David- Great post. I knew you were a good golfer, but didn't know you went to the IMG academy in HS! That must have been quite an experience.
Thank you David, really helpful. Curiously enough I was also thinking this week that I needed to start incorporating some kind of mental training into my routine, because I feel that psychological aspects are as important as technique, if not more. I found this curated short list of books than can also be of help to you all.
fivebooks.com/best-books/high-performance-psychology-michael-gervais/
fivebooks.com/best-books/high-performance-psychology-michael-gervais/
@PerpetualChess (Ben) many great stories and experiences from that year for sure. It was horrible for my golf, but one of the most interesting and fun for other reasons! Also, thanks for supporting the blog - really appreciate it!
@LuisdelaFuente thank you so much for the share. I look forward to checking these out. I also found Mental Toughness in Chess by Werner Schweitzer that I've been working through and will share some highpoints in the weeks to come. It is a compilation of articles that Werner wrote on the topic. Some are more helpful than others, for sure, but some interesting concepts and ideas that have been helping me over the last week.
@LuisdelaFuente thank you so much for the share. I look forward to checking these out. I also found Mental Toughness in Chess by Werner Schweitzer that I've been working through and will share some highpoints in the weeks to come. It is a compilation of articles that Werner wrote on the topic. Some are more helpful than others, for sure, but some interesting concepts and ideas that have been helping me over the last week.
Awesome. Looking forward to reading your next installments. @Chessdad1979
Hi, assuming the year in your username is your birthyear, then I'm an adult improver picking up chess only slightly older than you :)
I don't find many voices "screaming impossible". As you say, the majority of the evidence suggests that age is a strong detriment to chess learning, and the "voices" I've encountered just recognize that. I'm not aware of any credible source saying something is flat out impossible, perhaps just that it's extremely unlikely that someone approaching 50 could pick up chess and, say, become a master. Personally, I think it's possible, but only if that person had an undiscovered 1-in-a-million chess talent. Do you disagree? Personally, my goal is only to become an above average player on this site, which I think is doable.
Also, I disagree that the mental game is as important as technical skills. I would think that, if you examine chess players, differences in technical skills usually account for the majority of rating differences. For instance, a 500 Elo player and a 2500 Elo player could have the same "mental game". However, it's much less likely that a 500 Elo player would have the same technical ability as a 2500 Elo player, but be worse at the "mental game".
I don't find many voices "screaming impossible". As you say, the majority of the evidence suggests that age is a strong detriment to chess learning, and the "voices" I've encountered just recognize that. I'm not aware of any credible source saying something is flat out impossible, perhaps just that it's extremely unlikely that someone approaching 50 could pick up chess and, say, become a master. Personally, I think it's possible, but only if that person had an undiscovered 1-in-a-million chess talent. Do you disagree? Personally, my goal is only to become an above average player on this site, which I think is doable.
Also, I disagree that the mental game is as important as technical skills. I would think that, if you examine chess players, differences in technical skills usually account for the majority of rating differences. For instance, a 500 Elo player and a 2500 Elo player could have the same "mental game". However, it's much less likely that a 500 Elo player would have the same technical ability as a 2500 Elo player, but be worse at the "mental game".
@Graque thank you for the thoughtful post. You make some good points and fair push backs.
For me, I personally don't think there is a meaningful difference to saying there is a one-in-a-million chance and impossible. Or there is a 1% chance that something could occur and that the occurrence of that thing is impossible. Though, I could see the counter view. My point here wasn't to make such a nuanced distinction though, but to play on the great quote and encourage adult improvers to not accept limitations imposed by data or the views of others and to open our minds to the possibility that anything is possible.
As to the equal importance of mental and technical skills, my point was that, for my growth, I believe that growth in my mental game is as important as growth in my technical skills.
I wish you the best in your chess journey and appreciate the thoughtful comment.
Best,
David
For me, I personally don't think there is a meaningful difference to saying there is a one-in-a-million chance and impossible. Or there is a 1% chance that something could occur and that the occurrence of that thing is impossible. Though, I could see the counter view. My point here wasn't to make such a nuanced distinction though, but to play on the great quote and encourage adult improvers to not accept limitations imposed by data or the views of others and to open our minds to the possibility that anything is possible.
As to the equal importance of mental and technical skills, my point was that, for my growth, I believe that growth in my mental game is as important as growth in my technical skills.
I wish you the best in your chess journey and appreciate the thoughtful comment.
Best,
David