How can I systemise my thinking Process? • page 1/2 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

Hello!
Can anyone suggest some methods to systemise my thinking process?
Or suggest some material for the same?

Thank you in Advance

Hello! Can anyone suggest some methods to systemise my thinking process? Or suggest some material for the same? Thank you in Advance

sheckley666

#2

Not at all. Don't let you fool by people who promise you to teach you are better/more efficient/more systematic thinking process. We all do think, but nobody has a clue how it works.

felixnothus

#3

I suggest you watch this series, it takes you through what you need to to think about at various ELO's, and is very systematic. I think you'll like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axRvksIZpGc

I suggest you watch this series, it takes you through what you need to to think about at various ELO's, and is very systematic. I think you'll like it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axRvksIZpGc

KeithDenning

#4

Funny, I've been thinking about creating a lesson on this very thing!

My process (by no means perfect) is:

Pay attention first to the last move your opponent made. Check for new threats or possibilities, not just where the piece has moved to, but where it has moved from. Try to understand what your opponent is up to. You should consider your opponent's possible checks, captures, threats and plans.
Look for tactical opportunities for yourself: checks, captures and threats in that order. Examine your most forceful moves first; this will help you to understand the position, even if forceful moves (like moving your Queen in for the kill) don't actually work.
Re-evaluate your own plans with respect to the changes on the board. You might have to change your plans.
If there are no appealing tactical moves, find your worst developed piece and improve its position/activity as best you can.

Evaluate two or three good candidate moves before deciding on one.

If possible, combine two or more ideas into a single move (like developing a piece AND creating an attack.)

Funny, I've been thinking about creating a lesson on this very thing! My process (by no means perfect) is: 1) Pay attention first to the last move your opponent made. Check for new threats or possibilities, not just where the piece has moved to, but where it has moved from. Try to understand what your opponent is up to. You should consider your opponent's possible checks, captures, threats and plans. 2) Look for tactical opportunities for yourself: checks, captures and threats in that order. Examine your most forceful moves first; this will help you to understand the position, even if forceful moves (like moving your Queen in for the kill) don't actually work. 3) Re-evaluate your own plans with respect to the changes on the board. You might have to change your plans. 4) If there are no appealing tactical moves, find your worst developed piece and improve its position/activity as best you can. Evaluate two or three good candidate moves before deciding on one. If possible, combine two or more ideas into a single move (like developing a piece AND creating an attack.)

mouseonly

#5

I look for candidate moves when playing chess. You could think of every decision on every move you make to be sort of like... so imagine an actual tree. It has branches. Before you make each move (unless you're still in book), go through every reasonable branch—or, at least, as many good branches as possible. Once you've exhausted all the reasonable branches, you can be confident your moves are sound. In order to ensure your branches are accurate and logical, work on tactical skills.

You don't have to consider the horrible moves in your branches—just every reasonable move in your mental lists of candidate options.

That's how I think, at least—others may have a more efficient approach. The "tree" system of thinking also works for speed chess; the "tree system" doesn't have to be slow and tedious.

I look for candidate moves when playing chess. You could think of every decision on every move you make to be sort of like... so imagine an actual tree. It has branches. Before you make each move (unless you're still in book), go through every reasonable branch—or, at least, as many good branches as possible. Once you've exhausted all the reasonable branches, you can be confident your moves are sound. In order to ensure your branches are accurate and logical, work on tactical skills. You don't have to consider the horrible moves in your branches—just every reasonable move in your mental lists of candidate options. That's how I think, at least—others may have a more efficient approach. The "tree" system of thinking also works for speed chess; the "tree system" doesn't have to be slow and tedious.

SteveWanton

#6

Sit at the bottom of the pants and learn.
Whatever you want. Chess, guitar or piano...
It is free to Your Preferences.

Sit at the bottom of the pants and learn. Whatever you want. Chess, guitar or piano... It is free to Your Preferences.

Katerr

#7

Depends on what opening you play.
If you play 1.g4 your are looking for trouble and tactical positions which is a different task.
If you play 1.d4 and the opponent plays d5 you have a concrete plan. Let's say 2.c4. The whole thing then depends on how good you know the theory. If your opponent is strong you might place all your pieces on the best squares but you don't have an advantage anyway. This is the most difficult situation.
My advice: Go with the main lines.
Of course you need basic knowledge of tactics and positional play. You can't live without this.

Depends on what opening you play. If you play 1.g4 your are looking for trouble and tactical positions which is a different task. If you play 1.d4 and the opponent plays d5 you have a concrete plan. Let's say 2.c4. The whole thing then depends on how good you know the theory. If your opponent is strong you might place all your pieces on the best squares but you don't have an advantage anyway. This is the most difficult situation. My advice: Go with the main lines. Of course you need basic knowledge of tactics and positional play. You can't live without this.

Mr-bulletplayer

#8

well; when I had a coach he gave me an advice:
when u wanna play a move; sit down over your hands.

well; when I had a coach he gave me an advice: when u wanna play a move; sit down over your hands.

SteveWanton

#9

My coach said: castle.

StingerPuzzles

#10

Mr BulletPlayer nailed the advice.

On your longest games, if you're going to spend less than five seconds on a chess move, you're not giving yourself a chance to do anything but the most shallow of thinking.

At the speed you move I see titled twitch streamers missing mates in one or two.

Mr BulletPlayer nailed the advice. On your longest games, if you're going to spend less than five seconds on a chess move, you're not giving yourself a chance to do anything but the most shallow of thinking. At the speed you move I see titled twitch streamers missing mates in one or two.