Jim, Michael et al,
Chess weaknesses come in many forms. A few can be fixed with a bit of careful
move-by-move methodology set out below. Before we continue I'd just like to add
that idiosyncrasies of style can mean that one player chooses one particular
move, while another chooses a different one and it can easily be the case that
neither move is clearly right or clearly wrong, not better or worse. It really
is simply a question of style.
I'd like to start with the third item on Jim's list. "I do not look at every
possible good move." How can you know if a move is good or not unless you
analyse it? To analyse it then it must be on a list of candidate moves, a list
which sometimes can consist of just one move.
Candidate moves are ones chosen by players whereby the moves comform to their
style and abilities. There may be either strategical or tactical factors to
take into considertaion or both. However, I would put the notion of always
looking for the best move to one side. Sometimes that could take world-class
players hours to establish. What you are usually trying to do is to play a
sound move that has a clear idea behind it within a set period of time. In
other words you have to be practical.
Now the second item; " I make moves, then right after that, think of better
ones." This is usually a sign of moving too quickly. Given that most games
between USBCA players are probably by e-mail and that they are probably ON
AVERAGE at the rate of a move a day, then there is no need to rush a move. Take
your time and analyse on two boards. One has the current position from the
game, and the other is the one you actually move pieces on. However, before you
even start moving pieces you should have the above-mentioned list of candidate
moves as a starting point. Some of these moves may be transposable. It is
possible that fresh candidates may come to light as you analyse.
Finally the first one: "I think too much about what I want to do and too little
about what my opponent is trying to do." This is a common fault, even with
experienced players. There are methods for dealing with this. Basically after a
given move by the opponent ask yourself:
What new squares does he control with the piece he has just moved?
What new squares does he control with pieces that he may have uncovered. e.g.
Queens, Rooks and Bishops?
Does he threaten any captures or checks?
Is the piece that he just moved defended?
If it's a Pawn move what squares has he just relinquished control of? What new
ones does he control?
Answer these questions first and you will probably find that it will point you
towards moves you should be playing, and equally possibly hinting an moves that
you don't want to play! Of course this may be the point at which you start
compiling your list of candidate moves.
Bear in mind that candidate moves may be available for more than one turn.
However, new candidates emerge every move so be relatively flexible. The fixed
idea is one of the worst things in chess.
Just a quick word about mistakes as opposed to good moves. Are your mistakes
all the same sort? Tactical oversights? Tendency to put pieces or Pawn en
prise? Failing to castle quickly enough? Overlooking en passant captures? If
you identify such a group then try to put in a mental reminder each move to
specifically check that you aren't making the same sort of mistake again before
the move is executed. The first time I ever did this I changed my choice of
move and mated my opponent some ten moves later!
I hope this helps to some extent, not just Jim but anyone on the site who
wishes to improve their play. Any questions then please ask.
Regards,
Tyson
On 19 January 2020 at 22:11 Michael Rodgerson <monex249@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Jim H, I sometimes have the same problem, you just have to analyze the
board and make the best move available to you, regardless of the
consequences. I have played games when I made a move and I thought my
opponent would do something, and he makes a move that's completely
different. You just have to play to the best of your abilities, you
learn something from every game weather that's: not to move a piece
somewhere, to move a piece somewhere, to move a piece to a particular
place, when to move your queen or other major pieces, you're really
only gonna learn by playing and seeing what comes of it. I would love
to play a game with you sometime.
Michael Rodgerson
