Chess

Chess has been a part-time passion for me, for a couple years now. It has enveloped my spare time, and is one of my favorite pastimes. However, in the last couple weeks, I have been slightly bogged down. In my last tournament, I had a won game, but I blundered in the endgame. After that game I completely botched the next one. I have found, I can't seem to get the positions I want, and can't seem to calculate long enough.

This has been really depressing lately, so I have decided to stop most of my tournament activity and focus on my chess game.

First, I wanted to make some goals:

1. I want to get my online rating over 1700
2. I want to get my tactics rating over 1700
3. I want to finish the "Silman Endgame Book" and pass all of the tests
4. Know all of my openings like a grand master
5. Learn blind chess

The final goal is to focus on my calculating in chess games. The better you can play blind chess, the easier it is to calculate positions.

As a schedule, I want to do at least 10 tactics on chess.com. Then, study one section out of the Silman book. Last, work on my blind chess by playing a blind game with myself.

Please comment if you have any ideas on how I can improve my goals or my schedule. 

Tai Chi Week Two

Today, I'm going to start learning the 8 form and formulating a more in-depth workout plan.

1. First, in the morning, I'm going to follow this small exercise described in the video below:

I am planning to do this first thing in the morning, and last thing before I go to sleep.

2. Later in the day, I want to do the exercise routine in the video below:

 

3. Last, I am going to find some part of the day to the first step of the 8 form: rising and sinking:

It's best if you can do your Tai Chi in nature, sadly,  I usually have to do mine inside. However, I make it a point to get outside and at least do the part I know of the Tai Chi 8 form in the outdoors.