Finally Topped 1800 on USCF Rating List

My USCF chess rating has reached 1822--the highest rating I've reached.

Several years ago I reached 1800; however, I got the rating by playing the same five guys over and over.  Of course I should reach 1800 given that circumstance.  After playing the same guys over and over you eventually catch on to them.  So, your rating has to increase unless you are uncapable of learning.

I played for a season back in 2006 in the German League for a small village called Bann.  The village had five teams: 

Team 1:  GMs and IMs
Team 2:  IMs and experts
Team 3:  Experts and down to 1900
Team 4:  1900-1500
Team 5:  Anybody who could spell chess.

I played on Team 4 on the last board.  Even though I thought I should have played on a higher board, most of the players were friends so they placed friends on higher boards.  In a way I didn't feel challenged that season because I did not lose a single game.  The Germans keep stats on everything as if it was major league baseball.  I was surprised to see that I had the highest winning percentage for the league that year.  It's nothing to be really proud of because of my low-caliber opponents.  However, I think it proved my point that I should have played higher up.  In fact, our team came in second place for the season.  We might have came in first place if I was moved up a few boards.

So, I'll only quietly acknowlege my rating has gone above 1800 and I will forget about it.  My belief is you cannot improve at this game if you are playing for points.  I don't judge my chess knowlege by points.  When I'm at the board, I can tell whether or not I'm improving by the ideas and tactics that I see.

I've always wanted to improve at everything I do.  I'm not in competition with anyone but myself.  There are a handful of people at the chess club who have absolutely no desire to improve--at least that's the impression that I get.  There's plenty of stronger players who would be more than willing to go over their games to give suggestions on how to play better; but they don't seek anybody's opinion.  In fact, I believe some of these players seem to want to dodge playing players who are better out of fear of losing.  They'll sit off to the side and play players they can beat.  Maybe it's an ego thing.  I'm not sure.  If they would just forget about the ego and face reality like I had to and just say, "Hey, my game stinks and I can improve it," then they could improve.  When the ego is in control you tend to make excuses on why you lost.  You tend to avoid people who would beat you because you are afraid of your ego facing defeat.  You might blame some external factor or some internal factor as fatigue, etc.  When you drop the ego and take responsbility for your game  you will begin to progress.

Let's don't forget about work.  Several people don't want to put the work in to improve.  Chess isn't like spirituality.  You can't sit underneath a tree and one day wake up an become an Enlightened Grandmaster.  It takes some work.  For those who are really busy with their jobs, all you need to take is a few minutes out of your day for the game.   However, it's important to do a little every day.  Be patient and work, the results will come.  One of the problems with our society is everybody wants it now.  They don't have the patience to wait for gradual improvement.  It's very important to have patience to improve at this game.

I remember several years ago when my friend, Jay Baniel, was preparing to play for the Armed Forces Chess Championship. He was really a long shot. In fact, judging by his rating he stood zero chances. I talked to Jay a few weeks or so before the tournament while we sat at the Food Court in Germany. I thought Jay's play was sometimes too passive. I said, "I fear no chess player. If you think about it nobody is going to die in this game." In my opinion it doesn't take a brave man to play fearless chess. However, if I ever look up and my opponent is holding a gun to my face then I'll start sweating.  I don't know if the talk helped any, but Jay surprised everybody and won the championship.  Some people only need to overcome some mental barriers to improve.

In ending I'll just emphasize, "Don't play for points.  Play to understand the game; work hard and then you will improve."

cheers

Paul