to supply insight into the game combined with theory to help others along.If you have any chess questions or if you see something posted here or elsewhere you do not understand,please feel free to ask away in the club or start your own post. Good luck! Joe |
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Help is always welcome Cheers Martin |
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Father's Day |
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Hello ! My name is Stuart. I am a 48 year old husband and father of 2 (theboywith3names is my eldest) and high school Maths teacher by day and an amateur "Rock God" at the weekends (I play lead guitar for an amateur rock band that happens to make enough cash to carry a decent light rig, smoke and pyrotechnics . . .). I also love Chess. I started playing Chess at school when I was about 12 but then stopped for years and having got back into it about 5 years ago, now run the school Chess club as a sort of pay back to my German teacher who ran the chess club when I was at school. I have also been helping a friend of mine improve his game; as it turns out, it is amazing how much damage you can inflict with the Danish gambit on players around the 1000 -1100 mark. In short, I have tried to pass on a little of what I know where I know more than others. I've been playing on Gameknot for a couple of years and plateaued at a rating of about 1450 for ages. I studied some openings last year and have managed to get my rating up to about 1525 but I'm rather stuck again and my games are getting boring. Let me tell you why. I tend to open OK but un-dramatically. This is OK unless I'm faced with a good defense, at which point I run out of ideas and the games tend to languish until either a moment of inspiration takes a hold or someone blunders so badly that their opponent gets a significant points advantage and turns the screw to force the result. I have played a couple of players against whom, I have, frankly, not been able to defend myself. They have a style, purpose and aggression about their Chess that I cannot defend against. I have come looking for and am committed to finding that style by achieving a much better understanding of the game. I'm not sure which bits of my game are the weakest. Diagnosis is the beginning of cure perhaps? So that's me. I am looking forward to playing you all and learning as much as I can as well as sharing anything I can (although I feel rather unqualified to do so). Cheers and God bless. Stu |
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tactical_abyss 04-Jul-13, 17:21 |
As time goes on,some of us or myself will try and help your game play along.I am not going to be much help in the summer months,due to travel and other things,but in the meantime,please feel free to look at some of the posts on various chess subjects I have in the club and your questions are always welcome as time moves on.By the way,a rating of 1500 is very respectable and is considered "average"in many parts of the country...atleast in the USA,not sure about your country. Incidentally,I was a professional drummer for about 30 years,but i'm not playing anymore,hung up the sticks.Was in everything from Metal,Jazz to Polkas!Strobes and fogging equip was par for the course in the late 60's,early 70's. Joe |
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Welcome Stuart! perhaps you have a game you wish to use as an example? |
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thundaknuckle13 11-Jul-13, 01:20 |
My name is Jeremy and I am glad to be able to join this fine club. I am a computer science major at the University of Central Arkansas. Outside of my studies I like to play chess and video games, especially Minecraft and Rock Band! When I was in high school I liked to read and do math problems. I got several regional, state, and national awards for my achievements on math tests and competitions I attended. Yeah you could call me a nerd Some personal details, When I was born my parents found out I have a missing right arm. The doctors didn't know why. Then when I was 4 I was ran over by a riding lawn mower. It did a nasty number on my left foot. Although I had a rough start in life I don't let it get me down. Chess, one of the greatest pleasures that I know of! I started playing with my mom when I was around 9 or so on a play station game. I still remember when I finally beat the lowest rated player. I thought I was a GM lol. Now-a-days I like to play blitz. My rating is probably suffering because of it Right now my main hurdle is tactics and knowing what I need to study. There's so much information out there it's hard to discern what would be beneficial to me. I've probably studied the openings and strategies (aka positional chess) the most. I've done some end game study but I usually can calculate with a pretty high success rate during the end game. Any suggestions on how I could improve? And remember attack is the best defense! Regards, Jeremy P.S. My current rating is probably in the high 1500s or low 1600s, however, it's in the low 1400s due to time outs. |
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tactical_abyss 11-Jul-13, 04:20 |
Hopefully the club can be of assistance to you in time.I have played such great chess in quality and quantity over the years that one day I woke up and I not only lost all my limbs....but my entire body!I'm now an all knowing,pulsating and glowing "orb"that simply sits on a marble/gold throne chair.I like to claim mates in 80,even before the game is started!Ha,Ha! As to blitz helping or hurting your game,i'll get into that in a special post.But the bottom line is that,yes,it could hurt your long corresp games or long OTB games,depending upon the amount of games played.In moderation,not necessarily.Also,it really boils down to your true strength on the board.Blitz actually helps ME improve,not hinders my performance on the long games.But there are different reasons for that which will not apply to you,Jeremy.For a 1400 to 1600 rated player,well,yes,it can carry over problems for you.So,I would cut the blitz down to small or moderate levels if you want to improve your regular game play.Me?I had actually increased my blitz level of play.But again,whats good for me,isn't necessarily good for you! But I will cover this blitz "thingee" in a future post. As to tactics and other issues,i'll see what I can suggest for you...but give me time.I have to check a few of your games out and make up a general guideline recipe.But being that it is summer and i'm not even home much with traveling,shore and more I usually do not have much time to do much in time consuming detail in the club.Infact,I have only 1 game being played right now and it won't last much longer(hint!)...then i'm zeroing out my corresp play till late fall or early winter. Chat with you later! TA |
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tactical_abyss 11-Jul-13, 04:32 |
My math teacher in HS centuries ago told me that 0 divided by 1 =0, while 1 divided by 0 =undefined or infinity.I have always had trouble either understanding the concept or making others stop laughing at me when they think 1 divided by zero is anything but ZERO!But its not equal to zero,now is it?Maybe you can use a separate post outside of the intro post to explain it to the orb? TA |
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