How to Analyse your own Games?

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skinnypurpleducks

Hello guys I need help how do I properly analyse my own games? I am having trouble of thinking how :/ help please help be by commenting :)

Ardcore_Pawn

I can't tell you properly as I am low rated and new to learning, but I have just started and my method is to write down the set of moves, then what each move achieves for both players, threats, support, tactics etc and the what my ideas and candidate moves are so example

1.e4 e5

1.e4

I am moving to control the center, this opens up lines for my Bishop and Queen to develop.

1. ... e5

Black does the same

2. Nf3 Nc6

2.Nf3

I develop the Knight and attack an unsupported e5 pawn

2. ... Nc6

Black is supporting his e5 pawn whilst developing the Knight as well as accumulating pressure in d4

I do this for every move as I play (pointless to me otherwise)

It slows you down and can be annoying when you want to just play but I believe having done this for just a few games, that I am playing much higher than my rating in JUST THE GAMES I ANNOTATE... Otherwise it's same blunders.

I do write down all serious candidate moves, the reason for them and against and anything else that springs to mind so I remember later

Afterwards offer to swap with yr opponent

Go through yrself and see if you see other ideas you should have followed

Then analyse more deeply, possibly with a chess engine

blackrabbitto

I watched this the other day; but unfortunately, apart from not being much good I’m also incredibly lazy Frown

http://www.chess.com/video/player/how-to-analyze-your-own-games-intermediate

 
theunsjb

You might this thread useful:

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/what-is-the-right-way-to-use-fritzenginesdatabases-to-look-at-your-games

blackrabbitto

I usually get sidetracked to something more interesting. I highly recommend this series if you haven’t seen it .. it’s given me some great new ideas to work on.

http://www.chess.com/video/player/development-part-i-counting2

Just select the link which says “Next Video” to get to the next part.

 
Dutchday

Analyzing properly is very time consuming, but it's in the end the best thing to do. I suggest something like this:

Put the game in a PGN reader or in an engine, but do not turn it on. An engine is only good for tactical mistakes anyway. Otherwise it only spits out lines nobody understands. 

1) You may go through the opening if it's well known. It can't hurt to have the theory near if you don't like what you did.

2) Then, go through the game move by move and think. What was really all possible? Don't just make random alternative moves. Making moves just because you can is a good way not to think at all. So, just look if an alternative was interesting. If you really see something that goes several moves deep, then play it out and see how you like it. This is the way to check for tactics. Often simple tactics are still missed if you go over the game a second time. It pays off to check everything systematically. 

3) Incorporate a structural and a meta-analysis. Examples are: 

Did I really have to weaken this square? Did I have to allow pressure on the halfopen file? Often players just play with weak squares while they don't even know it. As you analyze, make sure you actually know what a structural feature in the position is. If you really don't know it, ask an experienced player.

Another typical problem:

We were both attacking, but ''the other guy'' was faster and I don't really know how I lost. Now, look for the principal moves. Was there a better defense? Or, was there a more economical sequence to carry out my own attack? An engine can absolutely not help you there. You should just think to yourself: ''Any move that did not open the enemy kingside and supplied attackers'' was not best. This is a little black and white thinking, but it can help you to find a better strategy in the end. A good attack often needs one or two good defending moves. 

The endgame is a quite tricky matter. For example, rook endgames require knowledge and technique. Look up the theory, and be aware of Zugzwang. You can do a lot on your own here since really there aren't that many pieces left. Point is, if you were a pawn up/down or if you lost to Zugzwang, you figure out what was the deciding factor in the game. 

If you're quite satisfied with this, put the game through the engine. See what you missed. Why did you miss it? Was it too difficult? Did you not think systematically? Or did you lack the knowledge? Is there a tactic you have a blind spot for? Do this regularly and you'll improve on your weaknesses. 

konhidras
skinnypurpleducks wrote:

Hello guys I need help how do I properly analyse my own games? I am having trouble of thinking how :/ help please help be by commenting :)

I once made a blog about my game which i annotated/analyzed to the best of my capabilities its called "the amateur analyses his game". Im not sure if the methods i did would be useful for you but thats basically how i analyze my games but if it helps then thats good.