Finding the opponent’s resources
In short
At master level, the main calculation error is not missing your own idea but missing the opponent’s best reply: an in-between move, a counter-sacrifice, a defensive quiet move. Make it a rule to look at the position from the opponent’s side at the end of every line.
By the end you can
- Find hidden defensive ideas for the opponent
- Avoid premature celebrations
The lesson
At master level, the main calculation error is not missing your own idea but missing the opponent’s best reply: an in-between move, a counter-sacrifice, a defensive quiet move. Make it a rule to look at the position from the opponent’s side at the end of every line.
Train with defensive puzzles and with positions where your first idea fails to a hidden resource.
Key points to remember
- Check opponent resources at the end of each line
- Look for counter-sacrifices and quiet defences
- Assume the opponent finds the best move
Examples
Show the solution
62. d7 Ke7 63. Ra8 Rxc4+ 64. Kd5 Kxd7 65. Kxc4
Show the solution
20... Bb7+ 21. Kf1 Kxf7
Practise it
Solve puzzles on this idea: defensive move puzzles, intermezzo (zwischenzug) puzzles.
Homework
Five defensive puzzles daily at master level.
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)
- Calculation under pressure (Expert)