How much should an intermediate player depend on post game analysis using engine?

This topic or something similar might have been discussed already, but as a chess enthusiast from early childhood days and only with a couple of recent years of serious chess(mostly online) I want to know what you guys think of the idea of reviewing the game after results using engine and analyzing it, especially for a player like me.

I'm in my mid-20's and I really want to improve my skills naturally rather than turning out to be someone who plays engine moves and be less creative. I've been reading a few books and I must admit good chess books are a different gravy! But what I also want is to see my progress after games, so I usually review my games using engine analysis. And as you can see I'm basically a noob still and I don't want this to affect my game in long run.

Like For instance: I'm beginning to play certain moves automatically after I'm done with the opening I prefer because I kept seeing the same moves during analysis before.

So, I want to know what you all think of this, and also what about you masters and 2400+, do you think if you had used engine so much in your days, how much difference could it have in you game? Good or Bad ?!

You must review after your games because of the simple idea to not make mistakes again. Also, sometimes I have ideas, but with the time pressure, I dont choose it. This is possible to retry on the analysis board after the game.

Close to your level here. I always review my games with a computer (and usually I find places where I missed moves that are obvious in retrospect). Lately I've been experimenting with going over (others) games 3x. First myself describing what I see, second looking up the line in opening books and endgame books and adding what I learn there [stuff like: "Other options here are ..... & the idea of following play after each option".] and third going thru it with a computer looking for missed tactics or bad strategic decisions [like when there is tension in the center you must decide to open, increase tension or push, gain space & release tension-this can be subtle but with a computer you can check all 3 options and try to understand if I went wrong and what to look for in the decision next time]. ..... I think the key to creativity is to develop your own ideas first before looking at others ideas. Only then look at others ideas mainly to clarify and develop your own.

You know.. not that long ago people could learn chess without ever using a computer engine. They are pretty cool tools that help us go further faster than we would have on our own, so you probably should use one.

My opinion is that it depends on the player. Think about the instant gratification of turning on the computer: it is possible to do it so fast that the position or game doesn't go into memory - we just go.. "oh right" and then move on without remembering.

..So maybe it is going to depend on how well your brain remembers stuff. If you can flip through the game one time, figure everything out, check it with a computer, and then add it to long term memory - you'll be a pro in no time. Most people think they can do that, but probably can't.

Hope you get it dialed in! Good luck. :)

Is it only me. I never analyzed my own games.

"I really want to improve my skills naturally rather than turning out to be someone who plays engine moves and be less creative"

I honestly don't know what this means. I would gladly be less "creative" if I could play like some 3500 machine. ;)

Even the very best artists take time to study their craft.
Mastering theory and principles will give you a greater opportunity to enhance your creativity.
When we look at the games of "brilliant players" they have a creativity that comes from years of hard work.
You will find your style, you may even find a style you didn't know existed...

Overall - Yes, analyze games.