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Joe D posted an update
I want to be a better student, but I fear it is not on the board. I have to watch each module several times and find it frustrating when I hear that the first of the puzzles are the easy ones and I never get them right. I started at 795 or so and went all the way to over 800 using the Stonewall and the Owens. Now I am back down to 682. Should I stop pausing the videos and simply watch until the end? Then go back and try again. I have now given up on even trying to solve because I fail and it just makes me angry. I understand that it is not the fault of the course or you. I did not sign up to get a refund, I just want to get better. I am currently considering giving up. Today, I went back to the two openings that I used to get near 800, the London and the Pirc. I found that I am struggling in the middle game with those two openings as well. For now, I will continue listening to the course through the end and start over. If I don’t I feel I will never complete the course.
Andrew9 Comments-
It is certainly a frustrating game ! What has helped me the most is the blunder check list & starting to play 15/10 rapid games to try to give myself time to do the checks . This has massively helped me in the middle game . Wishing you all the best & don’t give up !!!
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What is a 15/10 rapid game? When I signed up for Chess.com, they determined that I play a 10 minute rapid game and that is what I have always played. How do I change the time? I will try to figure it out.
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Took me ages to find out too ! When you go to play a game , you should see the time control , in this case 10 mins , if you press ( I’ve got a tablet ) or click it should reveal more time controls , so if you select 15/10 , that’s the time control for your next game . Hope that helps 😄
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Oh , a 15/10 rapid game is 15 mins ( instead of 10 ) plus an extra 10 seconds added to your time left after every move .
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Thank you, Andrew. I will try your suggestion.
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Let us know if this is better for you 🤞
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I changed to 15/10 and now I am down to 576. It seems to me that people that play at that speed are much better than I am playing with the Stonewall and Owens compared to how I got to nearly 800 using the London and the Pirc. H6 is played in almost every game and I have not been able to use the Queen and Bishop yet. My frustration is high and I will not give up. I just thought that giving you an update might change my attitude. Thank you for trying to help me.
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Thanks for the update ! Maybe you could go back to the openings you know best , might give you more confidence . I think the 2 openings that Nelson suggested for us were just that & the real ” meat ” being the blunder checklist ( hence 15/10 to give us more time to get used to it ) & the tactics module . Not blundering is a real plus ! Glad you’re keeping going in spite of your frustration !! Post a further update , please , if you want to , this one is appreciated 😄
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I know what you mean Joe. My rating has been plummeting for a while. I’ve lost over 200 points in the past year. I have been doing 10 min rapid cause it is so convenient. Almost enough time to think and short enough I can usually fit in a game most days. I took Nelson’s advice and tried a longer game – 15/10 and found the same thing you did. My opponents were playing carefully and slowly and I still got beat. I have gone back to 10 min and am hoping to hit my rating floor soon. Jump ahead to module 6 in the course. It is essential – more important than tactics and strategy I think. I only win when I am actively trying to prevent blunders on every move. Even though I sometimes run out of time. I figure at some point it will become second nature and I will move faster. I’ve got a lot more games to lose before that happens 🙂
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