I'm curious if anybody's got some tips on evaluation and calculation no matter how simple or complex. I'm playing in a tournament next week and I feel a bit uncomfortable with the positions I've been getting into (even ones I've played a bunch and should be fine... could just be "pre-nerves" whatever that means). I'm under or overestimating positions and so I'm just looking for advice to freshen up concepts or research new ones. Thanks!
This is very subjective, but a piece-by piece comparison is probably best without knowing the exact position. Compare each knight with it's corresponding knight and decide which is better placed--even if it's just by the number of squares it controls (either in total or on its opponent's side). (Knights and pawns are really tricky due to they being great defenders too.) This is where those rules-of-thumb, such as rooks belong on open files, become useful. After all pieces (and pawns) are evaluated, you have the evaluation of the position.
You can then find good moves by 1) improving your worst-placed piece (Tarrasch's rule); 2) harass your opponent's well-placed piece(s); 3) start an attack if you have a local majority of force; or 4) play a prophylactic move, include creating luft for the king.
If you feel uncomfortable with the positions you get, maybe you should be playing different openings.
You can then find good moves by 1) improving your worst-placed piece (Tarrasch's rule); 2) harass your opponent's well-placed piece(s); 3) start an attack if you have a local majority of force; or 4) play a prophylactic move, include creating luft for the king.
If you feel uncomfortable with the positions you get, maybe you should be playing different openings.
On evaluation, compare the following things, usually in order:
1) King safety
2) Piece activity
3) Material
4) Weakness
On calculation, only calculate when it is required. Then follow these steps:
1) List candidate moves
2) Begin calculate from the most forcing line first
3) Evaluate each line
4) Make a decision
These requires some practice and experience though but I hope it helps.
1) King safety
2) Piece activity
3) Material
4) Weakness
On calculation, only calculate when it is required. Then follow these steps:
1) List candidate moves
2) Begin calculate from the most forcing line first
3) Evaluate each line
4) Make a decision
These requires some practice and experience though but I hope it helps.
Also try to find out if you have good intuition, and if you do, learn to trust it a little more.
thechessworld.com/articles/training-techniques/rapid-chess-improvement-evolution-of-positions/
This link gives a detailed guide to evaluate positions.
This link gives a detailed guide to evaluate positions.
Thanks so far everybody this has been super helpful!
An entertaining book on this topic is "How to Reassess Your Chess" by Jeremy Silman. I think his methodology is not necessarily for everybody, but it's well written and a very fun read.
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