Improving visualizing and calculating lines

Hey guys! So I've noticed a trend in my games where there's a lot of tension on the board. I'll finally decide to blow open the position, but after the dust settles, I often find myself down material (when I thought it should be even). I've gotten better at it, but it still is probably the leading cause of my blunders. What drills can I practice to try to hone my calculations? Is the best answer always "do tactics" (which I'm not opposed to doing)? Thanks for any tips!

I would review each game as soon as it's over. Play through the critical positions a few times, so the position sits in your mind. There are two benefits. One, you'll get better at the tactics. Two, you'll learn to take a closer look at double edge positions before you act. Look at top level master results, there are a lot of draws. Now, look at lower level games, like ours, lol. The top players know when enough is enough, and so they go for a draw, instead of an unknown risk, losing the game. What I'm saying is, it takes a lot of patience, and steady thinking to go for a draw. But its better than throwing the game away. Also, your inate talent level will ultimately cap your actual ability, so keep that in mind. Reviewing master games, working tactics, etc can help, but there's a reason that there's ten year old kids who are experts and even masters, it's called natural talent. All I'm saying, is, unless you think you have an enormous chess talent, just take it easy and study and play for enjoyment. Don't try to wear yourself out!

One way I improved was buying a chess set and a book full of tactics. I feel like doing tactics on this websites or others, it's always easy to take the tactic one move at a time instead of calculating the whole sequence in your head before moving a piece. There's something about setting up the tactic on board that makes it more fun and lessins the chance of solving a tactic the lazy way. I would also recommend getting the phone app "noir chess", it's free and has commonly known practice problems to improve visualization.

Thanks! All great advice! That natural ability that I am horribly lacking does really bother me. I try so hard and study so many openings, but still am God awful at the game lol. Thanks again for the reply!

I have a couple chess sets, but you're definitely right about using a book. I have an AMAZING beginner-intermediate opening book and one way I've been practicing is to read through it and just visualize the whole opening without looking at diagrams or setting it up myself. I *think* that could be beneficial at both improving visualization, and in turn calculations, as well as openings of course. What do you think?

Yeah that will probably help your visualization/ calculating abilities. But I don't think learning openings are beneficial at your level or mine. I really don't know openings at all. I only play two openings for white and two for black and really only know the first 4-5 moves. It all comes down to calculating tactics really. I believe tactics alone and following basic opening principles can get someone to 2000. Definitely buy a book that only has tactics that are difficult, like at the least require you to calculate 4 moves deep. The tactics that are 6 or more can and have taken me to 30m to solve, but I think that's the only way to really improve unless you're born with natural talent for visualizing.

Pingpong4353 wrote:

Yeah that will probably help your visualization/ calculating abilities. But I don't think learning openings are beneficial at your level or mine. I really don't know openings at all. I only play two openings for white and two for black and really only know the first 4-5 moves. It all comes down to calculating tactics really. I believe tactics alone and following basic opening principles can get someone to 2000. Definitely buy a book that only has tactics that are difficult, like at the least require you to calculate 4 moves deep. The tactics that are 6 or more can and have taken me to 30m to solve, but I think that's the only way to really improve unless you're born with natural talent for visualizing.

Yeah, I know studying openings doesn't help much at my level because I RARELY play anyone who knows more than 1 or 2 moves into any given line, but I honestly just enjoy studying them. I've always liked school and learning, and for me it's just a ton of fun to see how many moves I can learn in the major openings.

After looking at a couple of your losses, it has nothing to do with tension and releasing it.  Youre missing simple tactics, and hanging pieces.  

Actually taking time to visualise and calculate would be a start. I've had a look at some of your recent games and many of your blunders are made in less than a few seconds. Your tactics trainer stats (248 problems in 1 hour, 57 percent score, 845 rating) also indicate you're not taking the time necessary to solve problems correctly.

Slow things down. Calculate. Double check your calculations. Triple check. Then make your move.

One exercise you can do with your five free tactics trainer problems is to set a 15 minute timer and try to solve the 5 problems within that time.

"Also, your inate talent level will ultimately cap your actual ability, so keep that in mind. Reviewing master games, working tactics, etc can help, but there's a reason that there's ten year old kids who are experts and even masters, it's called natural talent." 

What a ridiculous statement. That is no mindset to help one improve.