I think this is actually a two-fold issue.
First is seeing the moves. The second issue is visualising the resulting position and then assessing whether the position you arrive at after the pre-move sequence ends is good for you.
Most people (including me) probably try to do this in developing the pre-moves, finding the objectively best moves, believing that the position would naturally be better for them as they "saw" the moves correctly. This is not necessarily true, although at my level getting the pre-moves mostly right will help with tactics - the problem is that assessment of the position probably requires more strategic insight and positional knowledge than I have.
If you can see five moves ahead and get them right, it may not really help you if you end up with a worse position; on the other hand, one or two moves may be just good enough if you can accurately assess whether the resulting position is an improvement or better for you.
It seems to me that at my level, endgames often require more understanding of the theory of what to do (piece placement, manoeuvre) rather than perfect "vision" of the moves. Of course, good recall of endgame studies is very useful, but I have found that an understanding of the principles of the process can help here.
To answer the real question of how many moves ahead is much more difficult. In forced sequences we often have great pre-move ”vision” (see TT!), but otherwise I think that mostly I don’t even see more than one move ahead. Although I try visualising the sequences, I often get surprised by moves that I think the opponent won’t play because I think they are weaker than alternatives; and I bet that opponents often think that about my moves.
GMs (etc.) probably see several moves ahead because they are playing other GMs who will make objectively the best moves and are thus more “pre-move predictable”? Of course their vision is also not perfect, hence surprises, novelties, missed opportunities and time-trouble etc.
Gosh, what an essay!
The max #
I searched about this yet i can't find any thread about this.
Can anyone tell me?
Oh and it would be nice if V3 can copy this premove limit
1 move ahead doesn't really help that much ( a little only) at all.
I need more than 1 move ahead in premove to make endgames like K+P ( passed unstoppable pawn) vs K really quick