Chess is a strange affair.

1 billion people world wide love the game - but very few of them take a realistic view of the game. Most people are content to think of themselves as good chess players - so long as they don't REALLY have to work to hard at learning it.

Part of the problem belongs to the chess marketing community. If chess players think they can get a solid grip on the game by purchasing chess computers or reading a stack of books - then this UNDOUBTEDLY sells chess books and computerized chess sets. The only question left on the table is whether or not the chess player actually will become a strong chess player through these means.

This question takes us back to the old adage: "If it seems to good to be true - it probably is NOT true!"

My opinion: asking to become a really strong chess player without the need to train your mind is nothing short of denial. It's a fantasy. It can't happen. Even the masters have to train - study yes - but train as well. They get their training in chess school or in apprenticeship. Where do you get your training?

Without such training - you might be able to develop an average chess game - but to play better than average - you need to do something more than just to play chess. A really strong player makes it all seem so easy. Play often and you'll get there too.

Wrong. You'll just continue to make the same old mistakes - and worse - you will become habitual at making them.

So - from where I sit - training has been given the short shrift. It is the boogeyman of the chess community - because for some reason - nobody wants to admit how tough learning chess really is. Might be that fewer people will be interested in it - but I don't think so. Those who really want a strong game - they will do the work.

Anyway - that's my take. I'm interested in other opinions. Let me have YOUR thoughts.