IECC Bulletin #7 Published by the International Email Chess Club Devoted solely to E-Mail Correspondence Chess *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ May 12, 1995 *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ New!!! IECC Chess Academy Special Study Groups Three General divisions of study are proposed 1. Chess classics club A: Game collections and Tournament books B: Text books 2. Endgame study 3. Advanced analytic studies Chess Classics Club Each year scores of new chess books are published. In fact, there are more books written about chess than any other game. Some of these are good; others, not very good. There are some Chess books that are so excellent that they merit careful study; books that have withstood the test of time; books with which every strong player is familiar. In a word, these books are classics. A: Game Collections and Tournaments books We would read, analyze and discuss well-annotated collections. These would be limited to collections of games by World Champions and those at the very top of the game. They would include but not be limited to: Rubinstein's Chess Masterpieces (Kmoch), My Chess Career (Capablanca), My Best Games of Chess (Alekhine), >From My games, 1920-1937 (Euwe) One hundred Selected Games (Botvinnik), My Best Games of Chess, 1935-1957 (Smyslov), My 60 Memorable games ( Fischer) Classic Tournament Books might include books such as Zurich 1953 (Bronstein) Nottingham 1936 (Alekhine) and others listed in the Chess Digest catalog. B: Text Books These are instructional chess books that are not simply game collections. A group would study and discuss a book together. Examples of a classic text books would be: My System (Nimzovitch - 21st Century edition) The Game Of Chess (Tarrasch) Pawn Power in Chess ( Kmoch) Judgment and Planning in Chess (Euwe) Pawn Structure Chess (Soltis) The Middle Game In chess (Euwe) and others 2) Endgame Study Beginning and intermediate players would start by working through a comprehensive endgame text such as Practical Chess Endings (Keres). This would be supplemented by analysis of positions from master games. The study of more advanced texts, and endgame studies would come next. Rook endings (Levinfish, Smyslov), 1234 Modern Endgame studies (Sutherland & Lammer) Mastering The End Game, vols 1 & 2 (Shereshevsky/Slutsky) More extensive analysis of master game positions would be on-going. (The texts listed above are for illustration only there are many other chess classics and endgame books) 3) Advanced analytic studies This would entail the exhaustive analysis -- by an individual or a small group -- of a game; a game that would not have been heavily analyzed before (preferably not at all). The analysis would be sent to all study groups for questions, comments, and criticism. Botvinnik always recommended publishing your analysis as excellent training. Advanced Analytic Studies tries to provide similar benefits to players who may not have the opportunity to be published in the Informant. Please note that AAS is intended for -- but not limited to -- strong players who are at or close to master strength. General Rules and Guidelines 1. A study group will consist of at least three persons, and have a maximum of eight persons. 2. If possible and deemed appropriate, groups will be organized according to strength. 3. A classics club game collection study group can be joined at any time. Admission to any other study group after it has commenced requires the permission of the members of that group. Of course, if you find two other players you can start your own group, as members of IECC. 4. Every person in a study group is encouraged to contribute -- not only the strongest players. 5. If a game or position not in one of the texts being studied is proposed, then the score or a diagram must be provided. 6. A set of common ASCII equivalents of informant symbols will be provided and may be used, but are not required, for analysis. 7. The purpose of a study group does not entail the obligation to prove how smart you are. We expect that some analysis players suggest might be wrong. We all learn from our mistakes. Remember when you read analysis in a book or magazine that is a finished product. Common Questions about IECC Academy study groups. 1. I am not a good player what can I contribute? Every level of chess has it its challenges. A beginning player needs to learn and pay attention to fundamentals. If you are the weakest player in your study group, fell free to make comments and ask questions that are appropriate to your level. Such as: Why doesn't Black put his rook on that open file? How can White gain more space? Doubling Whites pawns seems like a good idea. There will probably be at least one other person close to your level. Don't be afraid to ask question, but also do not monopolize the conversation either. We recommend that weak players refrain from advocating long lines of play. You also have to recognize that you are not going to understand the game as completely as does an expert or master 2. I am a serious player. Why should I answer the ridiculous questions of the weaker players in my group.? Every group should have players of all levels in it. No study group member is required to answer any questions. However, my experience has been that explaining things to others really helps me develop a greater understanding, and that the errors of weak players can be corrected very quickly 3. Couldn't I just study these books on my own? Study groups are intended to supplement your own study, not substitute for it. They are a place to test your analysis and to discuss the the material with other players. A study group may examine single book for a long time. You should also study it at a faster pace on your own. 4. Why can't any study group be joined at any time?. If you join a group that is working with 60 memorable games you can jump in at game 40 and contribute to the analysis. However, many text books, like My System, build on information in earlier chapters. Joining a group discussion of My System three quarters into the book would probably be disruptive to the group. However, it would be possible for a newcomer to audit the course without comments and questions within the group. 5. Can I use my computer? The purpose of a course is to train and test *your* analytic skills -- not your computers. For this reason the use of computers in the courses is not encouraged. Nobody can stop you, of course. But you are hurting your progress. I find that I am more honest if I do not use it. I tend to forget or dismiss my errors much to quickly when I use the computer. "Of course, the instant I suggested the move I knew it lost 3 pieces, but I had already hit the enter key. It was so obvious... etc etc. 6. I want to study something and there is no study group for it yet. What should I do? Send the request to start the group to Lisa Powell or Sherm Klausner. Your suggestion will run in the next few issues. If enough people respond, your new study activity can start. 7. How can I begin? Send an email message to me, Tom Malloy at br00031@bingsuns.cc.binghamton.edu with a copy to Lisa Powell at rpowell@uoguelph.ca and to Sherm Klausner at klaus@interaccess.com *--------------------------------------------------------------* * Lisa Powell Internet: rpowell@uoguelph.ca * * Guelph, ON, Canada * * CEO/TD of IECC: International Email Chess Club * * Founder of IECG: International Email Chess Group * *--------------------------------------------------------------*