Great questions. I look forward to the responses. IIRC, this was discussed at length on one of the many episodes of the (great) podcast, Perpetual Chess. I seem to recall that they felt you gain visualization skill by attempting to do it in your head as much as you can and to replay it on the board once you can't. It's time-consuming and difficult but perhaps worth it in the end.
How to follow move variations in a book?
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Jul 11, 2022
0
#3
You get better at visualization by practicing visualization. “Logical Chess” is a good book to practice with. Don’t skip those variations. Try as hard as you can to visualize the moves from the variations in your head. If you lose track of the pieces, start over and try again. If you just can’t do it after repeated efforts, move the pieces on your board, but just for the first couple of moves in the variation and then try to visualize the rest of the moves in the variation. Keep working at it and you’ll get better.
Practicing visualization sounds good -- but it sure is hard to do at the end of an exhausting day!
I can say, however, that when it comes to finding a square/move algebraically, I can do that now almost without thinking. Previously, I relied on a USCF board with pre-printed rank and file IDs on the sides. Now I use a generic wooden board and just "know" where the piece goes. So perhaps there's hope for a newbie, eh?
The answer to your issue is to use the Chess.com Analysis board.....(menu: Learn -> Analysis)...
https://www.chess.com/analysis
Every move is recorded. Just start by moving pieces, or by setting up and loading a specific position or by pasting .pgn formatted text or an FEN string, etc.. You can click on any recorded move that has been played and it will take you to that specific position.
While you're at it, be sure to check out my blog...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell
Jul 13, 2022
0
#6
Another option is to use two chess sets. You can play through the game on one and the variations on the other.
IpswichMatt wrote:
Another option is to use two chess sets. You can play through the game on one and the variations on the other.
I thought about this, but it also sounds like there'd be substantial rearranging of pieces on the "variations board." On the other hand, at least the primary board would have everything in position to match reset points. The biggest downside is I've already got a chessboard commandeering a semi permanent spot on the dining room table. And there's another board setup in my home office for playing endgames of chess.com bouts. I predict potential pushback from Mrs. HillsidePawn for setting up a third board!
Jul 13, 2022
0
#8
I’d suggest a travel/pocket set for the 2nd board.
The problem with RussBell’s suggestion - and any other digital suggestion - is that it’s far too easy. You want this to be a bit annoying. That way, you will naturally do more and more of the analysis in your head in order to save faffing about with your two boards.
The problem with RussBell’s suggestion - and any other digital suggestion - is that it’s far too easy. You want this to be a bit annoying. That way, you will naturally do more and more of the analysis in your head in order to save faffing about with your two boards.
Relative beginner here. I'm seeking advice on how to follow move variations in books analyzing chess games or combinations. For example, I've got Jeremy Silman's "How to Play Chess" video lectures on The Great Courses. He often shows move sequences that could have been made but weren't, and those are easy to follow by watching the pieces move on-screen. But when I read similar sequences explained algebraically on page, it's hard to visualize a sequence past a move or two.
Currently I'm working (slowly!) through Irving Chernev's "Logical Chess" by moving pieces on a physical set. I'm learning a lot but it's a pain to be constantly undoing variations and trying to get everything back to the Main Sequence. Consequently, I end up skipping a lot of the variations and their lessons. I'd love to be able to read books like this on a deeper level but am wondering how?
Is using a pair of chess sets the answer? Would it be better to look into a platform like Forward Chess? I'm on a computer all day and would really prefer a physical approach if possible. Look forward to hearing your ideas!