Learn from your mistakes function

Really just a simple question for the community... First, some information:
Usually after the win/loss I review my game(s) after play has ended and I run the computer analysis. After reviewing how the opponent and I played, I will usually click on "learn from your mistakes". Out of sheer boredom I started playing all the computer recommended moves after figuring out the best moves, just to see how the game could have been different.

Here is the interesting thing: 9/10 if I follow the stockfish recommended moves the game turns and I either lose (even from winning positions) or the game ends in a draw. For me this seems counterproductive... There are times that I feel reviewing these mistakes takes away from my creativity and my tactics.

So, maybe this is a multiple part question(s):
1) Do you find the "review your mistakes" feature useful.
2) Has anyone else noticed this trend of draw or lose if you look at how the game progresses had you both played all computer recommended moves.

* as a side note, it looks as if Stockfish prefers a drawing position, and plays more for a draw than for a win...
** maybe the positions I am playing naturally are what causes the end result to be a drawn position etc etc...??

Thank you for any feedback! I have ran analysis on most of my games so please feel free to look through my history, or better yet... let me know what you think/feel after reviewing your own computer analysis.

I, in no way, claim to be a talented chess player. I play purely for fun so let’s please keep the feedback constructive! Thank you again for your time.

-Bishop
*edited for grammar/spelling

Chess is a very balanced game. Stockfish playing itself will always find a draw. I recommend analyzing your games deeply without the use of the engine first. Don't let the engine be a crutch in your development; it's a nice tool but it's much more useful to put in the hard work and time that is your own brain-powered analysis.

@IambHathor thank you for your feedback. I have pretty much come to this conclusion as well. Not to use it entirely for a crutch... However, I still run the analysis to make sure I didn't miss something obvious. When I find the obvious miss, I make a puzzle out of that and it tends to be a better reinforcement for later.

On the topic of theory and draws... I find that I lose most games when someone doesn't respond to theory with theory.

Example Game link: lichess.org/rpzBIyyGqwvy

I went to play a Robatsch:
1. E4/G6
2. D4/Bishop G7
3. Unexpected E5 push vs theory of knight to F3

From here, I was in new territory... Now this was a great learning tool for me. But the more I analyze theory today, it's based on drawing with black and winning with white (note: how GMs play) To win, do you have to break away from theory, reducing the odds of a draw with say the 2nd or 3rd best move and thus taking your opponent into waters less entered. As Mikhail Tal would say, “You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide enough for one.” So is it really about a balance between understanding theory, then breaking and getting creative with tactics?

-Bishop

Tactical vision is much more important than any theory will be. Studying theory won't mean anything because your opponents are going to deviate from it and games are going to be determined by blunders. Learn to capitalize on these blunders while trying to eliminate them from your own game. That example game was perfect; objectivity meant nothing because you went from completely winning position to checkmated in a matter of just a few moves.

There is a saying that "chess is 99% tactics" and it is true, although it becomes less and less so the stronger you become. Work on tactics, then worry about what you need to work on after you gain a proficient tactical vision. Theory is crafted by the strongest players, and while following in their footsteps isn't a bad idea, not knowing why the moves were played (which are often governed by the tactics in the position) won't be doing you any favours. Tactics, tactics, and more tactics. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave advocates for improving players to study tactics for 2 hours everyday! Now this obviously isn't realistic for everyone but it's just an indicator of how important this aspect of the game truly is!

@IambHathor I sincerely appreciate your feedback, especially as it is all constructive. I will look into more tactics study as I do usually have that type of time available throughout my day. Do you have any recommendations for how to study tactics? Do you have a preferred website or program you personally like to use.

Thank you again for ALL of your feedback!

Why are you afraid of the "drawish tendencies" in the main lines? Super-gm games or your own games?

Are you sure the main lines don't offer enough outplay potential at your level?

Are the opponents that well versed in theory? Are you?

You don't have to choose "main-main-lines" like petroff/berlin vs 1.e4.
Sicilian/French/Caro are pretty imbalanced as well.

The advantages are
1) you learn a "proper opening" with a wide range of strategical ideas and "proper" piece development
2) you are not close to lost after the opening vs good play

The disadvantages

1) more theory ( for both you and your opponents) ..and -maybe worse short-term results
2) some people like to hardcore-gamble or enjoy fooling opponents in terrible positions.

It's up to you to decide

@SnackYourPawn
To be frank... I would prefer not to interact with you based on your behavior in other forum posts. Thanks for your time though.

Fair enough.

You can point out threads/snippets per PM to keep this thread clean.

Or you can not answer to this post at all.

Since your comment was pretty generic I have to add few lines in my defence.

1) I try to give a decent advice and take my time doimg so. I am not a professional/ coach but a somewhat decent player and try to help newbies especially if I have the feeling that they are overlooking major things
2) there is a lot of superficial and bad advice in the forums. Maybe some posts of mine fall into this category as well - it's up to you to judge
3) the feedback experience / responses drastically varied from my experience in similar situations (irl or in other forums)
Unfortunately not for the better of things. I try to not let this experience afect my replies in new threads etc.

4) I am not nice to trolls / sandbaggers etc.
5) not a native speaker

Hf playing chess and improving

Lichess's tactics trainer is pretty good, if a little convoluted at times... But there are also plenty of training books out there you could probably find for free in pdf online. Chesstempo.com is a dedicated site for tactics training, so it's probably your best bet in terms of free online sources.

I would suggest to keep playing, analyzing games with computer analysis, and solve puzzles. You will improve slowly and gradually. Chess, like any other game, cannot be mastered quickly.