http://www.ficgs.com/forum.html Last messages in FICGS forum http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4790-Don-Thibault-Jason.html Thanks. I usually do make a habit of copying to the clipboard before hitting any butons but, well, you know that ONE time you forget etc. :) Not to worry. I just wanted to add what a powerful study tool FICGS can be in analysing structures, plans and ideas in openings for your OTB repertoire. I really think that this form of chess is undervalued in really trying to get an understanding of target middle and endgame positions for use in club and tournament play. I use a lowly 1.7Ghz Celeron based laptop and Chessbase along with an older version of a 'weaker' (not telling which) engine for checking line and ideas but mainly try for lines that I want to head for in games against humans. Unless they prove to be truly disastrous of course. 8| http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4790-Erm.html The easiest way is to just get in the habit of saving all your text in the windows clipboard every new paragraph or so. (Ctrl+a then Ctrl+c). http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4790-PC.html Mine is an AMD Turion 1.66 GHz. Do any of you happen to know any ARENA-like user interface for Linux? http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4900-ELO-ELO.html "I was talking about updating the database with current theory and critical lines. " So what are you doing if not examining the latest games played and what better source is there than TWIC? How do you examine these if not downloading and filtering out the openings you are interested in by high rated players? Anything else is going to be taking other peoples selections eg New In chess opening surveys or subscribing to a chess opening service. Even then the best way of keeping a database up to date is with TWIC. http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4869-Beating-FMs.html If you have beaten more than 1 FM in a classical time control ie not rapid or blitz or bullet that is good on the other hand in short time controls it doesn't mean much at all I agree. Its tough to improve or learn about chess from blitz or bullet unless you go over the game ie for opening accuracy or tactical shots missed and make notes. http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4947-Rated-Chess-960.html Hello Joaquim, I don't think we would have players enough to create rating categories, so it would be difficult to obtain significant ratings :/ http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4790-Erm.html Lincoln, until the "message box" (with the scrolling text that auto-refreshes) doesn't appear anymore, your message should be posted without you logout. http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4947-Rated-Chess-960.html Any chance of being able to play rated Chess 960 games on Fics? I would be for it, any others? http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4790-Erm.html Hi, Lincoln -- You learn quickly here to save long postings. That has happened to me more times than I care to admit ;-) The timeout for automatic logging off seems to vary considerably -- sometimes minutes, other times hours. http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4790-Erm.html Interesting thread. I just spent 20 minutes composing a response, hit submit and *BAM* I got the Password Incorrect page, signed in again and all had disappeared. *sigh* :) http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4900-Repa-vs-Stephenson-10.html Geez Stephenson, I thought you were done stalking and harassing me and had found something else to amuse your little mind with. Something shiny and metallic perhaps? But here you are continuing your trollish ways. Actually, what this thread is REALLY about, is a pathetic little character who doesn't handle losing at chess very well. As was stated before, it's pretty sad that you don't have any chess games of your own worthy of publication or discussion, so you post one of mine and continue to rant, and rant, and rant about nonsense. I already BEAT YOU in chess. Quite easily, in fact. Could there be anything more ridiculous than a guy who loses at chess criticizing the play of the victor? Normally when someone obsesses over me like this it's a female doing the obsessing. But hey, each to their own. And yeah, it's pretty obvious you're someone with a lot of time on your hands. Nice of you to share that with us. But you only speak for yourself in that regard. Even with all your free time I was still able to beat you easily when we played chess. Just look at this latest drivel you're posting. You go on and on and on about why I shouldn't have lost a chess game I played a year ago like this is some life and death event for you. It's really not a big deal to me. So why is MY game such a big deal to you? If you're trying to make an argument that I'm such a terrible correspondence chess player based on this game, why did I beat you so easily when you and I played? I'm also higher rated than you as well. If you're going to harass me with one of my losing games, at least have enough intelligence and imagination to vary the game once in awhile. You have 5 more to choose from. Sorry but I've never met anyone clued out enough to put DOWN LOAD and DATA BASE before. This isn’t a minor spelling mistake or typo. This is a surprising lack of education. What’s next, “COMP -UTER”? A chess player should especially be familiar with the word DATABASE. But as I said earlier, some people mindlessly trust machines, and don't have the capacity to think for themselves. People like that like to brag about their meticulous spelling, because even a chromosome-deficient inebriate can figure out how to use spelling software. Most of us couldn't be bothered, because we realize that spelling is not important when making casual internet forum posts. And no, Stephenson, the "point" about ELO is not dead. It's your ability to learn and understand simple concepts that appears quite dead here. This has nothing to do with me not "agreeing" with you. This has to do with objective fact. An ELO rating could be talking about GO, Backgammon, or other games, that FIDE has absolutely nothing to do with, in addition to national rating organizations. You were wrong. End of story. Continuing to defend your ignorance of the meaning of ELO is just making it all the more obvious what it is you are to everyone reading this. Again, Stephenson, LOOK IT UP. http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4933-Openings.html Here are the current openings statistics (see /about.html) .. sorry, it is not Chessbase but I'll try to improve it with ie. a formula with ratings to see better what is played most at top level. Chess openings : Opening_name #games Line Scandinavian 310 1.e4 d5 Modern 127 1.e4 g6 Pirc 260 1.e4 d6 Alekhine 208 1.e4 Nf6 French 674 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 Caro-Kann 487 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 Grand prix attack 91 1.e4 c5 2.f4 Morra gambit 173 1.e4 c5 2.d4 Alapin 196 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Closed sicilian 228 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Sicilian ...d6 1323 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 Sicilian ...e6 243 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 Sicilian ...Nc6 759 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 Petroff 355 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 Spanish 1038 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Italian 354 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Ponziani 18 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Scotch 224 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 King's gambit 207 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Vienna game 89 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Other e4 ... 1524 1.e4 ... Dutch 181 1.d4 f5 Slav 353 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 Queen's gambit acc. 181 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 Queen's gambit dec. 353 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 Albins counter gambit 18 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 King's indian 203 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 Grünfeld 104 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 Catalan 36 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nimzo-indian 302 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 Benoni defense 136 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 Budapest gambit 22 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 King's knight opening 601 1.d4 Nf6 (... d5) 2.Nf3 Other d4 ... 1442 1.d4 ... Reti opening 691 1.Nf3 Sleipner 136 1.Nc3 English 858 1.c4 Bird 177 1.f4 King's indian attack 84 1.g3 Orang Utan 143 1.b4 Grob's attack 12 1.g4 French attack 21 1.e3 Mieses opening 10 1.d3 Anderssen 21 1.a3 http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4933-IECG.html Hi Hannes Your right Hectors Benoni didn't draw blood but I guess its playable. Actually I dont like to play against it as it provokes a crisis very early on and the hard work starts quickly! On FICGS I think queen side openings are preferred by the top players eg WCH knockout matches - the exception is Peter Schuster who seems to play e4 a lot and is successful with it. Thanks for telling me about Van Osteroom's e4 preference I am keen to see what he plays against c6! - I mean the classical variation. Sorry I dont know too much about the IECG server. http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4933-no-taboos.html Hi Hannes Although I am not a top level cc player, I still feel I do not too badly here (I will be over 2400 at next rating)... ... and I _never_ play main stream openings! In fact I played quite a few disreputed lines here like these: - 1.Nc3 - 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d3?! Nf6 4. Be2 ?! or 4.Bd3 !? - 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3. d4 cd 4.Nxd4 Bc5 !? - 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5 Nbd7 4.Qd3 !? My one and only loss in 43 games at FICGS was in a very doubtful but interesting gambit against one of the strongest players here. So I cannot see why such evidently interesting openings like non-Najdorf-non-Sveshnikov sicilians should not be played at cc chess any more... at least at my modest ~2400 Elo level ... Marc http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4900-Books-and-databases.html This thread is really about how reliance on books and lack of research can get someone into trouble ie a lost position after 13 moves in a main line opening - even with plenty of time and powerful chess engines available. Actually its not even necessary to own an up to date database to avoid this - the resources are freely available to anyone with an internet connection. The point about ELO is dead I think referring to ELO points is associated with FIDE ratings irrespective of the fact that most national rating systems use ELO's methodology. Mr Repa does not agree - thats it. "but when I'm dealing with who says down load and data base ..." I don't read anything into the omission of the word "someone" here nor the numerous spelling mistakes that have cropped up. Incidentally the book I referred to with analysis of the dodgy siscilain variation is called Experts V the Sicilian with different chapters by various GM's and IM's including a chapter on the pin variation about which one reviewer says: "we get no less than 12 pages on the “silly” Pin Variation, and in the end Aagaard seems unable to prove a certain advantage!" Whatever the truth about that variation its highly risky and not recommended for cc! http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4933-Openings.html Hi Andrew, " It certainly seems a lot easier to get a draw against e4 at cc." I've the same feeling. But the top player vanOsteroom prefers definitely 1.e4 ! Does anybody know if 1.e4 or 1.d4 is played more often here at FICGS ? "He played it 3 times including the critical line 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c5 4 d5 exd5 5 cxd5 d6 6 e4 g6 7 f4 etc and got 3 draws against opposition of 2150, 2300 and 2400." Can this be considered as a success ? 50 % against lower rated opponents ? Normally Benoni is played when you want or have to win with black ... However Hector Walsh seems to have some fighting spirit. Andrew do you know the IECG server ? From time to time I get invitations from the IECG guys for their tournamengs, but never played there. http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4869-Rating-calculation.html Hello all. I have been reading the discussions here and did not intend to add my t hought. But I guess I am anyhow. Chess is about having fun, making new friends, competing with your peers, last but not least improving your skill. I am playing in several M tournaments, a couple have players whose ratings have dropped below 2200. This not a problem for me. I think they should be allowed to play. With respect Wayne http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4933-Ruy-Lopez.html I have just got nice drawns with black against a Ruy Lopez, Open Variation, game 20196. http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4933-Benoni.html Hi Garvin No f4 occurred in just 1 game but Hector played the sequence Nf6 and e6. This year Topalov, Aronian Malakhov and Gashimov have all allowed f4 in the Benoni but it only happened in the Gashimov game. Top GM games seem to have a bias towards Sicilians Slavs and Semi slavs. Is it true that the Ruy Lopez is not so popular at top cc? It is extremely popular at GM level perhaps this reflects a bias at cc at the top level for Queenside openings. It certainly seems a lot easier to get a draw against e4 at cc. http://www.ficgs.com/forum_read_4933-Modern-Benoni-Taimonov-variation.html Hello Andrew, So Hector allowed white to play the Taimonov variation in all three of those games, is that correct?