Advancing from novice to intermediate
Posted:
Aug 2, 2000, 5:03 AM
Now that I'm off my soapbox about the rule changes, I had a question on improving my level of play.
As I've said before, I still consider myself a novice at pente. I have hovered around 1720 on Richard's PBEM server for the past few years and am unable to make the next step up the ladder. For the most part, it's that I haven't really taken the time to study the game. I've decided to devote some time to improving my skills, but I'm not sure what the best way to go about it.
What resources have others found valuable in improving their games?
Thanks in advance. --Patrick
This message was originally posted at Yahoo's pente group.
Patrick, in regard to your first question, the easiest way to post to the club is to do it from inside the club page. You don't have to compose offline and then cut and paste--you can just click post from either the home page or the messages page, and it sends you to the form. Then just start typing!
The problem with all the resources I know is that they are all outdated. You could probably learn quite a bit from the 83 Championship book, but strategy has progressed since then. I have heard something about an opening book written by our own Mark Mammel, but I'll let him tell you more about that because I've never seen it. The best learning tool I had was live games against really tough competitors. I don't if you could come by that benefit, but if not there is always pente.org. Sorry, I know this probably doesn't help much. Does anyone else have any suggestions for Patrick?
This message was originally posted at Yahoo's pente group.
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Re: For Patrick
Posted:
Aug 2, 2000, 11:49 PM
How about Stepanov's data base? I havent used it but know players who are reviewing it for Richard's tourney. I agree with pentejr. Playing ,and watching the good players, at pente.org is a great, and fun way to learn. Also mmammel8's(Mark's) computer opponent is a good way to learn. I know there is a link for Marks stuff here and think there is a link for Stepanov's at pente.org. Hope this helps some too Patrick.
This message was originally posted at Yahoo's pente group.
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Re: Advancing from novice to intermediat
Posted:
Aug 3, 2000, 1:44 AM
>What resources have others found valuable in improving their games?
I think the best way to learn is to review games. Start with your own - save all of your games whether they are PBEM, IYT, or Dweebo's. Look back especially at games you lost to a good player. See why it was that your opponent won -- then try to find a different move you could have used to prevent it. Try putting a puzzling position into my program and have it search, see if it finds a move that is good (or maybe not - use VCT search if it is near the endgame -- then figure out why it works if it does.
Also look at games between some good players, you can send the command list pente to list all current and recent pente games. Send the command pente show xxx yyy if you want to see games #xxx and #yyy. See if you can follow the game, and learn from some moves. A good batch of games is the final round from last year's tournament - you can download them from my site.
Keep track of what openings work for you (and others) -- make your own opening book or modify mine.
The main idea is to learn from each game rather than forget it and make the same mistakes.
MM
This message was originally posted at Yahoo's pente group.
- use VCT search if it is