Hello, peeps.
Been a while since I posted anything here, and frankly, not sure why I am doing so now, I guess I see Yugo dilligently ploughing away and thought I should join him in his efforts to revive this place at least somewhat
So, I am a 2390 FM with two IM norms. I've already been 2400+, so the rating requirement is completed - only one IM norm remains till the title. As has been fairly well documented though, due to work/family/etc. I don't really have the time to play tournaments where I would have an opportunity to score it - and therefore, it is hard to make myself study anything even for say 30 minutes per day (I know this is LOL compared to Yugo, but hey, to each its own
).
However, it so happened, that I am going to attend a new chess festival on the circuit - the Prague chess festival 2019. They don't really have a site yet (well, they do, but it's basically just regulations there:
http://praguechessfestival.com/) and there is no players list, but considering what they are doing for the A and B invitational tournaments, I assume that the Open will definitely be strong enough to have a chance to go for the norm. As they update their page and/or add the players list, I shall update the thread accordingly.
Now don't hold your breath - I am mainly going there to spend some time with my wife and friends, to enjoy myself and the beautiful Prague, and between all that to play some chess
still, though, I am excited and hope that something might come out of it.
As I said, I don't have any particular reason for creating this thread. I don't have any particular plans as far as updating it with my training progress or stuff like that - but I might, if I actually do some training and if the mood is right. I guess I just wanted to create to at least give myself sooooome motivation to try to patch some of the numerous leaks of my game in this period, but overall I'd just like to hear from you and get in to a "chess mood" a bit more, that's all.
My main preparation for the Prague tournament will actually not involve chess at all. I've let myself go completely in recent years physically and at my peak I weighed 320 pounds. It had obvious negative impact on everything in my life, including, to a massive degree actually, chess. So around middle of November I started taking a bit more care of myself and am now at 306 pounds, which is still hell of a lot of extra weight, but at least it is trending in to the right direction. The goal is to reach somewhere around 285 before going to Prague and hope that it improves my stamina and ability to concentrate
While I am at it, I guess I will try to get some knowledge from you guys - since I have a solid leak as black vs 1. d4 (well, or 1. Nf3, 1. c4, you get the point), basically trying to wing it every game, I have decided to go back to the love of my teenage years - the KID. I am looking for a book on it that I can read a bit before Prague. I know that Bologan has a rather new one, but from what I heard, it is very dull and variation-heavy - basically exactly the kind of book I hate. Is this a correct assessment, or was I informed wrongly? Sam Collins' book on the KID seems more up my alley, with a bit more explanations and less variations - has anyone heard anything about it? I am maybe a bit worried that it might be aimed more at club players and I might not get much out of it, but I am not sure if these doubts are at all warranted?
If neither of these two books, does anyone have any other suggestions on what books on KID I might try? As you probably understood, I prefer books that are a bit lighter on the variation side and has a bit more of strategic overview type stuff in it - basically so I can read it without a board
Now come to think of it, since I am already here and already created the thread, I will also answer whatever questions anyone might have, about anything (including, but not limited to, chess!). Please have at least one question, or I will look very dumb.
Let's go!