Why people Blunder at Chess and how to force them to Blunder ?

Why Chess Players Blunder: Lessons from My Oberhausbergen Tournament

After participating in my first tournament since earning my CM title, held in Oberhausbergen, I experienced firsthand what happens when you fail to prepare properly for a chess event. One of the key issues I faced—and the one that likely haunts most players—is the lack of calculation during the game. It’s not just about calculating badly; it’s about not calculating at all, which is a deadly mistake.

Blunders are often a result of this failure to engage in proper calculation. When you play on intuition alone or rely too heavily on positional understanding without checking tactics, you leave yourself vulnerable. In a tournament setting, this is especially dangerous as the pressure mounts, and your ability to calculate under stress becomes crucial. Skipping this step entirely leads to positions where critical threats are missed or you fall into avoidable traps.

I found that even solid openings and good middlegame plans fell apart due to my lack of focus on calculation. It wasn’t that I couldn’t calculate well, but I simply wasn’t calculating at all in key moments. Instead, I made assumptions about the position, thinking I could "feel" my way through it, which led to unnecessary blunders.

The lesson here is simple :
no matter how confident you feel in your chess ability or intuition, never skip the calculation process. Preparing mentally for this is just as important as studying opening theory or endgames. Without it, even the best-laid plans can crumble. In chess, as in life, preparation is key—and calculation is the sharpest tool in your arsenal.

In my recent YouTube video, I go over this in detail, showing you exactly what went wrong. I break down key moments from my tournament, move by move, and explain how failing to calculate led to some costly blunders. More importantly, I show you how to avoid making the same errors.
I also provide practical tips on how to properly prepare for a chess tournament, what to focus on during the games, and how to analyze your performance afterward. By following these steps, you can improve your game and potentially gain 50 rating points of pure strength. Preparation, focus, and reflecting on your games are essential for real progress. Remember, never skip the calculation— it’s the foundation of good chess !

Link :
https://youtu.be/NfZKXQUopn4