Dan Heisman wrote in message ...
Hi!

My new column on Finding the Best Move has been posted at
http://www.chesscafe.com/heisman/heisman.htm. If you have any comments
or questions, please e-mail me directly; I often don't follow up and
check these threads.

Best wishes,
NM Dan Heisman
www.chess.fm Q&A show Monday nights from 7-9 PM Eastern

The column Finding the Best Move claims that if a player wins 5% of
games played, there is [statistically] a 500-point rating difference
against him. I claim that if a player wins 5% and draws 95%, this is
not so.

I also claim that the "best" move is not always the most useful move.
The best move may lead to a position that the player knows is won, but
also knows he hasn't the skill to pursue that win. The most useful
move may be the move that gives him the practical winning choices that
he needs.

Dan Heisman's point of view is a useful one, if one pursues an
objective analysis of positions. But the player who asserts that his
move was best may not mean objectively best, but practically best
given his own ability.

David Ames