How To Calculate Lines & Knowing When to Stop | Dojo Lessons

[@isaakvandaalen3899]

Important that "trusting your evaluation" isn't some nebulous thing, it's not like you just make a bunch of aggressive moves and say "surely I must have an attack there." (Sometimes we literally say this, but it should be based on an evaluation of the position, not just eyeballing your own pieces and praying that tactics will work out). Trusting your evaluation comes down to your ability to visualize future positions and identify the resources available to each side. In the case of this video, after White takes on e6 their evaluation isn't just "eh it's probably good," it's "I'm down a piece, but Black is way behind on development and their pieces are largely stuck behind each other. My piece activity is very high, and their King is now exposed and vulnerable. Based on my understanding of Chess, White should have more than enough compensation for the piece, and I believe is winning." When you evaluate, you don't necessarily calculate lines, but you do still need to objectively identify the features of the position. "My pieces look scary" is not an evaluation - a mistake I see many lower rated players make.

[@BehnamEsmayli]

Nice. The only channel giving anything practical and real. Keep up!

[@ChessDojo]

Thank you!

[@JasonStoneking]

Great video, Kostya! I hadn't seen it before, but just came across it in the visualization guide on the Dojo. Really helpful. I got a lot out of this. Thank you!

[@islender]

Very helpful video! I have an obsession with calculating the "best move" and making "sure" it works which usually makes me lose on time in rapid :P. After what you've shown in this video I feel much more confident about trusting my chess intuition. Thanks!

[@lollycopter]

One thing that I've found extremely useful when it comes to calculating during puzzles as well as classical games is to get into the habit of calculating using coordinates as often as possible, even if it feels slower at first. This helps with keeping specific positions in mind and is far more effective than using arrows (especially since arrows can't be used otb!). Over time, this becomes easier, and it also helps with being able to record classical otb moves fasters with less mental overhead to maintain focus and reduce fatigue. Based on what I've seen from some otb opponents (including a candidate master!) being confused about where they are up to on their scoresheet, not everyone thinks with coordinates as often as they probably could. The additional benefit is being able to more easily follow along with commentary or post-game analysis from top level games, or even club level games.

[@ChessDojo]

Absolutely, very good point!

[@bluefin.64]

I recently started doing coordinates training in hopes of one day keeping up with strong players who rattle off moves, especially on live broadcasts. The additional reasons you've given for doing it make sense.

[@screamingliner]

Tisdall would call the position after Nxf7 Bxf4+ Qxf4 a "stepping-stone" position. Also a valuable lesson in the value of changing move orders.

[@ChessDojo]

Yes stepping-stone is a great technique

[@jaylenlenear3944]

what stepping stone mean ?

[@screamingliner]

@@jaylenlenear3944 A position that is used as a starting point for calculations. The idea is to fix the "stepping-stone" position in your mind rather than returning to the original position for every new variation.

[@vilmarcabanero2500]

OMG. Very helpful.

[@RedGaming23]

Love this type of video. Knowing when to stop calculating in different time controls etc is very useful

[@kartavyaschesschannel8240]

Thanks ChessDojo for the informational Middlegame lesson! Could you possibly make videos about "The Process Of Thinking" in a real classical time control game as that is a serious topic which most of us struggle with, it would also be very helpful for most of the players out there (including me). Thanks again for the quality content.

[@ChessDojo]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Phurngirathaana]

Since it's too obvious to you I think you have missed saying that the diagonal becomes weak after the bishop exchange and the queen can occupy d6 which makes a huge difference Consciously telling yourself about what has changed in the position after every move during the visualization process is necessary too

[@mariostheodorou9726]

You are getting better and better each day! Every piece of advice all of you gave helped me a lot! Keep up the great content!

[@Thexaxisacademy2023]

Thank you so much for this.Subbed ! Please release more educational content

[@chessisbest]

awesome video! I like this breakdown of calculating I found it very helpful! :)

[@ralphbuschmann740]

Great Video - I would love to See a series on the thinking process on tactics.

[@colebrown6069]

Agreed! Loved this and would love to see more on calculation skills.

[@jimratliff]

Great video. Very practically instructional.

[@jimratliff]

@Siddhant Satao I don't understand your question.

[@jimratliff]

@Siddhant Satao Interesting! I actually have no idea. I didn’t know I was verified.

[@trlns59]

Super example and explanation!

[@aBetterMove]

My first thought in the stem position was 1. Bxe6. My Knight on e5 is so strong it can never be taken for consequences, if Black takes back on e6 then Ng6 is killing and Black's pieces are getting in his way, when Black can't answer both threats of NXR and BXB, since the latter allows a rerouting with Nxf4 targeting e6, and Black's King will burn to a crisp. This sort of position feels like an analog of Tal-Larsen 1965: either you see what is possible and accept it as a rapid game where Black can go wrong, or you decline it and then train the position later on. Definitely this sort of thing can be troublesome in a classical length game though.

[@PeterSodhi]

Kostya is so awesome. Maybe the best coach out there...

[@RedGaming23]

Really instructive, great video for me and my students thanks

[@rwmw2564]

Honestly, the course wants to teach when to stop calculation and imho it fails doing this. As written below after Nxf7 Kxf7 Bxd6 Nb6 there is a lot to calculate. If you stop earlier you're playing just on luck. That might be OK for blitz games, but bad for serious play and improvement. You should stop calculation in quiet positions and not earlier and you should avoid training bad habits like lazy calculation.

[@briandoile5011]

Great video, thanks!

[@chris_harvey]

I like the new overlay and color scheme.

[@ChessDojo]

Thanks!

[@mitchellfabian7694]

Very in-depth discussion of sacrifice calculation that comes from the same person who said “close your eyes and take on c3” on a stream once 😂

[@asdf14051]

im unable to understand the point of d5 in the final position, can someone help with that?

[@adammay553]

I think at that point Qd6+ Qe7 is not clear, so d5 with the pln of dc, opens up the position, allowing the Rd1 to hit the Nd7 and maybe the Qd8.

[@blackbeardchess3049]

Thanks for posting!

[@rwmw2564]

Is it really that straight forward to eliminate the first line? I've started with Nxf7 Kxf7 Bxd6 but then saw Nb6. Now both bishops are attacked and bishop c8 defends e6. I stopped here, because this isn't obvious for me, at least. Then I've switched to Nxf7 Kxf7 Rxe6 Nb6 Rxf6+ winnig for white. But this rook sacrifice forced me to start over a couple of times, because from distance it isn't so easy to see if there is a mate or not. And after Nxf7 Kxf7 Rxe6 Bxf4+ Qxf4 there is no good move black and the doublecheck is coming. With short time controls you would lash out this sacrifice, but I think for longer time controls precision is needed.

[@mikem668]

Very nice, thanks. I like the old story, forget who said it. If Tal sacs a piece, take it, then think. Botvinnik, think, then take it. Petrosian, you're already lost.

[@dasemaw1862]

Option one: Nxf7,Bxf4,Qxf4,Kxf7,Bxe6,Ke7,Bc4,Kf8, Qd6 (checkmate). Option two: Nxf7,Bxf4,Qxf4,Kxf7,Bxf6+, Kf8, Qd6+,Kf8, Bc4 (checkmate).

[@hermesayala8632]

I thought lines iof Nc6.... possible qh5 position would come up but didnt....

[@ertonwrightokeke4475]

Good morning sir! The name is Erton, coming to you from Minneapolis, MN where it is currently 0851hrs in the morning. Before asking my question I would like to say that I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate your channel and the content in which you put out. I am a 28-year old man and recently picked chess up after flirting with it for most of my life. I have already gotten my hands on some books to help me built and improve my understanding of various aspects of the game. The question that I have for you is this… do you have any recommendations of books that I could pick up to help built/improve my calculation?

[@yamikanimwafulirwa5091]

My question is when do you start calculate in rapid games is very confused

[@ChessDojo]

It's good to calculate as soon as possible but of course you have to manage your time well

[@yamikanimwafulirwa5091]

@@ChessDojo thanks for help

[@riddheshmore2315]

I am new to chess, could someone tell me how to get those yellow lines showing legal moves?

[@lazydetective4774]

Great Kostya. I would love to hear more about how good players like you visualise. When you say you visualise the position after Rxe6 is that like something that resembles a real picture in your minds eye ? Or do you just "see" I dont feel like I ever see anything, and have just assumed it was a figure of speech. I can calculate by remembering where the pieces are, but am very interested in understanding what exactly other chessplayers (especially good players) mean when they say the visualise a position.

[@ChessDojo]

Good question, thanks! I do see the actual board in my minds eye, though often I'm moving pieces mentally on the board in front of me. Hope that helps!

[@ChessWithMouselip]

I look at that root position and think that Nxf7 absolutely must work ... on principle! Black's King, Queen, QB and QR are still at home napping while White is so far ahead in development, with every single piece active, forward and/or centralized. If this position did not produce winning tactics then we may as well throw out fundamental chess principles. "Tactics flow from a positionally superior game." ~ Bobby Fischer in My 60 Memorable Games

[@ChessDojo]

That's what Joel thought as well!

[@sunalwaysshinesonTVs]

TL;DW: "The is what Joel couldnt do, but I can, and again, I can do this, so just spend more time on calculating." Note the Sensi didnt say anything about "how" without pointing TO A how, which is the white version of being "zen".

[@Gebev]

can someone please explain how d5 wins the game?

[@eurabio]

No way he is an 1800

[@interestinstoff]

Game link please

[@ChessDojo]

Updated the description!

[@MultiMarcd]

Merci Kostya. First of all my english is bad ... so i'll do my best to be clear. Do i really need to be on Discord to join the group ? With the covid in my area we can't play in our regular chess league. So i play on the net but i only play blitz because too many often when i was playing longer games the opponents when i was on lead let the clock go and for me it was a pure waste of time. But now i would like to play longer games, however i know it's a corner in the air if i do it on Lichess or any other online chess site. So i would like to join a site or a group where i would be sure that i would not have an opponent who let the clock go.

[@ChessDojo]

The Discord is where we organize all of our events and interact with members, it's basically the Dojo itself! You can find a lot of players there willing to play classical games

[@MultiMarcd]

@@ChessDojo Cool i'll take time tomorrow on that ... i'll probably have some more question about that tomorrow. Thanks Kostya

[@DanielL143]

Agreed. Defensive playing is boring. Go for it. You are human not a computer (right?). Taking risk is necessary and fun. Losing sucks but, you'd better get used to it and overcome your own ego if you want to learn and enjoy a most beautiful game.

[@NeoZondix]

Halfway through the video I'm not sure I'm learning anything. All I hear "oh, it was easy for me, but not for Juel. That's of course because I'm a better player". And "holding positions in the head" is just a no-brainer. I hope the rest of the video is more instructive

[@NeoZondix]

Yeah, it stays pretty much the same. As soon as the moves start getting harder to calculate you just stop and expect that we're able to do it, even though the title strongly implies that the viewer doesn't know how to do it.

[@NeoZondix]

Maybe I was looking for something different

[@ChessDojo]

The idea would be to try to understand the thought process & technique of calculation, and to see where a typical club player differs from that of a master

[@NeoZondix]

@@ChessDojo OK thanks

[@adammay553]

@@NeoZondix I think the idea of searching wider e.g. after Nf7 Kf7, Bd6, having a second look is key, perhaps believing that there must be a better defence i.e. finding Nf7 Bf4+. Then after Qf4 Kf7, I think Be6+ is the move most people would "see". Then Be6+ Kf8, Qd6+ Qe7 may not seem quite so clear. The repeated look will hopefully find Re6 using the power of the threatened discovered attack.

[@kirkd1631]

Calculation is so difficult

[@FangzhouLiu-o3e]

Read books in you tube!

[@mattiamellarini4668]

Nxf7 Bxf4; Nxh8....Is it wrong? Tnk

[@thePot_]

What was Joel's opponent doing during the opening? Smoking cigar? He is like 50% underdeveloped...There is nothing to calculate. Just a first look at the position tells you white is probably +3 here, maybe more. Then what? Then build on top of this fact, if your advantage is developed pieces, use it...the rest will come natural...

[@adammay553]

I agree with the sentiment but you must understand that lots of players are hesitant with their calculation. They just don't trust themselves to sacrifice a piece. As the video suggests, rapid games are a good practice ground for gaining the confidence to play these good moves.