David's Dojo Journey - Installment 3

The third week of my Dojo journey was eventful! Here are some highlights:

Reframing My Chess Journey

While the details are outlined in another blog (see here if you are interested - https://lichess.org/@/Chessdad1979/blog/why-i-ditched-my-rating-goals/KAcyne6e) I have decided to ditch my 11-year plan aimed at an arbitrary number and replace it with the following two goals that focus more on process, what I can control and a broader world than just myself and a number. So, rather than trying to reach 2000 by the age of 55, my new chess goals are to: (1) pursue learning as much as I can about this beautiful game by making meaningful progress on my Dojo training plan every day and (2) make meaningful contributions to the global chess community by sharing my story, finances and learnings with those in need of inspiration, resources and instruction. Of course rating still matters, but it is not the end for which I am ultimately embarking on this chess journey and that is very freeing and perspective broadening!

Graduation: 700-800 to 800-900 Cohort

This was quite a 3-week journey! I finally finished Everyone's First Chess Workbook. Chapter 20 was a bear, but it was very helpful. While I wasn't able to finish all the tasks, I finished 138/153 requirements for the Cohort, worked 91 hours and 35 minutes, and earned 137.64 Dojo Points. I'm excited to be in a new cohort and learn and grow with my new peers.

Two Bishop Checkmate

I'm not sure if I am alone, but mastering the two bishop checkmate was a challenge. It took me a couple of hours to successfully complete all of the sparing, in addition to reading some articles (this was really helpful - https://www.chess.com/terms/checkmate-two-bishops-chess) for the general principles and steps. But, what a rewarding journey of learning. I now feel like I have a much better feel of the power of the bishop pair and have added a bit more confidence to the endgame, which I generally try to avoid in my games given my lack of experience and expertise. A good step in the journey!

Sparring Partners

Sparring has become one of my favorite aspects of the Dojo program. Don't get me wrong, it is exhausting. After my appearance on Perpetual Chess, I have had several folks in the Dojo (and not within the Dojo) reach out to spar. I even talked to one of my sparring partners in the UK this week who quit the Dojo because he couldn't find any sparring partners. If you are struggling to find a partner, please reach out and I will see what I can do to help!

Defensive Puzzles

It never dawned on me to do defensive puzzles. But, I have to say that Susan Polgar's Learn Chess the Right Way: Book 3: Mastering Defensive Techniques has been illuminating in subtle ways. Susan does a great job of clearly articulating numerous defensive techniques. The chapter names clearly outline same: Run, Getting Out of Check, Protect Each Other, Avoid Checkmate, counterattack, Escaping by Stalemate, Escaping by Perpetual Check, Stop the Promotion, Avoid Being Trapped.

By way of example, Susan's articulation of the ways to avoid checkmate are illustrative of her approach through the book in each of these contexts:

· You may defend against a checkmate threat by one of the following methods:

• Avoid it by:
  • Getting rid of (capture) an enemy piece that is essential for the checkmate threat
  • Pinning the piece which threatens to checkmate
  • Blocking the file or diagonal of the enemy piece which threatens to checkmate
• Allow the threatening move, but prepare:
  • To guard by one of your pieces the square where the checkmate is threatened so when the threatening piece comes, you can capture it
  • To create an escape square for your king
  • To block the attack on the king by interposing.

After articulating the principles, she provides an example of each defensive technique and then gives several problems to given the reader the opportunity to drive the concept deeply into her subconscious. If you are a beginner and haven't checked this book out, I would recommend you give it a try!

Dojo Classical Tournament Loss: Round 3

I had a disappointing loss last night in the Dojo Classical tournament. The tournament is a 60+30 time control, so a long game. My accuracy was 77%, which is a bit lower than I would like in such a slow time control. After working through a post-mortem with my opponent, which was very enjoyable, and working through the game with my coach, there were many instructive errors. I continue to play too slow and passively and need to continue to recalibrate my analysis to look for checks, captures and threats. For some reason, that is very difficult for this 44 year old to do. But, that change must happen before true growth can occur in my play.

Here is the game. I am now 1-2 in the tournament. Here's to a better Round 4.

Journey Takeaways

• Graduating from my first cohort was a great step in the journey.
• Sparring is starting to take a more prominent role in my chess training.
• Mastering the two bishop mate was a good step in the journey.
• Chapter 20 of EFCW was challenging and rewarding.
• Practicing defensive puzzles has been a challenging and productive exercise
• Losing the third round of the Dojo Classical tournament was disappointing, but learned a great deal through the post-mortem and time with my coach going through the game.

Until next time!