I’m sure you have watched a video or perhaps read a book, where a Grandmaster analyzes his game.
Most likely, you are surprised by how DEEP his analysis goes. Some GM opening analysis goes all the way to move 30. Sometimes, they analyze unclear middlegame positions all the way to the 20th move and evaluate the resulting position.
OK, most of these commentators perform the ‘Copy and Paste’ technique. They copy computer analysis and paste them to impress you 🙂 BUT nah, I’m not talking about them. Rather, I’m talking about REALLY great players who do the hard task of deep and TRUE analysis by themselves (like Kasparov etc).
I’m sure you asked: “How can they do it?”
Positions, especially unclear ones, contain an almost endless amount of variations. How can they calculate all of them?
Many average chess players think that it’s all because of their outstanding calculation skills. HOWEVER, guess what: the real secret does NOT lie in their laser-accurate calculation!
Let’s be real, there are too many variations in any position. Even computer can’t calculate them all. Plus, when playing over-the-board, we are restricted by time. You can’t spend more than 10-15 minutes for 1 move.
Now I’ll tell you the REAL secret of GMs:
Weak players use their calculation skills BUT…
Strong players use their STRATEGICAL skills (even while calculating variations!)
GMs reject most of moves without any calculation (intuitively)! In fact they calculate only 1-2 moves, which seem logical for them. And this is the REAL task. GMs use their sharpened positional understanding to dramatically trim down the need for calculations and hit on the RIGHT move!
I’ll give you an example. Imagine…the starting position. 🙂
White has 20 possible moves here. However, there are 2 BEST options: 1.e4 and 1.d4. Only these 2 moves help white to develop pieces and struggle for the center in the most effective way. A similar thing happens almost in any position!
GMs can get benefit out of this idea. They can calculate such 1-2 best moves and totally clarify the situation. Such skill brings fantastic results! This is how Kasparov analyzed his openings until… a winning endgame!
Now I’ll expose another little secret 🙂 Positional understanding is a topic of my new course. Here I included a WHOLE explanation of a chess game, so that you can FULLY UNDERSTAND IT. Perhaps it sounds too optimistic, but it’s true! With all confidence, I will tell you that my new course is a BOMB!
Heck, even my strategical understanding went up significantly while preparing these materials for you. It was a nice surprise for me. 🙂
The course isn’t ready yet, BUT it’s really close.
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For the mean time, I’d like to give you a TASK.
Find the best move for white. First, you certainly should think by yourself. After that (!) you should turn on your computer engine and analyze the position with your program.
In the next issue I’ll give you the answer and will explain why this task is important. Then you will check up yourself.
A QUICK NOTE: there is NO need to send the best move to me; I know it already! 🙂
Comments 0
Hi Sir,
The next course “Positional Understanding” will certainly be a great course like other ones. This is what we need most.
Thank you.i saw a player with 3500 rating in Advance Lounge from Yahoo Chess.is it possible or that is some sort of program?
i want more free videos–preferably intermediate!
awesome can’t wait for more
hi Igor chris from new zealand here, your site is really impressive when i can save enough money i will buy one of your course’s keep up the good work!!!!!
hi, igor. whoever you are…your a great chess teacher!
hi igor,thanks for your lessons .it is very usefull for me
Smirnov, the King of all 10 year olds!
Thanks very very much for our teacher GM Igor Smirnov ,and I can’t wait the new BOMB course, Please hurry …..
Thanks very very much for our teacher GM Igor Smirnov ,and I can’t wait the new BOMB course, Please hurry …..
Hi Igor, I’m looking forward to watching your new course! I already know that it will be a great work! Compliments!
Hi.
I have chessmaster software.
How can I use analysis?
Do you suggest any other computer engine?
I look forward to this course on positional understanding. I assume, and hope, that in this new course links are made with the other excellent course “Your Winning Plan”.
wooooooooooooooow Kasparov think like that never knew that, thank u so much my master, great amazing lesson 🙂 u give always extra more, then books videos etc
computer can’t calculate them all really? but how they can beat easy a strong top GM, like Kasparov I just wonder maybe U can make a short topic about it once 🙂
thank u for this beautiful and nice lesson i hope your course will be good after it is re
ady i will definitely see it if it is free!
Thanks, it is very interesting
Your course is fantastic Igor. They are simple, clear, and easy to understand. They allow me to progress quickly. Thank you very much Igor.
The position is equal
Great work
Thank you Teacher love you so much
This position is the famous isolated queens pawn position,here black does not want to trade pieces,but white wants to trade pieces so that he could capture the isolani in the endgame.So my best move is Nb3,with the idea of trading pieces, something black does not want to do.
The best engine Houdini 1.5 says the best move here is Qc2 leading to a draw as Borisov already indicated.My question is simple can one trust the evaluation of the engine in this position as it is a strategic position.
Hi Igor, many thanks for your great lessons and courses. I have already bought 2 and am looking forward to your new one. It’s great having a chess teacher at home. I’m still a beginner but hope to make progress with your help. Continue your great work
Hi Igor, Due 2 tactical and ocupational position to the end game let move Bg5
ya,nice IGOR master.
Very much eager about your new course.
sir thanks to give me those ideas…
happy birthday GM Smirov.. Thank u so much for your great lessons