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One of my subscribers beat me - here is how

#2

There's 2 types of chessplayers. Those who ask which books they should read and those who read books :)

There's 2 types of chessplayers. Those who ask which books they should read and those who read books :)
#3

Cool story however I would think its a bit easier for a professional streamer to stay in chess shape than some rando stiff like me or anyone else that has to work and occasionally study

Cool story however I would think its a bit easier for a professional streamer to stay in chess shape than some rando stiff like me or anyone else that has to work and occasionally study
#4

Once again Noel Studer gives zero advice how to improve. His articles are always the same. I know how to improve, but you need to pay me money if you want me to tell you how.

Once again Noel Studer gives zero advice how to improve. His articles are always the same. I know how to improve, but you need to pay me money if you want me to tell you how.
#5

@MidnightFox said in #4:

Once again Noel Studer gives zero advice how to improve. His articles are always the same. I know how to improve, but you need to pay me money if you want me to tell you how.
The articles actually can provide good tips, maybe you know them already, but don't just call him out like that

@MidnightFox said in #4: > Once again Noel Studer gives zero advice how to improve. His articles are always the same. I know how to improve, but you need to pay me money if you want me to tell you how. The articles actually can provide good tips, maybe you know them already, but don't just call him out like that
#6

@nolucaak said in #5:

The articles actually can provide good tips, maybe you know them already, but don't just call him out like that

Give an example.
He use to harass me on my blog so he deserves critique

@nolucaak said in #5: > The articles actually can provide good tips, maybe you know them already, but don't just call him out like that Give an example. He use to harass me on my blog so he deserves critique
#7

@MidnightFox said in #6:

Give an example.
He use to harass me on my blog so he deserves critique
Any of his blogs, plus you just proved you have bias.

@MidnightFox said in #6: > Give an example. > He use to harass me on my blog so he deserves critique Any of his blogs, plus you just proved you have bias.
#8

@nolucaak said in #7:

Any of his blogs, plus you just proved you have bias.
You cant name a single tip, because there was none. You are a lier

@nolucaak said in #7: > Any of his blogs, plus you just proved you have bias. You cant name a single tip, because there was none. You are a lier
#9

@MidnightFox said in #8:

You cant name a single tip, because there was none. You are a lier
Here is one: The Complexity Trap
Nowadays, I meet many adult improvers who:

Spend far more time on chess than my Dad did.
Are equally successful in other areas of life.
Yet achieve far worse results.
I recently received a rare money-back request from a student in Beginner Chess Mastery. They felt the course needed more material to help them progress from 800 to 1200. This reflects a common misconception: more doesn’t mean better. My Dad, who is still occasionally playing online, could easily benefit from BCM because even its "simple" content far exceeds what he ever learned.

The complexity trap leads many adult improvers to believe they need advanced theory to succeed. But as my Dad’s journey shows, the opposite is often true: simplicity wins.
With endless resources—books, courses, videos—it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to study everything. But this overwhelm doesn’t stop at training; it follows you to the board.

My Dad didn’t know (and didn’t care about) advanced positional ideas, intricate GM strategies, or deep opening theory. Nowadays it seems you can’t get along without having a GM repertoire. But that’s total nonsense. Not having sophisticated knowledge was a superpower for my Dad.
For him, chess was simple:

Play with all your pieces.
Capture free stuff.
Trade if you’re up material.
Complicate if you’re down material.
Check for blunders before moving.
Sure, he missed opportunities by oversimplifying, but he avoided critical mistakes and conserved energy for what mattered most.
Meanwhile, many modern improvers overthink. They focus on abstract plans or weaknesses and miss simple tactics. As one of my students recently said: “I don’t care about losing pawns if the move doesn’t do much else.” This is a clear sign of overcomplicating things.

@MidnightFox said in #8: > You cant name a single tip, because there was none. You are a lier Here is one: The Complexity Trap Nowadays, I meet many adult improvers who: Spend far more time on chess than my Dad did. Are equally successful in other areas of life. Yet achieve far worse results. I recently received a rare money-back request from a student in Beginner Chess Mastery. They felt the course needed more material to help them progress from 800 to 1200. This reflects a common misconception: more doesn’t mean better. My Dad, who is still occasionally playing online, could easily benefit from BCM because even its "simple" content far exceeds what he ever learned. The complexity trap leads many adult improvers to believe they need advanced theory to succeed. But as my Dad’s journey shows, the opposite is often true: simplicity wins. With endless resources—books, courses, videos—it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to study everything. But this overwhelm doesn’t stop at training; it follows you to the board. My Dad didn’t know (and didn’t care about) advanced positional ideas, intricate GM strategies, or deep opening theory. Nowadays it seems you can’t get along without having a GM repertoire. But that’s total nonsense. Not having sophisticated knowledge was a superpower for my Dad. For him, chess was simple: Play with all your pieces. Capture free stuff. Trade if you’re up material. Complicate if you’re down material. Check for blunders before moving. Sure, he missed opportunities by oversimplifying, but he avoided critical mistakes and conserved energy for what mattered most. Meanwhile, many modern improvers overthink. They focus on abstract plans or weaknesses and miss simple tactics. As one of my students recently said: “I don’t care about losing pawns if the move doesn’t do much else.” This is a clear sign of overcomplicating things.
#10

@MidnightFox Ain't no way buddy blocked me for just asking him to justify public shaming

@MidnightFox Ain't no way buddy blocked me for just asking him to justify public shaming