How to play Blitz (5+3)? • page 2/2 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

It's totally up to you of course but it would be a shame to quit so quickly on the blitz front. You have only played a handful of games but in doing so you are mining gold.

Look again at the positions I mentioned previously. This is key data. Those are the tactics you need to train as opposed to computer generated random Lichess puzzles that come from other people's games. Playing blitz + review for me is not about the blitz games, win, lose or draw, it's about generating data from your own mind.

That Nxe5 move Qxe5 Re1 pin move for example, do you know the one? I can visualise that whole tactic including the bishop Queen deflection mate threat from the other game, as well as the Qc5 strategic move attacking weak pawns in the Bio game. These are the positions you need buzzing around your head not mine, ha, ha.

@Wodjul It's totally up to you of course but it would be a shame to quit so quickly on the blitz front. You have only played a handful of games but in doing so you are mining gold. Look again at the positions I mentioned previously. This is key data. Those are the tactics you need to train as opposed to computer generated random Lichess puzzles that come from other people's games. Playing blitz + review for me is not about the blitz games, win, lose or draw, it's about generating data from your own mind. That Nxe5 move Qxe5 Re1 pin move for example, do you know the one? I can visualise that whole tactic including the bishop Queen deflection mate threat from the other game, as well as the Qc5 strategic move attacking weak pawns in the Bio game. These are the positions you need buzzing around your head not mine, ha, ha.

Aaa

Play on the phone. I noticed I'm playing much worse on time using notebook

swimmerBill

#14

@Wodjul said in #10:

I am 70 years and eight months.

I think what is important is what rating one achieved and still held when no more than about 50 or 55. It is really hard, but not impossible I guess, to get any significant improvement in chess after that and especially after 70. At least that is in my opinion from what I have now researched. I may be wrong. I hope I am wrong. I probably wouldn't have tried chess again in old age if I had realised what an uphill battle it would be with the cards of aged decline completely stacked against one.

However, I don't want to quit trying yet. I will likely give it about another year or so. By then I will know whether there is some mental life left in the old dog. Or whether it really is basically hopeless and just making a rod for one's own back. As I said, the outcome for effort ratio has been abysmal so far.

Yeah, 5+3 may be a hill too far for me for now or maybe even from now on. Perhaps 10+5 could work for me. I think @Bendictine 's ideas are sound but there may be a cut-off on the Blitz recommendation that comes before age 70 for most late adult improvers.

I'm still working and have little time for chess. If I can retire at 70 (the US is at an unstable tipping point that may change inflation and health care for retirees these days) I'll focus more on chess and see if ''chess improvement after 70'' or ''slowing the decline after 70'' is more realistic! My chess goal is mainly to have something analytical to occupy my mind after I retire, to ave fun and have something outside the house to do over winter. I think I can do all 3 with a declining rating.

The USCF publishes top 100 rating lists by age groups so I can also look at my number there rather than look at my rating if my ego needs it. (I wish they did more like this-- masters swimming is very successful by using this idea rather than making absolute times their #1)

I find game analysis with my opponent afterwards very fun and insightful. You may find OTB games that allow it a lot more helpful.
Good luck with your chess!

Bill

@Wodjul said in #10: > I am 70 years and eight months. > > I think what is important is what rating one achieved and still held when no more than about 50 or 55. It is really hard, but not impossible I guess, to get any significant improvement in chess after that and especially after 70. At least that is in my opinion from what I have now researched. I may be wrong. I hope I am wrong. I probably wouldn't have tried chess again in old age if I had realised what an uphill battle it would be with the cards of aged decline completely stacked against one. > > However, I don't want to quit trying yet. I will likely give it about another year or so. By then I will know whether there is some mental life left in the old dog. Or whether it really is basically hopeless and just making a rod for one's own back. As I said, the outcome for effort ratio has been abysmal so far. > > Yeah, 5+3 may be a hill too far for me for now or maybe even from now on. Perhaps 10+5 could work for me. I think @Bendictine 's ideas are sound but there may be a cut-off on the Blitz recommendation that comes before age 70 for most late adult improvers. I'm still working and have little time for chess. *If* I can retire at 70 (the US is at an unstable tipping point that may change inflation and health care for retirees these days) I'll focus more on chess and see if ''chess improvement after 70'' or ''slowing the decline after 70'' is more realistic! My chess goal is mainly to have something analytical to occupy my mind after I retire, to ave fun and have something outside the house to do over winter. I think I can do all 3 with a declining rating. The USCF publishes top 100 rating lists by age groups so I can also look at my number there rather than look at my rating if my ego needs it. (I wish they did more like this-- masters swimming is very successful by using this idea rather than making absolute times their #1) I find game analysis with my opponent afterwards very fun and insightful. You may find OTB games that allow it a lot more helpful. Good luck with your chess! - Bill