Yugo's log of will he or won't he
08-04-2015
, 03:18 PM
8/3 log
tactics: 42/50 intermediate set. Ok, last session on this set for now. Going to go through the missed problems with spaced repetition and see how good I can get at them.
Chapter 10: Stalemate combinations: stalemate in the endgame, decoying, the "desperado" rook, various stalemate constructions.
Test: 19/20. Gave myself partial credit on the problem below since I saw a very similar line that he awards the 2nd point to but with the wrong initial move.
10-9 1 out of 2 points.
tactics: 42/50 intermediate set. Ok, last session on this set for now. Going to go through the missed problems with spaced repetition and see how good I can get at them.
Chapter 10: Stalemate combinations: stalemate in the endgame, decoying, the "desperado" rook, various stalemate constructions.
Test: 19/20. Gave myself partial credit on the problem below since I saw a very similar line that he awards the 2nd point to but with the wrong initial move.
10-9 1 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
08-06-2015
, 09:46 AM
8/5 log
37/48 - intermediate tactics I got wrong. Wow, I tried to do each problem in under 1 minute but was still surprised at how many I missed. I'm doing this set (only a couple hundred I think) as spaced repetition until I've got them all down. But it's clear most are ones I just don't immediately see.
Chapter 11. The semi-open file: attacking a backward pawn, opening the semi-open file.
Test: 19/20 Excellent
11-12 2 out of 3 points.
37/48 - intermediate tactics I got wrong. Wow, I tried to do each problem in under 1 minute but was still surprised at how many I missed. I'm doing this set (only a couple hundred I think) as spaced repetition until I've got them all down. But it's clear most are ones I just don't immediately see.
Chapter 11. The semi-open file: attacking a backward pawn, opening the semi-open file.
Test: 19/20 Excellent
11-12 2 out of 3 points.
Spoiler:
08-06-2015
, 10:16 AM
08-07-2015
, 09:59 AM
8/6 log
75/91 - intermediate tactics I got wrong. Still obv don't have some of them down. I think they tend to be ones where it appears like there is an obvious material win or something but it turns out some sort of in-between move is necessary so the opponent doesn't take a piece with check or something.
Chapter 12: Mate with bishop and knight. The 50-move rule, coordination of pieces, correct corner vs. wrong corner, five phases of this endgame. I seem to vaguely remember there may be multiple methods for this mate and if so, it may help to point out this uses a knight "w" maneuver for the trickiest part (getting the king to the correct corner after forcing him into the wrong one first).
Test: 21/24 Excellent. I mean, the theme was pretty clear but I have to say the test was quite tough. I'm not sure I got too many of them without playing them out, probably a testament to my weaker visualization ability as it was hard to visualize after the first couple of moves while still searching for the right thematic continuation. Not sure just doing this chapter means I can perform this mate OTB without significant time on my clock. Especially if it's a couple/few years before I encounter it. Although, at the same time if it takes years to encounter it, getting a draw vs. win doesn't seem that particularly bad.
12-8 1 out of 2 points.
12-12 0 out of 2 points.
75/91 - intermediate tactics I got wrong. Still obv don't have some of them down. I think they tend to be ones where it appears like there is an obvious material win or something but it turns out some sort of in-between move is necessary so the opponent doesn't take a piece with check or something.
Chapter 12: Mate with bishop and knight. The 50-move rule, coordination of pieces, correct corner vs. wrong corner, five phases of this endgame. I seem to vaguely remember there may be multiple methods for this mate and if so, it may help to point out this uses a knight "w" maneuver for the trickiest part (getting the king to the correct corner after forcing him into the wrong one first).
Test: 21/24 Excellent. I mean, the theme was pretty clear but I have to say the test was quite tough. I'm not sure I got too many of them without playing them out, probably a testament to my weaker visualization ability as it was hard to visualize after the first couple of moves while still searching for the right thematic continuation. Not sure just doing this chapter means I can perform this mate OTB without significant time on my clock. Especially if it's a couple/few years before I encounter it. Although, at the same time if it takes years to encounter it, getting a draw vs. win doesn't seem that particularly bad.
12-8 1 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
12-12 0 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
08-12-2015
, 05:13 PM
I was traveling up in Northern MN this last few days and was able to make good progress on the Yusupov training book. I didn't really work on anything else while I was up there, though.
8/7 log
Chapter 13: Combinations involving files. Opening files, supporting the attack, the g-file, the h-file, the f-file, combinations involving two files.
Test: 21/23 excellent
13-4 1 out of 2 points.
13-10 2 out of 3 points
8/8 log
Chapter 14: Outposts: the c6/c3 square, d6/d3 square, e6/e3 square, exchange sacrifice, regrouping.
Test: 16/20 Good
14-3 1 out of 2 points
14-6 0 out of 2 points
14-9 1 out of 2 points
8/9 log
Chapter 15: Combinations involving diagonals. The long diagonal, opening a blocked diagonal, combinations on other diagonals.
Test: 16/17 Excellent
15-7 0 out of 1 point
8/10 log
Chapter 16: Elementary endgames. Coordination of pieces, queen vs. bishop, queen vs. knight, queen vs. two knights, queen vs. two bishops, queen vs. bishop and knight.
Not exactly sure why this was called "elementary endgames" rather than something like "simpler queen vs. pieces endgames" since I'm not sure I've even ever encountered any of these.
Test: 18/21 Excellent
16-1 1 out of 3 points
16-4 0 out of 1 point
8/11 log
Chapter 17:
Test: 19/19 Excellent
Woohoo, my first perfect chapter in the second book! (I had 5 perfect chapters in the first book). Despite having fewer excellent chapters, I am currently at 87.54% of all available points vs. the 84.98% I ended up with at the end of the first book. So I have to say my overall performance is going well. It helps that I'm fighting very hard to not just "Pass" any chapters but really try to get "Good" or "Excellent" wherever I can.
8/7 log
Chapter 13: Combinations involving files. Opening files, supporting the attack, the g-file, the h-file, the f-file, combinations involving two files.
Test: 21/23 excellent
13-4 1 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
13-10 2 out of 3 points
Spoiler:
8/8 log
Chapter 14: Outposts: the c6/c3 square, d6/d3 square, e6/e3 square, exchange sacrifice, regrouping.
Test: 16/20 Good
14-3 1 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
14-6 0 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
14-9 1 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
8/9 log
Chapter 15: Combinations involving diagonals. The long diagonal, opening a blocked diagonal, combinations on other diagonals.
Test: 16/17 Excellent
15-7 0 out of 1 point
Spoiler:
8/10 log
Chapter 16: Elementary endgames. Coordination of pieces, queen vs. bishop, queen vs. knight, queen vs. two knights, queen vs. two bishops, queen vs. bishop and knight.
Not exactly sure why this was called "elementary endgames" rather than something like "simpler queen vs. pieces endgames" since I'm not sure I've even ever encountered any of these.
Test: 18/21 Excellent
16-1 1 out of 3 points
Spoiler:
16-4 0 out of 1 point
Spoiler:
8/11 log
Chapter 17:
Test: 19/19 Excellent
Woohoo, my first perfect chapter in the second book! (I had 5 perfect chapters in the first book). Despite having fewer excellent chapters, I am currently at 87.54% of all available points vs. the 84.98% I ended up with at the end of the first book. So I have to say my overall performance is going well. It helps that I'm fighting very hard to not just "Pass" any chapters but really try to get "Good" or "Excellent" wherever I can.
08-13-2015
, 12:11 PM
8/12 log
Btw, Chapter 17 was on Combinations with Knights
Chapter 18: The principles behind mobilization. Developing the pieces, when to break the rules, the principles behind mobilization.
Test: 17/19 Excellent
18-10 0 out of 2 points.
Btw, Chapter 17 was on Combinations with Knights
Chapter 18: The principles behind mobilization. Developing the pieces, when to break the rules, the principles behind mobilization.
Test: 17/19 Excellent
18-10 0 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
08-17-2015
, 10:30 AM
8/13 log
80/90 - intermediate tactics I got wrong.
Chapter 19: Perpetual check. Perpetual check in defense, an open king position, combinations, in attack, in the endgame.
Test: 16/18 Excellent
19-2 2 out of 3 points.
19-3 One out of 2 points.
[8/14 log[/b]
79/95 - intermediate tactics I got wrong.
9/18 - standard problems. I missed the first several in a row and dropped 100 rating points, lol. I really shouldn't go so long between solving these types of relatively complex standard problems. Some of the Yusupov tests probably keep this a bit sharp but they involve themes. The intermediate tactics are a little too basic and lead me to thinking I've solved a standard problem without being very careful. At least I rallied to get back to 50% right on the day.
8/15 log
46/52 - intermediate tactics I got wrong. I think there are 151 I got wrong and I'm probably pretty close to being able to go through all of them without missing any if I'm not on my phone and careful. That is my goal anyway. To get all but maybe 1 or 2 right within 1 hour of total solve time.
Chapter 20: Mate in 2.
Like last time these these were studies. I started off missing the first (didn't check my move properly) but then rallied and got the rest correct).
Test: 11/12 Excellent
20-1 0 out of 1 point.
8/16 log
Chess lesson. Played a 20/15 unrated game with my coach doing live sweat. I won and certainly played a couple of moves after my coach encouraged me to play them. I didn't play anything I didn't see and he saw, though, at least to try and keep it somewhat fair. Some of my biggest mistakes were going with a different move than the one I initially mentioned as a strong candidate move. I probably should vet my initial candidate moves better unless I see a clear problem with them since from everything I've read, the intuitive move you see quickly is most of the time a very strong one.
80/90 - intermediate tactics I got wrong.
Chapter 19: Perpetual check. Perpetual check in defense, an open king position, combinations, in attack, in the endgame.
Test: 16/18 Excellent
19-2 2 out of 3 points.
Spoiler:
19-3 One out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
[8/14 log[/b]
79/95 - intermediate tactics I got wrong.
9/18 - standard problems. I missed the first several in a row and dropped 100 rating points, lol. I really shouldn't go so long between solving these types of relatively complex standard problems. Some of the Yusupov tests probably keep this a bit sharp but they involve themes. The intermediate tactics are a little too basic and lead me to thinking I've solved a standard problem without being very careful. At least I rallied to get back to 50% right on the day.
8/15 log
46/52 - intermediate tactics I got wrong. I think there are 151 I got wrong and I'm probably pretty close to being able to go through all of them without missing any if I'm not on my phone and careful. That is my goal anyway. To get all but maybe 1 or 2 right within 1 hour of total solve time.
Chapter 20: Mate in 2.
Like last time these these were studies. I started off missing the first (didn't check my move properly) but then rallied and got the rest correct).
Test: 11/12 Excellent
20-1 0 out of 1 point.
Spoiler:
8/16 log
Chess lesson. Played a 20/15 unrated game with my coach doing live sweat. I won and certainly played a couple of moves after my coach encouraged me to play them. I didn't play anything I didn't see and he saw, though, at least to try and keep it somewhat fair. Some of my biggest mistakes were going with a different move than the one I initially mentioned as a strong candidate move. I probably should vet my initial candidate moves better unless I see a clear problem with them since from everything I've read, the intuitive move you see quickly is most of the time a very strong one.
Last edited by The Yugoslavian; 08-17-2015 at 10:37 AM.
08-19-2015
, 02:10 PM
8/18 log
Chapter 21: Combinations with major pieces. Cooperation, mating set-ups with the queen, with the rook, coordination of major pieces.
Test: 15/15 excellent. Technically, I should only get 1 out of 2 for the last problem (below) since I didn't see the mate in 6 continuation. However, the line I saw (and stopped looking) is evaluated as -11 (hero is black) so I'm giving myself full credit. I could have found the mate if it mattered, but it seems unreasonable to keep looking for solution(s) after finding an overwhelming material gain.
I was thinking I could finish this book this week but it looks like I won't expect to until next week since I still have 3 more chapters and then the final test and I'd rather not try to rush through it. I haven't found as much time the last few days for chess but still feel motivated so that isn't the problem, just life stuff.
Chapter 21: Combinations with major pieces. Cooperation, mating set-ups with the queen, with the rook, coordination of major pieces.
Test: 15/15 excellent. Technically, I should only get 1 out of 2 for the last problem (below) since I didn't see the mate in 6 continuation. However, the line I saw (and stopped looking) is evaluated as -11 (hero is black) so I'm giving myself full credit. I could have found the mate if it mattered, but it seems unreasonable to keep looking for solution(s) after finding an overwhelming material gain.
Spoiler:
I was thinking I could finish this book this week but it looks like I won't expect to until next week since I still have 3 more chapters and then the final test and I'd rather not try to rush through it. I haven't found as much time the last few days for chess but still feel motivated so that isn't the problem, just life stuff.
08-31-2015
, 04:27 PM
8/18 chapter 21
8/20 log
Chapter 22: Coordination of the pieces. Developing all the pieces, coordinating them, coordinating in the endgame, "general advance."
Test: 15/17 excellent
22-3 0 out of 1 point
22-11 1 out of 2 points
8/23 log
Chapter 23: Combinations with knights 2. Dangerous knight moves, knight forks, attacking a hemmed-in king.
Test: 16/18 excellent
23-9 1 out of 2 points
23-11 1 out of 2 points
8/26 log
Chapter 24: Zugzwang. What is zugzwang? Reserve tempi, other zugzwang situations.
Test: 16/16 excellent
Final Test: 31/38 Good
Geez, I did worse on this than I would have liked but I missed a couple of two-pointers that just seemed tough to me, there weren't even any careless errors imo, I simply didn't find the right idea properly:
8/29 log
F-4 0 out of 2 points
F-10 2 out of 3 points
F-17 0 out of 2 points
F-21 1 out of 2 points
F-24 1 out of 2 points
Total results for Boost Your Chess: 88% (446/506 available points)
% of chapter grades
Excellent: 75% (15/20)
Good: 25% (5/20)
So, overall did better than the first book even though I suspect this one was a tad harder. I feel like I spent more time on this one and very early on in the book stopped trying to rush through tests, which helped me get Good or better in all chapters. This was the main difference in results imo.
Going to take at least a week break from these books before starting the 3rd. I have the 4th and 7th ones coming in from the library to see how the mid- and high-level series seem to compare (e.g. Can I even do a random chapter from either of them).
8/20 log
Chapter 22: Coordination of the pieces. Developing all the pieces, coordinating them, coordinating in the endgame, "general advance."
Test: 15/17 excellent
22-3 0 out of 1 point
Spoiler:
22-11 1 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
8/23 log
Chapter 23: Combinations with knights 2. Dangerous knight moves, knight forks, attacking a hemmed-in king.
Test: 16/18 excellent
23-9 1 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
23-11 1 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
8/26 log
Chapter 24: Zugzwang. What is zugzwang? Reserve tempi, other zugzwang situations.
Test: 16/16 excellent
Final Test: 31/38 Good
Geez, I did worse on this than I would have liked but I missed a couple of two-pointers that just seemed tough to me, there weren't even any careless errors imo, I simply didn't find the right idea properly:
8/29 log
F-4 0 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
F-10 2 out of 3 points
Spoiler:
F-17 0 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
F-21 1 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
F-24 1 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
Total results for Boost Your Chess: 88% (446/506 available points)
% of chapter grades
Excellent: 75% (15/20)
Good: 25% (5/20)
So, overall did better than the first book even though I suspect this one was a tad harder. I feel like I spent more time on this one and very early on in the book stopped trying to rush through tests, which helped me get Good or better in all chapters. This was the main difference in results imo.
Going to take at least a week break from these books before starting the 3rd. I have the 4th and 7th ones coming in from the library to see how the mid- and high-level series seem to compare (e.g. Can I even do a random chapter from either of them).
09-20-2015
, 04:32 PM
9/9 log
23/27 intermediate tactics I got wrong
9/10
2/2 standard
46/55 intermediate tactics I got wrong
9/11 log
Chapter 1: Combinations involving bishops. Open diagonals, various motifs.
18/22: Good
1-1: 1 out of 2 points
1-9: 0 out of 3 points
9/12 log
Chapter 2: Diagonals. Opening diagonals, the light-squared bishop in the Queen's Gambit, fianchettoing the bishop, some guidelines for playing with the bishop.
18/20: Excellent
2-9: 0 out of 2 points
9/14 log
Chapter 3: Queen sacrifices. Forcing the play after a queen sacrifice, material compensation, attacking the opposing queen.
21/22: Excellent
3-6: 4 out of 4 points. Just putting this one here b/c there are so few 4 star problems and I really spent a lot of time (more than I was supposed to I'm pretty sure) trying to figure this one out.
3-10: 2 out of 3 points.
9/16
66/70 intermediate tactics I got wrong
Chapter 4: Realizing a material advantage in a pawn ending. The standard plan of "winning by deflection," the "semi-stalemate" method, drawn positions, positions with fixed rook's pawns and an extra pawn on the other wing, the endgame of g- and h-pawns against an h-pawn.
17/18: Excellent
4-11: 2 out of 3 points.
9/17 log
Chapter 5: Realizing a material advantage. Two methods, how to force an exchange of pieces, combining both methods.
15/16: Excellent
5-2: 0 out of 1 point.
9/18
56/59 intermediate tactics I got wrong
143/147 (97%) in 36:45 going through all intermediate tactics I got wrong
9/19
Chapter 6: Attacking with queen and knight. Coordination of the pieces, the strenth of the queen and knight duo, typical attacking ideas.
16/17: Excellent
6-8: 0 out of 1 point.
23/27 intermediate tactics I got wrong
9/10
2/2 standard
46/55 intermediate tactics I got wrong
9/11 log
Chapter 1: Combinations involving bishops. Open diagonals, various motifs.
18/22: Good
1-1: 1 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
1-9: 0 out of 3 points
Spoiler:
9/12 log
Chapter 2: Diagonals. Opening diagonals, the light-squared bishop in the Queen's Gambit, fianchettoing the bishop, some guidelines for playing with the bishop.
18/20: Excellent
2-9: 0 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
9/14 log
Chapter 3: Queen sacrifices. Forcing the play after a queen sacrifice, material compensation, attacking the opposing queen.
21/22: Excellent
3-6: 4 out of 4 points. Just putting this one here b/c there are so few 4 star problems and I really spent a lot of time (more than I was supposed to I'm pretty sure) trying to figure this one out.
3-10: 2 out of 3 points.
Spoiler:
9/16
66/70 intermediate tactics I got wrong
Chapter 4: Realizing a material advantage in a pawn ending. The standard plan of "winning by deflection," the "semi-stalemate" method, drawn positions, positions with fixed rook's pawns and an extra pawn on the other wing, the endgame of g- and h-pawns against an h-pawn.
17/18: Excellent
4-11: 2 out of 3 points.
Spoiler:
9/17 log
Chapter 5: Realizing a material advantage. Two methods, how to force an exchange of pieces, combining both methods.
15/16: Excellent
5-2: 0 out of 1 point.
Spoiler:
9/18
56/59 intermediate tactics I got wrong
143/147 (97%) in 36:45 going through all intermediate tactics I got wrong
9/19
Chapter 6: Attacking with queen and knight. Coordination of the pieces, the strenth of the queen and knight duo, typical attacking ideas.
16/17: Excellent
6-8: 0 out of 1 point.
09-21-2015
, 04:07 PM
9/20 log
Chess lesson. Went over coach's game where he played the Zukertort. I definitely like the game he got but it ended up in a draw. Pretty interesting to try and figure out what's going on in a game he so recently played and get shown why some of my ideas are complete rubbish and how some of them may be working or don't quite work.
9/21 log
Chapter 7: The Open Game. Attacking the f2- and f7-squares, rapid mobilization, security of the king, practical examples.
So, I haven't played 1. e4 or 1...e5 since, ummm, before high school anyway. I was expecting to struggle with this chapter but it went more or less fine. I did not feel super comfortable in a lot of the positions. Sure I figured many of them out but having to do that OTB routinely as part of knowing so many slightly different open game variations has never appealed to me. Perhaps I just wasn't very prepared for such positions vs. my opponents so gravitated towards openings that were much harder to fall into traps.
18/21 excellent
7-3. 2 out of 3 points.
7-4. 2 out of 3 points.
7-12. 1 out of 2 points.
Chess lesson. Went over coach's game where he played the Zukertort. I definitely like the game he got but it ended up in a draw. Pretty interesting to try and figure out what's going on in a game he so recently played and get shown why some of my ideas are complete rubbish and how some of them may be working or don't quite work.
9/21 log
Chapter 7: The Open Game. Attacking the f2- and f7-squares, rapid mobilization, security of the king, practical examples.
So, I haven't played 1. e4 or 1...e5 since, ummm, before high school anyway. I was expecting to struggle with this chapter but it went more or less fine. I did not feel super comfortable in a lot of the positions. Sure I figured many of them out but having to do that OTB routinely as part of knowing so many slightly different open game variations has never appealed to me. Perhaps I just wasn't very prepared for such positions vs. my opponents so gravitated towards openings that were much harder to fall into traps.
18/21 excellent
7-3. 2 out of 3 points.
Spoiler:
7-4. 2 out of 3 points.
Spoiler:
7-12. 1 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
10-20-2015
, 06:59 PM
9/22 log
29/34 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
9/23 log
27/33 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
Chapter 8: Attacking with queen and rook. Coordination of the pieces, the exposed king.
Hmm, so the examples were pretty cool and tough, the actual test seemed somewhat easy except one problem where I still am not sure the book move is the best move. Thanks Yusupov! :P
18/21 excellent
8-4: 0 out of 2 points.
8-5: 1 out of 2 points.
9/26 log
22/55 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
9/27 log
5/5 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
Chapter 9: Forced variations. Active moves, forced play, introduction to the test.
20/24 Good
9-2: 2 out of 3 points.
9-8: 0 out of 2 points.
9-10: 2 out of 3 points.
9/29 log
55/64 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
9/30 log
17/20 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
10/1 log
10/11 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
Chapter 10: Attacking with Queen and Bishop. Coordination of the pieces on a diagonal, other forms of cooperation between queen and bishop.
15/17 Excellent
10-5: 2 out of 3 points.
10-10: 1 out of 2 points.
10/4 log
Chapter 11: Positional Advantages. Evaluating the position, positional elements, maintaining and exploiting a positional advantage.
22/24 Excellent
11-7: 1 out of 2 points
11-9: 1 out of 2 points
10/5 log
48/53 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
10/6 log
80/89 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
Finally finished this tactics set.
10/7 log
Chapter 12: Bishop against pawn. The most important fortress, the scissors, principle of the single diagonal, pawns in the sights, attacking from the rear, exchanging all the pawns.
23/27 Excellent
12-9: 0 out of 2 points
12-10: 2 out of 3 points
12-11: 2 out of 3 points
10/8 log
Chapter 13: Attacking with Queen and Pawn. Coordination between queen and pawn, exercises.
Missed one (and part of one more) of the exercises, none of the test problems.
24/24 Excellent
10/9–10/14 log
Worked on 4 etudes sent by my coach. Actually, I don't think it corresponded to these dates exactly but whatever. Man, I only got 1 of them. Almost got a second (he said I got "1.9" lol). And whiffed on two. The 4th problem I actually saw the solution but never confirmed it lead to a forced draw — I thought etudes were problems that had to lead to a white win. :/
The sad thing is the key move in every problem was the same damn motif. Which would have made them much more doable but even after basically getting 2, it never occured to me that they shared that. Probably b/c I looked at them on such unrelated sittings.
10/14 log
Realized I hadn't done many standard tactics in quite a while so decided to work on them a bit instead of quicker tactical/calculation problems.
standard 3/6
10/15 log
standard 3/5
10/16 log
standard 2/3
10/17 log
standard 0/2 lol, wasn't patient at all which doesn't work for me very often for 1800+ problems.
10/19 log
3/3 standard
Chapter 14: Attacking. Bring up the reserves! Coordination of the attacking pieces, weaknesses in the opponent's castled position, exchanging a good defensive piece, the pawn storm.
I thought this would be quite tough and it was. I did manage to not completely fall apart but I have to admit the two 3 star problems I whiffed on was pretty frustrating considering I saw the idea, but executed it poorly and got no credit.
14-2 1 out of 2 points
14-7 0 out of 2 points
14-9 0 out of 3 points
14-10 0 out of 3 points
18/27 - Good
10/20 log
5/6 standard tactics (2003 live rating, finally getting my standard deviation under 50 so it would "count". A pretty massive 50+ point PR)
29/34 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
9/23 log
27/33 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
Chapter 8: Attacking with queen and rook. Coordination of the pieces, the exposed king.
Hmm, so the examples were pretty cool and tough, the actual test seemed somewhat easy except one problem where I still am not sure the book move is the best move. Thanks Yusupov! :P
18/21 excellent
8-4: 0 out of 2 points.
8-5: 1 out of 2 points.
9/26 log
22/55 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
9/27 log
5/5 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
Chapter 9: Forced variations. Active moves, forced play, introduction to the test.
20/24 Good
9-2: 2 out of 3 points.
9-8: 0 out of 2 points.
9-10: 2 out of 3 points.
9/29 log
55/64 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
9/30 log
17/20 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
10/1 log
10/11 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
Chapter 10: Attacking with Queen and Bishop. Coordination of the pieces on a diagonal, other forms of cooperation between queen and bishop.
15/17 Excellent
10-5: 2 out of 3 points.
10-10: 1 out of 2 points.
10/4 log
Chapter 11: Positional Advantages. Evaluating the position, positional elements, maintaining and exploiting a positional advantage.
22/24 Excellent
11-7: 1 out of 2 points
11-9: 1 out of 2 points
10/5 log
48/53 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
10/6 log
80/89 intermediate tactics (>60second solve time)
Finally finished this tactics set.
10/7 log
Chapter 12: Bishop against pawn. The most important fortress, the scissors, principle of the single diagonal, pawns in the sights, attacking from the rear, exchanging all the pawns.
23/27 Excellent
12-9: 0 out of 2 points
12-10: 2 out of 3 points
12-11: 2 out of 3 points
10/8 log
Chapter 13: Attacking with Queen and Pawn. Coordination between queen and pawn, exercises.
Missed one (and part of one more) of the exercises, none of the test problems.
24/24 Excellent
10/9–10/14 log
Worked on 4 etudes sent by my coach. Actually, I don't think it corresponded to these dates exactly but whatever. Man, I only got 1 of them. Almost got a second (he said I got "1.9" lol). And whiffed on two. The 4th problem I actually saw the solution but never confirmed it lead to a forced draw — I thought etudes were problems that had to lead to a white win. :/
The sad thing is the key move in every problem was the same damn motif. Which would have made them much more doable but even after basically getting 2, it never occured to me that they shared that. Probably b/c I looked at them on such unrelated sittings.
10/14 log
Realized I hadn't done many standard tactics in quite a while so decided to work on them a bit instead of quicker tactical/calculation problems.
standard 3/6
10/15 log
standard 3/5
10/16 log
standard 2/3
10/17 log
standard 0/2 lol, wasn't patient at all which doesn't work for me very often for 1800+ problems.
10/19 log
3/3 standard
Chapter 14: Attacking. Bring up the reserves! Coordination of the attacking pieces, weaknesses in the opponent's castled position, exchanging a good defensive piece, the pawn storm.
I thought this would be quite tough and it was. I did manage to not completely fall apart but I have to admit the two 3 star problems I whiffed on was pretty frustrating considering I saw the idea, but executed it poorly and got no credit.
14-2 1 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
14-7 0 out of 2 points
Spoiler:
14-9 0 out of 3 points
Spoiler:
14-10 0 out of 3 points
Spoiler:
18/27 - Good
10/20 log
5/6 standard tactics (2003 live rating, finally getting my standard deviation under 50 so it would "count". A pretty massive 50+ point PR)
10-27-2015
, 10:28 AM
10/21 log
1/1 standard problems
10/23 log
Chapter 15: Attacking with rook and bishop.
22/23 excellent
15-2: 2 out of 3 points.
10/25 log
21/28 blitz problems
10/25 log
3/4 etudes for the week. Need to look at the last problem I didn't get yet further. So I'll try to solve that this week.
Chess lesson.
10/26 log
Chapter 16: Knight versus pawn.
16-5 1 out of 2 points.
21/22 excellent
1/1 standard problems
10/23 log
Chapter 15: Attacking with rook and bishop.
22/23 excellent
15-2: 2 out of 3 points.
Spoiler:
10/25 log
21/28 blitz problems
10/25 log
3/4 etudes for the week. Need to look at the last problem I didn't get yet further. So I'll try to solve that this week.
Chess lesson.
10/26 log
Chapter 16: Knight versus pawn.
16-5 1 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
. So I had the black king going over to win the pawn then march it down, bringing the knight in for a mate at the end.21/22 excellent
11-18-2015
, 02:32 PM
10/29 log
chapter 17: Attacking with rook and knight. Coordination fo the pieces, examples of cooperation between rook and knight.
19/19 Excellent
10/31 log
4/7 blitz (5/0) games
11/1 log
45/45 game with sallenko. Not a super high quality game but I definitely learned from it and I hope he did too.
11/2 log
chesstempo blitz: 10/14
11/3 log
chesstempo blitz: 35/70
11/4 log
chapter 18: Semi-open games. The role of the center, typical plans in the Closed Sicilian.
16/23 good
18-2: 0 out of 1 point.
18-3: 1 out of 2 points.
18-6: 0 out of 2 points.
18-10: 0 out of 2 points.
18-12: 2 out of 3 points.
11/5 log
5/8 blitz (5/0) games
11/7 log
45/45 "slow league" chess.com game
11/8 log
chesstempo blitz: 24/39
chess lesson
11/9 log
chesstempo blitz: 27/41
11/10 log
chapter 19: Combinations involving promotion
19/21 excellent
19-10: 1 out of 3 points.
11/11 log
3/7 blitz (5/0) games
11/12 log
chapter 20: Mate in three moves. Calculating short variations, introduction to the exercises, exercises with mate in three moves.
One in particular (that again involved underpromotion) took me quite a long time. But the rest were fine although some took longer than others.
24/24 excellent
11/13 log
chesstempo blitz: 14/28
chapter 21: Mating nets in the endgame
I was very happy with my performance in this chapter. I even fully got a 4* problem, which I stared at forever, then came back to later on and got quite quickly based on the ideas from my first think. I'll show it below for kicks.
30/30 excellent
21-7: 4 out of 4.
11/15 log
45/45 "slow league" chess.com game. My power went out in the middle of it and I did not play very well after that letting a position where I had an advantage slip away and then fall apart. Kudos to my opponent though. I also missed pretty forcing tactics even before my power went out. A pretty clear miss imo given that this opening is supposed to become my bread and butter.
11/17 log
chesstempo blitz: 23/40
chapter 17: Attacking with rook and knight. Coordination fo the pieces, examples of cooperation between rook and knight.
19/19 Excellent
10/31 log
4/7 blitz (5/0) games
11/1 log
45/45 game with sallenko. Not a super high quality game but I definitely learned from it and I hope he did too.
11/2 log
chesstempo blitz: 10/14
11/3 log
chesstempo blitz: 35/70
11/4 log
chapter 18: Semi-open games. The role of the center, typical plans in the Closed Sicilian.
16/23 good
18-2: 0 out of 1 point.
Spoiler:
18-3: 1 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
18-6: 0 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
18-10: 0 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
18-12: 2 out of 3 points.
Spoiler:
11/5 log
5/8 blitz (5/0) games
11/7 log
45/45 "slow league" chess.com game
11/8 log
chesstempo blitz: 24/39
chess lesson
11/9 log
chesstempo blitz: 27/41
11/10 log
chapter 19: Combinations involving promotion
19/21 excellent
19-10: 1 out of 3 points.
Spoiler:
11/11 log
3/7 blitz (5/0) games
11/12 log
chapter 20: Mate in three moves. Calculating short variations, introduction to the exercises, exercises with mate in three moves.
One in particular (that again involved underpromotion) took me quite a long time. But the rest were fine although some took longer than others.
24/24 excellent
11/13 log
chesstempo blitz: 14/28
chapter 21: Mating nets in the endgame
I was very happy with my performance in this chapter. I even fully got a 4* problem, which I stared at forever, then came back to later on and got quite quickly based on the ideas from my first think. I'll show it below for kicks.
30/30 excellent
21-7: 4 out of 4.
Spoiler:
11/15 log
45/45 "slow league" chess.com game. My power went out in the middle of it and I did not play very well after that letting a position where I had an advantage slip away and then fall apart. Kudos to my opponent though. I also missed pretty forcing tactics even before my power went out. A pretty clear miss imo given that this opening is supposed to become my bread and butter.
11/17 log
chesstempo blitz: 23/40
11-23-2015
, 01:05 PM
11/18 log
chesstempo blitz: 62/102
Chapter 22: The Passed Pawn. The value of a pawn, the higher value of a passed pawn, guidelines for playing with (and against) passed pawns.
17/20 Excellent
22-4: 1 out of 2 points.
22-7: 0 out of 2 points.
11/19 log
chesstempo blitz: 28/40
Chapter 23: Combinations including files. Coordination of the major pieces, typical tactical ideas.
21/22 Excellent
23-11: 1 out of 2 points.
11/20 log
Chapter 24: Queen against Rook. Evaluation of the endgame, important drawn positions, winning methods.
19/21 Excellent
24-4: 1 out of 2 points.
24-12: 0 out of 1 point.
11/22 log
Final Test
44/48 Excellent
F-6: 0 out of 2 points.
F-9: 0 out of 1 point.
F-24: 2 out of 3 points
Total results for Chess Evolution: 89.88% (515/573 available points, 1 away from 90%)
% of chapter grades
Excellent: 84% (21/25)
Good: 16% (4/25)
Even better results than the last book. I definitely took more time going through this one and was really trying near the end to get my overall % to 90%, getting upset if I missed any points on any problems.
The Fundamentals Series Totals
Points: 87.69% (1425/1625)
Excellent: 78.7% (59/75)
Good: 17.3% (13/75)
Pass: 4% (3/75)
I think it's pretty clear from the results that for someone around 1800 USCF, this series is definitely not overly difficult. I will reiterate that I worked quite hard to get these results. You can tell based on the difference between the first book results and latter books as I focused more and spent more time. So I'm sure I benefitted from going through the series and it also has helped me realize I likely don't have any huge holes or parts of my game that are lagging (which YKW has confirmed via lessons).
Pretty excited to see how Beyond the Basics is given that it is supposed to be more for my rating strength (up to 1800 ELO). We'll see, though, since perhaps I am 1800 ELO already. However, I already can tell I shouldn't regret going through all of them from the beginning, even if I could have just started with the 3rd, u2100 series. Unless I get too frustrated not being able to get Excellent in most chapters and just rage quit. Then maybe starting with the easier ones would be a mistake, lol.
chesstempo blitz: 62/102
Chapter 22: The Passed Pawn. The value of a pawn, the higher value of a passed pawn, guidelines for playing with (and against) passed pawns.
17/20 Excellent
22-4: 1 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
22-7: 0 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
11/19 log
chesstempo blitz: 28/40
Chapter 23: Combinations including files. Coordination of the major pieces, typical tactical ideas.
21/22 Excellent
23-11: 1 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
11/20 log
Chapter 24: Queen against Rook. Evaluation of the endgame, important drawn positions, winning methods.
19/21 Excellent
24-4: 1 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
24-12: 0 out of 1 point.
Spoiler:
11/22 log
Final Test
44/48 Excellent
F-6: 0 out of 2 points.
Spoiler:
F-9: 0 out of 1 point.
Spoiler:
F-24: 2 out of 3 points
Spoiler:
Total results for Chess Evolution: 89.88% (515/573 available points, 1 away from 90%)
% of chapter grades
Excellent: 84% (21/25)
Good: 16% (4/25)
Even better results than the last book. I definitely took more time going through this one and was really trying near the end to get my overall % to 90%, getting upset if I missed any points on any problems.
The Fundamentals Series Totals
Points: 87.69% (1425/1625)
Excellent: 78.7% (59/75)
Good: 17.3% (13/75)
Pass: 4% (3/75)
I think it's pretty clear from the results that for someone around 1800 USCF, this series is definitely not overly difficult. I will reiterate that I worked quite hard to get these results. You can tell based on the difference between the first book results and latter books as I focused more and spent more time. So I'm sure I benefitted from going through the series and it also has helped me realize I likely don't have any huge holes or parts of my game that are lagging (which YKW has confirmed via lessons).
Pretty excited to see how Beyond the Basics is given that it is supposed to be more for my rating strength (up to 1800 ELO). We'll see, though, since perhaps I am 1800 ELO already. However, I already can tell I shouldn't regret going through all of them from the beginning, even if I could have just started with the 3rd, u2100 series. Unless I get too frustrated not being able to get Excellent in most chapters and just rage quit. Then maybe starting with the easier ones would be a mistake, lol.
11-26-2015
, 01:40 AM
11-26-2015
, 03:18 PM
11-26-2015
, 03:21 PM
11-26-2015
, 04:59 PM