Computer Analysis Questions

Hi, I'm relatively new to chess (well, I started a few years ago, but only started taking it seriously recently) and have been using the computer analysis tool to check where I could be improving my game. I've managed to all but eradicate blunders (except in <5 minute games), which I'm quite pleased with, but I am still not absolutely certain whether what the computer suggests is always necessarily what I should aim to do in further games.

Take this live chess game I just finished (I'm playing black).

My question basically is - how religiously should I follow such feedback? I think sometimes, especially after doing some of those computer workouts, that the spontaneous edge is often overlooked by the machine.

Anyway, your advice would be much appreciated. :)

" I've managed to all but eradicate blunders"

No offense intended, but if this is your mindset, then you will be severely disappointed.  Youre a 1200 player.

Here is a blog post I made last week that mentions this very thing:

http://www.chess.com/blog/kleelof/post-game-analysis---a-simple-approach

I use an engine as part of my post game analysis as well. I restrict it to 2 funcitons: Checking for overlooked tactics and blunders and as a source of suggestion for moves and ideas that may have helped in the goals I had during the game.

You should stop using it.

http://www.chess.com/article/view/chess-engines-are-not-your-friend

Like many strong players, Silman has forgotten what it is like to be a weak amateur. 

Used as a PART of your post game analysis, not the deciding factor (which is what Silman is actually talking about in that article), engines are quite useful.

Well, at least it has been for me. I cannot deny that using an engine in this manner has helped me considerably.

Fair point, but to be also fair to myself my live chess ratings aren't really reflective of my online/tactics ratings, which are ~500 higher (although I think that's a bit of an exaggeration of my actual skills). It's also not my mindset, it's just an observation from recent game analysis.

Fair enough.  I was about to ask you for chess lessons if you dont make mistake :-)

This guy is around 1200 and he doesn't say he does extensive analysis before using the computer. 

Tactics ratings are only to determine what problems you are given, not your skill level.

If you want an accurate estimation of your true rating, you NEED to play OTB or use a system that has a reasonable degree of accuracy. Other estimations DO NOT WORK.