Do computers help in learning chess?
IA Foong Chee Leng’s words still ring in my ears - “Don’t play against computers”. According to him playing against humans was more beneficial in terms of learning and chess improvement. But that was over 15 years ago.
I think there are more benefits in using computers today.
Benefits of computers:-
- Like a flashlight, it illuminates the best answer even in most complicated positions
- Easily discover hidden tactics in a game
- Used as an exercise/quiz system to test and evaluate chess learners
- Interactive learning system with video and feedback mechanism where coaches need not be face to face with students
- Storage of huge databases on personal games as well as future opponent games
- Build opening books based on databases to know what is the best or most favoured lines in current times
- coupled with the internet, computers lets you play an opponent anywhere in the world
Disadvantages:-
- Too much reliance on computer evaluation untill the player has little confidence in using his or her own judgment
- Encourages cheating online and offline
Looks like there are more advantages than disadvantages. For me personally, I’ve not gained much from computers overall. I feel I’ve fully taken advantage of computer game analysis on all my games, research using databases or gain better playing experience online. That’s just me - a lazy patzer.
However, one deep influence is my choice of opening. I play the Marshall Gambit of the Centre Counter/Scandinavian because I was constantly trounced by this chess program called Colossus 15 years ago! The computer used this gambit so effectively that I employ it in my own games today.
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