I enjoy reading; in fact, I probably read more about chess than I play, but that's largely due to the fact that I travel so much and have ample time sitting around in airports to read.
Having said the above, I'm curious as to whether or not most of you analyze alternative lines from books/articles in your head or on a board? It's not always convenient for me to bring out the board in an airport (even though I have a nice little 5" wooden board), so I mostly just do it in my head; problem is when they discuss alternative lines that are sometimes 10 moves in length. I can follow, but sometimes it is a bit of a strain to "see" the board with so many variations to follow.
Is this something I'll just improve over time, or do most simply use a board? Any other thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks!
I play variations on a board when I have the time and space. More often while reading chess books, I try to follow the analysis in my head. Complicated analysis can be very difficult. Last winter and spring, I spent many nights--a couple a week for several weeks--working through all the variations in a relatively straightforward checkmate combination. Keeping track of which knight moves at a key moment several moves in kept jamming me up.
white to move and win
I also have read more than I've played (though I'm steadily shifting towards playing more), and I have almost never set up a board to play over the game and analysis, until recently. This was primarily because I do most of my reading in bed before I go to sleep, and I could never be bothered to manage a board and pieces in that situation. I am improving in visualization, but not using a board has meant that I very often don't have a very clear picture of what exactly is happening, sometimes even in the main line, never mind the variations. Instead I get a general sense of the kinds of threats and counter-threats which are occuring, and simply make do with those. I have learned about all sorts of basic tactical and strategic themes this way, but have not been absorbing the details.
More recently, I have found the time to play over games and variations on a board, and I find that I get tremendously more out of whatever I'm reading, and retain lessons from it much better.
So, that's my two cents: doing it without a board is not useless, but with a board is much more valuable.
Originally posted by WulebgrQxh7+ leads to mate in 5 or six. I analyze stuff in my head for the most part. The analyze board takes away from my OTB abilities and analyzing in my head which makes me a better player (I mean it keeps me improving, not better than anyone else).
I play variations on a board when I have the time and space. More often while reading chess books, I try to follow the analysis in my head. Complicated analysis can be very difficult. Last winter and spring, I spent many nights--a couple a week for several weeks--working through all the variations in a relatively straightforward checkmate combination. Keepin ...[text shortened]... en]rn3rk1/pbppq1pp/1p2pb2/4N2Q/3PN3/3B4/PPP2PPP/R3K2R w KQ - 0 11[/fen]
white to move and win
http://www.janmatthies.info/chess/cvt/cvt.htm
Chess Visualisation Training.
Welcome to CVT !
People tend to lose "sight" when calculating the moves in their heads.
When making a search for "blindfold chess" on the internet you soon find
information that one of the most important advances in your chess life is
to master the art of visualisation. That's why there is this website.
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Check it out ..... it really improves your abilities to analyse variations and to visualise them in your head.
Originally posted by zebanoThat's pretty similar to what I do now. I will generally follow the variations if it's 5-8 moves, but anymore than that and I find it clouds my visualization of the main lines. I will go back and play through a game, including the variations, if I find it particularly interesting.
When reading, I will play through only the main lines the first time through and analyze variations in my head. I then go back a second time and play through the variations while knowing what the line played was.
Originally posted by GalaxyShieldAm i missing something??? I see mate in 3 if Nxf6+. Followed by .....Rxf6, Qxh7+ ...Kf8, Qh8++
Qxh7+ leads to mate in 5 or six. I analyze stuff in my head for the most part. The analyze board takes away from my OTB abilities and analyzing in my head which makes me a better player (I mean it keeps me improving, not better than anyone else).
Originally posted by ivanhoeNice, thanks!!!
http://www.janmatthies.info/chess/cvt/cvt.htm
Chess Visualisation Training.
Welcome to CVT !
People tend to lose "sight" when calculating the moves in their heads.
When making a search for "blindfold chess" on the internet you soon find
information that one of the most important advances in your chess life is
to master the art of visualisati ...[text shortened]... .... it really improves your abilities to analyse variations and to visualise them in your head.