Calculation under pressure
In short
Calculation in a game happens with a clock and after hours of play. Train under similar conditions: solve difficult positions with a strict time limit, and sometimes after a long training game.
By the end you can
- Solve hard positions under time limits
- Keep accuracy when tired
The lesson
Calculation in a game happens with a clock and after hours of play. Train under similar conditions: solve difficult positions with a strict time limit, and sometimes after a long training game.
Track not only success rate but the type of error: missed candidate, missed defence, wrong evaluation at the end. Each has a different cure.
Key points to remember
- Train with a clock
- Train tired sometimes
- Track error types
Examples
Show the solution
26. Rxg7+ Kh8 27. Rg8+ Kxg8 28. Rg1+ Qg5 29. Rxg5#
Show the solution
53. Nc6+ Kc5 54. Kxc3 Kxc6 55. Kxc4 Kd6 56. Kd4
Practise it
Solve puzzles on this idea: defensive move puzzles, intermezzo (zwischenzug) puzzles.
Homework
Three timed hard puzzles a day; log your error types.
More calculation lessons
- Calculating without moving the pieces (Class D)
- 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)
- Finding the opponent’s resources (Master)