Originally posted by paultopiaA rule that, if I were to follow it more rigorously, 😛 I am sure would improve my performance:
putting a stop to overconfidence?
Possibly the only thing I've lost more games with than reckless play in the KG is reckless play from won positions. As in i'm up a rook, so I can stop calculating now and just make the first half-decent-looking move that comes to mind...
*snip*
Always, always, ALWAYS come up with the TWO best moves.
When I have practiced this, it has saved me a number of blunders in seemingly straightforward positions. It's a bit of a reworking of Alekhine's old saw, "When you see a good move, find a better one!"
Originally posted by paultopiahere's some real advice:
putting a stop to overconfidence?
Possibly the only thing I've lost more games with than reckless play in the KG is reckless play from won positions. As in i'm up a rook, so I can stop calculating now and just make the first half-decent-looking move that comes to mind...
I've half a mind to see a shrink, but I doubt my medical insurance would cover seeing a shrink for chess-related recklessness.
go through this checklist EVERY time:
1. understand the opponent's move including threats (including direct, discovered, unpinning moves, etc)
2. examine all possible checks and forcing sequences
3. choose your move
4. sit on your hands and examine your move to see if it's playable...does the opponent control that square...are you removing a defender of your own pieces/squares...etc
5. once more thru a beginner's eyes, check the move
6. make the move
this is some variant of a Russian technique (the sit on hands part etc)