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How studying chess excessively is like trying to get laid
Written by Administrator
Sunday, 13 October 2013
By candidate master Peter Zhdanov, editor of Pogonina.com
After having blitzed for a couple of hours I got disgusted with the quality of my play and started pondering why I am still not a FIDE master.
A funny thought occurred to me: studying chess obsessively is just like trying to get laid. Did you get the analogy?
What are the typical mistakes of inexperienced teenagers who fall in love? Many of them think that sex is a big deal and an ultimate reward that is very hard to attain. Hence, they are preparing themselves to toil and suffer for it: write love letters and poems, stock up presents, run errands, stalk their objects of desire and phone them all the time, etc. Also, they are becoming nervous and starting to act in an awkward fashion, being too shy to make a move. Obviously, this usually leads to either getting nowhere at all, or, best case scenario, to making friends with the boy/girl. Mission not accomplished.
Amateur chess players make exactly the same mistake: they convince themselves that a certain ELO threshold is something special. To earn Caissas favor, they are performing all sorts of weird rituals: watch videos, solve puzzles, memorize lengthy opening lines, follow online broadcasts, search for secret words of wisdom at message boards and so on. Study and prepare. Rinse and repeat. At the end of the day nothing works out for them. When they finally show up at a real tournament, they find themselves rusty and (psychologically) not quite up to the challenges of over- the-board play. Unsurprisingly, they fail and get very upset about it.
Conversely, if you look at a typical Casanovas behavior, he is more likely to be self-confident and not to be afraid of getting turned down. He prefers practice to theory. Remember Wayne Gretzkys quote about missing all the 100% of the shots that you dont take? A few girls might reject you, but if you are persistent enough, you will eventually find a partner.
Most of the pros that I have talked to (including GMs rated 2700+) claim they dont spend much time studying chess. Instead, every year they play 80-100 tournament games and do their homework (game analysis; updating their opening trees) while preparing for the next event. If they fail a competition, they shrug and go for another one. This real-life experience is by far more useful than slacking at home and dreaming about potentially showing up at the Tal Memorial and beating everybody.
Finally, here comes my #1 advice to any improving chess fan, including myself. Avoid spending too much time courting. Get straight to the point and dont act like its a big deal. If you want to become a better player, just go ahead and play. Take chances and enjoy the process!
Disclaimer: being a romantic and old-fashioned person, I am not advocating promiscuity and pickup techniques in any way.
Comments (10)
1. Written by
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on 06:18 13 2013 .
I suspect the GMs studied a great deal before they became GMs.
Also, for them the "study" is different than for us. They are preparing for opponents and keeping up with certain opening developments.
2. Written by Peter on 06:52 13 2013 .
@James I am not saying that one should quit studying and focus exclusively on playing tournaments. However, most amateurs tend to spend TOO MUCH time reading all sorts of books and preparing. Way more than they should. That was my point.
Somehow, the title attracts me. But it ended with "...eventually find a partner"
If one doesnt know what to do after getting laid, he may not find a good partner. ...that is when "getting laid" is the ultimate goal. ...not a fact; Simple thoughts.
Because "getting laid" & "finding partners" arent related. Example: 007
LoL!
4. Written by
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on 11:43 13 2013 .
you're never going to score
5. Written by
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on 15:56 13 2013 .
Driving License
The NIKE JUST DO IT philosophy only applies if the activity doesn't kill anybody, which is why they want you to pass the driving test before they let you drive on the road.
I used to corner girls at a party (in a corner, so they can't escape) and try to talk to them. Unfortunately the squirming became too obvious, so I had to let them go.
Like Zeus, my uncloaked presence was too overwhelming for them. It's better that I leave them alone.
6. Written by
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on 16:02 13 2013 .
How studying chess excessively is like t
I disagree with some of your advice. Studying is an important part of ANY academic pursuit. Yes, practice makes perfect; however, one needs to know HOW to practice correctly.
7. Written by
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on 17:00 13 2013 .
world champion
Guess what, Moron? their homework (game analysis; updating their opening trees) while preparing for the next event, IS STUDYING CHESS.
8. Written by 0_x on 17:11 13 2013 .
world champion
Dont get me wrong. What i called Partner couldve been completely different. Getting laid is as easy as sayin, "Baby Im bored, Lets count the stars tonight, & dance under the moonlight" ;P Partners are meant for life. So, I think one should always be prepared & know atleast simple things about life besides "getting laid" to find partners. I just think mixing the two, is wrong.
...Reminds me of an 'ugly' friend(sorry, dude but you are. I hope youre not reading this ), who was broke but married a beautiful rich smart young woman. "How could you get her..?!",we used to ask. "I used to tell her that I had a secret gold mine!, and that we'll never be poor again if we're married." he'd reply!.. "...and that was why he's always dressed so 'poorly' unlike the other rich men who were also 'trying to get laid'." the woman would add. The actual reason is that this woman likes the man's personality, simple happy life and witty sense of humour...
no! Actually i made that story up a few mins ago. Its a lie...i lied. hahaha wait! Dont stop!
If you compare it with the subject, it supports the article. I believe thats the point of the article. "Getting over-prepared all the way with books/engines doesnt mean you'll win especially when facing 'natural raw talents'"
0_x
9. Written by
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on 19:34 13 2013 .
world champion
I would presume that too much studying would burn a person out--there's just no way a human being can take all of that information in to a tournament play and be marvelous with it.
But I'm not cutting down the importance of preparation to some extent too.
