Independent Component 2 Plan Approval

 1.) For my independent component 2, I plan on solving a large amount of chess puzzles over 30 hours of time from the book, “CHESS, 5334 Problems, Combinations, and Games” by Laszlo Polgar.            

2.) I will solve puzzles in intervals of at least 30 minutes, and will record every single one I solve in a journal, which will include my personal solution and the actual solution. I will try to solve as many as possible in the time intervals I have.

3.) This will be extremely useful for solving my EQ because one of my answers is to solve as many puzzles as possible. I need experience doing this to be able to instruct others on how to do it. Also, my activity will include solving a puzzle with the class, so I think it will help me with the presentation. 

Independent Component 1

Literal: 

a. I, Diego Cortez, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.

b. For my independent component,  from the 20^th of October 2011, I have logged in a total of 48 hours on Chess.com after playing an overall number of 181 games against ranked opponents. (The average time for a game was 15 minutes. )

Interpretive

Defend your work and explain how the significant parts of your component and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.

With my topic being on chess, I can't start teaching what I don't know about. I needed a lot of experience with the game to be able to develop a different perspective on the subject. With so much experience in the past months, I have definitely improved my skill and have a better understanding of the game. 

I thought it demonstrated hard work because most of the games are only a few minutes long, so I had to play more to get the hours I needed. I could have just played turn-based games( day-long games) and gotten easy hours like that, but instead I thought more games would increase my skill and help me out more than just a couple of really long games. 

Applied

How did it help you answer your EQ?  Be specific and use examples.

My EQ is "What is the best way to win a game of chess?" It would be impossible to answer this question with relevant  answers if I had no experience with the game. My third interview( Nguyen, Thongminh "Interview 3." Personal interview. 25 Jan. 2012) told me the best way to improve was to just keep playing games, and that is essentially what I have done with my independent task. A potential answer I currently have is to learn from more experienced players when you play against them. In a game played this past week, I had a superior position the entire game but still lost from a checkmate that I had never experienced. So after the game was finished I messaged the player and I was able to learn the technique he used to pull that surprising win. Overall, these hours of independent task have provided a level of experience and understanding of the game that I previously did not have. 

Hours Log Calendar (google doc):

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtOdVDzQH5hJdDFSbXgtd01BdVdWVWRoN042eC03a3c#gid=0

Evidence of 30 hours of work: 

For the evidence, I will simply provide my account's(diegocortez28) public game archive on chess.com. It keeps track of every single game I have played on the site. I used games from October 20, 2011. 

http://www.chess.com/home/game_archive.html?member=diegocortez28&show=live

Presentation 2 Rough Draft

Google doc link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ohkod8eLSIZdLfZztLy9W4s7C4NHZs6uoydHScDwQY4/edit

Answer # 1

EQ: What is the best way to win a game of chess?

Answer: Personally play against superior opponents as often as possible.
(2) What possible evidence do you have to support this answer?

One of the best ways to improve your game and play better is to simply watch good games of chess. They don't have to be played by grandmasters, as long as you watch enough games, you will eventually pick up on patterns across the board. When this happens in one of your games, because of your experience studying, you will know what the opponent might be planning and be able to counter it. 

(3) What source(s) did you find this evidence and/or answer?

My source was my service learning instructor. When I asked him my EQ, he said it was important to study better player's games, especially if when they have more experience playing than you. He said no matter what level you are at, you can always learn more.

Service Learning

·  Where are you working for your service learning?

I have currently begun working with the Chess Club at Cal Poly University. We meet up at Ursa Major Room A every Wednesday. 

·  Summarize the services you have performed to complete the 10 hour requirement

At these meetings held every week, I play against the other members of the club and I take notes on things that could be of use to me. I also help set up everything and clean up. I try to learn as much as I can from these players, because most, if not all, have been playing their entire lives, and they play extremely well. 

·  How many hours have you worked?

So far, I have only attended one of these meetings due to previous schedule issues. I have 2 hours logged in and plan to increase that number as fast as possible with every week. 

ESLR Blog

The two ESLRs I think i fulfilled are effective user of technology and life-long learner. I'm an effective user of technology because for my project I needed to practice frequently playing chess against different opponents. To do this I used technology and went on chess.com to play against people around the globe. I'm a life-long learner because I've applied this new logical thinking patterns into things like my college classes in Cal Poly, community service, and life in general.

Third Interview Questions

1. What would you say is the best, most consistent, way of winning a game of chess?
2. Would you say there are any specific "openings" that give the player an edge early on in game?
3. What beyond knowing the rules is important to be successful in Chess?
4. In your opinion, which is more important and why? Having a clear plan for your strategy or adapting and reacting well to your opponent's moves?
5. How large a role does "natural talent" play in Chess?
6. Is it possible and realistic to strive for a grandmaster's level of skill if the player is a beginner with relatively no "natural talent?"
7. What would you say are factors, if any, that contribute to players making poor decisions and moves in a game?
8. Are there any notable players I should study that you believe would help my game out?
9. How often do you think a player must play in order to grow their knowledge of the game?
10. Do you think there are there any specific moves or strategies that you think are must-know's for every player? If so, what are they?