Guess the Move #1

Introduction

In my last post I wrote about my plans for the new year and outlined my growth plan. In today's blog, I'm going to introduce you to the Guess the Move method that I learned from @Felew699's blog. This method will allow me to train my thinking algorithms. I thought the first thing I needed to do was create my own thought process. At the moment I don't have any specific rules.

Guess the Move

The Guess the Move method is easy to understand. You start by downloading a game. You play as the side that won the game. If you are guessing from a computer games, as I am, you start guessing at the point where they have ended the book moves. You can guess moves throughout the game or at specific moments, depending on what you want to train. You can practise positions after certain openings, the middlegame or the endgames. It's all up to you.

Game and analysis

I will now show you my first attempt with the Guess the Move method. It didn't go very well, but for a first try it's not bad. I didn't use any algorithms, I just thought like in a normal game. I analyzed game played by Stockfish with Lc0 in TCEC Season 27 - Superfinal.

Now I will discuss this game:

11...g6 - End of book moves

12.Rc1 - I considered this move. My idea was Re1 which is also a good move.

13.h3 - I thought it was a waste of time. My choice was Qd2 to keep the b2 pawn defended and to be able to exchange black-squared bishops in the future.

14.d5 - Again I wanted to play Qe2 with the same idea.

16.cxd5 - I didn't want to have an isolated pawn so my guess was Qxd5.

18.Kh1 - I didn't even think about this move. My choice was Nb5 with the plan to move the knight to d4.

19.Nb5 - Stockfish did my previous plan. My new plan was Ne4 because I started thinking about sacrifices on h5, and the knight on e4 would then be better than on d4.

21.Nf3 - Here I should think longer. My move Rc3 is also good. It's a natural move with a plan to double the rooks.

23.a4 - A logical move to prevent the opponent's bishop from moving to b5. My guess was Rg3. I wanted to attack the king, Stockfish prefers to play on the queenside.

24.b4 - My move was Qf1, I still wanted to play on kingside.

25.Rc7 - The pins are usually good. My guess was Qb3. I decided to change the plan and move the queen to the queenside.

26.Qc1 - Stockfish played it so it's a good move, but I don't like it. White pawn on e3 is pinned. Qc2 was my choice.

27.b5 - My guess was Rf4 with the plan to move the rook to c-file.

30.Bd3 - I didn't consider it. My guess was Qf1 because there's nothing to attack on the queenside. This move is good, Stockfish played it a move later.

Summary

This was my first game of Guess the Move. It didn't go very well for me. I only guessed 7 moves out of 20. My result shows that I need to apply the right thinking algorithms.

If you have any advice, you can write to me. More training with Guess the Move will be posted on my blog soon.

One more thing. If you are interested in fighting against computers and believe in the chances of the human race, consider joining The Club of Believers.