Don't play a risky move it if you haven't calculated fully that it can be played.
Check-greedy
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browni3141 wrote:
Don't play a risky move it if you haven't calculated fully that it can be played.
Yes, unfortunately that's a downside of playing blitz/bullet chess...not always enough time to calculate. You're right, of course; especially in those games unless you're running severely short on time, it's better to opt for the safe/seemingly best move, such as in my case, Rxa8. Which is an obviously strong move, yet I have a compulsion for perpetual check...
Check is a valuable tool. Like any tool, it is to be used at the appropriate time. Check only when you have deduced the consequences, or to run your opponent out of time in blitz.
wowiezowie wrote:
Check is a valuable tool. Like any tool, it is to be used at the appropriate time. Check only when you have deduced the consequences, or to run your opponent out of time in blitz.
Well said. I never intend to check "for check's sake" (one of Evans' most despised methods of play, if you can call it a method), as obviously that will net nothing long-term, and possibly cause missed opportunity--or even loss, as this one did. Yet, there's something that draws me to a check when I'm running out of time and can't deduce the outcome...I know it's not a good habit but it's one I picked up in bullet, and now it's difficult to abandon. :-/
RoseQueen1985 wrote:
Beginners love checks because they think they get some points for it or something. Checks are just like any other move,if you can't see a good continuation,don't play it. Also,it's almost always better to keep the check in reserve rather than to use it right away. This way you always keep your opponent calculating variations with the a possible check thrown in. Further more,if you are going for a mating attack,try to box the king in first,then check. Don't just check to harass hoping for a blunder.
Naturally, agree on all counts. All of this I know already and I don't consider myself a beginner (though I understand that's relative, if you're ranked over 2000 then to you I probably am), but I'm talking about a bad habit that I've picked up from playing too quickly in blitz games. I don't play hoping for blunders, or for the sake of harassment, as you'll see in my above post. But I think I need to work on calculating more and taking fewer risks that can have obvious consequences.
dalephilly wrote:
Don't forget the following famous quote:
"Patzer sees check, patzer gives check"
Checking impulsively for no constructive reason is a terrible habit of some lower-rated players, and you would do best to consider what the move (or any move, for that matter) actually does for you before playing it. Unfortunately, this is often not possible in blitz/bullet chess when you are under severe time pressure.
Yes, the blitz style of play is what is affecting poor judgment such as what you see here. I knew that taking the rook was the best move, but for some reason I was drawn to the check even though in the back of my mind I knew it wasn't the best move...I think this is mostly a bad habit that crops up occasionally, trying to mate when low on time despite the consequences.
RoseQueen1985 wrote:
^ dont play blitz,problem solved. Harrasing with checks works in bullit and blitz because it gains time in the clock. But it can translate to a bad habit later on. If the check doesn't improve your position,don't play it.
That's probably the best solution to my problem here...it really is a bad habit and I can only blame myself for the majority of my chess experience coming from blitz games...though you can't deny their entertainment value, they're not exactly ideal for improving tactically in longer games.
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Hello everyone,
I find myself often becoming too greedy during games with check when I think I may be able to mate but don't have enough time to be sure.
Today, I played a game where I was down a rook and had my opponent in check. I placed him in check and had a discovered attack on his rook, as you will see in move #20-21. Forced to move his king, I could have taken the rook and evened it out. Instead, I made a poor decision to continue checking him which resulted in an attack on my queen (move #22), which of course forced me to move and allowed him to take my rook easily. I felt incredibly foolish, because had I taken his rook it would've easily been a win for me, I think. But I got too greedy with check and paid dearly as a result.
Aside from the obvious (don't get too greedy, take your time, consider the best options first, etc) do you have any tips for avoiding this kind of careless checking? Or maybe others can relate?
Thanks!