Tackling Blunders: Overcoming Tunnel Vision in Chess

[@kdub1242]

What I like about so many of your videos is that they are not necessarily about learning some new information that requires long study (although this is obviously of value too), but more about thinking in a way that maximizes _whatever_ _skill_ _we_ _may_ _already_ have - how to make sure we are playing to the best of our current potential ability. There is not enough instruction out there that emphasizes this aspect of chess skill. Very well done!

[@eschiedler]

Not enough can be said about this topic, tunnel vision, especially with cognitive science behind it, because you need to concentrate and focus to play better chess but the wrong type of concentration creates blind spots. Excellent video.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@MrMauPat]

For beginners the tunnel is inevitable but you are able to remove that veil from the mind which will surely lead us to the light and therefore, I wish and hope, out of the tunnel. Thank you.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Great points, thank you for your feedback!

[@markosborn3079]

More great examples. Thank you, Can! I walked right into that rook on the 7th rank pattern without seeing the alternative. I even looked at it for a minute wondering if there could be any drawback to it (not for a moment considering that it's drawback was that it wasn't the best move!) I'm really trying to search broad - looking for 2 or 3 candidate moves in any given position, but once my brain has caught onto an idea like that rook, it's difficult to override it. Your cognitive science-based approach might just be the key to unlocking such bad habits and looking with fresh eyes! Thanks again, great content!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you for your honest feedback! I am very glad that you found it useful. We will never reach perfection, but we can reduce these types of mistakes by asking the right questions and by being aware of the existence of this bias. More to follow!

[@justsomeboyprobablydressed9579]

Great video! Our problem is that we're all playing 10-min games or quicker. We can't find our opponent's plans every move, we can't break out of our tunnel vision, we can't play chess properly if we don't give ourselves time to do it. Blitz reinforcers all of our bad habits.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

You are right! You have to engage in deliberation, especially when those skills have not been yet automatized.

[@peterintoronto6472]

"Good calculation doesn’t look like a way through a tunnel and isn’t meant to get you as far as possible in one direction. It resembles more a path through an unknown forest; you have to consider all the detours and paths you encounter, one step at a time.” - Jan Markos.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Yes I love that quote from that beautiful book, Under the Surface.

[@FredPlanatia]

great topic, many beginners struggle with this. The puzzle at 8:20 has an additional lesson. What move should white make? Think about it... Because black has an additional threat! as far as i can see there is only one good reply! A simple passive way to defend against the threat to the rook is Re1 getting it out of the line of fire, but this is a blunder! Why? Bxf2 nolonger works due to Kxf2, right? No! Because black ALSO threatens the knight! With b5! The knight has no safe squares! cxb5 doesn't help due to ... cxb5. The bishop is positioned to dominate the knight. So the only move to defend against the threat to both the rook and the knight is Rd2! Now if ... Bxf2, then Rxf2! And if b5, then Nb2 and the knight is defended by the rook.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is so beautiful, thank you for noticing this additional threat and finding a good multi-purpose solution!

[@jorgemonasterio8361]

The weakness of last move is key. I particularly like last example, where the weakness is that a new plan has become available. Works great in bullet if you can change plan faster than the opponent can realize you're suddenly doing something new.

[@metaljohn777]

Yup, I do that sort of thing all too often. Thanks for another great video!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks for watching!

[@TerencePetersenAjbro]

I think you have touched a sore spot for many of us. I not only get tunnel vision, I also get pit vision under time pressure and fall into a big black hole of blunderness! Great video Herr Doktor!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Good! This means you proceeded from unconscious incompetence to conscious incompetence. Many people never make this transition. The next step will be conscious competence :) My upcoming Chessable course will specifically train for this ability of noticing changes as a result of your opponent's last move, hence fighting against the tunnel vision.

[@rchoi]

Excellent examples and explanations. Well done.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much!

[@Blockah]

1:39 -- 1 minute 39 seconds in, I'm blown away! I was so confident and cock sure of Rook to D7, I literally had tunnel vision and did not see Rook to H1 which is WAY BETTER!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks for your honest feedback! Awareness is the first step for the cure :)

[@mariogilligan841]

So true. It's so hard to get rid of that tunnel vision; I hope this video will help me being better at avoiding it! Thanks!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Glad it was helpful! Wishing you all the best!

[@musicdecoratestimewhitenoi6714]

This is great...after the first example it was easier to see the rest of them, so it's a great reminder to stop and rethink.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your feedback 🙏

[@WolfgangStiller]

Spot on! This is actually my biggest problem in my games.

[@ramosz6983]

To overcome the tunnel vision additionally perhaps the following Lasker's rule may be helpful: "if you see a good move look for a better one"

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Great point, thanks!

[@russellkeating488]

Excellent examples and explanations of a key topic. Well done Dr.Can. More of this type of lessons would be great.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much Russell! Similar content will surely follow!

[@mrodock]

Doing the Chess Steps 1 mix workbook is helping me when finding a good move to look for a better move. Still so much work to do of course. Great video, thank you!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is a good series, thanks for the kind feedback!

[@Socrates...]

Please do more videos like this one, thanks

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks, will do!

[@yok-yhyh]

5:01 me realizing I accidentally put the white king at g1 thinking " wait if we win black plays Nf3+, we take and black takes our rook" 😂😂😂

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Einstellung Effect! Established patterns (the king usually being on g1) got in the way 😊

[@pamelahuett5215]

Dr Can I am so sorry I have not seen you earlier because you are the first chess coach who understands what my problem has been for 6 years. My name is Pam and im 66 years old and I am absolutely addicted to the game. I may be a nobody but I want so very badly to get better and I think I just found the man who can do just that for me. I'm going to subscribe to you because that's what my heart is telling me to do right now. Thank you so much Dr. Can

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Hello Pam! Thank you soo much for this amazingly kind words and for subscribing! So motivating! I am really doing it to help improve people's game, including my own students! So hearing these kind of comments give me immense joy. Please do not hesitate asking ANY questions along the way, I am always happy to respond here. All the best!

[@pamelahuett5215]

@Dr.CansClinic Your a good man Dr. Can. Thank you. 😊

[@davidmchugh7264]

Good training !!

[@davidmchugh7264]

I like the example with the rook on the 7th rank... I missed it ....😂

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Glad you think so!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I know! Many do 😊 We are humans after all.

[@SuperOriginalRecipe]

Yeah my plan is attached to my ego. Part of letting myself understand my opponents intentions is in accepting my own fallibility. When I let myself get excited about my plan that’s when I tunnel

[@Dr.CansClinic]

A poetic way to put it! Thanks for this!

[@kosmonautofficial296]

These were very great examples and I didn’t see them. Thanks!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Glad it was helpful, thanks for your feedback!

[@TenaciousThunder1971]

Your diagnosis is extremely accurate, thank you for your time. I will make sure I remedy to the disease by following your prescriptions. Thank you for taking care of our chess health. I’ve lost I gazillion games because of tunnel vision. I’ll make sure I get rid of the disease. Thanks very much

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! I hope the prescription will heal your game.

[@WolfgangStiller]

Excellent examples. I find myself getting tunnel vision like this all too much!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! Awareness is the first step for the cure. Now we made it concrete, and you know which crucial questions may get you out of the tunnel :)

[@newstatejim]

Inflexibility is an issue for me. I come up with a plan, such as attack on the queenside, but they already have a kingside attack in motion. I take my pieces to the queenside and find I then lack defenders on my kingside. Very frustrating!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I hear you. It again connects to understanding what the opponent intends to do and an accurate sense of danger. Studying model games in that pawn structure might also help as you then see how masters are handling those positions, which side of the board they are playing, etc.

[@newstatejim]

@@Dr.CansClinic I have been reflecting on this. I think the problem is that I equate having to defend with losing. I also feel that I don't know properly how to calculate defensive moves, and getting it wrong seems to have greater risk, so I revert to trying to counter attack as I'm more used to planning and calculating attacking moves (do we ever see defensive tactics puzzles anywhere?!) I think this is holding me back from progressing from the 1200-1300 level. I am going to get your calculation chessable course as I noted it has a chapter on defending 👍

[@uygarbaksi]

thank you for this beautiful instructive lesson

[@Dr.CansClinic]

You are welcome! I am so glad that you liked it.

[@raytraylor1633]

I need help on middle game thinking. Do you have a video on this or will you make one. Your videos are very instructive! Thanks

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Sure, please check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3Spnmuhdt6biMk Almost all my Chessable courses are on the middlegame as well!

[@oumarjaffar4605]

Great video 👍. I would just add that longer time controls help in tackling this issue.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Great point! Thanks!

[@quietspark8703]

As a beginner I just realized today that this is my primary problem. I get so fixated on my plan that I tend to completely ignore my opponents moves, I mean I see them but I disregard them.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I am glad this video made you aware of this issue - that is the first step for the cure! Thanks for the feedback.

[@Daniel-G-P]

Brilliant video! Thank God for Dr Can. He's helping me so much. Not just my chess. The way he relates chess to life is so interesting and helpful. I'm a CBT therapist and am fascinated by the psychological aspects of chess. Keep the videos coming Dr Can! ❤

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I am so humbled to hear this, thank you so much! I will surely keep them coming after such motivating words!

[@Daniel-G-P]

@@Dr.CansClinic 😀

[@ibiwisi]

Excellent video (as always!); perfect examples. Echoing what others have said here, your concept of tunnel vision (and cognitive biases generally) speaks sharply to the biggest weaknesses I have in my game. During this Thanksgiving holiday season, let me say sincerely that one of the things I am thankful for this year is Dr. Can and his KZbin channel!!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Wow, I am speechless. Thank you so much for your extremely encouraging words! I am also very thankful to my supporters, who give me fuel to keep on producing more content here on YT. It will be a long road, but it is an exciting journey with lovely followers like you. Happy thanksgiving!

[@ibiwisi]

@@Dr.CansClinic You? Speechless?! That's hard to believe! [just kidding; just kidding!] Thank you for your kind response.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Well, I got sick and lost my voice for around 2 weeks... So I am literally speechless haha. Hope it will come back so I can make more videos...@@ibiwisi

[@ibiwisi]

@@Dr.CansClinic I hope you get better very soon, Dr. Can!

[@odinokijvolk9788]

Very useful video. I'm good at puzzles, but at games I blunder again and again :( I forget to blunder-check my moves (or to play with my hands in my sockets as I say).... It's very useful to onow what to ask myself after my opponent's moves and before mine. Thanks a lot for your videos. Your're great

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Extremely kind feedback, thank you so much!!

[@brasileirosim5961]

Great video. Rd7 was indeed what I would play 😢 in the first example.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@peterhieke5923]

very interesting, I will make a Lichess Study out of this stuff. Always when i go in the brain of my opponent, i play better chess. Your advice reminds me at behavioral finance. I like your picture of a dialog with my chess-partner

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much! Hope the lesson will help your chess! The opponent has a fundamental role indeed!

[@leonarddaye7550]

Love the video helped out a lot!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Great feedback, thanks!

[@chess-ft8fl]

excelente! creo que este video es una de las pepitas de oro de tu canal

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Gracias!

[@hooptron9]

amazing examples here

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much!!

[@DanielDollinger1959]

Tunnel vision cost me a game in a tournament just last week. I had a mate in 2. The opponent retreated a queen, and I did not evaluate that he now also now had a threat. A mate in 1. I could have stopped him easily and then continued my devastating attack. What is the threat of the opponent's last move has to be the most important question every move. Thanks Can for an excellent presentation.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks for sharing this painful but instructive story Dan! I am actually about to publish a Chessable course on that fundamental question! It is coming in February!

[@davidbatchelder85]

yes, you have to ask the questions, what is the opponent doing or going to try, they never make a knee jerk reaction.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Definitely!

[@PowerMindset07]

Loved the video!! Do you have a checklist to go through during actual tournament matches to keep in mind?

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your motivating feedback! I am now working on a blunder-check course actually, and there I will talk about those checklist questions in much more depth! 😊

[@mizioblack1103]

the second video that i see in the channel welcome to me in you community hehe 😄 and waitng for the rest i will watch the older ones too

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks for joining! You are welcome to our small community :) Please do not hesitate asking any questions!

[@mizioblack1103]

​@@Dr.CansClinic thank you so much i will :) because i miss a lot of your old videos so will watch it and comment :) thanx again for all

[@7percentSolution]

"When you see a good move, look for a better one."

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I like that!

[@surf2553]

This is really good content.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I am very happy to hear it, please do not hesitate to share it with your friends :)

[@timwoods3173]

Thank you

[@Dr.CansClinic]

My pleasure!

[@norrinRadd026]

Great tutorial Doc but I have a question. I have watched a number of your videos in which you mention a “blunder check.” In my last few OBGs, I made a blunder which greatly contributed to my defeat. What is a blunder check and how do I perform one? Thanks in advance.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks a lot! I am now working on a blunder-check course, so stay tuned! Have you seen the playlist on blunders on this channel? You should also see this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maebaXp4f8R3hs0

[@mazyzazie4048]

Great work. How familiar this is to me, alas.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Glad that it was helpful!

[@growing367]

13:44 14:15 14:50 15:14

[@KikanKikan-wb1wr]

In minute 3.20 If black.... c5 , it pin the queen how you answer it😊

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Possibly no answer :)

[@alkis0560]

You cobered it some what, but I was expecting you to talk about more literal aspect of tunnel vision. Not focus on just one idea, but literally just focusing in a specific section of the board. I'm thinking maybe it is a good idea to try and look at the center of the board more, becuase its like my peripheral vision doesn't reach all the four corners of the board all the time.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

You should read Ben Balas' blog to gain information on this topic: lichess.org/@/NDpatzer/blog/science-of-chess-eyetracking-board-vision-and-expertise-part-1-of-2/xNM9VBQO

[@roytwinberrow7956]

A1 as always

[@Dr.CansClinic]

❤

[@stevesidare2493]

It's always best to ask when you see a good move, "Is there something better?"

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Yes, but we have to make sure we don't lose on time while asking :)

[@ludwigchurr7744]

I keep telling myself to look before I play... and then I dont look... a short circuit in the brain, which I hope is now solved permanently

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Indeed, it is easier said than done on every single move in the heat of the battle.

[@King-Schnitzel]

Well, I really liked this video and I´m seeing you for the first time, but I have one remark. Please give the best moves and their intentions aswell as just saying "He missed bx + idk what square it was and blundered the rook, maybe say, "The Best move would be N Idk the square protecting the rook while offering himself to the bishop, if that even would be a good move. Thanks tho!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks for the feedback. But as you watch more of my videos, you will see how much I stress the "WHY" question behind the moves. So you will get ample epistemic feedback from my videos.

[@Noams_chess_school]

You work so hard but get little views?! Do not stop making videos please! your videos are excellent!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your motivating comment. Really helps keep me going! ❤️

[@TheRicoCallao]

One of the best videos for chess improvement I ever saw.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I am so happy to hear it. Please feel free to share it with your chess friends so we can reach more people and make them better chess players!

[@cicerotobias]

Thank you so much I finally stopped blundering😊😊😊

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Great job! Now please teach me how to completely stop blundering :)

[@jimmccann3856]

Do you know how the game of chess got its name? (All of the really good four letter words were already taken!) A far better name would have been "Multiple Implications" 14 powerful pieces confined to 64 squares is like too many scorpions in a bottle.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

"Multiple Implications"! I like it - although not great for marketing the game. Yes, it takes years to start taming those scorpions...

[@franktaggart-qs5ff]

Stumbled across it because I always make a blender

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I hope my videos will help reduce those! 🙏

[@jogosdeconstruirbrasil]

i've been trying to learn chess recently , but by this video i understand all the fundamentamentals guide you to the wrong moves. fuck this game, i have better stuff to do with my life

[@Dr.CansClinic]

This video does not negate the importance of fundamentals. I think it just shows the depth and complexity of the game. Otherwise it would be too boring...

[@NeoZondix]

Misleading title

[@geocuster4253]

Avoiding tunnel vision is easier said than done.....IF we could avoid all tunnel vision errors, we would be world leading super grandmasters......entering the world of chess gods....lol.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I thought it was clear in the video that such cognitive biases cannot be fully eradicated. Now I changed the video title too to stop any such confusion.

[@eskimoform]

I dont think you spend time explaining how to improve the thought process to see these threats, simple "step back and see the threat" doesn't feel sufficient. In the 4th example the threat is immediate clear if you are keeping track of the fact that your queen has no defenders, then the pin is obvious. seeing g5 as forcing has little value without keeping this in mind

[@Dr.CansClinic]

This video delves deeper into these issues: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqPdk5-mqayBoNk