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Hello guys, can you recommend any ways to improve calculation

I am good at figuring out plans and tactics but i am weak at calculation. I tried RB ramesh's calculation book but i find the variations too hard to follow. Any ways to inprove this skill
I can calculate upto 5-7 moves but not too deep with subvariatiojs under time pressure

I am good at figuring out plans and tactics but i am weak at calculation. I tried RB ramesh's calculation book but i find the variations too hard to follow. Any ways to inprove this skill I can calculate upto 5-7 moves but not too deep with subvariatiojs under time pressure

@hrudhaybejoy said ^

I am good at figuring out plans and tactics but i am weak at calculation. I tried RB ramesh's calculation book but i find the variations too hard to follow. Any ways to inprove this skill
I can calculate upto 5-7 moves but not too deep with subvariatiojs under time pressure

It's not about number of moves. Its completely about reaching a quiescent position - that is how far you take it.

Ever wonder when A commentator knows when to stop?

Quiescence is the point in a variation, meaning a move sequence imagined during calculation, where the position is stable enough to evaluate. This means that no important check, capture, or concrete threat remains that could immediately change the balance. A forcing move is one that sharply limits the opponent's replies because it creates a direct problem.

If it be 2 moves or 10, does not matter.

Note "Q" positions when analyzing games - "Q".

@hrudhaybejoy said [^](/forum/redirect/post/fP4PpdAA) > I am good at figuring out plans and tactics but i am weak at calculation. I tried RB ramesh's calculation book but i find the variations too hard to follow. Any ways to inprove this skill > I can calculate upto 5-7 moves but not too deep with subvariatiojs under time pressure It's not about number of moves. Its completely about reaching a quiescent position - that is how far you take it. Ever wonder when A commentator knows when to stop? Quiescence is the point in a variation, meaning a move sequence imagined during calculation, where the position is stable enough to evaluate. This means that no important check, capture, or concrete threat remains that could immediately change the balance. A forcing move is one that sharply limits the opponent's replies because it creates a direct problem. If it be 2 moves or 10, does not matter. Note "Q" positions when analyzing games - "Q".

I am ok with raw calculation but not fast.

I am ok with raw calculation but not fast.

Think Like a Grandmaster by Kotov teaches how to calculate efficiently.
Here he calculated the queen sacrifice 30...Qxh3+ 20 moves deep.
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1084375

Think Like a Grandmaster by Kotov teaches how to calculate efficiently. Here he calculated the queen sacrifice 30...Qxh3+ 20 moves deep. https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1084375

Accurate calculation involves two dimensions

  1. Breadth = candidate moves
    No point analysing a long variation if you miss a stronger reply on move 2.
  2. Depth = clarification
    No point stopping the analysis too short when there are still tactics and it's too early to give a clear assessment.

R.B. Ramesh may be the most famous Indian trainer but I found his book difficult to read and the style not very engaging. I found 'Perfect Your Chess' by Volokitin and Grabinsky more enjoyable, or the many written by Dvoretsky.
Or play through annotated games, put aside the book at critical moments and treat the position as a calculation exercise.

Accurate calculation involves two dimensions 1. Breadth = candidate moves No point analysing a long variation if you miss a stronger reply on move 2. 2. Depth = clarification No point stopping the analysis too short when there are still tactics and it's too early to give a clear assessment. R.B. Ramesh may be the most famous Indian trainer but I found his book difficult to read and the style not very engaging. I found 'Perfect Your Chess' by Volokitin and Grabinsky more enjoyable, or the many written by Dvoretsky. Or play through annotated games, put aside the book at critical moments and treat the position as a calculation exercise.

The op gave the hint, the problem happens under time pressure.

Calculate is not a full analysis of all positions. It is more like counting how many tempos it takes to reach a promotion square and then calculating which pieces have the time to prevent it. That is calculation.

If you do not have the time to do that simple calculation the time setting is too fast and so is not made for calculation or analysis. It is made for playing instinctively.

Think of it this way ...
Ultrabullet / Bullet: Instinct
Blitz : Calculation
Rapid and above: Analysis.

The time control is the bottleneck that enforces which cognitive tool you must use.
If you don't have time to count tempos, you're forced to guess.

The op gave the hint, the problem happens under time pressure. Calculate is not a full analysis of all positions. It is more like counting how many tempos it takes to reach a promotion square and then calculating which pieces have the time to prevent it. That is calculation. If you do not have the time to do that simple calculation the time setting is too fast and so is not made for calculation or analysis. It is made for playing instinctively. Think of it this way ... Ultrabullet / Bullet: Instinct Blitz : Calculation Rapid and above: Analysis. The time control is the bottleneck that enforces which cognitive tool you must use. If you don't have time to count tempos, you're forced to guess.

@hrudhaybejoy said ^

I am ok with raw calculation but not fast

To train speed, you need to train simple tasks. not 7 moves. I have several projects for this, I can show you.

@hrudhaybejoy said [^](/forum/redirect/post/9dr4u9nw) > I am ok with raw calculation but not fast To train speed, you need to train simple tasks. not 7 moves. I have several projects for this, I can show you.

Dude can you just mention the name in chat of your study/project

Dude can you just mention the name in chat of your study/project

Remember, even famous Jose Raul Capablanca did not calculate. "You calculate. I know the result of the game without any calculation"

Remember, even famous Jose Raul Capablanca did not calculate. "You calculate. I know the result of the game without any calculation"

I agree with Remrus. Faster calculation relies on familiarity with the components of the position. I also agree with Kotov. Using the familiar components in your mind's eye improves calculation ability.

I agree with Remrus. Faster calculation relies on familiarity with the components of the position. I also agree with Kotov. Using the familiar components in your mind's eye improves calculation ability.

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