Calculating without moving the pieces

Level: Class D (1200–1400)Topic: Calculation30 minutes

In short

Calculation is a skill you can train. Solve puzzles without touching the pieces; say the moves aloud and picture the board after each one.

By the end you can

Calculate 3–4 moves ahead in their head
Check the final position for opponent resources

The lesson

Calculation is a skill you can train. Solve puzzles without touching the pieces; say the moves aloud and picture the board after each one. At the end of the line, ask what has changed: which pieces moved, which squares are now attacked.

A common mistake is stopping one move too early. Always look at the position at the end of the line and ask: does my opponent have a check, a capture or a threat here?

Key points to remember

Don’t touch the pieces while calculating
Picture each new position
Look one move further than you want to

Examples

Example 1 (Black to move). Solve completely in your head first. (Lichess puzzle 12xzS, rated 1251)

Show the solution

24... Qxf2+ 25. Kh1 Qf1+ 26. Rxf1 Rxf1#

Example 2 (White to move). A longer line — check the final position for counter-chances. (Lichess puzzle 1brzi, rated 1257)

Show the solution

38. Qa8+ Kh7 39. Qe4+ Qxe4+ 40. Kxe4

Practise it

Solve puzzles on this idea: mate in 3 puzzles.

Homework

10 puzzles a day solved without moving pieces; mark which ones you got fully right.

More calculation lessons

The art of defence (Class B)
Calculating trees of variations (Class B)
A calculation method for hard positions (Class A)
Endgame studies for imagination (Class A)
Calculation under pressure (Expert)
Finding the opponent’s resources (Master)