I've been wondering about how/when to win in chess: perhaps this is a question which is only relevant around the level of my chess (mid-1400-ish) but nevertheless:
I've noticed that most of my wins are due to the fact my opponent makes some sort of mistake, and I take advantage of that mistake. Similarly, I seem to lose when I blunder and my opponent makes use of that.
This leads to my question: do you win in chess because as a player you devise some great plan, and win accordingly, OR is winning a matter of playing without making mistakes, and in the mean while taking advantage of mistakes from your opponent? (and ofc, this would mean you'd only lose due to your own mistakes...)
Originally posted by konhenThe stronger you get the more subtle the mistakes become. At your level players can be prone to leaving pieces "hanging" and they can simply be taken or missing elementary forcing mates in 1 or 2 moves.
I've been wondering about how/when to win in chess: perhaps this is a question which is only relevant around the level of my chess (mid-1400-ish) but nevertheless:
I've noticed that most of my wins are due to the fact my opponent makes some sort of mistake, and I take advantage of that mistake. Similarly, I seem to lose when I blunder and my opponent makes u ...[text shortened]... es from your opponent? (and ofc, this would mean you'd only lose due to your own mistakes...)
As you get stronger it get much more difficult to win material or force quick mates. Even strong players make mistakes and it is not unknown for a 2200 player to hang a piece or a world champion miss a mate in 1 but such mistakes become corresponding rare.
Once you reach about 1700-1800 you will need to work to win material. Your opponents are unlikely to just give it to you but may miss deeper combinations. Above that level and you are looking for more subtle strategic advantages (i.e. long term) and a game may depend on a single pawn or even a single tempo - at this level solid play become much more important as does capitalising on any error your opponent makes. As you get even higher you will find that if you miss something you don't get a 2nd chance.
Originally posted by konhenI think that chess at any level is about making less mistakes than your opponent and being able to take advantage of your opponent's mistakes. This is a consequence of the lack of a forced win for either side from the starting position. I think that improving your playing ability has less to do with making fantastic plans and more to do with spotting the mistakes for both sides. If you can spot your own potential mistakes you can avoid them and if you can spot your opponent's mistakes you can take advantage of them.
I've been wondering about how/when to win in chess: perhaps this is a question which is only relevant around the level of my chess (mid-1400-ish) but nevertheless:
I've noticed that most of my wins are due to the fact my opponent makes some sort of mistake, and I take advantage of that mistake. Similarly, I seem to lose when I blunder and my opponent makes u ...[text shortened]... es from your opponent? (and ofc, this would mean you'd only lose due to your own mistakes...)
I always try to play with a plan. My plans are rarely of the "grand strategic" variety, but usually short-term plans that can change over the course of the game as the position and material changes. For instance, initially my plan is to make it through the opening with something familiar to me and where I have at least a playable middle game, if not some advantage.
I don't find it productive, at least for me, to simply shuffle my pieces and hope for a mistake. In fact, the best way for your opponent to make a mistake is for you to help him along by creating threats and pressure, or even simply by playing solidly to frustrate his own plans (Karpov/Petrosian style).