My Best OTB Tactics

[@surf2553]

Awesome tactics man!

[@literallysweden]

the amount of layers to the second tactic was so impressive

[@MagnusChessUK]

Thanks! It was really cool to be able to play out the trap I set in an OTB game, my opponent thought I blundered and played g4 to trap my bishop pretty quickly, but the look of shock on his face when I quickly responded with Ne5 is something I will remember.

[@bodooor]

what would you say calculating is like in your mind? do you visualise the pieces in the squares, if you do how clearly do you see them in your mind or do you just conceptualise where the pieces are without having a clear visual picture

[@MagnusChessUK]

Yes I would say that I visualise the pieces moving in my mind’s eye, it is not clear like playing the moves out but similar to closing your eyes and imagining and apple for example. I didn’t used to be able to do this when playing but calculation exercises and practicing blindfold chess really helped develop my mind’s eye visualisation. Alternatively you can just make a mental note of the changes and square control in the position if you are struggling to visualise, I often do this for shorter and more chaotic calculations, while having mind’s eye visualisation for longer calculations/planning (e.g. a King and pawn endgame race).

[@bodooor]

@@MagnusChessUK ok thanks