@phlegm
Here is how I calculate chess moves
(When I do it right anyways...) I'm in the 2000 range.
Bullet: Very little calculation for the most part it is just play the 1st move that enters your head. For this reason I dislike bullet, and almost never play it. I only ever play it if I'm trying to practice for time pressure. That's all I think it's really any good for. Fast fast fast... fast fast fast...
Blitz: Similar to bullet, but every so often you can take a stop for a moment, and try to slip some quality moves in. fast fast fast think... fast fast think...
Classical: This is where real chess is. With less time pressure you can really let your calculating shine. Think think think fast... think think fast... think think think fast... lots more thinking here, and a lot less fast.
As for my calculations I'm going to focus on my thought process in classical as opposed to other time controls where less focus is put on calculations, and more so on raw speed.
Gonna break it down into thought processes at the 3 points of the game:
Opening: This is where the least calculations are needed. You "just know" what kind of openings you are most comfortable with. Sometimes you will pause for a moment to make sure you are getting enough development, piece activity, king safety, space, and so on. A lot of it is book knowledge, but sometimes you are not familiar with the lines, and you need to figure out good moves. Take a little time to make sure you are playing accurately, and not blundering. If you come across an unfamiliar line feel free to think it out. However the decision to play either the Italian, Spanish, or Scotch game on move 3 should not be that thought out. You already know your favorite move there, play it most the time, but hay maybe you want to mix it up and expand your repertoire.
Middle game: This is where you find your plan. Avoid hanging pieces. Try to get some edge. Look for a way to attack or counterattack. Keep your pieces active. Generally you need to be able to exploit two weaknesses to win. Look for double attacks. Use tactics. If you are dumbfounded as to what to move figure out which of your pieces is placed worst, and try to find a better square for it.
Moving into the endgame: You should have a general idea if you are winning, drawing, or losing by the time you get to this point. If you gotta sacrifice all of your pieces to get into an endgame you know for sure how to win do it. Look at variations, figure out the best way to proceed.
Most importantly in all phases of the game, is not only to look at your own plan. When I was a lower rated player I often only looked at my own moves. "I do this, then this, then this..." That was how I thought... Then I evolved into "I do this, you do that, I do this, you do that" There is nothing more delightful in a chess game as to when you find a good move for your opponent. but they play the lesser move that gives you that sought after advantage. This thought style helps avoid missing tactics.
Here is how I calculate chess moves
(When I do it right anyways...) I'm in the 2000 range.
Bullet: Very little calculation for the most part it is just play the 1st move that enters your head. For this reason I dislike bullet, and almost never play it. I only ever play it if I'm trying to practice for time pressure. That's all I think it's really any good for. Fast fast fast... fast fast fast...
Blitz: Similar to bullet, but every so often you can take a stop for a moment, and try to slip some quality moves in. fast fast fast think... fast fast think...
Classical: This is where real chess is. With less time pressure you can really let your calculating shine. Think think think fast... think think fast... think think think fast... lots more thinking here, and a lot less fast.
As for my calculations I'm going to focus on my thought process in classical as opposed to other time controls where less focus is put on calculations, and more so on raw speed.
Gonna break it down into thought processes at the 3 points of the game:
Opening: This is where the least calculations are needed. You "just know" what kind of openings you are most comfortable with. Sometimes you will pause for a moment to make sure you are getting enough development, piece activity, king safety, space, and so on. A lot of it is book knowledge, but sometimes you are not familiar with the lines, and you need to figure out good moves. Take a little time to make sure you are playing accurately, and not blundering. If you come across an unfamiliar line feel free to think it out. However the decision to play either the Italian, Spanish, or Scotch game on move 3 should not be that thought out. You already know your favorite move there, play it most the time, but hay maybe you want to mix it up and expand your repertoire.
Middle game: This is where you find your plan. Avoid hanging pieces. Try to get some edge. Look for a way to attack or counterattack. Keep your pieces active. Generally you need to be able to exploit two weaknesses to win. Look for double attacks. Use tactics. If you are dumbfounded as to what to move figure out which of your pieces is placed worst, and try to find a better square for it.
Moving into the endgame: You should have a general idea if you are winning, drawing, or losing by the time you get to this point. If you gotta sacrifice all of your pieces to get into an endgame you know for sure how to win do it. Look at variations, figure out the best way to proceed.
Most importantly in all phases of the game, is not only to look at your own plan. When I was a lower rated player I often only looked at my own moves. "I do this, then this, then this..." That was how I thought... Then I evolved into "I do this, you do that, I do this, you do that" There is nothing more delightful in a chess game as to when you find a good move for your opponent. but they play the lesser move that gives you that sought after advantage. This thought style helps avoid missing tactics.
