Knowledge versus Skill

In his book Chess for Zebras, Jonathan Rowson points the obvious, which as any deep truth is actually not that obvious at all. Knowledge and skill are two different things. To be a better player one need to improve skill. Rowson points out that training hard (going at the edge of one's comfort zone) is paramount. He repeats FM Ken Smith's advice that until 1800 level "your first name is tactics, your middle name is tactics, and your last name is tactics". He endorses Manuel de la Maza's book Rapid Chess Improvement. This tactics pursuit is subject of great following by a large number of players, and is often criticized by others. I think this uncomfortable truth goes for most of the chess publications. A book on openings could for instance be sold to one thousand 2000+ players, or seven thousand 1500+ players. Now the truth is that said book might improve the second category skill at the game by ... almost nothing.

Knowledge versus skill is found everywhere. For every craft (drawing, stock market trading, etc) most people amass knowledge and not skill. And I am not talking about football. I love playing, I like to follow news and results, but most people I play with have outstanding knowledge of the game (the follow teams and players very closely) great knowledge of how to play the game (dribbling, running, what TV shows them) but surprisingly low skill in understanding tactical and strategic aspects of the game. You would be surprised. Creating space, triangle passing, are often not understood by players who are very good dribbling and very good knowledge of history. Chess analogy would be a great knowledge of GM games, knowing who won the latest tournament, knowledge of opening lines 20 ply deep, but have not concept of the middle game plan that these opening are leading to.

Increasing skill is the most interesting thing. There is nothing like winning games against increasingly skilled opponents. Skill is the fundamental aspects of flow, where one must match a difficult challenge against with a good skills. This is why I enjoy a large variety of board games beside chess: I thoroughly enjoy learning new games, discovering tactics and strategy anew. Will I ever be a great expert at any of them ? likely not. My own way of gaming is the one of diversity (with a love for chess).

Enjoy the journey of playing games,