What is your chess thought process i.e. what do you think about and consider before making moves?
Want to improve and find many moves I make are instinctual and I do not actively put the thought in that I need to.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
„Intuition“ basically is based on experience and/or the number of „chunks“ you have gathered. GMs have up to 100.000 chunks collected (no-one exactly knows how they are stored, where they are...) so they can easily decide by intuition.
In my case the thinking process is pure random, but stars like Carlsen and Kramnik and many more confessed the same. There‘s this book „Think like a GM“ but this is rather an obstacle than a help for me. Kramnik said it didn’t work for him at all. ;)
Just absorb as many chess material as possible in a serious way (no bullet for example) and collect as many chunks as possible.
„Do you think like a tree? I don’t think like a tree!‘
"In my case the thinking process is pure random"
If a CM says that, then there's still a chance for me to become one, too (yeah, right ...), because in my case it's exactly the same. Beyond the opening phase, I just do whatever "feels" right in the given position. I'm only an amateur who plays with "Classical" time controls (btw, it's actually kinda silly to call them that way, but whatever), so if I would have more time and an analysis board in front of me, naturally I would put much more time into thinking my moves over before committing to them. But that would be pretty strenuous on my mind and the game would also be less enjoyable for me.
I tried to get some automatism into that but failed to do so.
At least one should recognize the opponents threats and when the opponent misses your threats. If he threats mate in one, you must concider nothing than moves which meet that threat.
If there is no threat to meet, you'll have the whole bunch of possible candidates. If you know much about chess you remember many plans and typical piece positions (
@Sarg0n says "chunks") and have your candidate moves. If you don't know that much about your position you maybe look at all your pieces and try to play every piece to a good square.
When calculating moves i also switch between the moves, as i am no tree as well.
It is good to check every possible check, capture and threat your opponent has against your choosen move BEFORE you really move. Sometimes you have only two possible answers to answer a treat, but both have their drawbacks. When calculating a third move comes up and you want to play it. This move has no drawbacks except that it don't parries that mate in one threat. ;)
I try to have sacraficial ideas all the time...be a little creative...play in between moves and not the obvious reply etc there are things hidden in positions that takes time to find with a little imagination...remember the importance of passed pawns, a pawn queening usually means a win so I take pawns very seriously especially pawn majoritys where I can create a passed pawn...Kramnik is the master of the passed pawn he always gets them it seems in every game
I look at the board, and I see the moves, and I also see some ideas (aggressive usually). If this is a classical game, I would calculate each candidate moves (usually 5 moves ahead). I am not a high rated player, but I consider my self as an aggressive player with creative ideas. These ideas might not be accurate (computer doesn't agree), but they are as scary as Tal sacrifices.
If you want to know real chess tactics and endgame art check this link out.
http://zipteria.com/9lRwI rely more on intuition than on the calculation, because I suck at calculation :D hence too many blunders...
To give the OP an idea:
Things which should always come to your mind before moving:
1) Do I have an unprotected piece?
2) If yes how can I protect it?
3) Ideally you want to protect by starting a counter attack by yourself.
4) Can I move forwards?
5) Can I check him? Doesn't need to be a check mate
6) Can I attack his queen?
7) When you capture and you can use two which gives you a better position after capturing?
8) Always move your pieces having a lookout for his knights. Because knights can very quickly fork you in just to moves.
9) Is there a way you can pin or fork him?
10) If I do this, then he can do that... Try this as long as you can before you move. Of course time is an element here.
11) Is there a piece which defends an otherwise undefended and important piece? Can I remove that creatively maybe in two or three moves by not risking my pieces
12) Of course: Are there any unprotected pieces by your opponent? If so take them. Oftentimes it is not a trap. Dont be afraid of getting material.
13) Try to castle as early as possible
14) Is your king safe? Sometimes it is just one wrong move on your part and game is over. It often comes with his queen or bishop or rook. Where are those pieces relatively to your king.
15) Be for the lookout how often a piece is attacked and how often it is protected. If there are more attackers than defenders, use some of the tips above.
16) Sometimes it is just ok to check your opponent simply for the reason to check him. that way he has to move the king. And the king doesnt like to move early in the game. It makes him passive.
17) Is there a move which forces your opponent back in his half? And you getting into his half?
18) Can I safely line up my rooks and or queens?
19) Is there an open file?
Although I would like to make 20 points. That should be a good list to start from.
The fact that good players excel at blitz is a strong sign that they don’t use lists. ;)
If it helps you, just do it.
