Chess Basics 1.5 How the Knight Moves and Captures

This is the 5th video in my "Chess Basics Series". This time the knight is in focus. I will try to get the tutorials on the king and queen done soon. I tried to keep an eye on the clock while making this one, and believe it or not, it does take over 6 hours to make these small tutorial.

Sjakkseminar med Espen Forså

Dette er første gangen jeg har vært på et sjakkseminar. Eller seminarserie som det kanskje kalles når det går over flere kvelder. FM Espen Forså har begynt på NTNU og det har ikke gått Trondheim sjakkforening hus forbi. Hvem som har kontaktet hvem vet jeg ikke, men Trondheim sjakkforening har vært så heldige at de har fått elitespilleren til å holde et sjakkseminar. 8 kvelder. 2 timer pr. kveld. Pris kroner 600. ”Kurset er åpent for alle, men passer nok aller best for spillere i ratinggruppen 1200-1700”. Jeg meldte meg selvsagt på.

Det har gått noen uker siden siste kveld og jeg funderer litt på hva jeg har lært. For jeg klarer ikke helt å sette fingeren på noe. Ingen;

"ja vel ja"
"er det slik det gjøres"
"jøss, er det så enkelt"

Ingen aha opplevelse. Skjønner?

Nå klarte jeg riktignok kun å være med på 4 av de 8 kveldene, så jeg skal ikke være for bråkjekk. Men seminaret var delt opp i temakvelder, så man trengte ikke å være tilstede alle kvelder for å følge med. Min uoffisielle rating er 1263, så kanskje jeg rett og slett er en for dårlig sjakkspiller til å henge med på teorien.

3 kvelder med posisjonsspill
-Ubalanser og svakheter
-Bondestrukturens innvirkning på partiet
-Hvordan lage en plan
2 kvelder om sluttspill
-Teoretiske sluttspill
-Praktiske sluttspill
2 kvelder med taktiske temaer og angrepssjakk
-Hvordan lære seg å kjenne igjen taktiske temaer?
-Når bør man angripe?
1 kveld om åpningsspillet
-Hva er sammenehengen mellom åpning og midtspill?
-Hvordan man lærer seg en ny åpning

Det ble for mange tema og for mange undertema. Det blir for kort tid innenfor hvert tema og det gikk unna i raskt tempo. Jeg sitter der og tenker, hvorfor? hvorfor flytter han dit? Hvorfor er det et bra trekk? Hvorfor? Hvorfor? Det er ikke det at jeg må ha det inn med teskje, men jeg vil ha en forklaring.

Den siste kvelden var satt av til åpningsspillet. Hvordan man lærer seg en ny åpning. Vi skulle ikke lære oss en åpning, men lære oss hvordan vi lærer oss en ny åpning. Dette hadde jeg gledet meg til, da jeg endelig har tatt motet til meg for å lære meg en åpning før neste NM. I mitt tilfelle Caro-Kann, og jeg sliter allerede. Men jeg er fremdeles ikke helt sikker på hva jeg fikk ut av det. Det ble Fransk åpning som var kveldens eksempel åpning. Men det ble mer enn et eksempel. Jeg syntes vi endte opp i ganske kompliserte stillinger innen Fransk og det dominerte kvelden. Og brikkene suste av gårde på lerettet.

Jeg satt kanskje mer og håpet på et foredrag om;

-Bør man lære seg hele hovedlinjen først?
-Hvor mange trekk bør man kunne?
-Hva med alle dellinjene?
-Hva skjer hvis motstanderen ikke følger linjen? Skal du da fortsette ditt eget løp?
-Kommer du bra ut med hovedlinjen hvis motstanderen ikke spiller som forventet?
-Når bryter du ut av hovedlinjen?
-etc...

Min konklusjon? Som alltid, sikkert helt på sidelinjen av flertallet. Jeg ville foretrukket ett tema for et seminar. Teoretiske sluttspill? Helt greit. Gi meg gjerne 16 timer om teoretiske sluttspill. Eller 16 timer om praktiske sluttspill. Eller noe annet. Jeg vet ikke om det var Espen Forså selv som hadde ideen om hva som burde foreleses eller om det var Trondheim sjakkforening som kom med et ønske. Men jeg har jo alltid min egen oppfatning. Med en så god sjakkspiller som Espen Forså som foredragsholder, bør man holde seg langt unna 2 timers tema som man såvidt får touchet innpå. Her bør han utnyttes til å gå i dybden i et tema. Tenk hva vi kunne lært?

Når det er sagt, så betaler jeg selvsagt 600 kroner for å være med på vårens seminar. Og fordi om jeg er en sutrekopp for tiden, så tror jeg de fleste deltagerne og Trondheim sjakkforening var meget fornøyd med seminaret.

Chess Basics 1.4 How the Bishop Moves and Captures

Here comes my video on how the Bishop moves and captures. I wish I could do this without the Kings on the board all the time, but using ChessBase as my main program, I am not seing another possible solution. Enjoy the video.

Chess Basics 1.3 How the Rook Moves and Captures

The third video in my Chess Basics Series. This time we take a look at the principles of rook moves and captures. And off course, some examples.

Chess Basics 1.2 How the Pawn Moves and Captures

My second video in my Chess Basics Series. I thought I'd start with the pawn. A fascinating piece which is at times underestimated by chess players. Showing the principles first and afterwards giving some examples.

Chess Basics 1.1 The Chessboard and Pieces

My first chess tutorial. How to set up the pieces on the chessboard and how the chessboard is placed between you and your opponent. This is as elementary as it gets and even though we today play a lot of chess on the internet and don't really have to worry about this, it's still a "must". Hope you enjoy it.

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Video

I am finally finished editing the "Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Video". This video lasts for 8-9 minutes and shows the Event itself. It was the best I could do with a handheld camera, a cheap computer microphone, terrible combination of white and yellow flouracent lights in the ceiling (a photographers and videomakers worst nightmare) and the fact that I am filming after my own games are finished. But you do get to see the chess, speed chess, analyzing, awards, Gamlebyen i Fredrikstad, up and coming talents and more and what to me is the most important thing... the Atmospehere.

All I can say is this; Enjoy.

NM 2010 Class 3, Game 9, Benoni, Four Pawn Attack

Picture #1 - First place Yngve Rasdal, Second place Ryaad Aabid, Third place John Ivar Brekke

Picture #2 - A very proud Yngve Rasdal

Picture #3 - Caro-Kann Defence became a favorite

This is not my own game, but a very important game for Yngve Rasdal in class 3 under this year's Norwegian Chess Championship. Before the ninth and last game Yngve is in second place with 6.5 points. His opponent, Ryaad Aabid is in first place with 7.0 points. A draw is not possible. he needs a victory to get first place. And from the moment the game starts, he goes for an attack. I thought his opening was bold and daring and his attack likewise. But what a beautiful and elegant game. And how proud he was after his victory and first place in class 3 was secured. Great game, Yngve.

1378 Yngve Rasdal, Masfjorden, White, 1

1468 Ryyad Aabid, Kristiansand, Black, 0

ECO A68 Benoni Four Pawn Attack

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 9

 

Picture #1 - The tournament hall

Picture #2 - From the blitz tournament

Picture #3 - A class 4 player, Sindre Brobakken (not my opponent)

Before this ninth game I was in thirteenth place. My last games have been a draw and two victories and I felt that I was on a roll. I also needed a last victory to get a little further up on the list. But so did my opponent. This game shows a classical chess attack. And I have to admit, this was my easiest victory during this tournament. What suprises me or shocks me, depending on how you look at it.. my opponent plays exactly how I have done during this last year and half of this tournament. Defensively and cramped. So goodbye to Inverted Philidor as white and a cramped position as black. Next year, it will be Class 3, and before that time, I really need to work on my chess.. including openings.

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, White, 1

1178 Alf Geir Thowsen, Follo, Black, 0

Sjakk gutta

Bilde #1 - Utenfor Kongstenhallen. Niklas Savio, Vidar Gjære og meg selv

Bilde #2 - Vidar Gjøre, Niklas Savio og jeg analyserer ett av Niklas sine partier

Bilde #3 - I stua i leie-huset. Yngve Rasdal og jeg analyserer, mens Vidar ser på Rybka

Heldigvis var en av oss smart nok til å tenke tanken om å leie hus. Billigere enn hotell, romsligere, bedre utsikt og jeg vet ikke hva. Kongstenhallen lå rett på andre siden av elva. Vi kunne ikke hatt det bedre. Utsikten var virkelig noe for seg selv. Motorbåter og yachter i alle størrelser passerte oss hele tiden og vi fikk nok å se på. Ellers var det slik jeg forestilte meg oppholdet. Fotball VM på TV'n, analysering av sjakk partier og noen øl før sengetid.

Vidar ble jeg kjent med under forrige NM i Bergen, og det var han som er den smarte, altså. Fabelaktig ide med huset. 5 av 9 poeng ble det i klasse 4. Men jeg tror ikke Vidar var ute etter annet enn å se hva klasse 4 inneholdt. Vi hadde kun 9 partier fra tidligere. Ingen av oss spiller aktiv sjakk. Man kan ikke forvente mer. Men jeg hørte en som ymtet frempå om å melde seg inn i  sjakk klubb og spille noen turneringer i året som kommer. Det var ikke måte på hvor mange alternative turneringer som dukket opp en kveld.

Yngve er en kjenning av Vidar og han har jeg aldri truffet før. Jeg fikk med meg at han var klasse 3 spiller, men det var ikke på slutten at jeg skjønte at han holdt på å vinne hele klassen. Jeg tror sannerlig alle hans partier varte rundt 7 timer. Uendelig lange sluttspill. Og det herligste av alt. Han er hobby kokk. Så det var litt av noen middager vi fikk servert. Et herlig humør. Ett tap i turneringen ble det. Og forbannet var han. Men han lysnet fort når han etter syv timer og midt på natta begynte å lage middag til oss. Hans siste parti er noe utenom det vanlige. Det var vinn eller forsvinn når Yngve på plass nr 2 møtte nr 1. Her var bare seier godt nok. Og dette partiet legger jeg ut ettverhert. 7.5 av 9 mulige og førsteplass i klasse 3.

Marianne, min kone, kom på torsdag. Vi fikk noen herlige turer i Gamlebyen. Både med og uten fotoapparat. Her var jeg i rekruttiden. Men alt var jo så mye større før. Torvet var jo lite. Men hva husker jeg? Det eneste jeg husker er springing langs stier, marsjering i gatene, vaktpost tjeneste, push ups og saluttering til offiserene. Men å få servert middag og ikke lage middag selv var visst verdt turen. Uansett om det ikke var meg men hobbykokken som stod på kjøkkenet.

Niklas ble jeg ogfså kjent med under fjorårets NM i Bergen. Han bodde ikke i lag med oss, men vi møttes ved Konstenhallen. Og vi fikk analysert både mine og hans partier. Han er den virkelige aktive sjakk spilleren blant oss. Og det er ingen som kan utsette noe på hans teorikunnskaper. I hvertfall ikke oss i klasse 5 og 4. Men dessverre så klaffet ikke alt i denne turneringen. Det ble 2.5 av 9 mulige poeng i klasse 4. Men om noen dager er han deltaker i Politiken Cup i Helsinør i Danmark, og det tror jeg han gleder seg til. Vi krysser fingre og håper alt går bra.

Jeg tror ideen om leie av hus kan være noe å ta med seg til neste års mesterskap i Oslo. Vi får se.

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 8

Picture #1 - One of the longest lasting games. And these little girls are serious
Picture #2 - My opponent Audun Hoem playing during this years 5 minute blitz

I am playing a little more aggressive and I feel that I am on a roll. Kind off lucky too. With one more victory I might just get out of the middle of class 4 and move upwards. My opponent is Audun Hoem from the chess club Kristiansund. He has a rating of 1095. Now, there are a few individuals that I did not really want to meet. Audun is one of them. One evening during the championships, there is a 5 minute blitz championship held. Last year I met Audun twice, and lost both games. So he does have a psychological advantage. At least from my perspective. That said, if there is someone that I would want to meet in a real game.. and win, Audun is one of those individuals.

He has great development, but I gain a pawn. It's something I do a lot in correspondance chess and sometimes it works out, other times not at all. But I am lucky, because I believe, it's not the recommended way to go about it. I hold on to the pawn during his attack, but I have my own plans.

1095 Audun Hoem, Kristiansund, White, 0
0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, Black, 1

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 7

Picture 1 - Fredrik Heggelund from Mo Chess Club. Rating 1191
Picture 2 - Another entrance to Gamlebyen

Game 7 - OOOPS and YESS!
I haven't really got off to a good start in the tournament, but I really don't have anything to complain about either. But if I want to climb up on the list toward the top, I need to start now. I am finally listening to International Master Torstein Bae and place my bishop outside my pawn chain. I also play a little more aggressive. I do not want to give up my bishop pair and while he chases them around with his knights, I am suddenly aware that he has more than one mating attack against me. After the first attack were he makes the game very unbalanced, he has miscalulated a little. And when I finally get my attack going, I never let go.

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, White, 1
1191 Fredrik Heggelund, Mo, Black, 0

Analyzing My Games With Torstein Bae (The Chess House / Sjakkhuset)

Picture #1 - Analyzing one of my games with International Master Torstein Bae

"Sjakkhuset" which correctly translated, I believe would be "Chess House" or "The Chess House" is an up and coming company and a great addition to the Norwegian chess environment. The three "major players" are Woman International Master Silje Bjerke, International Master Torbjørn Ringdal Hansen and International Master Torstein Bae.

They brought with them a collection of chess books, videos and other chess stuff we might want to buy. But the interesting thing for me.. and off course them.. was something else they were offering. Chess preperations for your upcoming game and alanyses of the games you play. With 499 participants in this year's  Norwegian Chess Championship and nine games played over eight days, that spells M.O.N.E.Y and the first thing that came to mind when I saw the signs was... SMART. That said, why not? I have been looking forward to this tournament for the longest time. Why shouldn't I take advantage of this? At least the analyses part.

After a game, win.. draw.. or loss, you sit there and wonder where and when did I gain that edge.. or .. at what time did it all go so wrong? Could I have done something different? Am I seeing the whole picture? And then you do your own analyses or together with your opponent after the game. In class 4, I am guessing my opponents and myself might have missed out on a few things. So, .. when do you ever get the chance to have your games analysed by International FIDE Masters with ratings over 2400? At least not me, because even though I play for Trondheim Chess Club, I haven't set my foot in the door these last 20 years. And if they do have members of that caliber, how much nagging from my part is needed to get them to look over my games?

So yes, I paid up front for all my nine games (which by the way gives you a discount..ok, enough marketing) and had them analysed. I get to say what I thought at the time of the moves, my plans or desperation.. and then what Mr. 2400 thinks of my decisions. And the fun part, which is a little bit out of context, but what the hell.. Remember all the times you were sitting there with a chess book, going on move 23 and then comes a few variations, and after you try your best, you just can't revind or remember where the pieces go, and then you have to start from scratch, over, and over and over again.. until you just dread opening that book? Well, there is no problem. You could have done this, Mr. 2400 says and shows 10 moves into the future.. or this.. and the funny part is that when it comes time to place the pieces back to where they were, Mr. 2400 does that. It's the perfect revind.

Ok. Back to bussiness. My analyzer was Torstein Bae. And yes. It was worth the money. He was able to tell me where I went astray, or my opponent for that sake. And I did pick up a few pointers. We didn't really get started with the ananlyses before well into the tournament, but I did eventually (even though he has 2400 in rating.. i am unfortunately not easily convinced) listen to what he said... and won my last three games. Inverted Philidor with white is a no..no. And for Gods Sake Man, be more aggressive. At least put some pieces beyond the third rank. He put it more diplomatic, but the message came through.. (eventually).

And one other little tidbit. I feel comfortable with the endgame. I just want to survive the opening and I feel all swell. Well, for those of you watching my videos and hearing me say I haven't got a clue about openings or the theory after move two.. watch out. Because that is definately one of the things I need to work on before next year's Norwegian Chess Championship. According to Torstein Bae.

I haven't talked to seriously about this with "The Chess House, my wife or myself yet, but I might just take a few lessons before next year's tournament in Oslo.

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 6

Picture #1 - My opponent Tormod Thingstad with a 1061 rating

Picture #2 - One of the entrances to "Gamlebyen" Fredrikstad

Game 6 - My psychological advantage isn't helping !
In game 6 I am playing against Tormod Thingstad. He plays for the chess club Hønefoss and he has 1061 in rating. I played against him in last year's championship. I won. I got a great combination in during an attack he was making. Talking to him a few days later he was still not happy.

Now I had a psychological advantage. And rumer had it that he wasn't to keen on playing against me. But last year he had 966 in rating, so he had improved.. and also played 8 tournaments since last time. And I really needed a victory.

I must say, I really tried to drive home a victory. I pushed forward in the center and before I knew it, I am once again on the defensive. But I chance it and hope for a bishop endgame. But whatever I do, it still comes out to a draw.

1061 Tormod Thingstad, Hønefoss, White, 1/2
0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Black, 1/2

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 5

Picture 1 - My opponent Christian Koyama Poppe with a rating of 1168
Picture 2 - A scene from "Gamlebyen" Fredrikstad

Game 5 - My opponent asks for a draw, I decline... and loose.
Once again I have the white pieces, and once again I play to defensively. My opponent Christian Poppe starts a very early attack which puts my castled position into shambles. But just before the attack, he asks for a draw. And what can I say? I am used to playing in cramped positions, I have gained a pawn on him, and if I can only ride it out for a little while longer, I will be fine. I decline. But I never recover. In the end I am hoping for a draw by three-fold-repetition and possibly checking his king with my queen for 50 moves, but it never happens.

I never get my own attack started. Torstein Bae, International master with a FIDE rating over 2400 analizes my games. And once again he tells me that I got to stop blocking in my bishop with my pawns. When it comes to accepting or declining the proposed draw, he tells me that even though I am a pawn ahead, with a deadly attack hitting my casatled position from all sides, without any way to actually get out of the line of fire... I should have accepted the draw.

This is my second, and luckily my last defeat during this tournament. And if there isn't some very special circumstances telling me otherwise, this is the last time I will play this defensively with the white pieces. "Inverted Philidor" with white. Who does that, except me?

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, White, 0
1168 Christian Koyama Poppe, 1911, Black, 1

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 4

Picture 1 - My opponent Stian Valle from the chess club Akademisk. Rating 1237

Picture 2 - From "Gamlebyen". Military barracks from the 1780's. (And my barracks in 1983).

Game 4. A very tricky opponent
Last year in Bergen, we played one game each day for 9 consecutive days. In Oslo, where the Norwegian Chess Championship is being held next year, we do the same thing. Unfortunately, here in Fredrikstad we only play for 8 days, and that off course means one day with a double round. This morning I had my first defeat. And I wasn't feeling very cheerful, before my second match.

My opponent was Stian Valle from the chess club Akademisk. He had a rating of 1237, and was the highest rated player in class 4. Not exactly who I wanted to meet. He could tell me that he had played in the last 10 championship tournaments. The downside is that he definately had routine on his side. The good thing, for me, is that he wasn't neccessarily up and coming.

I got a pawn very early in the game, and I was able to hold on to it. He had a tremendous attack on my castled position, but what sets him apart from others I have played, is the way he musters an attack and at the same time keeps setting up these traps for me. I had to thread carefully the whole game.

1237, Stian Valle, Akademisk, White, 0
0000, Gaute Michel Ferstad, Black, 1

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 3

Picture 1 - A great angle to see how young these chessplayers are.
Picture 2 - View from our house. "Gamlebyen" is a few hundred yards to the left.

Game 3.. I AM LEARNING MY LESSON THE HARD WAY... AS ALWAYS
My opponent is Allan Lilleøren from Lørenskog Chess Club. He has a rating of 1038, which is close to the bottom of the class rating. I looked on the internet yesterday to see if he played in last years tournament. He did. Same class. He came in close to last place. So I am reckoning that with fair play during the year, he must have improved over his rating.

He is playing the black pieces and opens with the Sicilian Defence. An opening I used myself in the 1980's, but long since fogotten. I'm not sure I would feel comfortable playing this opening today, had I learned it again, but one should always know the main lines, so one can counterattack. What I end up doing is playing my own game and looking at my castled position, I see that I have given away every advantage there is to having the white pieces. Today's lesson must be to stop opening the way I do with the white pieces. I googled it. It's called "The Inverted Philidor". A mirror image of how I play with the black pieces.

My opponent gets an attack going on the queen side before I can mount a credible attack on his kings side where he has castled. I soon find myself in trouble.

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, White, 0
1038 Allan Lilleøren, Lørenskog, Black, 1

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Game 2

Picture 1 - From the tournement, Kongstenhallen

Picture 2 - My opponent Lars Hope

I met an elderly man today. He told me that we have played together before. In the 1980's. I must say, everyone does their preperations. He had a rating of 1136, which is almost identical to my previous opponent. Rumor has it that he playes very defensively. Hm.. does that sound familiar? And he likes draws.

Well, in the beginning, that might be true. Because the action happened elsewhere. The player on my right side sat down with his newly bought coffee and spilled it all over the table. The player to my left side, thought he had put his cellphone on "silent". And in ticked a text message, bip-bip and game over. Cell phones equals loss. And my wife thinks I'm paranoid for leaving my cell phone in the car.

Then out of nowhere, my little sheltered world is crumbling around me. An enormous attack on my castled position. I come out of it damaged. I get a bishop. He gets a rook and a pawn. And the attack is barely beginning. But somehow he can't finish me off. I get my remaining pieces in action, and being under in material, I manage the impossible. A draw. (He ends up as number 31 out of 49).

1136 Lars Hope, Brønnøysund, White, 1/2

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Black, 1/2

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010 Class 4 Game 1

Picture 1 - Our rented house for the 9 days the tournament lasts. Thank you, Vidar.

Picture 2 - The view from the house. All these luxury boats pass us to our enjoyment.
Picture 3 - Yngve and Vidar trying to analyze a game, while the soccer semifinals are on.

Game 1 - I turned down a draw and won.

It was so strange and yet so wonderful to be back at tournament play and the Norwegian Championship. Having only played on the internet this last year, it was odd to not see a two-dimensional board. It was even more odd to have your opponent actually sitting right in front off you.

I opened more defensive than ever. Introverted Philodor I believe it is called. So I actually give away any advantage I have with having the white pieces. And after some moves, my pieces have barely budged, while my opponents pieces where baring down on me all over.

I use approximately 20 minutes on move 19. A move that causes unbalance, or so I believe in my mind. To everybody else it's just an ordinary move. Somehow, my opponent Arne Hallsjø trades off some of his active pieces. On move 22 he asks for a draw. I turn him down. A few moves later I still feel his position is better than mine, but I gradually get my pieces where I want them. He gets a few isolated pawns which I take advantage off. I am happy for the victory which eventually comes. (He ends up in 38th place overall.)

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, White, 1
1132 Arne Hallsjø, Sevland, Black, 0

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Intro

Chess Info
The Norwegian Chess Championship 2010 is held in Fredrikstad, July 3-11. There are 486 participants in different classes. There are 9 matches to be played. The difference in this year's tournament and last year's tournament is that this year we have a double round. Which means the games themselves will be shortened by a day and we will have one hell of a monday. Without a rating, with only last year's 9 games under my belt, and playing against some unrated players last year, I have no idea how qualified I am to play in class 4. There has to be a class difference, but I reckon that my second place in class 5 last year, will at least place me somewhere in class 4 that is not neccessarily bottom. So I believe a reasonable goal would be to position myself somewhere around place 15-25.

2300->>>> Elite (20) Participants
2000-2299 Master (38)
1750-1999 Class 1 (45)
1500-1749 Class 2 (63)
1250-1499 Class 3 (52)
1000-1249 Class 4 (49) (My class now)
<<<<-0999 Class 5 (36) (I came in as number 2 of 41 in 2009)

Tidbit
I should have booked a hotel room well in advance of the tournament, but I didn't. So the first night I have to spend in Sarpsborg, which isn't that far from Fredrikstad. I haven't been to this part of the country since 1984, when "Gamlebyen", the Old Fortress part of the town was my home during military bootcamp. Vidar Gjære, one of my aquantances from last year's tournament, has rented a house not more than 15 minutes away from where we will be playing. This is where Vidar, a friend of him, Yngve Rasdal, and I will be staying during the tournament week.

Norwegian Chess Championship 2010, Class 4, Preperations

From the moment last year's Norwegian Chess Championship 2009 ended, I had already decided to enter this year's Championship. I had planned a lot of chess activities, including chess tutoring, books and dvd's, especially those emphasizing the endgame. And even though there still isn't any time to play chess at a chess club, I would be there when they had lectures and maybe take contact with some of the players for private play. To make a long story short, nothing much happened.

I did continue to play at the website "Letsplaychess". Alltogether I have played 609 games, but only 137 this time, compared to 472 for last year's preperations. I have during this time played in stronger internet tournaments, where the opposition is more or less my own strength. That doesn't really show on the rating info, which has come up from 1704 to 1728. We are still talking about "Letsplaychess"'s rating system for their database systems. Nothing official yet.

And playing 137 games doesn't neccessarily improve your chess capabilities much. At least not at my age. For that I need to bury myself into some books and DVD's. So I am a little embarrassed to say that I will have to see what happens.