Life In 19x19

The most recent issue of the AGA e-journal (6-15-2010) has an interview with Michael Redmond on studying, improving your game, and how pros train. The interview is by Chris Garlock

First, I am glad to hear that Mr. Redmond will be regularly contributing game commentary to the e-journal. I am really looking forward to that.

Second, I found his approach to studying the endgame really interesting. It's interesting to hear his opinion that traditional endgame counting can be inaccurate to one or two points. And that to overcome that, he'll be practicing reading out whole board endgame.

I might try something similar myself (can I read the last 10 moves?) - though, given my rank, I'll be sure to keep a sense of humor about the exercise.

He doesn't say that traditional endgame counting is inaccurate; he says that you can miss out on a point or two if you evaluate endgame plays in isolation from the whole board, as most people traditionally have done.

I'm very impressed by this -- it would not have occurred to me to try to read out the entire endgame from, say, move 180. Thanks for posting the link!

mikem wrote:I'm very impressed by this -- it would not have occurred to me to try to read out the entire endgame from, say, move 180.

probably because we're in byo-yomi by that then, and no longer have the time.

xed_over wrote:

mikem wrote:I'm very impressed by this -- it would not have occurred to me to try to read out the entire endgame from, say, move 180.

probably because we're in byo-yomi by that then, and no longer have the time.

That's true. But even if I had the time, I'm usually too lazy to maintain concentration. That's probably what I really need to work on (along with time management).

mikem wrote:

xed_over wrote:

mikem wrote:I'm very impressed by this -- it would not have occurred to me to try to read out the entire endgame from, say, move 180.

probably because we're in byo-yomi by that then, and no longer have the time.

That's true. But even if I had the time, I'm usually too lazy to maintain concentration. That's probably what I really need to work on (along with time management).

I suppose that the fact that he's a strong 9-dan professional and you are not might make a little difference as well there

gaius wrote:I suppose that the fact that he's a strong 9-dan professional and you are not might make a little difference as well there

Details, details...
I think I'll start with something more manageable, like reading a whole-board 9x9 endgame from, say, move 30.