Some Interesting Highlights and Personal Thoughts:
- Am really grateful that Kevin, a new attendee at the Singapore Chess Meetup, came to check us out for the first time! Thank you for giving us and yourself a chance, Kevin =)
- Thanks to my "bad influence", everyone in Siglap South CC is now talking about the Singapore Chess Meetup, and recognising how it is the #1 social chess site at present. Let's face it, there's no way any of the CCs can have a single session with 50~60 people -- that's how big and reliable the pool of players at Asia Square Tower One on Wednesdays is.
- I have only recently received some indirect negative feedback (which is absolutely fine -- I only wish more of my friends and chess folks can be more honest, so that I can work on the problem areas for improvement). I agree with the criticism that some of the young kids misbehave. And I just did not realise that it served as some deterrence to a couple of kids. Maybe I cannot stick to the "kids will be kids" excuse for kids who misbehave quite a bit, to be fair to everyone who behaves properly (but do not enjoy encountering misbehaviour). But I still don't know what is the most effective way to teach proper chess etiquette to kids. Some kids understand when I explain. But I don't know what to do to others (yet I shall refrain from labelling anyone as "hopeless").
Personal Rapid / Untimed Games and Self Review / Learning Points
These are the non-blitz games I played today which I attempt to review on my own. As usual, first attempt without the use of engine, followed by the one-click tactical analysis function in Chessbase 15.
Link to the Games Replay (4 games played with 3 different opponents)
Game 1 (White)
- I don't really main the London System, but it may serve well as a backup system. Since I anticipate a lot of players to employ this, I might as well learn a bit about it while learning how to play against it ^o^ I'm not really "into depth" like some of my friends who really specialise in it, but I personally find this opening generally easy enough to play, and *usually*, even if White misplays a little, won't end up in a dead lost position. *Usually*, it is more forgiving that some other "technical" openings like the Sicilian: Dragon variation. That's why it's so popular at club level (and it has been seen quite a bit even at top-level chess these days).
- I'm glad I found the correct move of 11.dxc5 (deemed best move by the engine) but I missed an easier way for a crushing advantage a couple of moves earlier. Just 9.dxc5! and not 9.Ne5.
- I really prefer 13.Qa4 that I played as compared to the "flashy" 13.Nf6+, even though the engine opines both moves to win.
Game 2 (Black)
- I got into a very unpleasant opening position, and was lucky to even survive, I think. I should have played the more flexible move of 8...Nd7 instead of 8...Nf6 (I was concerned over whether White will out-control Black and put a minor piece on the d6 square to imprison the Black King in the middle. The subsequent moves 9.Be3 Qe5 (Black was not keen to grab another pawn greedily when his development has already been severely compromised) 10.c3 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 (Keeping Queens on the Board to maintain attacking potential) 11...Bc5 12.Bf4 Qf6 (only move anyway) from Black's perspective was... barely enough to survive (even though the engine's evaluation suggest the position was playable / close to equal).
- After this opening scare, White made a strategic mistake of simplification after 13.Bxb8 Qxf3 14.Bxf3 Rxb8 Black emerged being a pawn up. Although the resulting position / situation isn't entirely crushing -- Rooks + Bishop of opposite colour +, the 1 pawn advantage is probably not enough for a crushing win. Still, there is a psychological advantage for me, in that I am objectively better, and of course, having survived the opening scare makes me feel great.
- Honestly, I think I was just lucky that my opponent made a series of questionable choices, which eventually led to me finding a way to win this position, thanks to the pass pawn and superior King position.
Game 3 (Black)
- Essentially, both players were "sleeping" in the opening phase, with White continuously dropping pawns and Black not realising it. This fatigue issue is something I need to address for serious chess improvement (and for personal health, of course).
- I have to say, I'm glad for the experience of opposite side castling and pawn storm. This I don't come across so much in my training games, so the experience is even more valuable.
Game 4 (Black)
- No excuse for playing badly. But I genuinely felt tired (something I need to address on my own) and more importantly, I felt genuinely distracted by the kid =( Of course, my willpower and mentality needs to be stronger too. Playing each game with the starting mentality "Play to not lose" isn't something to be proud off / worth showing off ^o^ Also, running low on time and energy in the endgame phase of the game is a real practical situation to address.
- While I didn't think too much of this particular etiquette, I am now absolutely convinced it is "the way" to play chess properly: The player who is worse, should never initiate the offer of a draw -- chess is already a very difficult game, and it is extremely unwelcomed for the inferior side to try any sort of antics to distract the leading player. “Don't do unto others what you don't want done unto you.” comes into my mind.
Time is part of the game, so if a player is in a worse position but has superior time, offering a draw is still acceptable to me. But this is a clear no to me if a player is worse in both the time and position. And no, I am no saint myself. I have been making 1 insincere draw offer especially in losing games in all my team games to date (although I make no repeated offers). Talk about "team responsibility" eh ~ I will have to face this dilemma so long as I play in team events.
I'm sorry that my posts often end up as an etiquette rant ^o^. Rather, I see it more as identifying the ideal way to play, etiquette-wise, and striving towards it as an "ideal" chess player. It is a very subjective in nature, and it is perfectly fine if anyone disagrees or has different views. I have actually adjusted some of my views and opinions over time, based on my new experience or ideas shared by my friends. If anyone is keen, I would be even happy to discuss on chess etiquette, a subject I feel sorely lacking in local kids chess today. Most are primarily concerned over gaining strength or rating points in the shortest time / effort possible, which is perfectly understandable. I just wish there is that little room for chess etiquette study and appreciation over improvements over chess play.
Last but not least, my DGT Smart Board only recorded 3 blitz games because I did not indicate the end of the game (by placing the Kings in the centre of the Board, or by taking back moves in the middle of the game, so some games kept going on and on as part of the 500 moves recording cap). Oh well. My own stupidity.
Last but not least, my DGT Smart Board only recorded 3 blitz games because I did not indicate the end of the game (by placing the Kings in the centre of the Board, or by taking back moves in the middle of the game, so some games kept going on and on as part of the 500 moves recording cap). Oh well. My own stupidity.
Links to the Blitz Games Captured on my DGT Smart Board -- To me, the SGD $500 spent has already more than paid for itself for it's weekly service to the chess club!
Thank you for your time and attention!
Yours sincerely
Ong Yujing (Eugene)
a.k.a. newbie_learner
Siglap South CC Chess Quartet
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