How to Calculate Better at Chess ?

Chess Calculation: What It Really Is and How to Master It
Calculation in chess often feels like a mysterious superpower, but it’s actually much simpler than most people think. Let’s break it down into three clear parts: what calculation is for, how it works, and how you can improve it.

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Part 1: What is Calculation For?

Calculation is not about trying to see 20 moves ahead or considering every single possibility on the board. That’s a waste of time and energy. The real purpose of calculation is simple: to confirm that your move works.
First, you come up with an idea or a move based on your strategy or the position’s needs. Only then does calculation come in—to double-check if the move stands up tactically. Think of it as running a quick “safety inspection” before playing your move.
If you’re calculating every possibility without a clear focus, you’re doing it wrong. First, find a logical move. Then, calculate just enough to make sure it’s playable.

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Part 2: Calculation is Built on Patterns

Now that we know why we calculate, let’s talk about how it works. At its core, calculation isn’t some mystical talent—it’s just a process of recognizing and using tactical patterns you’ve seen before.
When you calculate, your brain looks for familiar ideas: forks, pins, discovered attacks, back-rank threats, and so on. If you’ve seen these patterns enough times, they’ll pop into your head naturally when you need them. If you haven’t, calculation becomes slow and frustrating because you’re essentially “reinventing the wheel” every time.
This is why solving puzzles is so important. It’s not just about getting the right answers—it’s about flooding your brain with patterns so that when you see them in a game, they’re instantly familiar. A great way to train this is with tools like Puzzle Streak, which helps you recognize these patterns quickly and efficiently.

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Part 3: Practical Examples

Understanding calculation in theory is one thing, but seeing it in action makes all the difference. I’ve made a video on YouTube that walks through real examples of how to calculate effectively by relying on pattern recognition. It’ll show you exactly how calculation works in real games and how you can practice it.

https://youtu.be/xA-RuSgkq0c

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Chess Group Class Announcement!

I’m excited to announce my first-ever group chess class on Sunday, December 1st, at 7 PM Paris Time (19:00 CET). The focus of this session will be on calculation – a fundamental skill for all chess players!
Here are the details:
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams
Who: Open to all levels up to 2200 FIDE
Entry Fee: Just €10 per person
This is a special offer for my inaugural group class, so don’t miss this chance to join and improve your calculation skills while enjoying a great learning experience.
Spots are limited to 10 participants, so act fast! To reserve your spot, please send me a message or leave a comment below.

Contact :

Email: lorischesstrainer@gmail.com
Instagram: chessloris