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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2018 0:30:11 GMT -5
I've been thinking a lot lately about what I really want to use my time for that would both make feel entertained and feeling good and being productive. I've gone back to learning and hopefully becoming proficient in chess. I've restarted the Chess Tutor software Step 1. I have all the Chess Tutor programs now, Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3. I'm really enjoying it.
However, I'm trying hard to overcome that tendency of mine to get frustrated really fast when I don't do as well as i think I should more of less quickly when learning something new.
Do any of you have or had this kind of problem when learning something new and how did you get over it to keep persisting? Or have you actually quit trying learn something because it was harder than you thought?
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Post by raybar on Jun 22, 2018 1:09:50 GMT -5
Patience, Grasshopper. Chess is both simple and difficult at the same time. Easy to learn the rules, but endless complex in practice.
I tend to persist if something is challenging and enjoyable. But if challenge turns into frustration too often, I know it's time for something else.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2018 14:36:22 GMT -5
Thank you, Raybar, but quite frankly I guess I am a boring poster on a boring message board. I give up. Have fun ya'll in your weird ways. I'll go back to where there are actual interested people there.
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Post by debutante on Jun 22, 2018 15:56:18 GMT -5
Lily,
I haven't spent much time on chess because I've spent the past year working on my knitting techniques. I can now do most of the very elaborate patterns I admired so much on the doll clothes made by the Russians and the French ladies.
This wouldn't be difficult in terms of actual technique -- the problem was getting the materials adequately translated. I bought another 6 books the other day -- mostly these are guides so they aren't to read per se. But if you want to use an obscure technique, it is in one of the books and you can look it up and do it.
I have made some incredible doll duds over the year [well over 100 ] and I am getting to the point where I can see something and if a pattern doesn't exist I can alter one to get the look.
So -- yes, I have been learning things -- just not talking about it.
-- Debutante
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2018 16:03:55 GMT -5
Lily, I haven't spent much time on chess because I've spent the past year working on my knitting techniques. I can now do most of the very elaborate patterns I admired so much on the doll clothes made by the Russians and the French ladies. This wouldn't be difficult in terms of actual technique -- the problem was getting the materials adequately translated. I bought another 6 books the other day -- mostly these are guides so they aren't to read per se. But if you want to use an obscure technique, it is in one of the books and you can look it up and do it. I have made some incredible doll duds over the year [well over 100 ] and I am getting to the point where I can see something and if a pattern doesn't exist I can alter one to get the look. So -- yes, I have been learning things -- just not talking about it. -- Debutante OMG, thank you, Deb. Maybe there is hope for us and FACTS after all. I know this was hard for you, and I appreciate it. You do know I've missed the way we were. Can't write more right now. But I'll be back.
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Post by debutante on Jun 22, 2018 20:56:03 GMT -5
Lily,
Everything I've made fits the "Little Darlings". I told you that my husband bought me "Isabelle". Well...you know how pretty the Darlings are -- so over the past year, I've acquired three more. I love these dolls and am addicted. So....I also have three more commissioned.
I guess that makes me an official "collector" of the line. And I plan to eventually sell some of the doll clothes I've made because there are too many and I still have boxes of yarn and yards of material on hand to make more. I am having fun.
The only difficulty I am having is with the hand embroidery. But that's because my hand has some limitations since it was broken. I can do the work, but it is slow going. So I procrastinate on that part. The little clothes for the most part require a touch of that before I can put them up sale.
--Debutante
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2018 23:40:09 GMT -5
In the end, it really is a matter of time, abilities and priorities. For now I don't have the huge amount of time that would allow me to get into knitting and embroidery. And I've also decided that what interests me most is what goes on in my head rather than in my hands. And I know I don't really have that manual dexterity to do the handicrafts type of hobbies. You do have the ability and at least some time to spend on that kind of thing. And, of course, you have the manual dexterity and patience to work on that kind of needlework. As much as I've love to, I just don't.
But I am interested in thinking about how to maneuver pieces on the board to out think and out trick the opponent. And when it works, it really does excite me in a way, and it surprises me when it does work, like maybe I do have a head for this. So far, good, and it keeps me interested for long times at a go.
So, let's report on our successes. I've love to see what you are doing and what you've done so far.
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Post by faskew on Jun 23, 2018 8:03:57 GMT -5
Lily - there are many things to learn in the world, but I recommend that the fastest and most enjoyable way to learn them is in a group. Humans are herd animals. We like to be around other people. When I was a big chess nerd back in college, we were often told that the best way to learn was to play people who were better at the game. I would also add that the best way and most fun way to learn is to play people. 8->
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2018 14:48:52 GMT -5
Lily - there are many things to learn in the world, but I recommend that the fastest and most enjoyable way to learn them is in a group. Humans are herd animals. We like to be around other people. When I was a big chess nerd back in college, we were often told that the best way to learn was to play people who were better at the game. I would also add that the best way and most fun way to learn is to play people. 8-> I don't have a group to play it with. And even if I did, I wouldn't want to play with real people until I feel I have some kind of grip on it, and so the Chess Tutor where real games are played, too. Otherwise, if I prematurely play with real opponents without some confidence and practice behind me, I just might get too discouraged and quit too soon.
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Post by raybar on Jun 23, 2018 17:43:55 GMT -5
Does Chess Tutor allow you to take back moves, to step backwards to an earlier point in the game? I found it useful to back up to where I thought I made a mistake and try to find a better move.
You also might want to play the same opening most of the time when you're playing white. In the "standard openings" there are common mistakes that novice players tended to make within the first ten or twelve moves. Sticking to one opening until you're really familiar with it helps you avoid losing the game before it really gets started. At least when you're white. When you're playing black you have to be ready for whatever white does on the first move.
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Post by faskew on Jun 24, 2018 7:15:35 GMT -5
I suggest playing with nice people. People you feel comfortable with when you make mistakes. The reason I recommend people over programs is that you'll learn faster and have more fun. Good opponents will explain what happened and tell you what you did right and what you did wrong.
Chess is very "predictable" in the sense that, like raybar says, there are classic "openings", used for decades. Once the White player initiates one of the openings, the Black player has a set of standard reactions. So the first few moves of a chess game are almost pre-programmed.
For example, there are only 20 possible 1st moves. And 14 of them are wrong. So pretty much every game will begin with one of 6 moves. Once the Black player sees which one of the 6 is being used, they will know which one of their 6 moves to respond with. And so on.
Takes a few turns for things to open up where you have to start thinking three moves ahead. 8->
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2018 18:53:37 GMT -5
Except that I'm enjoying the learning process. The Chess Tutors are extremely thorough and in depth and long! And I'm only on Chess Tutor Step 1 computer software and there are three. In fact, I may actually end up not wanting to play any real person at all.
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Post by faskew on Jun 25, 2018 7:19:40 GMT -5
Computer versions of games can indeed be fun. No pressure, play when you're in the mood. Maybe even cheat, if there's an "Undo" button available.
But I think you'd enjoy playing chess with people, if you meet the right ones. 8->
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