The Road to 2200 Program

 Grandmaster Preparation - Calculation

The Eight Calculation Techniques

The most important aspects of calculation are concentration and determination.

1. Candidate Moves
2. Combinational Vision
3. Prophylaxis
4. Comparison
5. Elimination
6. Intermediate Moves
7. Imagination
8. Traps

Additional Thoughts

• What is important in this position?
• What am I trying to achieve?
• Decide more or less how much time you are willing to invest in this move
• Calculate forcing moves first
• Use your common sense when you decide what to analyze first
• What is the drawback of my opponent's last move?
• Be practical
• Don't think about decisions that you need to make in the future
• Calculate a bit slower
• Don't let your thoughts skip from one line to another and back several times over
• Leave assumptions at the door
• Check the move order
• When you have made up your mind, execute your move!

1. End each variation with a definite conclusion
2. Calculate only until you can make a definite conclusion
3. Calculate half a move longer
4. What could I have missed?
5. Recheck your analysis
6. Seek clear and simple solutions in winning positions
7. We all underestimate the amount of chances we have all the time

If the next move you play is a good one, you are a success.

Chapter 1 - Candidate Moves