http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/-t1.htm Discuss issues about ICS that are not specific to a particular month Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:46:16 GMT 10 http://i88.servimg.com/u/f88/13/78/00/75/chesss12.gif http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/-t1.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/suitable-for-beginners-t179.htm shumar Hi everyone, I'm a kind of total newbie in chess -- played only a few tens of games in a lifetime. Would ICS be useful at this level? I've been looking for exact same systematic approach to learning, but it looks like ICS is mostly targeted to decent players. Does it make sense to supplement ICS with a book or two, learn at lower pace, etc? Or may be there are similar tutorials for beginners? Thanks for any advice. upd: Oh, and one more question -- is it worthwhile to just study ... Main Course: General Discussion Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:46:16 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/suitable-for-beginners-t179.htm#1556 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/suitable-for-beginners-t179.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/new-leaf-for-me-and-some-advice-for-those-starting-the-course-t176.htm Blue Devil Knight As I've said, the World Open kicked my butt. I didn't do very well (I think I scored 3 out of 9), but more I just got burnt out the tournament was too much for me. What can I say I'm a lightweight. Instead of giving up, I'm thinking about switching to the online/chessbase versions of the lessons instead of taking all that time to print out all the pdfs, set it up over the board, etc.. Anyway, if anyone has ideas on how to do the course in a sort of "lazy" way just because ... Main Course: General Discussion Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:53:13 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/new-leaf-for-me-and-some-advice-for-those-starting-the-course-t176.htm#1537 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/new-leaf-for-me-and-some-advice-for-those-starting-the-course-t176.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/are-we-still-learning-t175.htm hoopy Given how quiet things have been on here recently i was wondering. Are we all still doing the course? Anybody given up (would they still be here if they had?) I confess since the Summer break I have not got back into it properly.( To be fair mainly work related issues/(excuses?) From Tomorrow I go back to month 1 and start again. I think I was doing OK but I've stopped using what I learned. Who really feels that they are better players than 6 months ago ( including reflected ... Main Course: General Discussion Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:01:36 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/are-we-still-learning-t175.htm#1531 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/are-we-still-learning-t175.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/application-of-chess-theory-in-your-own-games-t168.htm fanat I came back to this topic with the same thoughts as everybody else. After a while I've came to realization that here is too much material in each month to complete in 1 month! I am up to month 7 and I'm not even finished with Month 6 yet. Actually, I've also came to another even more important realization. I remember as BDK mentioned on this forum previously it's one thing to know a lot of chess theory and it's another thing to apply it in your games! I'm doing well in learning some ... Main Course: General Discussion Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:24:42 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/application-of-chess-theory-in-your-own-games-t168.htm#1495 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/application-of-chess-theory-in-your-own-games-t168.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/i-m-making-rapid-progress-t88.htm Bilbo I'm really starting to feel the benefit of working through the first month module now. On Playchess for slow games I am now rated at 1758 which places me 1870 out of 6703! So well in the top third of all players on the site, and I only joined a chess club in September last year! It's really starting to click into place now and I'm improving rapidly I feel. I can't wait to for my local club summer tournament to start next week and then several congresses coming up to really try out these ... Main Course: General Discussion Fri, 29 May 2009 07:59:23 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/i-m-making-rapid-progress-t88.htm#636 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/i-m-making-rapid-progress-t88.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/the-original-advert-tazar-a-coach-s-experience-t170.htm karpyan In the early days of ICS, a mysterious article appeared on all chess forums called Tazar - A Coach's Experience. After investigation, it led to the ICS website, and I was so impressed with the free materials that I decided to subscribe. I have all 13 months, but haven't had the discipline to work through the material. That said, I won my first ever tournament with 4.5/5 after the second month of working through. I think the material is excellent. The point of this thread, is also that the ... Main Course: General Discussion Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:11:13 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/the-original-advert-tazar-a-coach-s-experience-t170.htm#1502 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/the-original-advert-tazar-a-coach-s-experience-t170.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/no-need-to-rush-t160.htm hoopy The question has been asked a number of times what happens after Month 13. I contacted ICS and have received confirmation that there is a "No expiry on the account". So for those of us that are behind or taking a month out for rest, then we don't need to worry about catching up. If someone has already posted this please accept my apologies for duplication. Otherwise enjoy the training at your own pace. Main Course: General Discussion Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:51:45 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/no-need-to-rush-t160.htm#1398 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/no-need-to-rush-t160.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/does-one-feel-improvement-after-six-hours-a-week-of-chess-work-t26.htm chesstiger As i am waiting for a sign of life from ICS i am wondering, after reading some of the post on the forum, if people feel their chess strenght is already better, higher, thanks to what they have learned so far? With other words, is the thoughtproces they suggest really so much better then everything else suggested (by Dan Heisman or Silman for example)? Or is it just being busy with chess that makes your chess strenght go up? Main Course: General Discussion Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:59:21 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/does-one-feel-improvement-after-six-hours-a-week-of-chess-work-t26.htm#69 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/does-one-feel-improvement-after-six-hours-a-week-of-chess-work-t26.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/ics-thinking-like-a-strong-player-t105.htm BobbyBlunder I am impressed with the notion of getting us to ask ourselves and do the following. They do not explicitly state the full thinking method in one place, as far as I can see -however I think it is this: 1. What is the threat? 2. What are the consequences of the last move? 3. Positional Evaluation 4. To Do List 5. Calculation I like it, though a little more elaboration might have been helpful. So here are a few thoughts that might be worth considering As we get stronger we become ... Main Course: General Discussion Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:23:57 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/ics-thinking-like-a-strong-player-t105.htm#773 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/ics-thinking-like-a-strong-player-t105.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/while-doing-ics-how-much-will-you-play-t14.htm Blue Devil Knight
Just studying improvement material is not sufficient to improve, unfortunately.

I will also have a coach that I talk to every two weeks.]]> Main Course: General Discussion Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:17:11 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/while-doing-ics-how-much-will-you-play-t14.htm#16 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/while-doing-ics-how-much-will-you-play-t14.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/home-page-to-practice-the-comcepts-of-ics-t144.htm Bernardonff
I just found out a very cool site to practice concepts (such as learning all the irregular verbs in portuguese). Of course the first thing on my mind was chess, how could I use it to improve my chess. I just created the first quizz based on king safety, see if you find it useful also

http://quizlet.com/group/36549/

B]]> Main Course: General Discussion Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:16:24 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/home-page-to-practice-the-comcepts-of-ics-t144.htm#1186 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/home-page-to-practice-the-comcepts-of-ics-t144.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/to-print-or-just-the-screen-t41.htm chesstiger
Personnally i need to print the material, i am lousy when it comes to read from the screen.

In fact i print it twice. One for putting it away so that i have a clean example of the course. Another one with which i work and may put some notes/annotations for myself.]]> Main Course: General Discussion Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:11:24 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/to-print-or-just-the-screen-t41.htm#188 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/to-print-or-just-the-screen-t41.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/the-adverts-have-changed-too-t122.htm hoopy As well as all of the other changes I noticed the adverts have changed too. They are clearer!. ( Also talk about for players to 2300(previously 2200- although they slip back to previous advert on the second page at 2200!!), No advert for individual tuition.Clearly references endgame training (we will see!!). Whilst I see it as slightly different from previous advert I reckon it is more accurate. ( I still wish they had kept Najdorf...I wanted to have the balls to have a go with it). Overall ... Main Course: General Discussion Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:34:00 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/the-adverts-have-changed-too-t122.htm#899 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/the-adverts-have-changed-too-t122.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/what-i-wish-t100.htm Chess?
If we all could meet on a weekly bases and review the material. Everyone is a different levels of play, we could all break into our pods and go crazy. I think we would all be better middle aged male chess enthusiasts.]]> Main Course: General Discussion Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:19:39 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/what-i-wish-t100.htm#741 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/what-i-wish-t100.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/what-do-you-do-when-you-are-not-motivated-to-work-on-ics-t91.htm Blue Devil Knight I'm feeling really unmotivated today to finish the annotated self-quiz game. It's the last thing I need to do in the first month of the course. Will I do it or not? I was planning to finish it, and then do a slow game tonight. Not sure what I'm gonna do at this point. Main Course: General Discussion Sat, 30 May 2009 22:29:46 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/what-do-you-do-when-you-are-not-motivated-to-work-on-ics-t91.htm#672 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/what-do-you-do-when-you-are-not-motivated-to-work-on-ics-t91.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/a-method-for-attacking-the-problems-t82.htm Blue Devil Knight I have a new six-step technique I use to study the problems in the ICS. The issue is that there are lots of problems in some months, and some positions are so complicated that I could easily spend four hours studying them. Unfortunately I don't have the time for that, so I devised a method to be more efficient. Method for attacking problem I. Set up the position on a real board. II. Set your chess clock with ten minutes for each side. III. Hit the clock and work on the problem for ... Main Course: General Discussion Mon, 25 May 2009 17:21:14 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/a-method-for-attacking-the-problems-t82.htm#571 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/a-method-for-attacking-the-problems-t82.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/what-type-of-games-are-we-playing-t72.htm hoopy I noticed that if I play any faster than 20 mins I don't remember anything of the course. Should we consider slow games only? I know fast games are supposed to sharpen your tactics but wonder if they distract me from the trained mindset I need to learn. Any views? Main Course: General Discussion Sun, 17 May 2009 21:57:08 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/what-type-of-games-are-we-playing-t72.htm#475 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/what-type-of-games-are-we-playing-t72.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/doing-problems-think-then-write-or-write-while-thinking-t64.htm Blue Devil Knight I've been working on the 'To Do List' problems for Month One. The way I've been doing them is writing out an evaluation of the position and a longish To Do List, writing down each thing as I think of it, then inspecting the list to prioritize the plans, and so on. Are others writing it out as they do it, or do you work through all the plans and such in your mind first, and only then write down what your thoughts were? That is, do you write out your thoughts as you work on the problems, ... Main Course: General Discussion Mon, 11 May 2009 22:18:07 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/doing-problems-think-then-write-or-write-while-thinking-t64.htm#411 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/doing-problems-think-then-write-or-write-while-thinking-t64.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/paid-for-entire-course-at-once-gives-directly-access-to-entire-course-t45.htm chesstiger Did somebody else also pay for the entire course at once? The reason i am asking is because i currently have access to the full course (month one to month twelve). Or is this a mistake by CLS? Anyway, i am going to do still a month per monthly part and a minimum of six hours a week. No rushing, just absorbing the information, hints and tips and hoping to reach higher chess knowlegde and a 2100+ chess rating at the end of this course. Main Course: General Discussion Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:21:59 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/paid-for-entire-course-at-once-gives-directly-access-to-entire-course-t45.htm#237 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/paid-for-entire-course-at-once-gives-directly-access-to-entire-course-t45.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/overall-structure-of-the-ics-curriculum-t9.htm Blue Devil Knight In the first month, we see the subject breakdown by month is as follows: Month Subject 1 Think Like a Strong Player 2 Watch the 2 Centers 3 - 4 Master the Piece Play 5 – 6 Master the Pawn Play 7 – 8 Pawn Structures Explained 9 Advanced Fighting Strategies 10 – 13 The Art of a Master: Analysis I'm wondering about the endgame. Perhaps this is more a middle-game course, though when I emailed them about this they ... Main Course: General Discussion Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:56:23 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/overall-structure-of-the-ics-curriculum-t9.htm#11 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/overall-structure-of-the-ics-curriculum-t9.htm http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/working-with-the-annotated-games-t27.htm Chess? Month 2 has a crap load. I think I will print off the pdf then set up the board and follow using the board. I do like the browser versions; it is much faster and easier to follow all the sub lines. But I do find that if I use the browser version I don’t retain the information that well.]]> Main Course: General Discussion Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:26:01 GMT http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/working-with-the-annotated-games-t27.htm#76 http://icsdiscussion.forumotion.net/main-course-general-discussion-f9/working-with-the-annotated-games-t27.htm