> It’s important to acknowledge this: luck does play a role in chess. But the key difference is that luck favors the prepared. If you’re defending well, staying sharp, and giving your opponent constant problems to solve, you increase the odds that luck will tip your way.
Interesting blog. Is there anything specific that one can do to help improve their floor specifically? not just general chess improvement but improving your lowest standard of play?
i have a feeling that experience is the only real way, which works against me as I have not even been playing for 4 years yet
In short: Chess is about 1) Pattern Recognition and 2) Calculation. Masters have put in the time necessary to build those skill sets to that level; IMs and GMs to theirs respectively.
Nice read
I think it was Chernev who once said something to the effect of, “Masters crush lower-rated opponents with machine-like regularity.” I forget what book I read that in so long ago, but the quote stayed with me all these years. I especially think of it whenever I lose to someone I should’ve handled, and realize I have a long way to go. Yes, untitled players (I’m about 1700 USCF) are all over the place with regards to performance. I’ve beaten 2200 masters in OTB classical games and lost to 1500-range players. The article is great, handing out some very real, practical advice. An excellent one, difficult as it may be to apply consistently, is to never underestimate your opponent. Happens all the time, and I’ve been on both sides of that one.
@NYCeGuyEddy i have the same issue. I have beaten 2200s OTB and lost to 1500s as well. Online I have drew a GM and lost to a 1200 in the same day. I think it's something that will come with experience as I have not played enough OTB to even get a reliable rating
@OTB_is_just_better said in #12:
> Interesting blog. Is there anything specific that one can do to help improve their floor specifically? not just general chess improvement but improving your lowest standard of play?
>
> i have a feeling that experience is the only real way, which works against me as I have not even been playing for 4 years yet
You’re right that experience helps but you can also speed things up. A few habits raise your floor quickly:
Stick to a simple opening repertoire you know well.
Always run a quick blunder check (“what’s the opponent threatening?”).
Manage your time and don’t blitz out moves in sharp spots.
Learn key endgame basics so you don’t collapse late.
Review your “bad losses” and fix recurring mistakes.
Those small adjustments make your bad days much less damaging.
@license2party said in #10:
> The suggested move 20 .. f5 under section 3 "Never give up" is a blunder as it allows white to win material by:
>
> Qc8+ bd8 Nf6+
>
> forking the king and the rook. Instead 20 .. Kf8 maintains equality
>
> lichess.org/analysis/r3k1r1/1p2bp1p/p1n1pp2/8/1q2N3/4PN2/PP2QPPP/R2R2K1_w_-_-_0_1?color=black#1
You're correct that 21...Bd8?? would be a blunder but instead, Black can respond to 21. Qc8+ with 21...Qd8 and the position is close to equal.
@tankusterxdop said in #8:
> Well written!!
4. The wish to win
You think you will win, you increase the odds of it happening.
You think you will lose, you increase the odds of proving yourself right.
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”
― Henry Ford