Wlodzimierz Holsztynski (Wlod) wrote:
Here is a superb way to improve
your chess untill you are a human
world chess champion (but do
combine it with other chess
activities).

Get access to the strongest
computer engine available.
Play a game. Obviously, unless
you are one of the world top players,
you'll lose. Then take back your
LAST move which seems to cause the
failure. Play a better move. Now
you should last a bit longer but you
will still lose. Go back to that move
and take it back again. Replace it
with hopefully a better move. Well,
you lose again. After 2-5 tries you
may convince yourself that the
DECISIVE error has happened
somewhat earlier. Take that move
back, replace it with a better one.
Now you are doing somewhat better
you still lost. Check the new
variation. Possibly your new move
was ok but the continuation was not.
Find the LAST move which caused the
trouble, Replace it with a better one.
Etc, etc, until you win.

If you manage to win at all, you are
already a pretty good player (despite
taking moves back). And if you win
10-20 games like this then you are
a very strong player.

Thus all you have to do is to think
and to persist. General principles
will be very helpful, e.g.

develope your pieces not
only in the opening but also
in many other situations when
the struggle quieted down

I have to remember this myself,
each time there is a lull in the heat
of the middle game.

This method does not require
reading a lot. On the other hand
it will be a pleasure to read about
different ideas and to apply them
against a world top level opponent,
even if it is an electronic opponent.
It will be exciting.

Good luck,

Wlod


This is probably an excellent way to learn to find one's
blunders without human help. However, it is not very
wise to get into the *habit* of taking back moves. Old
habits die hard, and this is a very bad one to get into.
Narcotics, nicotene, takebacks, credit cards and caffeine
-- just say "no!"



"Takebacks worked for me." -- Gary Kasparov

"Takebacks suck." -- Judit Polgar

"But for humans and their incessant takebacks, I would already
be world champ." -- Fritz

"Seein' as how this is a .44 magnum -- the most powerful
handgun in the world -- you gotta ask yourself one question:
do I feel lucky?" -- Dirty Harry