How do I get better a calculating a series of moves and planning • page 2/2 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

I think one good method to improve your calculation is playing defense; defense is based on figuring out what your opp is going to do, and that is a kind of calculation that can win games. If you really want to have long lines then some kind of memory technique and tree parsing mental mapping will do it. Also, the more you play the more these situations are repeated and you then can go farther in. I study the methods in Harry Lorayne's book 'Super-Power Memory", with these techni you can have a new weapon. I actually got into chess because I was learning speed reading and a chess book looked like a great challenge.

greysensei

#12

Mate-in-x puzzles are great for practicing calculation. Mate-in-3 and Mate-in-4.

NM MrPushwood

#13

@MrmoreOil said in #4:

An answer more generic than e4

Well, all anybody else can do is give a generic answer (like "Practice"); it's up to you to do the work!

Did you think that somebody could offer you up a mantra to make you an instant Tal?

@MrmoreOil said in #4: > An answer more generic than e4 Well, all anybody else can do is give a generic answer (like "Practice"); it's up to you to do the work! Did you think that somebody could offer you up a mantra to make you an instant Tal?

Akbar2thegreat

#14

There's no rule of thumb to improve at any field.
Just practise and use resources whatever you want and it will eventually come by experience.

There's no rule of thumb to improve at any field. Just practise and use resources whatever you want and it will eventually come by experience.

Alientcp

#15

Most of the answers are in fact, incorrect.
There are 2 words that are sometimes interchangeable in the context of the conversation, as often yield the same result, but are in fact different.
You are receiving the "practice" advice.
No, you need to study to gain knowledge.
By practicing, you often get knowledge by repetition, but it takes too long, just study the proper subject to gain understanding and the move will be highlighted in your mind because it will be obvious.

What to study then?
First. Most players do in fact do not study properly the principles of chess. There are many of them, google them. Dont just read them, undestand why they exist. when you play, apply them as a religious mantra as much as you can. Sometimes they contradict, but most of the times they will complement eachother, and many many times, you will find moves that follow more than 1 principle. So take those into consideration.

When you know which principles to follow, just have to assume that your opponent will follow those as well. If he doesnt, he will most likely will worsen his position. If he follows them, you KNOW his candidate moves and know what to expect.

For instance, if you make a pawn advance that leaves the square he was previously guarding vulnerable. And one of the principles is to make knight outposts where they cant be kicked out by pawns. You bet he is gonna reroute a knight to that square. So you either consider something else than that pawn move, or device a plan to counter that maneuver that is gonna happen.

There are obviously more topics to study, but having a solid foundation of the chess principles is well, a foundation for better game, and all knowledge you gain after will be on solid grounds. But if you learn other topics first without proper understanding of why the move is correct, or incorrect (if it follows chess principles or not) you cant properly predict moves.

After all, most theory is based on chess principles. All point out that chess principles are a must know. Study that first. Then practice IT after.

Most of the answers are in fact, incorrect. There are 2 words that are sometimes interchangeable in the context of the conversation, as often yield the same result, but are in fact different. You are receiving the "practice" advice. No, you need to study to gain knowledge. By practicing, you often get knowledge by repetition, but it takes too long, just study the proper subject to gain understanding and the move will be highlighted in your mind because it will be obvious. What to study then? First. Most players do in fact do not study properly the principles of chess. There are many of them, google them. Dont just read them, undestand why they exist. when you play, apply them as a religious mantra as much as you can. Sometimes they contradict, but most of the times they will complement eachother, and many many times, you will find moves that follow more than 1 principle. So take those into consideration. When you know which principles to follow, just have to assume that your opponent will follow those as well. If he doesnt, he will most likely will worsen his position. If he follows them, you KNOW his candidate moves and know what to expect. For instance, if you make a pawn advance that leaves the square he was previously guarding vulnerable. And one of the principles is to make knight outposts where they cant be kicked out by pawns. You bet he is gonna reroute a knight to that square. So you either consider something else than that pawn move, or device a plan to counter that maneuver that is gonna happen. There are obviously more topics to study, but having a solid foundation of the chess principles is well, a foundation for better game, and all knowledge you gain after will be on solid grounds. But if you learn other topics first without proper understanding of why the move is correct, or incorrect (if it follows chess principles or not) you cant properly predict moves. After all, most theory is based on chess principles. All point out that chess principles are a must know. Study that first. Then practice IT after.