how many number of moves ahead can an average player think ?

I can see 3 moves if I concentrate, but sometimes I go up to 6 or 7. That's not all possible permutations, though, just the few most possible routes. 3 is the number I operate with.

I agree. Time spent analyzing unproductive moves is the mark of a weak player.

Indeed, that's precisely why an 800 blitz player cannot be over 2000 in correspondence without assistance. There's just not enough time to analyze 25 poor moves in every position. The 800 blitz player favors poor moves.

I used to play a local league, one of the players on the top board on an opposing team was blind!

there was a specific chess set he used & when moves were made you had to tell him what it was, other thanthat itwas just normal chess, very impressive player!

we have that in our club

I can't even get myself to visualize a 8x8 board completely. I just can't see everything at once in my head. So when I try to play blindfold, it's mainly just memorization and making assumptions about the position- I don't really see the positions in my head

nobody can see it completely, like when you look with your eyes, however as long as you know how the position is, it doesnt matter if you see the board or not

It really varies with the position and whether there are any forced moves by myself or my opponent.

nobody sees it clearly, it just is how they would describe it

well for my own I only see the pieces

3, 5, or 7, (with you to move) works for most folks.  But that's only OTB.

At faster time controls it's probably only 2 to 3.  If you're lucky.

or atleast I can sense their apperance

I only see one move ahead. It just happens to be the best.

Siegbert Tarrasch

When there is a forcing sequence on the board. I look so many moves ahead my chess nickname is the Deep Chess Penetrator.

I once faced some Lady in a chess game. She ended up making a mistake reaching a very unusual position. I than began to see a sequence of forcing moves. I Penetrated the position Deeply. Once I was finished she was left with a smile. It was obvious she was more than satisfied. An the position ended like that. For the sequence I saw was mating.

Which just goes to show you can see alot of moves ahead if there are forcing sequences.

I think at least 2 moves ahead each, and you can guess well without being too off target or speculative

DrCheckevertim  wrote:                 

You must have a different definition of 'average player' to most people.

its not about how far ahead you see its about seeing the right moves

Depends on what you call "average". I am average, and it differs for me. If the position is very forced, I can calculate 15 moves.

@IM pfrem My brother once asked me how many moves ahead I could calculate, That was what I said... " 1, The best one!"

I didn't know that someone had already coined the phrase!