Yeah fair enough. Before I did any kind of structured learning I used to get very frustrated at feeling like I was ready to win but not understanding how to, and occasionally throwing the game with massive blunders that cost tempo.
I don’t play anymore though, I really dislike playing games that are well enough understood that you need to play somebody else’s game to be competitive. 960 blitz is fun though, as that’s all gut feeling no analysis (unless you’re like a grandmaster).
Go is really fun but also stressful sometimes because it’s such an open game tree. Modern boardgames are where I get most of my fun now.
I was around 1600 bouncing up and down on chess.com (which I think has somewhat inflated ratings?) and I felt like refusing to study openings was holding me back a lot. That’s the upper end of mediocre I think?
Like at the absolute beginner level to maybe sub 100 games played I agree I guess. Good tactics will destroy people, I feel like when studying end games though you learn good tactics because you often have to capture a couple of pieces on the way.
Once you start playing against people into chess though everyone has done the same tactic puzzles and it’s no longer enough to bounce back from a shitty board position.
But as noted I was never amazing so I’m probably talking out my arse :)
Eh I don’t know what my actual rating is on chess.com I only have the courage to play when I’m drunk really, I don’t like losing lol. But I think my tactics rating is like 2000-2100( I’m aware this is meaningless) so when I play someone in the 1400 range I don’t give up no matter how hard I blunder and usually win. But that’s anecdotal.
Yeah fair enough. Before I did any kind of structured learning I used to get very frustrated at feeling like I was ready to win but not understanding how to, and occasionally throwing the game with massive blunders that cost tempo.
I don’t play anymore though, I really dislike playing games that are well enough understood that you need to play somebody else’s game to be competitive. 960 blitz is fun though, as that’s all gut feeling no analysis (unless you’re like a grandmaster).
Go is really fun but also stressful sometimes because it’s such an open game tree. Modern boardgames are where I get most of my fun now.
My take is it’s mostly tactics. I’m not very good at chess but I’m better than most and it’s mostly tactics.
I was around 1600 bouncing up and down on chess.com (which I think has somewhat inflated ratings?) and I felt like refusing to study openings was holding me back a lot. That’s the upper end of mediocre I think?
Like at the absolute beginner level to maybe sub 100 games played I agree I guess. Good tactics will destroy people, I feel like when studying end games though you learn good tactics because you often have to capture a couple of pieces on the way.
Once you start playing against people into chess though everyone has done the same tactic puzzles and it’s no longer enough to bounce back from a shitty board position.
But as noted I was never amazing so I’m probably talking out my arse :)
Eh I don’t know what my actual rating is on chess.com I only have the courage to play when I’m drunk really, I don’t like losing lol. But I think my tactics rating is like 2000-2100( I’m aware this is meaningless) so when I play someone in the 1400 range I don’t give up no matter how hard I blunder and usually win. But that’s anecdotal.