Analyzing Your Approach: Overcoming Poor Decisions in Chess

Analyzing Your Approach - A Path to Success

One of the most important things in chess is analyzing your chess experience. When I say chess analysis, I don't just mean the moves we make in the game, but the overall approach, starting with the preparation for the game itself. I'm certain everyone makes mistakes, some more, some less, but our goal is to minimize these mistakes and continuously improve.

One common oversight among chess players is failing to analyze their overall approach to the game, not just the moves themselves. Reflecting on whether your opening preparation process was effective or fell short can reveal critical areas for improvement that go beyond tactics and strategy alone.

I’ll share my experiences with you through two games: one negative experience (a loss against Grandmaster Ivan Ivanišević), in which poor preparation and approach were evident, and one positive experience (a draw with Grandmaster Anton Korobov). The loss against Ivanišević was a valuable lesson where I understood my mistakes, which I later corrected in the game with Korobov by changing my approach, learning from the previous negative experience.

I chose these two games because they involve very tricky players of a similar style who are unpredictable in the opening, highly creative, and possess a great sense of initiative and dynamics. In both games, a similar situation occurred: I was caught off guard in the opening and put to the test. As I mentioned before, my reaction the first time was quite poor, while the second time it was much better.

An Example of How Not to Prepare

This game perfectly illustrates what happens when you are completely unprepared both theoretically and psychologically. My opponent was the well-known Grandmaster and multiple Serbian champion, Ivan Ivanišević. At the time, Ivan was at the peak of his career, leading Serbian chess with a strong reputation. Known for his exceptional theoretical preparation, innovative opening choices, and appealing, dynamic style, he always aimed to play uncompromisingly, regardless of the color of his pieces or his opponent.

I must admit, I felt uncomfortable playing against him with the black pieces. Before the game, I decided to surprise him by choosing the Queen's Gambit Accepted as my opening. I should mention that I had never played or studied this opening before; I simply prepared, rather superficially, right before the game, aware that he often played 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4! My idea was to sidestep his preparation, given that I usually played the Slav Defense at the time, which, in hindsight, was both naive and somewhat irresponsible. For such inadequate preparation and approach, I was harshly punished, and in the end, it turned out that I had surprised myself more than him.

Three things that I believe you should learn from my experience are:

• Avoid Rushed Preparation: Quick, superficial preparation often lacks the depth needed for competitive play, especially in complex openings.
• Know the Opening Nuances: Understanding an opening’s key ideas and possible responses is crucial—don’t rely solely on memorizing moves.
• Respect Your Opponent’s Strengths: Consider your opponent’s style and strengths, especially if they are highly skilled in certain positions.

Game 1: Predictable Downfall

This experience served as a harsh reminder that experimentation without thorough understanding in chess can lead to predictable downfalls. In the end, I learned valuable lessons about the importance of proper preparation and maintaining composure in the face of unexpected challenges.

Game 2: A Lesson in Proper Preparation

In the second game, my opponent was the well-known Ukrainian Grandmaster Anton Korobov, who had reached a peak rating of 2700 points. He is also a relentless fighter with an active positional style, known for being well-prepared theoretically and for his versatility. At that time, my main repertoire was the Grünfeld Defense. While preparing for the game, I noticed that my opponent played almost all variations against the Grünfeld. Naturally, it’s nearly impossible to prepare against such players and predict what could happen in the game.

Unlike the previous game, where I strayed from my repertoire, this time I decided to play what I knew best at that moment. I was psychologically prepared for the possibility of encountering a new idea or a very rare variation that I wasn't entirely familiar with. I told myself that if that happened, I should remain calm, not rush during critical moments, and take a bit more time if needed. I aimed to play principled and consistent moves, letting the game unfold as it would. I primarily prepared for forced variations, reviewing my files to ensure I wouldn’t misstep in the sequence of moves or forget something crucial during the game.

In examining these two contrasting games, we can draw valuable lessons about preparation, adaptability, and psychological resilience in chess. The first game serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of superficial opening preparation and the consequences of panicking when faced with unexpected moves. It underscores the importance of thorough study and a calm mindset when navigating the complexities of a match. In contrast, the second game highlights the effectiveness of solid preparation and principled play against a strong opponent. By sticking to familiar openings and maintaining composure, I was able to capitalize on my opponent's inaccuracies and steer the game toward a favorable outcome. Ultimately, these experiences emphasize that success in chess is not just about knowing the moves but also about understanding the strategic and psychological elements of the game.

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Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and I wish you all the best on your chess journey!