What are some obvious mistakes that you look for in your opponents game before you determine that you are much better than they are? 

If my opponent falls for simple forks, is fooled by simple traps, and does not follow the basic rules of development, I usually conclude that I am a better player than them.

Can you give an example or two?

Unbeliever wrote: If my opponent falls for simple forks, is fooled by simple traps, and does not follow the basic rules of development, I usually conclude that I am a better player than them.

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Don't forget "falls for and misses simple mates.

LEE2000 wrote:

What are some obvious mistakes that you look for in your opponents game before you determine that you are much better than they are? 

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I am not sure what the purpose of this question is.  Play the damn game. 

The purpose of the question should be obvious.  A better answer would have been, "Dude, buy a book or something."  Your point is correct, just "play the damn game", I could not agree more.  But after 27 years it has to be time to buy a book.  Just getting used to the sight and wanted to make some conversation.   Thanks,  lee

I think the Unbeliever sums it up pretty good. I normally determine if I better if I can use a fork to get the queen early in the game or if I can get a simple checkmate (the only kind of checkmate I can do).

 

I always assume that I am the better player, unless I am not. If I am not the better player then I switch my assumption to me not being the better player assuming of course that the other player is the better player. If my opponent is indeed better than his opponent his assumption would be that he is the better player, but just because my opponent opines that he is the better player does not mean that will be my assumption as well. It could be that he believes he is the better player while at the same time I believe that I am the better player. I will continue to believe in this manner until my opponent has proven over the board that he is the better player, at which time I will believe that he is the better player.

oginschile wrote: I always assume that I am the better player, unless I am not. If I am not the better player then I switch my assumption to me not being the better player assuming of course that the other player is the better player. If my opponent is indeed better than his opponent his assumption would be that he is the better player, but just because my opponent opines that he is the better player does not mean that will be my assumption as well. It could be that he believes he is the better player while at the same time I believe that I am the better player. I will continue to believe in this manner until my opponent has proven over the board that he is the better player, at which time I will believe that he is the better player.

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Well said.  I couldn't have put it more concisely.

brevity is my middle name!

LEE2000 wrote: The purpose of the question should be obvious.  A better answer would have been, "Dude, buy a book or something."  Your point is correct, just "play the damn game", I could not agree more.  But after 27 years it has to be time to buy a book.  Just getting used to the sight and wanted to make some conversation.   Thanks,  lee

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Welcome to the SITE ;D.  Sorry, you probably wouldn't enjoy the stuff I read so I can't give you book suggestions(unless you read physiology, anatomy and  weightlifting stuff on your own time of course)

Oh and I still don't know the purpose of the question, unless it is an ego on the other side which needs to validate himself by saying....Hey, I am better than you.  :D

 

Win, lose or draw the person on the other side can always beat you the next game, even if you ARE far superior to them.  So why dwell on such a thing?   

 

Once again PLAY the damn GAME :D.

 

Don't adulticize everything.  Does a 1 year old want to win a game they are playing?  Nope, they don't even know what winning is.  So go back to that time when you just wandered around aimlessly and had a hell of a lot of fun doing it :D

  oginschile wrote: I always assume that I am the better player, unless I am not...Priceless!!!  Bummer of a middle name though.  Sounds kinda girly. 

 Seriously, I try to approach every game as though my opponent is better than I am.  Luckily that's not much of a reach in most cases.  I try to stick to my plan and not develop bad habits (like pursuing quick mates) that will bite me when I am playing stronger players.

No ego here, I assure you.  Just a dumb truck driver asking a dumb question.  See you on the board.  Cheers! lee

    thinking you are better then them and knowing you are better then your opponent are two different things. if you review there games and you see moves you like then you can assume they are as good as you or better. if you see moves you don't like or could take advantage of then you might be better. personally i play better when i think they are as good or better then me because then i have no room for a mistake. when i know i am better i make fast moves and sometimes lose to a blunder.

sound strategy.  lee   assume nothing

your first mistake was putting a dam jungle ferret on your profile..and smokin too much pole in deep run

Generally, the rating will tell you if the player is better than you or not. 

   However, if the player doesn't have a rating, then I always play my best.  

    When we get into the middle game, I can tell if the person is better or weaker than me.   

I generally know if I'm a better player about 5 moves into the game(for both sides). If he/she is playing unconventionally that's a sign i'm usually better. *shrug*

LEE2000 wrote: No ego here, I assure you.  Just a dumb truck driver asking a dumb question.  See you on the board.  Cheers! lee

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:D