Journal Fetishes and Other Stuff

I took the advice of one of you commenters out there, and decided to start a journal for my chess games. The idea is that after each game, I will write down all the moves, along with a brief summary of what I was feeling during the game, or what I was trying to accomplish. Then, at some later point, I will come back and analyze the game, sans computer – just my meager wits. I’ll write down my thoughts – what I think I did right, what I could have done better, etc. After this is done, I’ll run the game through a computer for analysis. I’ll look at what the computer came up with, and look at how that was similar or different to my own analysis. I’ll capture all this information in the journal.

There are two goals here: to learn how to analyze a chess game, and to become a better chess player through analyzing my past games, and my lines of thought during those games.

Sounds reasonable, yes? So what’s with the title, you ask?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been enthralled with journals and journaling. So when it comes to the choice of what to use for my chess analysis journal, you must understand that any old spiral-bound notebook just won’t do. Oh no. I want something that is enjoyable to write in, and something that will be enjoyable to look at. It must be archival quality as well, so that in 20 years, when I’m Expert level, I can look back at all these games and say “what a blundering idiot I was!”

I purchased a brand-new Moleskine lined notebook. I love Moleskines! I love that they come with a ribbon bookmark, I love the accordion pocket in the back, and I love the elastic band that holds the notebook closed snugly. The paper within is archival quality, and I enjoy the way my Pilot G2 gel pen glides across the page. Ok, I’d better stop here. You get the idea though.

I’ve also decided that I’m not going to analyze my Blitz games at first. I’m going to focus only on Standard games. I’ll analyze my Blitz games eventually, but until I am comfortable with the analysis process, I feel there is more value in diving deeply into my regular games.

Ok, enough for now. I’m going to go fondle my journal.

Gotta stop with the Blitz already

Why do I do it to myself? Why do I try to make my brain move faster than it wants to? Why do I continue to play Blitz games on FICS?

I’m trying to work my way through Silman’s How to Reassess Your Chess (because I need a major reassessment, or perhaps a lobotomy), and the whole point of the book is to get you to analyze the game, look at all the imbalances that might exist, and then formulate a plan based on those imbalances. A methodical, logical process.

When I have time to play though, what do I do? Do I play a game with time controls that allow me to become familiar with analysis and planning? NO! I play Blitz, which for me may as well be called Blunder Chess. No analysis, no planning, just GO.

The appeal of Blitz is that it’s, well, quick. Once the kids are tucked in at the end of a long day, it’s really hard to get into a long game. But I think that training my mind to think things through is the only way that I will improve. When I play Blitz, it’s truly quantity way over quality.

I think that I need to train my mind to analyze and plan. Slowly at first, but as I become more familiar, I imagine that I will get better and faster at it. I really need to stop with the Blitz, and focus on developing a thought process.

Since most of the games on FICS are either Blitz or really short Standard (less than 15 minutes), I need to stay away from FICS for a little while. I’ve got Chessmaster and Sigma Chess, and I think I need to spend a little time playing against the computer with no time controls. Once I have the thought process down, I can start with long time controls, and then gradually make them shorter.

Some people swear by Blitz, but I don’t think it’s a good fit for me. At least right now.