Do you have a fide rating?
Not anymore.
Do you still play active chess?
No.
I found chess to be too time consuming (I never made the effort to invest enough time in opening theory for example) in relation to the benefits. I also noticed how hard professional players have to fight (and how fun gets completely lost if they aren't successful enough as they have to make a living from it). That's why I decided to become a pure hobby chess player long time ago.
I like the creativity of the game, but not so much the technical aspects. I am interested to think about what the best move in a certain position might be, but not so much in what is the most pragmatic way to beat an opponent (by being fast, or causing problems). So anyhow, for me chess is more science or art than sports.
Maybe you know that I created more than 70 chess problems, which I posted here when still being active on HIVE?
While I played junior chess, my coach taught me some psychological ways to win at chess which worked well. She believed it was not so much about strength but about approaching the game with a strategy to prey on your opponent weaknesses. That was how I learnt the gambit systems i play today. Many say i play chess with tricks,even fide masters that i have beaten. I realized there was so much to winning a game than strength.
This is really true! There are even GM's that dont make good living from all that knowledge. And analysts once compared studying medicine to studying chess.
I didn't but I could still find out. I was just curious. Thanks for the well detailed information. You can always find the right balance. I could play some rapid games with you on non-hive chess days If and only if you are free. You can then still join our blitz. Even in all,you are still on the podium
!PIZZA !LUV
Of course, don't worry, I was just talking about a break (or playing less for a while) to get a clear view on the game again. I am a perfectionist anyhow, who hates playing bad chess, but when I am looking at my fast games I can partly only shake my head because of the very weak play.
Anyway, season seems to be over ... so that might be a welcome 'natural' break. :)
@samostically(1/1) gave you
Yes I know, I just don’t recall solving any correctly. :)