Monday, November 22, 2010

Musings

Has Post traumatic stress syndrome any relevance to chess?

Have you seen a child playing chess that is literally shaking with fear? What happens when he is subjected again and again to these stressors? What happens when he is insufficiently prepared or trained and sent to fight Goliath? What happens to a community that experiences failure after failure with no respite and no solution in sight?

Here. Is there any relevance? What do you think?

If it is true, can chess be used to develop strong thinkers instead? What would that look like?

6 comments:

  1. When I played some Goliath for the first few times, I used to be shaking, fear of the opponent and handled the situation badly that I kept on defending instead and lost...During the process of learning, I learnt that they are after all humans....Now, I just play them like normal and won't be shaking anymore.....It's a self-experience that matter to me......

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for sharing. Just wondering. Have you known any of our past or current National Juniors who developed nervous dispositions? What advice would you give to them?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well yeah. I was unrated in DATCC. I was in a losing position (lose 1 pawn) with that current NJ but I developed that "Nothing much to worry" concept by employing active play. Learnt that from those players in DATCC. Just 1 "There is nothing to worry coz he is still human after all." Ppl tend to worry once they see the Ratings.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for your sharing. Question, how would you handle it if you were rated and your goal is to be champion or at least a medal?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, I am rated now though not high, but I am still learning. Never too old to learn yeah. I played in Classical time control before. It's very tiring to play 9 rounds. I realized that, stamina is very important too to stay focus. To get a medal/ to be a champ, well, for me, I just enjoy the game, play my normal game, learn from everyone...i can't be remembering all the opening ideas, but if I do face 1 that I don't know, i will search all info about it so that I will refute them next time....just like Benko...one of them....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes 9 rounds is very tiring. Try reducing the chatter in the mind. It's usually the emotional coaster ride that accompanies those thoughts that tire you out fast.

    ReplyDelete