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tactical_abyss 01-Sep-13, 20:55 |
 Some secrets revealed with the corresp pro's...Recently redfox17 joined the club and we all welcome him.The more members the better and i'm sure he will share some of his experiences as time goes on.In the new introduction thread the subject of "handle names"recently but briefly came up and red said..."handles for chess Stay with one you like!" My thoughts:Not necessarily!No,notta!Sometimes on the higher levels of corresp chess play one must change their handle name to another they may like or dislike for a couple of reasons.Redfox17 and others probably do not realize this,but the pro's like me belong or have belonged to several chess sites for a hidden reason and its not simply to play with other chess players or because that other site offers more bells and whistles!Now,this is going to sound like a "spy novel",but its true:I,like a few other chess pro's in the senior master level have chess spys that will follow you around from chess site to chess site and use my own games on that other site against me on GK or the other way around!Some strong players are very capable of analyzing some of my more mysterious pet lines(like for example, in a Trompowski) and using some of my own strengths and weakness's against me.For example,I may win a game on GK using a specific subvariated line that you will NOT find anywhere else on GK or in my past game history ON GK.BUT you may very well find that game on another chess site and be able to overcome that ploy of mine alot easier using a long analysis or postgame computer program analysis prior to engaging me on GK with the same exact game! So,handle names change with many of the pro's like me in order that a "paper trail"of chess games cannot be linked from one different site to another site and then directly linked to that same player.On other sites,databases are not as good and its much harder then to link a specific game,transposed games and other factors that will lead the "spy" to me or others.In OTB club competition games,prior to the actual club game,I may experiment on GK or another site to see how a game would progress using a variant line on an irregular game(for example).So imagine my opponent knowing who I actually am having an account on these sites,checking my game out ahead of time and then being much better prepared when he meets me OTB?!See? Yes,yes,I know,you "normal"chess guys do not have to worry about such things right? But I play for bigger $$ in the USCF online tourneys(yes MONEY!) In the USCF there are for example various tourneys that win money like: VICTOR PALCIAUSKAS PRIZE TOURNMENTS: Players entering must pay an entry fee of $25.00. A current USCF membership is required to play in this event. Each seven player tournament is within a rating level: 1399 and below (novice) 1400-1699 (Class C) 1700-1999 (Class A/B) 2000+ (Master) If you are an unrated player please estimate your approximate strength. You cannot choose Master level is you are unrated. You play one game with each one of your six opponents (three White/three Black) for a total of six games. Winner of the tournament receives a cash prize of $130.00 and a certificate signed by Victor Other USCF tourneys: 2013 GOLDEN KNIGHTS CHAMPIONSHIP: Entry fee: $25.00; players cannot enter more than 10 times. Enjoy the excitement of competing in our 66th Annual Golden Knights Championship. This event can offer three rounds of competition for those who score 4 1/2 or more in each round. For those who score less than 4 1/2 in the Preliminary round will receive a gift certificate valued at $7.00. For those who do not score 4 1/2 or more in the Semifinal round receive a certificate suitable for framing. For the Preliminary and Semifinal rounds, if no player within the seven player group scores 4 1/2 or more, those with 4 are advanced. For those who complete all three rounds, no forfeit losses, they will receive a Golden Knights pin and can possibly win prize money depending on their weighted-point score. This years USCF 2013 Golden Knights Championship has a prize fund of $2,300.00 which is based on 200 entries which is distributed among the top 10 places as follows: First Place: $800.00 plus title of 2013 Golden Knights Champion and plaque. Second: $ 500.00 Third: $ 300.00 Forth-Tenth: $ 100.00 each So whats in a simple handle name? MORE than meets the eye fellow club members! So choose a handle name I like?Not necessarily!Not for me anyway! Who am I in the USCF or on 5 other chess sites?No tell me!Infact,i'm not even registered as a US player on those other sites...or am I?Ha ha!Am I even really Joe or someone else? And my smile continues with the club or GK forum remarks! More "secrets"to come in time,but not right now,i'll let you reflect upon this one first! |
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tactical_abyss 01-Sep-13, 21:46 |
Deleted by tactical_abyss on 01-Sep-13, 22:05.
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tactical_abyss 01-Sep-13, 22:05 |
Another secret?I have many,but i'm not going to tell you many,for then it won't be a secret,now would it? Hmmmm.How about looking for the specific month a potential opponent you are considering to play seems to time-out the most?Yes,some players on GK have a "set pattern"of time-outs. Many time-out during the holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving(US holiday).Whether its too much tryptophan or liquor during those times,who knows?So combine that factor with the same player playing 50+games at one time and you have your fall guy!Well,a higher probability of that player timing-out when you play him.And those 50+games he is playing while being more sleepy or liquored up?Its almost a certainty that the perspective opponent will not be at his best play or be able to analyze deep enough in more complex positions by midgame. And if he times-out while you are winning,he may very well ask to "reinstate"the game from that position.And what does this mean?You may very well then get DOUBLE the points for 2 wins on the same game!!!!!!!!!!!!! So,timing a game with this "fall guy"is critical.If he is a fast mover,try to time the game so that the more complex midgame will appear approx right around the same time he timed-out last year!This means,perhaps starting a game with him game right around 3 or 4 weeks prior to his last years time out set pattern!And make sure you check ahead of time which color he is better statistically at losing with and play the opposite color. Yes,let the cake recipe rise in your self made "oven"! Never though of that,right?Too much work and effort to do your "spy"work and you do not care?Well,thats ok,but keep in mind thats one of the many reasons i'm 2500 in rating and you are.....?I take my chess as serious as breathing...well almost! Thats life in the bigger leagues my friends!Yes,yes,I know...your more concerned about the chess basics before all of these other odd facts and secrets I throw at you.But sometimes this FYI stuff is something to read about ahead of time,for it may concern YOU one day!Even if it "jumps the gun"for now! Now what was that about "En passant"?What the heck is that?Hmmmmm.Ok,ok,back to the basics,but not in this thread! TA |
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Secrets Revealed! When I saw that players could actually play for entry fees, I do see where, your database of games could be used against you at that level. At my current level, I just want to learn how to play better chess. I recently was playing at another site where the webpage is more of a beta site and to choose playing many games here, with out timing out, is easier for me to play here lets say 90% and 10% at other places. That's all for now just leaving a paper trail of my thoughts thus far. |
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tactical_abyss 02-Sep-13, 22:16 |
Actually,I was several names on GK over the years.Infact,I was on GK alot longer than 2008 as my profile states.I had,for example,let my membership lapse a short while,then came back again.For various reasons,I will not list my previous handle names.Believe it or not,many past games can be found on the net from GK,even if they are no longer on GK!So can "old" GK forums that no longer exist on GK today. In any case Ron,I hope I can improve your game a bit in time.Just reading some of my posts may help.Ask me questions anytime.I'm not the best "teacher"nor plan to be,but I have been able to help players out from time to time by leading them down the correct path. |
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tactical_abyss 20-Oct-13, 11:58 |
Tidbits that can choke you if you do not care.. Always take close examination to a players profile before you decide to play this opponent.In some tournaments,this may not matter,since you may not be able to avoid playing this opponent.But in other circumstances like in some team games or in personally selecting an opponent you have choices.The first thing I look at is what I call the "suspicion" level.Does this opponent your considering playing have "too perfect" a record?Like,for example,80 wins,1 loss and 10 draws?Sure there may be reasons for this on a legitimate level,like he may be playing 99% of the games with opponents 300 or more rating points below himself,but then I would still raise a yellow caution flag!He could be cheating using a computer program.My opinion is to do the "waiting game"and see how this players win/loss ratio increases or decreases over time,maybe another 50-100 games before deciding to challenge him.This is especially necessary in players that have less than 100 games played on GK.Keep an eye on them but do not immediately be foolish enough to not care and just jump into the fire....unless its an unrated game.And if this opponent simply refuses unrated games with you and others,it can be another indicator of cheating(believe it or not!)Especially if they are on a rating rampage of wins using Rybka,for example.Hey,I tell you the way it is,whether you believe it or not! Trust rating graphs alot more as well!Take a close look at your potential future opponents rating graph.Does it show a sharp upwards thrust like a rocket with very little up and down flux's or is it purely smooth with a sharp upwards incline after say,80 games?Does it continue to rise after 100 games,regardless of the rating level whether 1500 or 2200?My opinion is to "stay clear"of these opponents as well until a later time at the very least or never play them at all...ever!Disagree?Fine!But perhaps I know things from my vast experience that you do "not" know! So what would be a "safer"opponent to play?A player that has a more "leveled"rating graph all the way across their chart.Why?These opponents are simply more "PREDICTABLE"in their specific level of play relative to their rating level.Graphs with sudden spikes,both upwards and downwards are not as predictable,thus the player can be more of a wildcard. Call it playing more "safely"if your concentrating on not losing too many rating points,especially if you decide or not to decide on playing "wildcards".Patience,waiting a few months on a rising shining star type of opponent,may be best,till he fits into that more predictable area as represented in his graph.Sure,time-outs can change a rating graph,but this is where your "investigation"comes into play.Are those loses time-outs or are they pure losses by mate or ruinous loss of material?"Exclude" time-outs as a "down"in the graph.Why?They may be a "mask"to make themselves simply look better and less suspicious!Plus,time-outs do not necessarily diminish this players strength on the board when you decide to play him.Sure he just lost 100 points and went from 1900 to 1800(example)...but this is probably a "mask"to make it an illusion for more 1800 players to challenge him or accept his challenge in future games,so he can suck down more rating points with 1900-2000 rated players,or perhaps he may make you think he is playing at an 1800 level when he is a 1900 level player. Just be cautious,is all i'm saying here.Keep a close eye on players profiles,win records,loss records and time-outs.To simply jump into a game with someone without a care in the world about this players history,is one of the reasons some players will end up having more losses and thus,rating losses.Its another reason more "cautious"players like me are able to tune into the "just ripe"players to gain a potential winning advantage or to simply avoid some players since their record of wins is way to high to be considered "normal"or "natural". Don't care about what I just wrote?Then the odds are you will always strive for that 2300 to 2500 rating,but never receive it or will always be looking upwards at me with the wish to become a master,but never will receive this level.The little things do add up,like taking the time to do these things I mentioned!This is the difference between a passive chess player who is simply playing solely for fun without a care in the world and the more "serious"kind of chess player who really wants to take a more serious effort in finding ways to win,avoid more losses and FIND the time to do these things without constantly making excuses of work,life,kids,illness's,sore feet,travel,slumps and more.Trust me,it takes only a few seconds to check out a players profile and then maybe only less than a few minutes to check out a good # of this players losses with time-outs,ect,ect. Add this to more chess study,books,DVD sets,Chess magazines like Chess Life and even joining a chess club all add up to the correct chemical chess mixture in your better chess play.No time or desire to do these things?Then go back to sleep and when you wake up the next 10,000 times you'll still be at your 1400 level rating!If your satisfied with this...well....good! If not,then.....? |
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tactical_abyss 20-Oct-13, 12:47 |
Someone once told me that a player that loses points on purpose and then wins games by cheating is getting nowhere fast and thus they can't believe that this is being done on purpose or cheating exists since it makes no sense to do these things.Is this your thoughts readers? Ahhhh...I have my work cut out for me and I don't even know where to begin to explain human motivations.Sometimes,there is "no"logical reason!Ever think of that?Probably not!Some of these players are really kids at 900 to 1200 real strength levels,masking themselves as 1800 players and then playing the fun "game" of losing,winning and more.Sometimes an 1800-2000 rated player may simply want to look like a normal player and lose and win,even though they never played one move themselves!But this will not help you,will it?You could easily lose if that player simply decides to again,go on a winning rampage.A much deeper way to seek out the "manipulators"is to look at their losses a bit more closely.Are they 1500 rated and playing like a 1000 rated player in many obvious moves that they should have seen easily and not blundered? Another flag raiser!This takes more time and effort to do,but the payoff is worth it. There is much to understand in record and profile checking arena if you want to even begin to touch the surface at my level. Then their is the reverse!Some opponents that are less rated than me challenge me(TA)with the sole hopes of drawing a game with me and winning 5 or 6 points.Their method?They may "attempt" a "Petrov Defense" as black.1.e4,e5 2.Nf3,Nf6.When I see this after blacks move #2,I usually CANCEL the game!!!!I am smart enough to know that the "Petrov"has one of the highest draw stats in the game.Many chess sources,including the MCO series of books will tell you the same story. You did not know that about the Petrov?Now you know! There is so much behind the scenes in corresp chess and even MORE in OTB chess that take's books to explain in the way of psychology,rating manipulations,weakness analysis and even a simple note to your opponent that can cause him to fold,even in some winning situations that HE may have.The list goes on.I cannot begin to explain all of these things in a simple chess club forum,but from time to time I will expose some of the issues. TA |
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tactical_abyss 20-Oct-13, 13:33 |
On another chess site,I observed two different scenario's.One was a 2000 rated player playing 4 unrated games with a 2300 rated player.The 2000 rated player lost all 4 games as expected.Then somehow,he convinced the 2300 rated player to play two rated games a few weeks later...one black and one white.The 2000 rated player won both games in less than 40 moves each game.So,can you see how the 2000 rated player used the unrated games as a psychology tool to win points? I have observed the reverse as well...a stronger opponent losing unrated games against a lesser rated opponent,thus convincing the lesser rated opponent to play him a rated game or two.Then the player a bit higher in rating pounces on him for those 10 points!Another psychological ploy. Flags and caution!Its a war out there!Some players get trampled on and have no idea how it happened!Is it simply a matter of their own bad play or more sinister reasons that they may not be able to control because they were "manipulated" to play some of these little devil opponents and have not been properly educated in chess psychology or simply do not care? Just being challenged around the holidays can cause you to lose!Pure hogwash...right? You never heard something so stupid,right? Think again you chess novices and players who simply take chess as a passive pleasure.!You have much to learn!! Thinking like a pro takes work.Notice something in my present game load????I'm at only one game and that one will probably not last much longer,unless my opponent does a vacation time-out again.I try to minimize or zero-out my game load around the holidays.How can playing around the holidays have a negative effect on your game even if you have all the time in the world to play?I'll leave that up to you to figure out for now.The answer is in many of my other posts all around GK. Pass that Turkey leg and red wine!Hmmmmm...good!(hint and a wink!) |
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tactical_abyss 20-Oct-13, 13:42 |
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tactical_abyss 20-Oct-13, 13:56 |
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tactical_abyss 20-Oct-13, 14:14 |
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tactical_abyss 20-Oct-13, 20:56 |
Again,i'm no team expert,but I do know that some teams like "Vlad's Impalers"have higher standards of member entry than other teams.They lean on atleast 100 games being played,even though they say 6 months and prefer the higher rated player.6 out of the 11 members are of master/senior master strength and one other member is closing in on a masters level.They asked me to join more than one time over the years since I have more than 100 games played,no time-outs and my rating is higher than anyone on that team,but I consistently refuse to join now and forever on any team,simply because of my own method of player selection and basically I have always been a lone wolf which makes me more comfortable.I'm the guy that watches a car club motor racing "team" with binoculars get their 3 fastest Mustangs together for a race down a three lane highway at 3 am.And as they are all pushing 150+ MPH and reaching their top redlining RPM's with their engines screaming..... I'm the Mopar Charger guy that comes up from behind with the 528 custom crate motor Hemi and passes all 3 Mustangs in the emergency side lane at 185+MPH leaving nothing but dust and stones all over the 3 Mustangs as I disappear into the night. And this is a true story.Again,i'm the loner and for a reason. TA |
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tactical_abyss 27-Oct-13, 09:04 |
gameknot.com |
