Today I started the 4-week training challenge that I discussed in the latest podcast with GM Noël Studer. I had scheduled it in my calendar and I managed to complete the 30-minute session.
Solving puzzles from the Red Tactics Ladder. Not easy..
Getting started on something new is always a challenge, so now I need to make it a habit. It was nice to solve puzzles with a book and pieces, and I definitely felt less distracted.
Chesspunks Awards Show!
If you missed it I just want to share the ChessPunks Annual Award show. This year hosted by Chess.com with Neal Bruce and Geert van der Velde (Chessable CEO). It is amazing to see how the community has grown. When we started the hashtag we only where a few people sharing our chess journeys on Twitter! Also some well-picked winners.
I have found a stack of books while my wife and I have been organizing and cleaning the house. I think it would be a shame if they stay there, so I will be offering a signed copy to anyone who upgrades to a yearly paid subscription until Friday. I will write to you after you upgrade and send it in a letter.
100 Headachingly Hard Mate in Two Chess Puzzles and Blindfold Endgame Visualization
Finally, join the chat and leave an update about your chess and what you are working on this week.
Good luck on the 4 week plan.. My main plan is to study 20 mins uninterrupted a day on tactics, play 5 15+10 “blunder games” for my chess dojo training program work this week as my time is going to be limited.
I don't tend to record how long I do calculation my training for, but perhaps I will start doing so. I'm interested in what resources people are using for calculation training. I'm currently using Edouard's "Chess Calculation Training, Volume 1: Middlegames" and Lakdawala's "Rewire Your Chess Brain".
I'm experimenting with which puzzle resource to use, and I haven't yet started the journaling, which I believe is also one of the points to the challenge. I have a digital copy of Martin's Tactics Ladder Red Book and I also have a hard copy of The Complete Chess Workout. I experimented with loading the Tactics Ladder pdf into the ChessVision.ai ebook reader but the ebook reader wasn't able to read the images in the pdf file very well, so that's kind of frustrating. I also wrestle with setting up the chess board vs just looking at an image. Setting up the board isn't really satisfying time-wise, but I do like the aesthetics of a board vs a book. I think I'm actually writing this response partly because I am not journaling about my experience with the challenge - note to self.
There are many good ones. It depends on your level. My current favourites are GMTalks (GM Sune Berg Hansen) and Daniel Naroditsky although they are quite advanced. A bit easier but also consistently excellent instructional content is ChessCoach Andras (IM Andras Toth). Some other channels that often have interesting stuff are GMNeiksans, Silicon Road (GM Matthew Saddler), ChessDojo, GMHikaru, GothamChess, Molton.
Good luck on the 4 week plan.. My main plan is to study 20 mins uninterrupted a day on tactics, play 5 15+10 “blunder games” for my chess dojo training program work this week as my time is going to be limited.
Sounds like a good plan! What is “blunder games”?
Lower rated bands in the program play that time control games focusing mainly on avoiding builders, hanging pieces, capturing opponents pieces etc.
Sounds like a good idea! Keep it simple 😎
I don't tend to record how long I do calculation my training for, but perhaps I will start doing so. I'm interested in what resources people are using for calculation training. I'm currently using Edouard's "Chess Calculation Training, Volume 1: Middlegames" and Lakdawala's "Rewire Your Chess Brain".
I'm experimenting with which puzzle resource to use, and I haven't yet started the journaling, which I believe is also one of the points to the challenge. I have a digital copy of Martin's Tactics Ladder Red Book and I also have a hard copy of The Complete Chess Workout. I experimented with loading the Tactics Ladder pdf into the ChessVision.ai ebook reader but the ebook reader wasn't able to read the images in the pdf file very well, so that's kind of frustrating. I also wrestle with setting up the chess board vs just looking at an image. Setting up the board isn't really satisfying time-wise, but I do like the aesthetics of a board vs a book. I think I'm actually writing this response partly because I am not journaling about my experience with the challenge - note to self.
What are some of best YouTube channels to learn about chess?
There are many good ones. It depends on your level. My current favourites are GMTalks (GM Sune Berg Hansen) and Daniel Naroditsky although they are quite advanced. A bit easier but also consistently excellent instructional content is ChessCoach Andras (IM Andras Toth). Some other channels that often have interesting stuff are GMNeiksans, Silicon Road (GM Matthew Saddler), ChessDojo, GMHikaru, GothamChess, Molton.
Ok thanks, appreciate it!
I can back up these recommendations. Also this one is gold https://youtu.be/Ao9iOeK_jvU?si=eHfpud6R__jt-zsQ
Thanks! I’ll check it out