123Chess_Game13
The CHESS Analysis Method (7-Steps)
CLOCK & CODE (Step 1)
HEAD & HAT (Steps 2 & 3)
ED & ANA (Steps 4 & 5)
SELECT & STUDY (Step 6)
SECURE KEY TAKEAWAYS (Step 7)
CLOCK &CODE:
- CLOCK & CODE: During Gameplay - Create a CODE legend for you to write down and identify the critical moments of the game, including the moves that took the most time on your CLOCK.
Tip 1: You can use numbers, letters, symbols, or anything else you can think of.
Tip 2: This process works best if you play a live (non-correspondence) game with at least 10min on your clock.
Examples:
- When felt Disoriented
- Confused
- Comfortable
- Uncomfortable
- Stuck
- When you overlooked something
- When you had a positive "eureka" moment
(The code legend I created for myself is “SCOUTE.”)
S = I feel Stuck
C = I feel Comfortable
O = I Overlooked a position or tactic
U = I feel Uncomfortable
T = This was a Time consuming move
E = Eureka! I discovered something good!
HEAD & HAT: - HEAD: Immediately after the Game - Write down what went through your HEAD throughout the game such as what you were feeling, the reasons for your decisions, the plans you had, and calculations you performed.
Tip 1: Expound on your In-game CODE
Tip 2: Be specific
(This PGN below include both of these steps 1 and 2 within the annotative comments.)
- HAT: Immediately after the Game - After finishing the above, write down at least 3 key lessons you've learned from this game that you can add to your HAT of knowledge.
Warning: No outside sources! Just your own thoughts and conclusions so far!
(Here are mine.)
1. I know nothing about how to deal with the Lion's Jaw Defense, when I'm playing the Pirc Defense as Black.
2. When I develop a plan of attack, I need to calculate deeper into the lines so I can be confident enough to follow through with the attack.
3. I need to get better at knowing when to strike in the center.
ED & ANA: - ED: Immediately after the Game - EDUCATE on the critical moments of the game. These include any major changes that took place.
Internal critical moment examples:
- Ran out of known moves
- Moves that surprised you
- Change in plans
- Overlooked a situation
- When you found yourself "lost" or stuck
External critical moment examples:
- Phase Transition
- Draw-ish Endgame --> Lost one
- Massive trade of pieces
- Major pawn configuration change
- Quiet game into Tactical storm
(Here's what I chose.)
3. f3 - My first uncomfortable moment, where I wasn't sure how to continue
8. d5 - The first moment in which I didn't know how best to continue and narrow down the options
13. Qd2 - The moment when my opponent's development is complete and he's officially entering the Midgame
17. Kxd2 - The first moment when I clearly overlooked an exchange that favored my opponent in the end
18. a4 - The first moment when I felt stuck, unsure of what to do
18...Be6 - The moment when I finished my development and officially entered the Midgame
20. exd5 - The moment when I first developed a plan of attack
35. Kf2 - The moment when I believe I finally mentally gave up on trying to find a way to create some counterplay and or to improve my position, opting to foolishly retreat my Rook back to its passive e5 square (and leading to my next decision to finally "give up" and give white the d-file, launching us into the Endgame).
23...Ne8 - The first moment when I began to loose my positional advantage
25. g4 - The second moment when I felt completely stuck
31. Nc3 - The moment when I decided to be down an exchange for the compensation of an extra pawn
35. Ne2 - The moment when I sensed that any possible option I had to win was gone and playing for a draw was what I should shift my focus to - ANA: After the Game - Pick at least 2 or 3 of the critical moments you identified above, and now ANALYZE them. Warning: Before you analyze, run your moments by an equal or higher level player!
(Here are my 3 critical moments that I chose to analyze.)
13. Qd2 Simplifying an advantageous position
23. Ra2 Following through with my attack
26. fxg4 Last chance to stick to my plan and come out with an advantage
(This PGN below includes my finalized analyses for these critical moments within the annotative comments.)
SELECT & STUDY: - SELECT & STUDY: After the Game - SELECT an opening theory, positional pattern, or tactical element to STUDY it by learning from an expert sources.
Examples of types of sources:
- Reading instructional Books
- Watching instructional Videos
- Reading relevant Articles
- Looking up relevant Master Games
- Submitting your game online for a Game Review
Warning: Finish this step and THEN check your findings against a chess engine!
(Below is what I did for this step.)
1. I looked at some instructional youtube videos on the Lion's Jaw Variation of the Pirc Defense
2. I spent some time exploring all the critical moments in my game, starting with what I know and working my way to the point where the engine analysis aligns with what I understand to be the simplest and best lines.
3. Tom and I both memorized a master game that arrived at the same King's Indian Defense pawn structure that our game had. Here is that game below.
SECURE KEY TAKEAWAYS: - SECURE KEY TAKEAWAYS: Conclusion - SECURE and write down any final KEY TAKEAWAYS that are principles you can take into your future chess games, based on what you have learned from your analysis of this one. Write down at least 2 or 3.
(Below is what I did for this step.)
1. When I already have a slight advantage of some sort, if I have an option to simplify the position it is usually wisest unless there is a definitive line leading to mate or a completely winning position. (And just because I have a zwischenzug option doesn't mean it's always the best move in the position.)
2. When I've developed a plan of attack, I need to not deviate from it unless I have a better reason to.
3. When I've developed a plan of attack, I need to calculate deeper lines into the attack in order to have confidence enough to successfully execute the attack without backing down.
Finally, this video below is based on our completion of this analysis:
