Analog-Theater 2.0

It’s no secret that I like chess. I started playing chess when I was a kid. My brother taught me how to move the pieces and some basic opening strategy. As a child, I played against my father and my sisters. When we moved to New York, I met my Uncle Doug and started playing against him. He beat me every time. Afterwards I would swear to myself that I would win next time.

The first tournament I played in was the 2006 Virginia Open. It was a five round swiss style tournament. I lost all five rounds and got a rating of 600 (which is low). Since then I’ve played in three other tournaments. I lost my first twelve games. Slowly my rating has been dropping lower. I am now rated 584.

During the 2008 Tournament I lost the first four rounds and realized something. I’m sick and tired of losing. Losing sucks! Some of my loses were against players rated far higher then me and were learning experiences, but in general losing sucks.

I’ve decided that I’m not going to lose any more. Of course it’s easy to say that. I can even swear on anything I want, but if I don’t do anything about it it’ll never happen. Now I need to come up with a training program to make that desire a reality.

I’ve been going over some books for motivation. The two books I’m reading right now are The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin and Hikaru No Go by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata.

In the Art of Learning, Josh discusses how he became a champion chess player and martial artist. He started his chess training with end game strategies. He also mentioned the playing style of some top ranked grand masters. One of them caught my eye because its the same style that I’m developing, that was GM Michael Short.

Hikaru No Go is a manga series about a kid who starts playing go, a Japanese board game which is thematically similar to chess. His main rival, Akira, is a the son of a champion go player. The series shows both of them trying to become better. Akira plays a game against his father every day. Part way through the series, Hikaru starts playing a game every night against his ghost tutor. Along with that, both of them are part of study groups and review old games.

Elsewhere I have read that there is a correlation because bodily and mental health. So, to get my mind in shape I also have to get my body in shape.

Having said all this, here my plan. I’m going to start getting up early and working out for forty-five minutes. Also, I’m going to eat more fruit and vegetables. This should help me get into good shape for when they take my picture holding the trophy.

Then I will study something. I will start with the end game lessons on Chess Master, as well as the other lessons. Once I finish the lessons I will start studying GM Short’s games and books like Improve your Chess.

After finishing my studies, with the lessons still fresh in my mind, I will play a game against my computer. Chess Master offers opponents rated all the way from 23 to 2980. I will start playing against a 600 and work my way up. I will play each opponent until I beat them and then move on to the next one.

Also, each morning I will read a chapter of Hikaru No Go for encouragement.

A self-help guru once said that to help you achieve your goals, you should have something to help you visualize your goals. I put up a flier for the 2008 National Open with a picture of Gata Kamsky, the highest rated player in the US and who is playing there. Every day when I get up I’ll see the flier and know what it is that I’m aiming for.

All of this is fine and dandy, but its not enough. I need to play as much as possible. I have some vacation time that I have to use or lose. I’m going to try to take off some Saturdays to play in the Kingstown quad (in March and/or April) and for the local anime club meetings. Last time I went to an anime meeting I took my chess set with me and played several games. Robert also said that he will help me practice. I actually went to his place Sunday night and played him. I won of course.

One thing that I think I’m missing is spiritual help. God knows us and answers our prayers. He knows that I want to become a better chess player and if I have faith and be obedient, I’m sure that he will create opportunities to help me improve. The scriptures say “Prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

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