Castle Chess Interviews: GM Julio Becerra, Strong Player

From Fun Fong: International Grandmaster Julio Becerra, tells how he became a strong player when he started out as a teenager. He gives advice to aspiring scholastic chess players on what he thinks it takes to become a stronger player. Interviewed during 2006 Castle Chess camp in Atlanta. For more info, see castlechess.org

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• grandmaster
• scholastic
• kids
• children
• improve
• chess

[FunJr]

If you have looked at the collection of videos, these strong players come down on both sides of this issue. I subscribe to what Mike Klein and Alex Dunne have experienced - that one can get to some fairly high level by playing almost alone, but to get to a much higher level requires some deliberate attempt at study.

Carlos Perdomo's idea of studying whole games.

At Castle Chess Camp, we believe that every game played be analyzed by a stronger player. I think people progress best this way.

[IHATENEDAH]

good interview, but today you can only reach 2000 with practice than you need to study... but why do they interview national masters in the other videos??

[FunJr]

I would think that CJS Purdy would dispute a point like that. He noted that Morphy only played 500 games in his career and that he became strong by studying the top games of his time.

Perhaps you are already a Master, and you don't feel that such videos would be useful for you. We interviewed our 11 instructors at camp that year, and I think we got a good aggregate of what qualities create a strong player. I took away a lot of good lessons from looking at them all.

[CubanGuyNYC]

@FunJr Who am I to question Purdy? Although his point is well taken, it must be noted that Morphy was an almost singular chess prodigy. Paul might've been nearly as strong if he never studied at all. As someone else already noted, strong players are divided on what's more important: study or practice. For us mere mortals, I think it's practical to play serious games as often as possible, and study as often as time allows. Once you get to know yourself, start emphasizing what works best for you.

[FunJr]

@CubanGuyNYC I think the answer frequently ends up being different for different people. I think that in order to reach the highest levels, one must start studying these high level games. IM Carlos Perdomo likes studying whole games and Alex Dunne also got stronger by reviewing World Champions' games. I also strongly believe that it is important to have one's own games reviewed by a stronger player.

[obregon26]

I don't believe that practice alone can make you a very strong player. Most people don't want to admit that they have benefited from books and studying expert games. GM Becerra is pure talent, so he is more of the exception than the rule. But good luck to him!

[FunJr]

Well, "practice" in this case is more than just blind play. Look at Michael Klein's video. He seems to indicate that many players with simply talent and a lot of play can achieve a fairly accomplished level. In my own case, I don't play enough -- wish I played more....

[CubanGuyNYC]

@FunJr I believe everything you've said to be true. What I enjoy most about interviews with very strong players are their specific suggestions and anecdotes. Nearly every time, I gain something I find useful...or at least entertaining. Thank you for posting these videos. They're both useful AND entertaining!

[Chessczar]

Well he's avery strong player but his advice is terrible. There are some natural prodigies that can simply get better by playing. But a majority of strong players will tell you you must study. I was trapped in the "A" player range for ever playing and playing and playing. Finally when I actually started studying I broke into master category. But, of course there are many players stronger than me that say the same thing particularly Kasparov (attended the Botvinnik school).

[ArrogantJew]

@1981Myname Your teacher is an idiot.

[darkunorthodox]

im rated 1863 but im slightly underated ( i can beat 2100 like 25% of the time) and with the exception of a few looks here and there on opening books, i have never read a chess book. just practice practice with very strong players, and computer analysis. after 2000 (or maybe 2200) books are needed

[1981Myname]

But don't set your goal at ''1000 points'' or some number like that. Make it your goal to improve the chess skills you have now. THAT is the goal, no number.

[1981Myname]

Well, you are always able to reach your potential. It's just that your potential slightly changes as the years pass by, until it 'stabilizes'. But this does not apply solely to chess, it applies to almost everything. Someone who learns to play the piano at age 2 will ''most likely'' be better than someone who starts at age 40. But that DOESN'T mean the person at age 40 can't become REALLY GOOD or even better. Several people became grandmasters after the age of 20, one even at the age of 50!

[samirhossain]

My coach tells me the same thing, hes like 2180 FIDE, but why do other people (many people i know rated like in the 2000s) tell me that there is no point to try to reach my potential in chess because due to my age (19.5) i wont be able to reach my potential....my current rating is like 1460 CFC...is it unrealistic to go up by 1000 points for me in the next 10 years ? Because thats wat i hear often...like that talent and age thing