Monday, May 5, 2008

The Power of Visualization

Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Walt Disney, Nikola Tesla, and even Mozart all ascribed their creative genius to their ability to visualize.

Einstein said that all of his most important and productive thinking was done by “combinatory play” with “images” in his mind. Einstein used images, visual patterns and associations to discover more about the world around him.

Einstein believed that the spirit of learning and creative thought were lost in strict rote learning. Instead, he turned to his own imagination and visualization.

Visualization is an incredibly powerful tool in solving problems. Often times much more powerful that simply using words or numbers.

Visual thinking is done in the right side of the brain, presenting new problem solving and big-picture thinking.


God didn’t give us formal instruction manuals for our brain. Therefore, we must explore the power of thought on our own.

1. The first step is to expand your consciousness as well as your perspectives.

The genius mind will look at a problem from many different perspectives. We are literally able to place ourselves completely in someone else’s shoes in order to experience a new way of looking at things. By doing this, we expand our knowledge and consciousness of the perspectives around them.

Look at problems from a variety of different perspectives. Most people only rely on their own perspective, and therefore always have a very narrow view of the world.

Leonardo da Vinci believed that, to gain knowledge about the form of a problem, you must begin by learning how to restructure it in many different ways. He believed that the first way you look at a problem is entirely too biased. You are only seeing the problem from one perspective: yours.

You can find new solutions to the problem by looking at it from a variety of different perspectives. According to Einstein, “You cannot solve a problem with the same type of
thinking that is creating it.”

Einstein insisted that the secret of his genius was his ability to look at problems in a childlike, imaginative way.

To Quote Kasparov

I was amazed with Kasparov's quote. It's so inspiring.

" To play creatively without being afraid of taking chances and to posses a polished chess style in no way releases you from the need for persistent hard work. On the contrary, you must constantly perfect your playing, deepen and widen your opening repertoire, refine your techniques, and analyse complicated endgames. Chess, after all, is not just an accumulation of acquired knowledge; chess is dynamic, and apparently definitive conclusion may in actual fact be just an interim one. The truth has to be proved every time. Even my own annotations to games are not unshakeable as far as i am concerned. I like to keep updating them, making them more precise: many ideas come to be reaccessed, including, of course, one’s own ideas. I willingly go over my own mistakes again and analyse them "

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Finding a Good Move

Attaining a good move

First method
• The legend behind a good move is to achieve a thought for making a move in some position… First method I am using was…Every position is unique, always have an answer on every threat made by the opponent…Then the used of phrases like

‘Higher objective than a momentarily satisfaction…Chess is art and science…play with creative ‘

Second method
- I was using internally and externally analysis where I evaluating the position as a whole and then a small characteristic portion.
- To backup the method, needed of perfectionists in detailing.

Third method
- I was using the psychological method which is determine from the opponent’s senses like his overall move, opponent personality and other outcome.
- This method comes with realization of opponent styles of play and to play better than opponent.
- The thought need to continuously develop as it needs full of concentration

Hybrid method
-The right attitude in play is to be rude. Make your move with a harsh reply. Always get a tempo. Ignorance of others problems.
- One goal lead for consideration of all the methods above.
- The goal is to find only good move then search for a better move. A good move is not always an attacking move, it does consist of defensive play, hold up position, strong occupied move and etc.

Finding the Truth in the Position

• Although not all Grand Master play a good move, but it is essential to see how they put the pieces, the adversary, the flanks and the motive of some move.
• Related with the good combination created by the GM.
• Practice a lot of problem solving.
• Play a tournament like when you playing by yourself at home.

Searching for a Better Move

• Always criticized your move in order to see the best one.
• GM also has its flaw and weaknesses, so you must find your own. Understand the flow of your move as it will determine your unique style of playing.
• Believe in your move.

Establish Your Own Strength

• Don’t rush for a ultimate one, it is better for you to master it level by level.
• First, set your target on how strong you would be after a decent training.
• Access your strength by evaluating the performance from the quality game.

Find Your Truth Ability

• Always aware that there is an ability that make you superior than others.
• Discover and develop the ability.
It might be the imagination, the ability to reveal, the intuition, characteristic shaping and etc

New Maxim

• Be ‘comfortable’ in moving the pieces
• Simulate all the position pattern on board
• Imagine you carried out the move in several circumstance of the position
• Just feel where is about the good move was.
• The usage of mind power

Advice for Average Player ( 1800 - 2000 )

Five Things We Can Do That Should Lead To Improved Results

•Improve your thought process. Make sure you look for checks, captures and threats on every move, and always consider what your opponent is trying to accomplish and what move they would make if it would be their turn instead of yours.

•Improve your ability to analyze. Consider at least 4 moves before making a move. If the position leads to a forced tactical continuation and you are unable to calculate until the position is quiet, and then choose a ‘safer’ strategically based move that will require less analysis and calculation.

•Do not force the situation and instead play for small advantages. Ensure that there are no weaknesses in your camp, while at the same time scanning for weaknesses in your opponent’s side.

•Calculate several candidates before making each move, always expect that your opponent will play the best move. Remember that once you found your move, try to look for a better one.

•Play less blitz games.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Me and Chess

I am addicted to chess since I was at age 15. I start seriously studying chess from a book that I borrow from library. I learn simple tactics and strategies, basic opening and essential ending which I used to play against my brothers. After succeed in beating my brother, and then I was selected to represent my school in MSSD. I was failed to get through for MSSM, what a pity me, it’s just one point separated me.


Honestly I am not a talented chess player. Thanks to my best friend who encourages me to study new system opening so call ‘English Opening’. I noticed a lot improvement in my game after finished study that opening book. During my years of study in University, most of my times are spent by involving in chess tournaments. I used to have chess practice right before revise my study book even for a short duration. Luckily I manage to finish my study and graduated as Degree’s holder in Mechatronic’s field. Somehow the improvement in my ‘chess’ is not very convincing and still at the same level.


After I got a permanent job, money is not a factor anymore for me to get involved in any chess tournament that held around Malaysia but the problem is about time. I got no time for intensive chess training and also time for traveling. I thought with having enough money, I can do whatever I want to help my chess improve but it goes into other direction. So I decided to join chess club near my area with all the strong chess players gathered there to setup mini tournament. What a great opportunity for me! Then I start realized that my chess has been improved.


After got a confidence toward my style of chess, I start join rated tournament. In July 2007, I got FIDE rating. I believed I am addicted to chess and will play chess forever.


“ Chess can release my tension. When I was about thinking on the next move, I put also all my problems on the board as if I am totally out of this world, then after the game is over, I assume my problems also over “