Calculation width vs. depth

I find that one of the distinguishing features between beginners and intermediates is that beginners should work on their calculation width, while intermediates work on their calculation depth.

Does this seem accurate to you?

Should beginners learn to expand their calculation width, while the intermediates their calculation depth?

While we're on it, lets make an open-ended question: which of the two do you think you should work on more?

For me, I think it's width. I'm quite good with depth (my peak is 10 to 12 moves), but I hardly calculate more than one variation, which causes me to lose often.

But would that make me a beginner?

Share your thoughts!

Both of them happen concurrently i presume

IIRC it was said ~2000 players calculate the most.  Players under them aren't good enough to calculate as much, while players above them know enough to not need to calculate as much.

To answer your question, I think newer players would do better to check all the forcing moves only a few moves deep, so sure, they need more width... but focusing on width itself wouldn't help.  Learning more about the game, gaining experience, and making good analysis habits will do it naturally.

I don't know that depth itself it useful to focus on.  It's very rare that a game is decided by your ability to visualize to your limit.  The efficiency and accuracy of your analysis is more important.  This isn't simply visualization, but the move and line selection / discarding process and the way and accuracy you evaluate the final position of your calculation.