1. Standard memberAnderssen
    Legally stoned...
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    23 Oct '19 10:53
    In your opinion...
    Is old age and chess strength decline something that happens naturally or is it because of less playing and studying?
  2. santa cruz, ca.
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    23 Oct '19 12:21
    @anderssen said
    In your opinion...
    Is old age and chess strength decline something that happens naturally or is it because of less playing and studying?
    mental decline happens
    you might be able to slow it a bit
    but brain rot will win the war
  3. Standard memberAnderssen
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    23 Oct '19 16:09
    I was afraid of that answer.
    I'm still seeing improvement...about 100 rating points every 3 years on average and I'm only 40 so no decline yet but it would be unfortunate to work up to a rating of 2000 only to start losing it again because of old age.
    Hopefully I am one of the old ones who stay strong 😊
  4. santa cruz, ca.
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    23 Oct '19 18:59
    @anderssen said
    I was afraid of that answer.
    I'm still seeing improvement...about 100 rating points every 3 years on average and I'm only 40 so no decline yet but it would be unfortunate to work up to a rating of 2000 only to start losing it again because of old age.
    Hopefully I am one of the old ones who stay strong 😊
  5. Subscribermoonbus
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    24 Oct '19 20:09
    @anderssen said
    In your opinion...
    Is old age and chess strength decline something that happens naturally or is it because of less playing and studying?
    Lasker was still holding his own into his 60s.
  6. Standard memberAnderssen
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    24 Oct '19 20:45
    And Korchnoi into his 80's but they started young and had talent.
    I started after 20 and have no talent.
  7. Standard memberHandyAndy
    Read a book!
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    24 Oct '19 20:50
    @lemondrop said
    mental decline happens
    you might be able to slow it a bit
    but brain rot will win the war
    Are you filling in for VR in his absence?
  8. Standard membermchill
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    24 Oct '19 21:12
    @anderssen said
    In your opinion...
    Is old age and chess strength decline something that happens naturally or is it because of less playing and studying?
    I'm 64 and sincerely think this occurs naturally. I don't have the energy or the ability to concentrate for long periods as I did in my 20's. Experience makes up for some of this of course, but time catches up with all of us.
  9. Standard memberAnderssen
    Legally stoned...
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    24 Oct '19 21:131 edit
    @mchill

    Have you lost any strength yet? Or just hit a plateau?
    Is it lack of enthusiasm to train or an actual inability to calculate as good?
  10. santa cruz, ca.
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    24 Oct '19 21:33
    @handyandy said
    Are you filling in for VR in his absence?
    not intentionally
    if you want to talk about your decline
    now is the time
    I'm here for you buddy
  11. Joined
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    25 Oct '19 11:32
    @handyandy said
    Are you filling in for VR in his absence?
    Lord, we should wish not: It's been nice in here lately.
    πŸ™‚

    Anyway, I have noticed a decline in my memory for openings since reaching the half-century mark. My strategic thinking is still fair, but my execution of tactics are worse than ever. (Though never great at any point in life.)
  12. Standard memberAnderssen
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    25 Oct '19 11:53
    More bad news πŸ˜”
  13. Standard memberHandyAndy
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    25 Oct '19 16:23
    @lemondrop said
    not intentionally
    if you want to talk about your decline
    now is the time
    I'm here for you buddy
    Do they allow you to have visitors?
  14. Joined
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    25 Oct '19 16:59
    @HandyAndy------
    An old man told me that;
    ''experience and treachery will always win out over youth and enthusiasm'',
    As much as I would like to believe it, I know it ain't so in any sport..
    The saddest to see is a prizefighter who tries to hang in for 0ne last shot at glory.........What really intrigues me is the lack of female Grand-masters & chess champions.
  15. Standard membermchill
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    26 Oct '19 05:202 edits
    @anderssen said
    @mchill

    Have you lost any strength yet? Or just hit a plateau?
    Is it lack of enthusiasm to train or an actual inability to calculate as good?
    Q: Have you lost any strength yet? Or just hit a plateau?
    A: I've lost some strength, I'd estimate about 10-15%, though I still exercise


    Q: Is it lack of enthusiasm to train or an actual inability to calculate as good?
    A: Both, I've lost a 1/2 step in both areas. It's not much, but as I said before; time catches up with all of us.

    Please don't misunderstand folks, past tournament experience makes up for some of this, but it's unrealistic to expect to be as energetic and sharp at 64 as one was at 24.
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