Effective Visualization Training

Sort:
limber_up

Can you please share any exercises or techniques you have found useful in helping you to visualize the board?

SmithyQ

The Chess Eye software I found surprisingly helpful as a first start.  It's free for the first seven or so exercises, and then if you like it you can pay for full access.

At first I thought it was useless, but the more I used it, the better I could picture a board with my eyes closed, and soon I was able to put pieces on the board and remember where they were.  I can now play through short, simple games in my head, though blindfold remains out of reach.  My goal is to eventually be able to read chess books without needing a board.  Someday.

Anyway, google 'Chess Eye software' and it should be one of the first links.

limber_up

Thanks guys.

 

@SmithyQ - I tried it too and thought it was useless. I downloaded the "Blindfold Chess Training" app yesterday and think it's pretty good. It says moves and you play them in your mind and then it asks what the best move, after say 5 half-moves, the easiest setting. You might find it useful. I think I'll just have to persevere with it and hope to see some improvements.

 

@LilBoot - I think you made a mistake there are no peaces on the bored.

SeniorPatzer
SmithyQ wrote:

The Chess Eye software I found surprisingly helpful as a first start.  It's free for the first seven or so exercises, and then if you like it you can pay for full access.

At first I thought it was useless, but the more I used it, the better I could picture a board with my eyes closed, and soon I was able to put pieces on the board and remember where they were.  I can now play through short, simple games in my head, though blindfold remains out of reach.  My goal is to eventually be able to read chess books without needing a board.  Someday.

Anyway, google 'Chess Eye software' and it should be one of the first links.

 

Thanks SmithyQ!

DrFrank124c
SmithyQ wrote:

The Chess Eye software I found surprisingly helpful as a first start.  It's free for the first seven or so exercises, and then if you like it you can pay for full access.

At first I thought it was useless, but the more I used it, the better I could picture a board with my eyes closed, and soon I was able to put pieces on the board and remember where they were.  I can now play through short, simple games in my head, though blindfold remains out of reach.  My goal is to eventually be able to read chess books without needing a board.  Someday.

Anyway, google 'Chess Eye software' and it should be one of the first links.

I downloaded this program. Looks interesting. BTW my os is linux mint and I used WINE to run it and it does work.

EscherehcsE
LilBoat21 wrote:

 White to move and win

Ooh, Ooh, Mr. Kotter! Pick me!

(hint 3 possible moves!)

limber_up
LilBoat21 wrote:
limber_up wrote:

Thanks guys.

 

@SmithyQ - I tried it too and thought it was useless. I downloaded the "Blindfold Chess Training" app yesterday and think it's pretty good. It says moves and you play them in your mind and then it asks what the best move, after say 5 half-moves, the easiest setting. You might find it useful. I think I'll just have to persevere with it and hope to see some improvements.

 

@LilBoot - I think you made a mistake there are no peaces on the bored.

Yes there are. Its the blindfold pieces. There's a mate in one.

 

Ahh, I don't have a blindfold, so I can't see them. Thanks anyway

EscherehcsE
mickynj wrote:
LilBoat21 wrote:

 White to move and win



1.Nf7+ Kg8 2.Nh6+ Kh8 3.Qg8+ Rxg8 4.Nf7# It's easy!

Nah...

1.Qg7# ...or 1.Qa8# ...or 1.Qb8#

Piperose

Image on post 5, is exceptional!

EscherehcsE
LilBoat21 wrote:
How can you see the pieces?

If I told you, the magic would be gone... Smile

eric0022
EscherehcsE wrote:
LilBoat21 wrote:
How can you see the pieces?

If I told you, the magic would be gone...

 

I found the magic as well! But 1. Qf7+ Kh8 2. Qf8# is also possible. Another possibility is 1. Qf7+ Kh8 2. Qg8+ Kxg8 draw.

Terminator-T800

I started dreaming of myself playing chess , seems to be helping a bit wink.png 

limber_up
DeirdreSkye wrote:

     Endgames is the best visualisation exercise according to both Dvoretsky and Aaagard.Start from the simple ones and go all the way up to the more complicated. 

     You take a good book and a physical board.You put the position on the board , you read what the author sasy and you are sure that you understand it.Then try to see the lines in your mind.Right them in a paper(usually that helps)if necessary.To be sure that you saw the line correct continue your calculation 2-3 moves after the line ends(write down the moves).Then play the line on the board.Did you calculate everything correct?If yes , move on.If not, you can move on but you have to return in this position.

     Examine moves that the author doesn't mention and be sure that you can see the winning line .Even in the most simple positions authors don't mention every move because they assume you understand the technique and you can find the rest on your own.

     Overall , good book , physical board , pen and paper, a lot of personal work and most important of all , no distractions(uninterrupted concentration).Your ability to stay focused during your study will determine whether you are capable of improving or not. 

 

Thanks a lot, so simple, but I never thought of it!

EscherehcsE
LilBoat21 wrote:
EscherehcsE wrote:
LilBoat21 wrote:
How can you see the pieces?

If I told you, the magic would be gone...

It is because you're on mobile?

Man, I can see this is really getting to you. :)

It's pretty simple. Just view the page source (html). Search for the word "fen", and you'll see the FEN string.

eric0022
EscherehcsE wrote:
LilBoat21 wrote:
EscherehcsE wrote:
LilBoat21 wrote:
How can you see the pieces?

If I told you, the magic would be gone...

It is because you're on mobile?

Man, I can see this is really getting to you. :)

It's pretty simple. Just view the page source (html). Search for the word "fen", and you'll see the FEN string.

 

For me I did it differently.

 

@LilBoat21

 

Look at the diagram in post 5 again. At the bottom left there is a mini chess board. Click on it and one line of Stockfish analysis (the best available move for the player having the move, and the line following that move for a few moves) will be available just above the original diagram. Along that analysis line, there is another mini chessboard on the right-side. Click on it, and the full Stockfish analysis will be available, and the diagram on that Stockfish page will show the 'mystery' pieces (together with the top three preferred moves and their subsequent lines).

EscherehcsE
eric0022 wrote:
EscherehcsE wrote:
LilBoat21 wrote:
EscherehcsE wrote:
LilBoat21 wrote:
How can you see the pieces?

If I told you, the magic would be gone...

It is because you're on mobile?

Man, I can see this is really getting to you. :)

It's pretty simple. Just view the page source (html). Search for the word "fen", and you'll see the FEN string.

 

For me I did it differently.

 

@LilBoat21

 

Look at the diagram in post 5 again. At the bottom left there is a mini chess board. Click on it and one line of Stockfish analysis (the best available move for the player having the move, and the line following that move for a few moves) will be available just above the original diagram. Along that analysis line, there is another mini chessboard on the right-side. Click on it, and the full Stockfish analysis will be available, and the diagram on that Stockfish page will show the 'mystery' pieces (together with the top three preferred moves and their subsequent lines).

Ah, interesting. That feature is only available on V3. I'm on V2, so I didn't see that stuff...

etothepiiminus1
Oddly, I recently read about strobe-vision glasses to train athletes.

Essentially, several times every second the glasses go dark--like a rapid and complete version of transitions lenses.

The idea is that the athlete's brain must learn to remember the position interpolate the expected location from the trajectory.

As the athlete gets more skilled, the strobe is slowed--forcing more and more into working memory.

----

I'm curious if playing in the dark, with a strobe illuminating the board further times apart could be helpful.

For example, imagine seeing your own position every 5 seconds. Then every 10 etc. You would have to keep the imagery there for that time while you consider moves etc.

Thoughts? Anyone care to join me on a week long trial of this and see if it helps us?

E