Junk Games
Submitted by
Graw81 on Thu, 03/27/2008 at 3:27pm.
I was reading an article about marathon training a while ago and it discussed how first time marathon runners think that their training should focus on running great distances to prepare for the big day. So 3-5 days a week the first timer goes out running and clocks up a huge amount of miles. The big day comes and they are not too pleased with their finish time. What happened??? Well, there is a thing called 'junk miles' and the first timer has done too many of these. Basically they dont do anything but make you feel better. Kind of like a student who goes to the library for that feel good feeling, stays there all day but in real terms only reads a little and makes the slightest of progress. Progress that they could have made if they were more efficient with their study plan.
Your probably wondering what has this blog got to do with chess. Well, i think i have been doing the equivilant to 'junk miles' in chess terms: playing junk games. What do i mean by junk games? I mean games, like blitz games, even rapidplay games, that wont make you progress at chess. Firstly, i am not against playing chess online, or blitz games (except bullet games) but i think there is an optimal amount of games one should play daily. After that optimal amount has been played we should stop playing. Just like the runner who has clocked up enough miles for his own good. The body strenthens during the rest period so my guess is we need to rest to let our brain take in the information otherwise its just a mass of images(chess positions) without any meaning.
Also included in what i call junk games are blitz games where you play moves outside your opening repitoire and middlegame planning. You wont make these moves in tournament games so why should you be exploring outside that realm. Back to the marathon runner, why would he train like a sprint runner when at the end of the day he will be running a totally different race. How many times have you played a dubious move (something you could have thought about and played your 'usual' (even 'planned') tournament move), got into a position you know you wouldnt get into in a tournament game, played on and played a terrible game. (it wouldnt matter if you played well would it? I mean, your not going to arrive at that position again in serious play)
I am not claiming to be right but thats just a thought i had today. If we (or even just me aul self!) could cut down these junk games and spent our time on more productive means we would progress at chess alot quicker. Anyone got any thoughts?!