Torr on Survey
Part 3. Devote yourself !

Devote more time to chess - and study harder

The study part can be deducted from Table 13-16 and Table 42. It seems that most players, strong and weak alike, find studying 'a lot' appropiate enough, perhaps reflecting that most players above school age have other obligations in the world than the pursuit of chess. However, 24 % of the experts think you should work hard to improve your chess as opposed to only 9 % of the those rated sub-1600. Considering the data in Table 17 and in Table 42 in conjunction it should be fairly safe to conclude that you should devote yourself in order to improve your chess !

Imagine the next time you hear about Kasparov's openings preparation. Imagine. Do you notice that you might already give the word preparation a different meaning - namely emphasizing the importance of devotion ? Kasparov is probably extremely dedicated to his preparation. Consider, just for a while, what this might imply to you.

Looking at other ballgames, just think about Bach, about Mozart, about da Vinci, about Picasso, about.....well, about all creators, achievers, do'ers. Successful people. What do they have in common ?

The experts are devoted !

Q42. You should WORK HARD
to improve your chess (4)

rated sub-1600



Rated above 2400
       


Working with a positional player
and studying hard has helped me
to develop my own strategic understanding.
Alexi Shirov, Fire On Board

Q14. It is very important to
study positional hindsights  (4)

    rated sub-1600
            

      Rated above 2400



Memory map on chess survey



      

A position you can't refuse !
The data of the survey also suggest that you should focus on increasing your positional understanding. Even though the data does not clearly disfavor studying neither strategic manoevres nor pattern recognition over positional understanding directly or extensively, it seems you're better off getting your grips on weak squares and open lines rather than spectacular combos or geometric blizzards (Tables 13-15). In other words, the habit no. 4 of the experts could be:

increase your positional understanding even more

Perhaps some of you have noticed that the approach to reading theory and studying the games of the masters might alter with this finding in mind. Why ? Because a game of chess is constituted of positions from move one ! Hence, you may study the ways of the experts with reference to positional understanding in every chessgame in any book you have, in any pgn-file on your PC, from move 1. Say, get into position, on your marks...go !

The prerequisites for learning
Did you ever consider the fact that there can be no learning without memory !

Logically it follows that you need memory when you want to improve your chess, when you want to store your just-read theory, 'photograph' your last geometrically based mate, append a positional motive to your repetoire, etcetera. Fortunately, most chessplayers have a rather good memory at least according to the results of the survey (Table 46). Furthermore, most players think that they can learn new things easily (Table 44) and that they generally keep an open mind (Table 45), not bad capabilities at all, not to mention that most players consider themselves intelligent (Table 41). Thus, most players should have an excellent foundation for improving their playing strength.

Reading these lines, some players may actively seek new powerful methods for improving their memory even more. The bookstores are abundant with titles on mind mapping, mnemotic techniques, alpha-level learning and so forth. Actually, many of these techniques are extremely versatile and powerful - for all kinds of learning. Generally, they facilitate learning at the subconscious level and strengthen associative thinking. Neurologically this is evidenced by an increased number of connections between the brain cells. Personally, I can recommend flirting with these techniques, that is, if you want to improve your chess even more. Remember, true learning involves learning other ways of doing what you can do already. 

Let us summarize some of the important points for effective learning :

• expand your memory even more

• strengthen associative thinking

• keep an open mind

The next article will deal with  sour losers (Part 4). 

Click here fore the next article on the survey results !