mikhail wrote: » Really? I wonder if he was just holding himself to a higher standard.
sodacat11 wrote: » Surprisingly Mikail Botvinnik , one of the greatest players of all time, by his own admission had trouble visualizing.
mikhail wrote: » All players above a certain standard can visualise the board to play out moves in our head. We call it calculating: we have a little conversation internally where we go, "I play this, then he plays that, then I play this, then what next?" and so on. Many a player, particularly stronger ones, can play a game entirely in their head.
mikhail wrote: » All players above a certain standard can visualise the board to play out moves in our head. We call it calculating: we have a little conversation internally where we go, "I play this, then he plays that, then I play this, then what next?" and so on. Many a player, particularly stronger ones, can play a game entirely in their head. Here, for example, is Alexander Baburin, an Irish-resident grandmaster, playing a quick game (6 minutes vs 5) against Jonathan O'Connor, a strong Irish amateur (I guess top 50 in Ireland for many years) while blindfolded. It's not that much of a handicap for him, because he's able to maintain and manipulate the position in his head. I'm not able to do this very well, but it wouldn't surprise me if Jonathan can, for example. Baburin later gave a blindfold simultaneous exhibition, playing perhaps half a dozen or more amateurs at the same time! That is really stretching even a masters' abilities, but I think he managed to beat all of them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsazuR22244 In the show, you saw Beth as a child re-playing the moves she saw in the game earlier, which is her way of analysing why she lost - she's learning, and she's doing it in a way that suggests she has enormous native talent. Most beginners can't do this at all. As for whether drugs helped her play, it's unlikely. Alcohol and drugs are probably a hindrance to most players, though less than you'd think. I once played in a New Year's Eve blitz in Spain: a short tournament for fun where players have just a few minutes each. There was a pair of Russian masters at it who had clearly started celebrating New Year's the second it hit Vladivostok. They were messy drunk - were on the verge of being kicked out for messing in fact - but still had most of their playing strength intact, and finished well ahead of me. There are no doubt high-functioning alcoholics and drug users at all levels of the game (and throughout society), many of whom are in bad shape when completely sober. Perhaps this is what was being hinted at in the show.
sporina wrote: » thanks but that doesn't answer my query at all... any insight, anyone?
sodacat11 wrote: » I think that all the anomalies just have to be classed under "poetic licence". It is an enjoyable series and I am delighted that it is promoting chess so much but I didn't find the main character very believable, especially when she woke up with a huge hangover after an amorous night with her make up still perfect and not a hair outa place. maybe she wasn't as good in bed as she was at chess :pac:
sporina wrote: » Just finished watching this - I enjoyed it - but I am confused.. So - she started with the tranquillisers - did they help her play? As a kid? I recall her being able to visualise the board and pieces in bed.. and what - she was learning how to play - kinda in her sleep? And in the final ep she said that the meds and booze help her visualise the game? Does she mean, work out scenarios in her head as she's playing? But she lost the game in Paris cos she was hungover, right? I guess in the end, booze/meds or none - she was a chess genius?
Ficheall wrote: » Maybe their opponent is distractingly attractive?
sodacat11 wrote: » David Howell did that when I played him too. I figure people just do it to show off or to annoy their opponent as there can't be any advantage in looking at the ceiling instead of the board.
Joedryan wrote: » There were several Russian players who had a nasty habit of trying to just stare into your eyes, best tactic was to stare back at them. That made them think again and run away but didnt help much with the position
Joedryan wrote: » I always wondered why Shirov was looking up at the ceiling, must have been taking those funny pills like Beth [/QUOTE David Howell did that when I played him too. I figure people just do it to show off or to annoy their opponent as there can't be any advantage in looking at the ceiling instead of the board.
sodacat11 wrote: » always looking like a model with a hair never out of place and dressed in designer clothes.
