*** Chess Low Content Thread *** - Page 256 - Chess and Board Game Strategy

Yeah the ICC pools are great. Best way to play blitz online by FAR.

I think lichess felt that the pools competed with their arena tournaments and decided to cast their lot with the arenas. Probably the right decision, but... arenas are fun but so scrubby. It's a gimmick that got old eventually. I'm back to the point where I prefer a regular old tournament where everyone plays the same number of games. Maybe I'm wrong but I feel like more people play the arenas just to get some quick games rather than caring about the tournament standings, and at that point, why not just have pools.

Always thought the arena thing just makes a mockery of chess. Hate it.

Quote

08-15-2017 , 07:14 PM

#6378

ScottTK

journeyman

Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 355

Arenas work fine for bullet tournaments.

But for anything else I just consider it a way to get some games.

Quote

08-16-2017 , 02:27 PM

#6379

carlo

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,013

If I'm playing 5+8 time periods; what does ICC or Lichess have in the way of pools or arena ? Thanx.

Quote

08-16-2017 , 03:09 PM

#6380

ScottTK

journeyman

Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 355

5+8 is a really uncommon time control, why is that your choice?

The closest would probably be 15+0 on ICC and lichess has some 10+0 arenas.

Quote

08-16-2017 , 04:12 PM

#6381

All-inMcLovin

Wholesome Mod

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 49,532

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ Eckleburg12

Five thirty eight had a great article about the personalities and the state of American chess.

Totes a great article. Thanks for sharing.

Quote

08-16-2017 , 04:18 PM

#6382

carlo

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,013

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottTK

5+8 is a really uncommon time control, why is that your choice?

The closest would probably be 15+0 on ICC and lichess has some 10+0 arenas.

I've been playing for free on Lichess where its not hard to find a game and it's comfortable for me. I gather thee are no incremental add on's in the pools or tourneys ?

Quote

08-16-2017 , 04:28 PM

#6383

ScottTK

journeyman

Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 355

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlo

I've been playing for free on Lichess where its not hard to find a game and it's comfortable for me. I gather thee are no incremental add on's in the pools or tourneys ?

If you have the time, I'd suggest something like 15+10 games. Between lichess and chess.com (also free for most regular features), you can probably get a game without waiting too much.

Quote

08-28-2017 , 05:06 AM

#6384

YouKnowWho

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 6,985

For people saying that Kasparov did poorly in Saint Louis, I present my results in a rapid tournament after a long hiatus:

http://chess-results.com/tnr293963.a...&wi=984&snr=17

Now, I am not comparing myself to Kasparov, but I also didn't play versus his level of opposition. The bottom line is - he did very respectably, IMO, and was just a hair away from ending up in the middle of the pack in a crazy strong field. It is hard to play rapid after not playing OTB for a while

Quote

08-28-2017 , 11:37 AM

#6385

The Yugoslavian

STTF HUC II Winner

Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 25,040

Yikes. It's almost like all your good results the last couple of years were due to a certain "good luck charm" student you were teaching at the time.

Quote

09-08-2017 , 11:19 PM

#6386

Rei Ayanami

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 11,685

BobJoeJim people on r/chess are clamoring for your return.

Quote

09-09-2017 , 10:05 PM

#6387

Melkerson

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11,064

Interesting day at the world cup. Carlsen gets a beatdown and Kovalyov beats Anand in Rd 2 only to be thrown out for wearing shorts in Rd 3.

Quote

09-09-2017 , 10:24 PM

#6388

All-inMcLovin

Wholesome Mod

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 49,532

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melkerson

Interesting day at the world cup. Carlsen gets a beatdown and Kovalyov beats Anand in Rd 2 only to be thrown out for wearing shorts in Rd 3.

Carlsen must have wanted to punch a wall when Bu played Rg1+!

Quote

09-10-2017 , 02:02 AM

#6389

TimTimSalabim

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 14,522

Magnus really dug himself a hole, losing with white. But if anyone can come back...

I really like the knockout format of WC, just wish it wasn't on at like 4 am here.

Quote

09-10-2017 , 07:54 AM

#6390

PoseidonCubed

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 15,008

Quote:

Originally Posted by All-inMcLovin

Carlsen must have wanted to punch a wall when Bu played Rg1+!

This was such a wonderfully satisfying move.

Watching on YouTube, it sounded like someone in the audience clapped when he resigned, which might have tilted him even more than losing.

Quote

09-10-2017 , 01:49 PM

#6391

Faustfan

grinder

Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 465

Carlsen, Kramnik and Nakamura out in Round 3 is pretty unbelievable. Must say Im a little worried to see random Chinese or Russians qualify for the Candidates. Rooting for MVL, Svidler, Aronian and Ivanchuk now.

Quote

09-10-2017 , 02:30 PM

#6392

Sholar

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,357

Well, for Carlsen this was just for fun, and Kramnik would qualify based on rating if either Caruana or So are a finalist here so it's not as bad as listing those three names sounds.

Quote

09-10-2017 , 03:06 PM

#6393

All-inMcLovin

Wholesome Mod

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 49,532

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sholar

Well, for Carlsen this was just for fun, and Kramnik would qualify based on rating if either Caruana or So are a finalist here so it's not as bad as listing those three names sounds.

Yeah I'm sure Carlsen joined "just for fun". Really fits with his personality.

Quote

09-11-2017 , 10:53 AM

#6394

Punker

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,345

I'd like to congratulate FIDE for once again failing to meet the non existent expectations I have of them by forfeiting the Canadian rep from the World Cup for wearing shorts, and having the VP call him a gypsy and threaten him with sanctions. What a joke of an organization.

Quote

09-12-2017 , 10:54 AM

#6395

Sugar Nut

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 20,891

https://clips.twitch.tv/PlumpSuspiciousDiamondEleGiggle

Quote

09-12-2017 , 12:31 PM

#6396

The Yugoslavian

STTF HUC II Winner

Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 25,040

More Yasser magic: https://clips.twitch.tv/LazyAmusedGazelleBCWarrior.

Quote

09-12-2017 , 01:22 PM

#6397

ScottTK

journeyman

Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 355

Hahaha!

Impossible not to love Yasser.

He's also been playing a lot of crazyhouse on lichess. Currently ranked 6th.

Quote

09-12-2017 , 03:02 PM

#6398

Sugar Nut

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 20,891

Twitch chat already coined the awesome "Yasser the Harrasser".

Quote

09-12-2017 , 09:12 PM

#6399

BobJoeJim

Tournament Director

Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11,199

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rei Ayanami

BobJoeJim people on r/chess are clamoring for your return.

In my head, I'm clamoring for my return too. By FAR the highest traffic levels I ever got were during my coverage of the 2015 World Cup, and I thought about trying to find the time to do it again, but there was just no way to do it right and I'm too much of a perfectionist to throw up some half-assed spreadsheet with no explanation.

The problem with starting a blog to keep yourself occupied while you're unemployed is that it's hard to maintain once you start working, lol. Plus I've taken up some new hobbies that use up what spare time I do still have. Awesome to know that I'm still inspiring people though! Thanks for sharing