Littleman, I didn't judge anybody, I just stated facts. Intelligence is measurable and some people do not have as much of it as others.

littleman, intelligence is measurable on many different levels. You can't tell me you never met somebody that was as dumb as a box of rocks before. Some people can't read, write, count, keep a job, do basic math, program a television, understand a map........... all of these functions require some type of higher learning. Not everybody can be a doctor, top of their class, lawyer, scientist etc. I think being different is cool, but when it comes to brains we're as a race definitely not equal.

 

I can agree with that. But it's obvious even in day to day life that some people are much less intelligent than others. All you have to do is observe people in the workplace and in public and you can discern that for yourself. That is evidence enough for me that we were not all created equal. I think it is a combination of having a talent and then the proper development as well.

"And no, if you were brought up that way there's no guarantee you'd be successfula as a proffesional chess player."

 

Laszlo Polgar believed that anyone could be trained to be a genius, that's what said before any of his children were born. They didn't show an aptitude for chess, he just said "you will learn chess" and they did because 4-year-olds tend to do what their parents tell them.

 

Of course, who can say that there aren't certain genes in the Polgar family that make them, coincidentally, have more aptitude for chess than most other families? We dont' know. It's all conjecture. 

Super interesting responses. I believe that when she did the simul in Nashville TN she may have been under a lot of pressure. For all I know she may be very nice. Maybe I shouldn't judge her based on my first impression.

Very nice game!

 

I met J. Polgar about 9 years ago in Mexico, her dad and my coach hit it off since both are "commies" at heart. She was very nice, a little shy (back then) and quite a powerhouse as well as her sisters - I didn't have the privilege to play against her, though. Tough schedule they had. 

 

And no, if you were brought up that way there's no guarantee you'd be successfula as a proffesional chess player. These guys are talented. Otherwise, what about all the kids that are taken to football since they are like 5? All of them make them to the NFL, I'm sure. And the kids that get flutes when they're 6? Are they all in the Philadelphia Philarmonic Orchestra?

 

It's not only the study, it's the natural talent for chess, a good amount of steady nerves (see Hübner and Kamsky), and  dedication. Even in Russia, with the huge chess school system, still only a few break through.

 

It gets tough at the top, no matter the profession :) 

Good article

 

It seems some chess players have a chip on their shoulder once they've reached a certain level in the game, but it's only a game; let me know when you have an answer to children being abused or killed by demons cloaked in human form. Then and only then will I hold you in such high regards.

decoy321.....if 24.....Rxd2; 25.Bf3 and white has a good compensation for the trade....the two bishop is so powerfull!!

We all had a good time at the Opryland Resort. If you ever get a chance stay a few days there, it's amazing.

My daughter had a blast. It was tough because you couldn't walk around and watch the games though. The parents were cordoned off to one area with no chance to watch the games.

yeah.  Chess isnt just some game.  Its a battel of witts with endless posibilities.  The greatest game ever, and that will ever be.  But your right people shouldnt be smug just because there good.

chess is a game  suppost to be for fun ?not anymore

why not 24... Rxd2?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6378985927858479238&q=my+brain+brilliant&total=79&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

 From "My Brilliant Brain" BBC series.

I took my daughter to the Nationals in Tennessee earlier in the year and she played a simul there. She was kinda snobby.

They trained as chess players full-time from the age of 4, and didn't go to school. They had multiple grandmasters as their private tutors.

 

If you were brought up that way, you too would be a grandmaster.