On many occasions I've noticed that a number of older players take an organized and disciplined approach to improving their chess. It's what they've done in their academic/professional careers and when they get the time, they then apply it to the game they love. At the English Senior Championships, that finished last Monday, several of my opponents were very professionally prepared. They had well worked out and rather complete opening repertoires that were difficult to find flaws in.

Are there any drawbacks to this approach? It is certainly no substitute for the intuition borne of massive experience, but it's an efficient way to get through the early stages with a good position. Back in the 1980s and 90s it was possible for professionals to bamboozle their less experienced opponents in the opening, not any more. 

I suspect they were inspired by well prepped juniors, if kids can do it then why shouldn't older players? There is one problem, that the ageing brain may be less good at remembering things. On the other hand a player with experience can hope to hang their memories on hooks of understanding, a modified but effective version of memorizing opening moves. This also means that they know what to do when the middle game is under way!
 

Training Tournaments

This week's training tournaments are in the Queen's Gambit Accepted, the Furman Variation (1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.Qe2 a6) and then the 4...Bg4 line. 

Sunday May 4th at 5pm UK Time: QGA with 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.Qe2 a6

Sunday May 4th at 6.15pm UK Time: QGA with 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 Bg4  

My Upcoming Events

I came second in the English 50+ Championships and gained a little more rating. This has given me some enthusiasm for future events too, my diary now looking like this.

Here is how things look right now:

May 10 - 11 2025: Nottingham Congress

I've entered this one because they offer free entry for GMs, plus if I take a bye in the first round I can get away with one night in a hotel. You can find details here.

June 21-22 2025: Ilkley Congress

As with Nottingham this is just two days, I was given a free entry and I can take a first round bye. So I'll manage to keep my costs down to one night in a hotel and petrol for getting there, this stuff is important. You can find details here.

July 31 - August 10 2025: British Championships
As mentioned above I've entered without an invite. I've also gone for the Championship itself rather than one of the old folks sections. Obviously this will be full of underrated juniors, I'll just have to play better against them this time! You can find details here.

August 21 - 30 2025: Maia Chess Festival (?)

I've played in the last couple of events and I'm hopeful that I'll be asked back. The dates are now out.

September 5-7: Hull 4NCL Congress

I'm a big fan of 4NCL Congresses because they are played in nice venues, they're invariably well organized and they offer free entry and accommodation to GMs. You can find details here:

I'll be looking for things after September, not sure when or where!
 

Twitch Channel

My new Twitch channel will have new shows every Monday ('Chess Questions Answered), the Webinar on training tournaments and games is up on Fridays. Please follow it if you'd like to get updates etc, all the shows will be available to Premium members in the Tiger Chess members area, even when they are no longer available on Twitch.

Have a good weekend.

Nigel