This is how a chess experts outsmarts a chess patzers.
This is how a chess expert outsmarts a chess patzer.
In today’s post, I will teach you a key position.
But I won’t tell you the move right away. I will show you how a chess PATZER (impulsive player) would think vs a chess EXPERT (thoughtful).
Then, you’ll learn the difference between them and the actual gap in strategic brilliance & efficiency in decision-making.
Key position
Black to play. What would you do?
Let's see the contrast between a patzer & expert and how they would approach the same position.
Chess patzer mind:
Oh! e5 is hanging. Since I sacrificed a pawn in the opening to weaken the pawn structure of my opponent, I should take the e5 pawn, plus the Nf3 is pinned.
Final decision: 1…Nxe5. Time spent: 10 seconds
Patzer's Thought process illustrated:
Chess expert mind (same position):
Nxe5 looks well. However, my opponent won’t be happy that I capture his pawn, and there’s a chance that he is inviting me to do so.
If I play Nxe5….What are the options of my opponent?
1…Nxe5 2. Qa4+! (the check is annoying, my bishop on g4 is also under attack) N7c6 3.Nxe5 Qxe5 (My knight is pinned) 4.Qxg4 and white is winning!
Expert's Thought process illustrated:
Conclusion: After 2.Qa4+ N7c6 is a blunder. What other options do I have?
After. 2.Qa4+ Qc6 doesn’t work 3.Bb5+- but 2…Qd7 is interesting
If:
A)3.Qxd7 Nxd7! (that’s good for me)
B)but 3. Bb5! again I am losing.
Expert's Thought process illustrated:
3.Bb5 as a followup after Qa4+ is very annoying. How can I prepare my position to capture on e5? Oh well, I can play a6. That way, I recover my material.
Expert's Thought process illustrated:
Final decision: 1…a6
Time spent: 1 minute.
So in this example, you can see how.
A) Patzer decision:1…Nxe5 is a blunder that leads him to lose material.
It’s impulsive, it’s bad, it’s a decision that only took him 10 seconds to make. In 10 seconds, he ruined his whole game.
B) Expert decision: 1….a6 aim to capture e5, is better. The expert has an idea but doesn’t act on the impulse. He is thoughtful and careful.
First, he makes sure that his opponent doesn’t have a good response, in this case, he spots Qa4+, so he prepares with a6.
He seeks strategic brilliance & efficiency in decision-making.
What can we learn from this example?
It’s very easy to make bad decisions in chess. Chess patzers see a shiny object, and they jump to it. They jump into the trap.
Chess Experts analyze the problem first.
Chess Patzers ruin their games in seconds.
Chess Experts invest time in preparing their ideas and allow them to grow.
Chess Patzers are impulsive, chess experts are thoughtful.
I showed one game I played.
In that position, I made 1…Nxe5 and lost the game with Qa4+. I saw that coming, but what I didn't see was my bishop hanging on g4.
𝐘𝐞𝐬, 𝐈 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐳𝐞𝐫.
I used to make Reckless and impulsive decisions
I used to make tons of blunders
I used to ruin winning games in seconds.
What did I learn? There’s no fun and growth in being a chess patzer who blows up good positions all the time.
But there’s so much to win when you embrace your games, progress & training as a chess expert:
-
Sharper Decision-Making: Strategic mindset that enhances thoughtful decisions in chess & life.
-
Resilience Under Pressure: Stay calm under pressure, it makes you stay grounded in high-stakes situations.
-
Confidence and Efficiency: Be confident in your analysis to overcome challenges on the board and in both professional and personal endeavors.
Chess progress loves efficiency and being smart.
Chess is more fun when you are on your way to becoming an expert who seeks strategic brilliance & efficiency in decision-making.
And this is a skill you can train, but chess books won’t tell you how to.
To become a chess expert, you need to focus on 4 things.
I explain them in detail in my free training: 4 keys to play like the 1%.
You can get a free copy here.
It will show you how to stop being a chess patzer and what are the 4 main things you need to cultivate in your game to become a chess expert.
Which means
-
Be thoughtful
-
Be confident
-
Stay calm under pressure
Which type of player do you want to be, a patzer or an expert?
I hope it helps.
See you on the expert side.
Coach Diego
