How Far Can Pure Calculation Take You?
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If a player focuses only on calculation and visualization for a full year, with minimal opening theory, is it possible to jump from 1000 to 2000 in one year?
Feb 20, 2026
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#2
Well, you would need some understanding of different position but yes you definitely can.
Feb 20, 2026
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#3
No, you also need to be able to judge how good positions are.
If a chess bot is depth 999 but it thinks knights are better than queens, it won’t be very good.
If a chess bot is depth 999 but it thinks knights are better than queens, it won’t be very good.
SacrifycedStoat wrote:
No, you also need to be able to judge how good positions are.
If a chess bot is depth 999 but it thinks knights are better than queens, it won’t be very good.
If a chess bot is depth 999 but it thinks knights are better than queens, it won’t be very good.
I get it.
wonkercc wrote:
Well, you would need some understanding of different position but yes you definitely can.
Yes, you’re right.
Feb 21, 2026
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#6
Yes. De la Maza wrote a book about it using just that with his games. Gained about 1000 elo and won a section of the World Open on the way. Rapid Chess Improvement if its still in publication.
Feb 21, 2026
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#7
You cannot calculate everything because you are not engine. Humans calculation speed is limited and you have to make moves based on general knowledge, especially in very closed positions.
Feb 21, 2026
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#8
I don't listen to my intuition at all. I only play a move if I've calculated that it's good. So to me calculation is the most important thing to chess improvement