onigoroshi:  I think as far as BKR is concerned, you need to hover around 2000 (1800-2000) for average.  I could be wrong.  Judging from your other BKRs, I'd say you'll likely get to that level easily.  Send an invite and I'll play a few with you and we'll see where you are and where you need to go. ;)

WhisperzQ:

My wife tells me I'm a smart-alec

that must count for something! ;)

Chess Tourney 5 day moves two games (each color)

HalfPawn: One of my favorite Bobby Fisher quotes: "I like to make them squirm."

http://synonym.dk/mall/shop.asp?shop_id=5978&vare_id=220737

you can buy it in the us too.

ZOOM is a book written Stefen Zeuthen along with Bent Larsen. In it is a proposed a system of play based on the Greunfeld Indian formation. (Catalan as White --as Black the Greunfeld and Center Counter with ...g6.)

The main point was the with pattern recognition, where you can lessen the need to learn openings. Also the pattern recognition is helpful in middlegame structures and endgames. So instead of learning one opening and two defenses (against 1 e4 and 1 d4), you learn just one pawn formation.

Another classical ZOOM pattern is the King's Indian Attack as White, and King's Indian Defense with the Pirc Defense.

I think the book title is odd but chess friends who own it say it's very good.

http://www.chessville.com/misc/ChessPositionTrainer.htm

And it's free

http://www.chesspositiontrainer.com/

ouspensky: Both of those are very good and My System (which I have read) is excellent. But it's the third one I'd recommend reading. People shouldn't read it first. It's not as easy to get throuh as Amateurs and Reassess and I think by reading it later, one can benefit more.

mctrivia: Yes. Amateur Minds and Reassess Your Chess by Jeremy Silman. There is a review on Amazon here


These two books are excellent and if you put in the time, it will pay off. Read Amateur Minds first. There is also a Reassess Your Chess workbook that is helpful.

Another big help is software and I'd recommend is CT-ART. I have it and use it (not enough) and it's great drilling.

Shop around to get the best deals. Amazon has been good to me but I usually buy my chess materials from http://www.chesshouse.com/ or even ebay (where the best deals can be found at least in my experience.)

There are other good books too but these two I'd suggest you start with.

ouspensky: I am too. I'm even more troubled that he turned out to be a bit on the crazy side. Someone with his gift at the game and he didn't use it.

ColonelCrockett: My point was that US chess was not very active until he came along. It sprung to life after he came on the scene. People were facinated with him and became interested in the game too. It grew from there. Exactly how much I do not know. But clearly chess wouln't have grown like it did without someone like him.

Matarilevich: His present behavior aside, he certainly was a positive force in the growth of US chess. Perhaps even the world.

Didn't Bobby Fischer really put Chess on the map? At least as the US in concerned? Up until Bobby Fischer, the interest in chess in the US was lacking. I believe the USCF grew rapidly after Bobby came on the scene.

bengood24: I believe that when a 3rd repetition happens, the computer would recognize it and delcare the draw.

mctrivia: Both players would have to play moves that would exactly repeat a particular board position 3 times.

pawnme: Hmmmmmmm. Well I've asked him so if he replies, I'll have an explanation. I do know that there are some tourneys here that one has to be under 1800 to play in. I knew he was stronger than his 1400 rating and when he jumped to 1900 that made more sense. Now he is down again.

chess players seem to be fond of their stats...win/losses and ratings. Maybe you're right and he doesn't care about that.

What could the possible benefit be for resigning many games after only a few moves? One of my opponents, who was rated 1400+ when our game started, jumped to 1900+ in a few weeks, is now back to just under 1700. I looked at his games and he's resigned a number of games at moves 1 2 or 3. That's odd to me.

The only think I can make of it is he is sandbagging. But how can that benefit one here? Most tourneys are open?