The Hidden Bias That’s Wrecking Your Chess Game

[@pdxaxe9554]

My friends in our club often review our games, and sometimes I will remark that a player is comitting a chess crimeeeee in an imitation of Dr Can's accent. It is of course not perfect, but at least recognizable, and always gets a laugh from those that also watch these videos. Love your great content, thank you so much.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

😅 Love your comment, it feels like I am a little celebrity at your chess club 😅 You are all grrrreat players!

[@rv706]

"Dominate the cenTAH!" - ...wait, oh that's another chess channel 😂

[@briandwi2504]

I have 'Whyyyyyy did they make that move?" in my head😁

[@briandwi2504]

​@@rv706"Stick that in your pipe and smoke it!". Name that chess KZbinr! "Good game!"

[@bmarrimarri7055]

Thank you for such an instructive video HW:- The very tempting Bf6?? Loses after Rc1+-Kg2 Bf1+ (Leading to checkmate) Sol:- Be4!! (An actual multipurpose move) 1)(Tempoing the Rook) And preparing Bf6 (Rh8#coming) 2) pinning g6, preventing g5 3) vacating the f3 square for the king avoiding checkmate after Rc1+-Kg2,Bf1+ With Kf3!

[@ujjwal10]

Rc1 is replied with Bxc1 😑

[@michaelf8221]

​@@ujjwal10Not after Bf6 it doesn't

[@ChessWithMouselip]

Actually, 1.Bf6 does not lead to a checkmate by Black. It does, however, allow a draw by repetition. 1.Bf6? Rc1+ 2.Kg2 Bf1+ 3.Kg1 Bh3+?? and White has 4.Bd1! winning the game. The best for Black is to take the repetition with 3...Be2+... 4...Bf1+, etc.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Be4! is the best move indeed, so multi-purpose! 1. Bf6? does not lead to checkmate but to a draw, as pointed by chesswithmouselip.

[@risingmojofilter]

Just the lesson I needed! Dropped about 80 points in blitz over the past few days mostly, I think, from not seeing my opponent's threats. I haven't been analyzing. Need to force myself to review the mistakes. Homework: Tough one. Lines I tried: - Bf6, ignoring black and going for mate. Black can't go Bxf3 because it is too slow, but after Rc1+ Kg2 Bf1+ they can force repetition - Bxe2 Rxe2 Bf6, but black can escape after g5 Rh8+ Kg6 - Kg1, this guards the bishop and prevents annoying checks, but every way I tried it black could still escape via g5 Kg6. Eureka! I need to control that diagonal - Be4, pins the king and attacks the rook. Looks nice. - Be4 Rc1+ Kg2 f5 exf6, didn't calculate this all the way out got a bit too deep for me, but that pass pawn is looking pretty strong - Be4 Rc1+ Kg2 Bf1+ Kf3 Rc3 Kf4, looks terrifying but mating net is still intact. Our king is on death's door, but so is black's. Bf6 f5 gxf6 still looks really nice to me. Even better with our king nearby to support. Be4. Final answer. P.S. Love your content! It's really awesome how you give us homework and take the time to respond to our answers!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Loving your amazing feedback. Thank you for your kind words and analysis! You found the right move, congrats! Noticing the recurrent mistakes is very important for improvement. You are on the right track!

[@brainfellow5140]

Thank you Dr. Can, great video, as always! I think it's good practice, in general, to always review your game win or lose to see any mistakes that you "got away with" so that those can be cleaned up for future games. Re Homework: The "dream state" is having a bishop on f6 with the rook delivering mate on h8, but one thing has to be done first to get us there... Be4 looks good here - tempo on the rook on c2 AND pins the pawn on g6 which black would no longer be able to move forward to give their king space from the mating net once a bishop lands on f6. A king move Kg7 immediately loses to the mating net once Bf6+ hits. Black can check with Rc1+, but white can escape the check easily Kg2, and at this point, black will lose material if they keep trying checks. Otherwise, white is soon moving to the "dream state" with Bf6 with the pawn still pinned on g6 and the game will be over.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Lovely feedback and excellent answer!

[@ChessWithMouselip]

15:33 Bf6 with the threat of mate on h8 is tempting, but it gives Black a draw with 1...Rc1+ 2.Kg2 Bf1+ 3.Kg2 Be2+ and Black can force a repetition. 1.Bxe2 Rxe2 2.Bf6 does not lead to mate because Black has 2...g5 so that Black has g6 as an escape square. I think the solution is 1.Be4! because the dark squared bishop covers the c1 check (it gives up the c1 square if moved to f6 immediately) and the Be4 has two purposes. It forces Black to deal with the attack on the rook, it pins the g6 pawn so Black cannot give his King an escape square. For example, 1.Be4!! Rxb2 2.Bf6 and *now* the mate threat on h8 is unstoppable.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Excellent, thank you!

[@twentyrothmans7308]

I really need to play you OAB (over a beer, winner pays). I think that the fiendish Dr was fishing for the easy answer. Now I have looked at what you have written, I get it. We are taught to put our opponents under pressure. As you illustrate, patience is a virtue.

[@HemalRuparelia1]

I think it's worse than a forced repetition, Black wins. ...Rc1+ 2. Kg2 Bf1+, 3Kg1 BH3+#

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@HemalRuparelia1 You are missing Rd1! in the end, and it is not mate.

[@HemalRuparelia1]

@@Dr.CansClinic Missed that indeed, thank you!

[@triscuit5103]

Getting addicted to your videos, grrrrreat as you would say ❤

[@Dr.CansClinic]

So glad! You are a grrreat player! ❤️

[@BunniBuu]

15:33 It may be tempting to play Bxe2 Rxe2 Bf6, but then black has the resource g5, freeing a square for the king avoiding the mating threat. My first instinct is Be4, hitting the rook and removing that resource from black. If Rc1+, we simply take it. If it goes anywhere else, Bf6 Rc1+ Kg2 Bf1+ Kf3, black is out of moves and will be mated shortly

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! After Be4, there is no Rc1+ as the bishop can capture it.

[@omamoka63]

Owing to great lessons like this, a major change of attitude is taking place in my outlook of the Chess Elevator 1-3 games. I'm about to start playing them, without thinking anymore, that they are a drag. They are not! It's important to punish the chess crimes, mine and theirs, in order to get a hang of the need of chess improvement. Thank you for making that argument so emphatically!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your excellent feedback!

[@spt28]

Very instructive as always! The homework problem is less about confirmation bias, though, and more about beginners like me having poor calculation skills. Even with several skeptical minutes looking at the position I still managed to get the answer wrong. Draw by perpetual check doesn't normally feature in my games, so I tend to overlook it.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you for your kind feedback. Yes, this was less about the confirmation bias.

[@briandwi2504]

Excellent advice Dr Can. Homework. White may fancy Bf6 aiming for R h8# but Black has the threat Rc1+ followed by Bf1#. Thanks very much.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much! 1. Be4! is the winning move!

[@briandwi2504]

​@@Dr.CansClinicGot it! Thanks.

[@BrilliantlyChessed]

Btw great video. I am experiencing a great improvement in my chess because of your videos. But the video related to the geometry of knights will always be my favourite...

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is so nice to hear, I am happy!

[@BrilliantlyChessed]

Are u planning to go for IM title and so on?

[@triscuit5103]

Man, I've been playing chess for over 20 years, rated 2450 on lichess, and still the crimes in positions 2 and 3 are EXACTLY how I play chess without any hesitation. Bought your course on Chessable, can't wait to go through it.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you for your honesty. I was also puzzled how some crimes still live above 2300 lichess. I hope the courses will help!

[@jasonbarber755]

Great homework position! It’s very tempting to play Bf6 to set up a mate in one but black can get perpetual a draw with Rc1+ Kg2. Bf1+ Kg1 or h1 Be2+ and repeat. Best is Be4 attacks the rook and even better pins g6 pawn so black can’t escape the mating net with g5 after later Bf6. Think blacks best is Ba5 but then white ends up with an extra bishop

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Lovely answer, thank you so much!

[@greatwolf.]

14:38 knowing this is homework there's probably a catcha in the position. The two candidates that pops out are Bf6 and Be2. It's easy to think black is too slow, eg. Rc1, Kg2, Bxf3 and black doesn't have anything. But really the main trick is black has Bf1+ and it's time for white to shake hands. That said I wonder if one can arrive at the same answer by just simply saying, if I take on Bxe2 first then black has less options. Then Bf6 and black has nothing left to do. edit: after some more thinking, I forgot black still has g5 but white should be winning this endgame eg. Rh8, Kg6 Rg8, Kf5 Rxg5+ and Rxh5

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you for your comment! Good that you saw that ...g5! resource, and it is not easy at all to convert. White has a much better move on the very first move. Can you spot it? The idea is also to prevent ...g5 defense while not giving ...Rc1+ options.

[@greatwolf.]

@@Dr.CansClinic oh duh, I see it now. I'm not going to post the answer here to give others a chance but I am a bit annoyed with myself for not seeing it without a hint first.

[@sandraviknander7898]

For the puzzle: I think one should not delay the move Bf6 simply to avoid the move bf6, but going there immediately is also not correct sins you would find your self ina mating net of your own. So perhaps first Be4 threatening the rook and letting the king breath. This feels right (I do hope I got it correct) to me now once I have slowed down and started applying your lesson. But in games I try apply this way of thinking that you and others have thought me. Yet at parts of the games I do fall back into not thinking further than my own plans and usually I do get punished and have to scramble in the endgame. A huge thank you for all your lessons and interesting interviews! Even though I struggle a lot I have improved massively thanks to you and GM Igor Smirnoff. I can’t thank you enough for all the fun I have gotten out of chess. ❤ Edit: on second thought maybe f6 Is’t as bad as I first thought. Or perhaps you do get out with the king then with g5. Ok, never mind 😅

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your kind feedback, I am really happy that you benefited from my videos ❤️ You found the correct solution: 1. Be4! Congrats!

[@GaryWalters-tk2lp]

Very enjoyable as always, really like the way you've highlighted the drawbacks of the pawn moves and the wishful thinking aspect of the game here. Great examples. Homework, Be4 (preventing g5 and the escape square for Black king on g6 but also protecting the b1 square should Black decide to play Rxb2) Rc4, Bf6 Rc1+, Kg2 Bf1+, Kf3 and Black runs out of meanungful checks was my first thought?

[@GaryWalters-tk2lp]

One thing I would like to add, I recently purchased the fundamental chess calculation course and I'm working my way through it but the principal of always looking at three ply before you make a move is a very effective way of spotting blunders, especially if you find the opponents best reply to your initial candidate move 👍

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is amazing to hear Gary, thanks for studying that course! Indeed, active search for the best reply is a great habit for blunder-check!

[@timwoods3173]

Thank you

[@Dr.CansClinic]

You're welcome!

[@ZDTF]

The chess bias which affects my skill the most Is I don't accept draws And sometimes lose I always play for a win

[@anthonyjaglal]

Another great video 🎉 what's amazing about those errors,is that even after years,we still sometimes, make them even seen in highly rated players 👏👏💯

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Absolutely!

[@anthonymicle7559]

thank you for the lesson coach recently I reached 1800s your videos are really helpful here not taking the bishop is not good and going for bf6 because black has mate which goes rc1+ kg2 bf1+ kg2 bh3#

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Congratulations on reaching 1800!! Are you sure it is mate with ...Bh3? I thought White could cover with Rd1.

[@C0RY.M]

White can actually block with the other bishop Bd1, but it's still mate after Rxd1#

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@C0RY.M But I thought the rook on d8 is covering the bishop on d1 :)

[@C0RY.M]

@@Dr.CansClinic Dang sniper rook. Oh well, this is why I'm only 1300. Great video. I enjoy your podcasts as well.

[@anthonymicle7559]

​@@Dr.CansClinicyes totally missed it

[@kobenade]

I was thinking Bishop E4 hitting the Rook on C2 and pinning the pawn on G6 to the king which then sets up Bishop F6 and Rook H8 mate since the pawn on G6 can't move to create the only escape square for the king because it's now pinned.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Excellent, thanks!

[@RMF49]

Position 1 - I’d play O-O and get my rook behind my pawns. d4 forking looks iffy from the get go. But it fails I think to Qxc4 dxe3 Qxh4. Even without the pin I think it doesn’t work due to Qxc4 dxe3 Qc6+ Ke7 Qd6+ Ke8 Qc6+ draw.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks!

[@TheRocking789]

There is a check mate pattern for black, if white goes for any move except b,xe2. So bxe2 is best and bf6 will help black to check mate, I think.

[@ChessWithMouselip]

If the White Bishop stays on g5 then it covers the c1 square so there is no checkmate pattern. The pattern is an illusion, anyway. On 1.Bf6 which allows 1...Rc1+ the pattern does not work because White has two pieces covering d1. Example, 1.Bf6? Rc1+ 2.Kg2 Bf1+ 3.Kg1 and now if 3...Bh3?? then 4.Bd1! stops the check and wins the game. The best Black can do if White plays 1.Bf6? is a draw by repetition with 1...Rc1+ 2.Kg2 Be2+ (interfering with control of d1) 3.Kg2 Bf1+, etc.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Chesswithmouselip is correct on this one :)

[@adnanghaleb2196]

thanks alot

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Most welcome

[@elliotendures]

I saw the counter on the fork and thought Rac1 to protect for d4 next move.

[@Kenjitsuka]

The f3 Bishop needs to guard f3 against the bishop on e2, because then our we need to be afraid against backrank mate by the Rook. So I would go Bishop to e4, putting some pressure near the King, guarding f3 and winning a tempo on the c2 Rook. Then I would move the King to g2 most likely.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Be4! is the excellent move!

[@Kenjitsuka]

@@Dr.CansClinic Hooray! I've got to say, Doc, your videos are really unique! A great resource that feels like actual deep knowledge instead of just some tips!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@Kenjitsuka So motivating to hear this, thank you!

[@Buzzle420]

I was stuck at 1100 for the last one year and then after following you for 2months, I reached 1300 today.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is AMAZING to hear, so happy for you. And I am happy if I have contributed to it.

[@Buzzle420]

@Dr.CansClinic your climbing the rating ladder videos have a very big contribution.

[@twentyrothmans7308]

Not giving this 100% because I'm at work but: Bf6 Black must check you, because Rh8 is mate ... Rc1+ Kg2 Bf1+ Now I'm in real trouble Kg1 Bh3 Now I am trapped, a bit Bd1 So now what. He can capture Rxd1, who cares? His King is paralysed. I have a spare tempo. I've frozen this at 14:47, and your hand is occluding the birdy. So I'm not getting his tips.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Haha the raven tips save the day! Bf6 is a draw after ...Rc1+. Can you find a better first move for White? We also want to prevent the ...g5 defensive plan.

[@pakasokoste]

Homework: If ...Bf6, then Rc1+ Kg2 Bf1+ Kh1 forced and then Bh3 discovered checkmate. If we take the e2 bishop first intendig to to then play Bf6 to checkmate with Rh8, black has g5, creating an escape square for his king. That lead me to the solution: Be4, pinning the g pawn and threatening Bf6 and Rh8 checkmate as well as attacking the rook on c2. Edit: Lol I can't visualize well. My first line is not discovered checkmate lol. Regarding analyzing games: I'm the opposite. I always analyze games I won, but I often don't analyze games I lost. I know, it shouldn't be like that, I know..

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your excellent answer! Good that you are analysing your wins :)

[@micke7]

if white threatens mate with Bf6 black doesn't seem to have time to mate white, and if black pushes the g pawn to create space for the king, white has a fork on the black R ånd King. Unless I miss something...

[@micke7]

i missed something... because then black rook can check white, and whites dark squared bishop cannot capture blacks rook anymore.

[@micke7]

i mean it's not protecting c1.

[@micke7]

so maybe go bishop E4 first.

[@micke7]

but then blacks rook just moves back with the same threat.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Be4! is the move!

[@againsthegrainx7556]

Maybe Be4 Rc1+ Kg2 Bf1+ Kf3 and I can't see a good black move with Bf6 and Rh8 to follow?

[@againsthegrainx7556]

I'm reading other people's answers after writing this and noticing that a lot of us have the blind spot of the bishop moving backwards to protect c1 on a longish diagonal. So a lot of us give Kg2 instead of Bxc1. Another cognitive bias I guess!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Indeed! Long-range pieces!

[@CharlieBrownThe3rd]

Be4 to threaten the rook and pin g6 to lock in the mating net?

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Absolutely!

[@milehighslacker4196]

HW: Bf6 and Black has no time to capture on f3 because of Rh8# . If ...g5, then Be4+ wins the Rook.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Bf6 allows ...Rc1+!

[@milehighslacker4196]

@@Dr.CansClinic ...and this is why I'll never be good at chess, ha! I saw the first check after Rc1+, but not the second. Thanks!

[@comeandsee2207]

Be4 _ Rb2, Bf6

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Indeed!

[@lamiales1129]

Me castling quickly in position 1 by not seeing the pawn fork. Bf6 loses to Rc1 Kg2 Bf1 Kg1 Bh3 Bxe2 Rxe2 Bf6 g5 Rh8 Kg6 and I don't see a mate but I think we can take enough pawns to win.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! You are very close to the hw solution. There is a better move than 1. Bxe2. It is a light-square bishop move.

[@lamiales1129]

@@Dr.CansClinic Oh its Be4 because after Rc7 Bf6 Rc1 Kg2 Bf1 you can go Kf3 and there is no safe checks!

[@BrilliantlyChessed]

Could you please accept my challenge? We will play a daily game...

[@Dr.CansClinic]

You can understand that I am extremely busy and I don't have time to play daily games even against my own students ☺️

[@BrilliantlyChessed]

@Dr.CansClinic ohh, that's fine

[@minhgoi9189]

White Be4