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Review your games WITHOUT an engine

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Avatar of Disconfirm
Disconfirm
Jan 31, 2026
0
#1
I just recently started reviewing my games without an engine and I noticed my thought process was different during analysis. I think I’m improving my game and I’m using a different approach to Chess.

For me, manually reviewing games is a different approach to online chess. Instead of following the best move an engine gives me, my brain will start to develop critical thinking skills necessary for chess growth.

What do you think? Do you use an engine?
How do you review your games?

Or maybe you were already reviewing your games manually, what is your thought process during analysis?
Avatar of MrChatty
MrChatty
Jan 31, 2026
0
#2

I review my games like "great, 6 blunders" and close the tab with review

Avatar of MaetsNori
MaetsNori
Jan 31, 2026
0
#3

Agreed - I usually review without an engine. It's helpful to try to think things through, on your own. Sometimes you notice ideas that you didn't think of, while playing.

Then I check with the engine afterward, to see what I missed.