Posted by Randy Bradshaw on May 27, 1998 at 12:00:40:
Hi again, this is the second time I've sent this, but this
time I wanted to talk more about teaching. I've found it
some what difficult explaining the importance of visualiztion
most players, as my self some time ago, don't think much of
memorizing the board in this manor, but it really is a, if
not the most fundamental aspect of chess. I am hoping some
of the schools, like Castle Chess Camp, where I have
some friends on current or former (some of who are now at
Chess Life) staff, will include visualation techniques as
part of their curriculum.
-------------------------------------------------------
Hello there fellow chess players,
Here are a couple of new and truly unique chess study aids I would
like to introduce.
Chess Maps software organizes algebraic game notation into a "family
tree" style format, drawing a tree diagram of algebraic moves. The
tree diagram shows all common game lines at once (up to 100 games of
100 moves each per map), with pop-up figurine notations for any node
(move) on the tree, and hyper links to .pgn tag fields.
A demo version of Chess Maps can be downloaded from the web site
www.chessmaps.com .
Demonstration copies of the software are available as self extracting
zip files from the web site www.chessmaps.com and www.cheesmaps.com/vision
.htm. Chess Maps as a self-extracting installation program is 1.8MB and
Chess Vision as a self-extracting installation program is 1.0MB.
Version 1.0 of either Chess Maps or Chess Vision can be purchased for
$25. Software can be sent email, or ground mail on 3.5" floppy disks.
Chess Maps installed is about 1.1MB and the Chess Vision installed is
about .5MB. See web site for more information.
Chess Vision teaches board memorization skills by drilling the user in
the few simple techniques needed to develop this most fundamental yet
rare skill. Version 1 contains a variety of ways to study the diagonals.
"All beginning chess players should start by studying and memorizing the
chessboard. Knowing the board by heart has great importance because of the
vital relationship between playing strength and the facility of being able
to visualize the chessboard and the chessmen... A student's knowledge of the
board should be perfect so that visualizing the board becomes automatic. ...
Knowledge of the chessboard is to aspiring players what mastery of the
multiplication tables is to children studying math. It is essential."
An excerpt from "Comprehensive Chess Course" by FM Roman Pelts and 3 time
U.S. Champion, GM Lev Alburt, reproduced with permission.
If improved visualization leads to improved calculation then what effect
would that have on ones ability play?
Chess Vision v.1.0 is ready now, with at least the next upgrade, free.
We are currently developing a module on knight drills, which will "add-in"
to the existing Chess Vision software.
I would very much like to know what you think about both programs.
I would also very much like to know what you think about, swapping links,
we already have a few, but would like to have many more.
For more information, to download either demo, to place an order, or to
swap links with us, just go to www.chessmaps.com and then for Chess
Vision you can link to my page. This is a new site, and is being updated
regularly.
I can also be contacted at randx@unidial.com , or to send link swap info
contact web master Paul Helmering at helmer@chessmaps.com
St. Louis, Mo. USA
Thank you for your time, Randy Bradshaw.
Chess Maps Copyright 1997 Paul Helmering
Chess Vision Copyright 1998 Randy Bradshaw
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