This has probably been discussed before, but I canna be bothered to search the forums for three days to find it.
What list of processes do individuals go through when considering a move or indeed is there a list at all for some or is it intuitive?
Ideally I would follow the following process:-
1. Asses the opponents move in the context of:-
a. Immediate threats.
b. Threats that might occur in the next few moves (probably 2-3 moves)
c. Revise my view of their strategy if I have one or attempt to construct one if i have not.
2. Look for oppertunist configurations.
a. Immediate captures, forks pins discovered checks etc etc...
b. Oppertunist moves in the next few moves.
3. Check impact of 1 and 2 on current strategy
a. If openning book is it still valid?
b. If free running strategy then is it valid, does it need to be revised, abandoned.
4. If time and energy admits run through some possible alternative actions to try and :-
a. formulate a fallback strategy or strategies
5. Decided on best strategy move or oppertnist move.
6. Check for blunders
7. Move
This is the ideal path although, more often then not time, boredom or impulsiveness mean I skip several stages and sometimes just play intuitively.
With players that are much lower ranked then me I only apply the extra layers if I am under pressure and sometimes do not bother at all, just review the next move based on some spatial or positional advantages.
So have I missed anything out? If I actually did follow these statges to the letter would I increase my performance against higher ranked players or is there some secret mental ingredient that i have not got?
What do others do?
Originally posted by Deepfault8. Lose on time
This has probably been discussed before, but I canna be bothered to search the forums for three days to find it.
What list of processes do individuals go through when considering a move or indeed is there a list at all for some or is it intuitive?
Ideally I would follow the following process:-
1. Asses the opponents move in the context of:-
a. ...[text shortened]... ked players or is there some secret mental ingredient that i have not got?
What do others do?
Hahaha j/k... but I don't follow anything like that.. I just move... I probably should though... my ratings not that hot.
Originally posted by Dfthdmost often I choose first sensible and good-looking move which i find and then just play it. if position is very tactical then I calculate longer.
8. Lose on time
Hahaha j/k... but I don't follow anything like that.. I just move... I probably should though... my ratings not that hot.
(1) Check if the flies are in my eyes - the damn spies.
(2) Check behind pillars for assassins. If there are no assassins, assume they have already out-manoeuvered me and immediately feign death.
(3) Examine every conceivable position and then laugh hysterically at every one in turn, in order of importance.
(4) Cease laughter.
(5) Frown at opponent's Queen, oscillate backwards and forwards for five minutes and then stand up, shouting "YOU LIE!"
(6) Smash computer to the floor with the Forked Lightning Strike Kick.
(7) Pick up computer, checking for flies in eyes and assassins behind pillars.
(8) Move.
(9) Send message to opponent: I LIKE CHESS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO CORRESPOND. WHY DO YOU NOT RESPOND. I DO NOT APPRECIATE YOUR
TACITURNITY. HURRY UP.
Alright, I
1) Open up the analyse board and look at it for awhile and pick a move that on the surface looks nice.
2) Go through a likely (in my mind) variation to make sure the main line is good
3) Then I'll look for a few other moves I could consider. Barring none, I go on to the next step
4) Verify I'm not doing something stupid. Look at all of the captures, checks, and threats to undefended or greater pieces that my opponent could perform on his next move if I play the move I'm considering. Of course, you have to do this a few deep as well.
And that's it. This is of course assuming that I'm out of the opening book.
Summarized from "Win at Chess" by Ron Curry (Expert)
FOUR KEY QUESTIONS
(AFTER EACH OPPONENT MOVE)
1. What is the THREAT?
a. Was my opponent’s last move a check or capture?
b. Does it threaten a check or capture on the next move?
c. Does it attack or pin any of my pieces or pawns?
d. Does it threaten to improve the position of any of his pieces or pawns?
e. Is there a positional threat? (e.g. occupying an outpost, doubling Rooks on open file, securing a Rook on the seventh rank, creating a passed pawn, isolating or doubling any of my pawns?)
f. Does his last move portend and prepare any long-term threats (e.g. a Kingside attack)?
g. Try to determine the purpose of your opponent’s last move.
2. What has CHANGED?
a. Does my opponent’s last move create any new weaknesses with tactical or positional possibilities for him or me?
b. Is he concentrating his forces?
c. Has he pinned or unpinned any of his or my pieces or pawns?
d. Are any pieces, pawns, or important squares in his or my position now unguarded, or inadequately guarded?
e. Has he created, removed, or attacked any vital guards?
f. Is the protection of weak points in his or my position still adequate?
g. Has his last move left any pieces en prise?
h. Created any weak pawns?
i. Exposed or restriced his King?
j. Created a vulnerable bank rank?
k. Learn to Recognize what has CHANGED with each move
(AFTER EACH OF YOUR MOVES)
1. Does this move IMPROVE MY POSITION?
a. If defense is not required and no immediate tactical or attacking opportunities exist, try to IMPROVE YOUR POSITION by:
i. Activating dormant pieces
ii. Opening key lines for attack
iii. Seizing outposts
iv. Contesting open files and diagonals
v. Doubling Rooks on important files
vi. Posting a Rook strongly on the seventh rank
vii. Shifting pieces toward the major attacking sector, or
viii. Increasing the scope of blocked or immobile pieces
2. Is this move SAFE? (I guess this should be asked BEFORE you make your move - the Bloop)
a. If I make the contemplated move, does my opponent have any move which can hurt me (cost me material or position) immediately or soon?
b. Will my King and all of my pieces and pawns be adequately defended?
c. Would my opponent have any dangerous checks or captures?
d. Would my move create any weaknesses?
e. Would (or could) my move lose material?
f. What is my opponents best reply to my contemplated move?
g. Would it refute my move?
h. Which side would stand better after my opponent’s best reply to my move?
i. Avoid playing moves which help your opponent
Also look for TACTICAL AND POSITIONAL STRENGHTS AND WEAKNESSES on the part of both you and your opponent:
· Tactical Strengths Include:
1. Batteries (doubled/tripled pieces acting along a file, rank or diagonal toward an enemy piece or vital square
2. Pins on enemy chessmen
· Tactical weaknesses include
1. Exposed King
2. Vulnerable back rank
3. Unguarded pieces or pawns
4. Pinned pieces and pawns
5. Pieces in a line
6. Pieces vulnerable to Knight fork
7. Pieces with no retreat
8. Overworked defenders
9. Unstable defenders
10. Vulnerable vital guards
Frequent Tactics
1. Superior force
2. Pins
3. Skewers
4. Knight forks
5. Double attacks
6. Discovered attacks
Less Frequent Tactics
1. Overworked defenders
2. Vital guards
3. Removing defenders
4. Deflecting defenders
5. Sacrifices
6. In-between moves
7. Vulnerable back rank
8. Interference
9. No retreat
10. Trapping pieces
11. Desperado
12. Zugzwang
13. Queening combinations
14. Underpromotion
· Positional Strengths Include:
1. Control of center
2. Center pawn on our fourth rank vs. enemy pawn on his third rank
3. Superior development
4. Greater space control
5. Strong outpost
6. Control of open file
7. Doubled Rooks
8. Rook(s) on the seventh rank
9. Control of open diagonal
10. Half-open file
11. Bishop pair
12. Bishop vs. Knight
13. Mobile pawn wing
14. Offside pawn majority
15. Advanced pawn chain
16. Advanced pawn wedge
17. Advanced pawn
18. Passed pawn
19. Protected passed pawn
20. Outside passed pawn
21. Better King position
22. Available tempi
· Positional Weaknesses Include:
1. Restricted King
2. Open lines toward the King
3. Cramped position
4. “Bad” Bishop
5. Isolated pawns
6. Doubled pawns
7. Backward pawns
8. Hanging pawns
9. “Holes” in pawn structure
10. Weak-square complex
(of course, all of this thinking can only be done in correspondence games, so it's ok for our purposes).
Originally posted by DeepfaultFor me, it goes like this:
This has probably been discussed before, but I canna be bothered to search the forums for three days to find it.
What list of processes do individuals go through when considering a move or indeed is there a list at all for some or is it intuitive?
Ideally I would follow the following process:-
1. Asses the opponents move in the context of:-
a. ...[text shortened]... ked players or is there some secret mental ingredient that i have not got?
What do others do?
I. Count material, note any imbalances.
A. Quantifiable - Q = 9, R = 5, B=N=3, P=1.
B. Qualitative - B vs N, opposite color Bishops, 2 pieces vs Rook and P, etc.
C. If such imbalances exist, consider if they can be used for a game strategy.
1. Enemy has a Bishop or two I do not => lock the center and don't leave those squares weak. Establish solid Knight outposts.
2. I have more material - try for exchanges.
3. He has more material - avoid exchanges.
II. Glance over the whole position and note any structural features of import.
A. Open files on either side => Put my Rooks on my open files, defend my Pawns on enemy open files.
B. Full or Partial Outpost squares for either side - use them (preferably post Knights there and support with other Pawns and pieces).
C. Doubled and isolated Pawns.
D. Pawn majorities => Advance them in endgame.
E. Fianchetto on the side the King has castled on or might castle to => Opposite side castle, advance two flankmost Pawns, put Bishop on the diagonal one closer than the long diagonal in question, put Queen behind that Bishop.
F. Result of an opening I am familiar with.
III. Take a quick look at every possible move I can make, cheap material before expensive material, left to right. Decide on the best looking move.
IV. Take a quick look at every possible move my opponent can make if I make my chosen move. If necessary in light of information this step gives me, I pick a new move.
V. If necessary, try to calculate deeper tactical combinations where appropriate.
That's pretty much it.
Originally posted by AmaurotePriceless.
(1) Check if the flies are in my eyes - the damn spies.
(2) Check behind pillars for assassins. If there are no assassins, assume they have already out-manoeuvered me and immediately feign death.
(3) Examine every conceivable position and then laugh hysterically at every one in turn, in order of importance.
(4) Cease laughter.
(5) Frown at opponent's ...[text shortened]... OU LIKE TO CORRESPOND. WHY DO YOU NOT RESPOND. I DO NOT APPRECIATE YOUR
TACITURNITY. HURRY UP.