So this is a quick update: the blog will be lying dormant for a month. I haven't written a new blog post in six weeks and I have exhausted all articles I've kept in reserve. I don't have any new content ready, and if I'm being honest, I'm not really interested in doing any more right now.
Relatedly, I am taking a break from chess. I won't be studying, reading, watching or checking anything. This month felt like a struggle, like chess was something I was forcing myself to do rather than something I wanted to do because, you know, it's a fun game. I need to pause and take a step back to make this is something I want to be doing.
So, for those reasons, I'll be stepping away from both the board and the keyboard for May. If I come back more in tune with this game, great, let's get going. If it doesn't, great, then I know I'm focusing on worthwhile things instead. Thanks for understanding.
I enjoy your articles. So I wish you an enjoyable break.
ReplyDeletelife is more than a chess, for sure
ReplyDeletethank you for your articles - I stopped with chessable - it was addictive as hell...
To all you reading guys - calculate how much time you spend with your family/friends, how much time you devote to education/career and how much on chessable/blitz games...
Glad you're prioritizing your mental health. Looking forward to whenever you return!
ReplyDeleteI find myself in the same general position Smithy.
ReplyDeleteI understand you completely, it is your life and it is just a game :-) You have no obligations whatsoever. However, I am still sorry that you do not continue with this blog anymore. I found your Chessable course completely by accident (it showed among suggested courses right after I lost a game because of really badly played opening) and from there I found this blog. I have been your loyal reader ever since and read everything, I even watched a few of your YouTube videos (honestly I do not understand why you do not have a LOT more views and followers, those videos are great!) and your mini course on ChessGoals.
ReplyDeleteI love this blog. Your writing, topics and approach is very logical, structured and constructive. It is not too much emotional, but also not boring. You are open and honest, you uncover a lot of your own life, struggles, etc., which is absolutely great, because we readers can easily relate and also learn from some of your mistakes whenever possible.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors, even though I admit that I would be very pleased if you got back to chess and also to this blog or other public chess activities (e.g., new videos, Chessable course, etc.).
If you ever want to write a few more blog posts, here are some topic suggestions from me for topics, which would interest me:
- Stockfish evaluations (does it really matter if some move has +0.2 or +0.3 against another move? Has chess world gone mad by these meaningless numbers? For example, I personally completely ignore these small shifts in computer analysis and only focus on big evaluation changes, like +-2 or bigger; is that a correct approach or not?).
- Phantom menace (sorry for the pun, I meant phantom threats; I think most of us amateurs very often defend against something, which was not really a threat at all, and by that we hand the initiative over).
- How to recognize a critical position (and what exactly is critical position? I read many definitions.).
These are just a few...
Hi Pralev,
DeleteThank you for your kind words and the many comments you have left on my posts. I do not get email notifications, so I've only just discovered them. I will read and respond when I can, but I wanted to let you know that I appreciated your appreciation!
I went three months not thinking about chess at all, then thinking about it a little, and then thinking about it more, and the last few weeks I've even started doing some light tactics again. Maybe the break will end soon? I am completely absorbed with work and some other personal projects at the moment, but rest assured, this will not be my last blog post. Your examples are intriguing and I've made notes to look into them deeper.
Thanks for being a reader!
- Smithy