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The Worst Way to Change Your Thought Process

11.3.1 During play the players are forbidden to use any notes, sources of information or advice, or analyse any game on another chessboard.

11.3.1 During play the players are forbidden to use any notes, sources of information or advice, or analyse any game on another chessboard.

takin notes is forbidden OTB but lichess even provides note taking field. So no check list printed would not be violation of anything.

Biggest problem with check list is that it is hard follow it all the time. during game it is easy to forget even simplest things.

takin notes is forbidden OTB but lichess even provides note taking field. So no check list printed would not be violation of anything. Biggest problem with check list is that it is hard follow it all the time. during game it is easy to forget even simplest things.

Very elegantly written. Over the last year I have been working more on my thought process and I can say it has yielded decent returns especially in classical time controls. I do employ the checklist approach and until reading this article I was a victim of the "One checklist to rule them all" desire. I use the method of loci to hold the Checklist. Though after reading this article I may have to redesign it so each location addresses a specific aspect of concern during play. Thank you

Very elegantly written. Over the last year I have been working more on my thought process and I can say it has yielded decent returns especially in classical time controls. I do employ the checklist approach and until reading this article I was a victim of the "One checklist to rule them all" desire. I use the method of loci to hold the Checklist. Though after reading this article I may have to redesign it so each location addresses a specific aspect of concern during play. Thank you

@petri999 said in #3:

takin notes is forbidden OTB but lichess even provides note taking field. So no check list printed would not be violation of anything.

Seems to be a bit of a grey area? Lichess's rules (https://lichess.org/page/fair-play) say:

  1. Cheat. We prohibit the use of any external assistance used whilst a game you are involved in is ongoing, which has the effect of improving your knowledge, calculation ability, or otherwise gives you an unfair advantage over your opponent. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to, using a chess engine, opening books, endgame tablebases, receiving move recommendations from another person or software (including human commenters on streaming or social media services), and certain software or extensions at our discretion.

So having a sheet of opening moves in front of you is not allowed, and arguably a checklist is "external assistance ... improving your ... calculation ability".

Anyway, good article, I like the checklist recommendation (but it's probably better if you memorize it, if only to help internalize the habit).

@petri999 said in #3: > takin notes is forbidden OTB but lichess even provides note taking field. So no check list printed would not be violation of anything. Seems to be a bit of a grey area? Lichess's rules (https://lichess.org/page/fair-play) say: > 1. Cheat. We prohibit the use of any external assistance used whilst a game you are involved in is ongoing, which has the effect of improving your knowledge, calculation ability, or otherwise gives you an unfair advantage over your opponent. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to, using a chess engine, opening books, endgame tablebases, receiving move recommendations from another person or software (including human commenters on streaming or social media services), and certain software or extensions at our discretion. So having a sheet of opening moves in front of you is not allowed, and arguably a checklist is "external assistance ... improving your ... calculation ability". Anyway, good article, I like the checklist recommendation (but it's probably better if you memorize it, if only to help internalize the habit).

So what's the recommended thought process/ideal checklist?

So what's the recommended thought process/ideal checklist?

I am pretty sure recommended checklist woudl different for weak player like and for you. I need to stop blundering pieces of either for in just 1 move or two moves. Your problems are quite likely more subtle and perhaps you only (apart from personal coach) who can know what are the pain points.

I am pretty sure recommended checklist woudl different for weak player like and for you. I need to stop blundering pieces of either for in just 1 move or two moves. Your problems are quite likely more subtle and perhaps you only (apart from personal coach) who can know what are the pain points.

Very nice idea about 2/1 approach. I made wonderful check-lists for myself and NEVER EVER managed to really follow them. For the first few moves, yes, but then the heat of the battle takes in and I forget about the checklist :(

No one seem to have a good advise on how to actually stick to your checklist :((

Very nice idea about 2/1 approach. I made wonderful check-lists for myself and NEVER EVER managed to really follow them. For the first few moves, yes, but then the heat of the battle takes in and I forget about the checklist :( No one seem to have a good advise on how to actually stick to your checklist :((

"If you’re playing online, you could even have a printed checklist next to your computer."

That would be a violation of the rules.

"If you’re playing online, you could even have a printed checklist next to your computer." That would be a violation of the rules.

I have two-item checklist - it's slightly tongue-in-cheek, and I know those who read into it too literally or rigidly take issue with it, but it works for me:

  1. Always burn clock.
  2. Always play for a draw.

I'm both serious and not serious about this. "Always" does mean always, apart from when it doesn't (think "never play f6 vs always play f6"). Expanding further, rule #1 means to always burn clock to fight the urge to rush (never finish a 15+10 game with more time than you started or you won't get to make use of "virtual time odds"!). It will also be relative to the position, so please don't confuse "always" with "always burn clock forever until you flag" - it obviously doesn't mean that. Towards the endgame, the pace has to lift (unless it shouldn't). Anyone familiar with chess "rules" (as opposed to FIDE laws) will know that there are always exceptions to the rule. Relax!

Rule #2 probably rubs people up the wrong way even more, but again, it needs to be viewed in context. Chess is more than likely a draw, and the starting position is also very close to a draw, as are equal pawnless endgames. You usually can't really play for anything but an equal position on move 1 and move 2. At least not if you want to develop solidly with sound opening principles in mind. Again, this "rule" is more to fight the urge to immediately sacrifice and blunder everything.

Crucially, it serves as a constant reminder that even ugly or lost-feeling positions can be saved. It also means that it should be recognised that some positions mean only a draw is acceptable - for example, declining a threefold in an objectively-equal position can very often lead to an immediate loss (I'm thinking of a particularly amusing Grischuk interview about playing like a "terror***" against Giri).

Encapsulated within those two rules of mine would be "look at every piece". When you're burning clock, or "playing for a draw" (searching first for equality), use that time to look at everything to reduce the risk of being caught up with tunnel vision. When (always) burning clock, the mind isn't supposed to be idle. Use it to keep reminding yourself to focus and refocus whenever you feel you're starting to drift.

I have two-item checklist - it's slightly tongue-in-cheek, and I know those who read into it too literally or rigidly take issue with it, but it works for me: 1. Always burn clock. 2. Always play for a draw. I'm both serious and not serious about this. "Always" does mean always, apart from when it doesn't (think "never play f6 vs always play f6"). Expanding further, rule #1 means to always burn clock to fight the urge to rush (never finish a 15+10 game with more time than you started or you won't get to make use of "virtual time odds"!). It will also be relative to the position, so please don't confuse "always" with "always burn clock forever until you flag" - it obviously doesn't mean that. Towards the endgame, the pace has to lift (unless it shouldn't). Anyone familiar with chess "rules" (as opposed to FIDE laws) will know that there are always exceptions to the rule. Relax! Rule #2 probably rubs people up the wrong way even more, but again, it needs to be viewed in context. Chess is more than likely a draw, and the starting position is also very close to a draw, as are equal pawnless endgames. You usually can't really play for anything but an equal position on move 1 and move 2. At least not if you want to develop solidly with sound opening principles in mind. Again, this "rule" is more to fight the urge to immediately sacrifice and blunder everything. Crucially, it serves as a constant reminder that even ugly or lost-feeling positions can be saved. It also means that it should be recognised that some positions mean only a draw is acceptable - for example, declining a threefold in an objectively-equal position can very often lead to an immediate loss (I'm thinking of a particularly amusing Grischuk interview about playing like a "terror***" against Giri). Encapsulated within those two rules of mine would be "look at every piece". When you're burning clock, or "playing for a draw" (searching first for equality), use that time to look at everything to reduce the risk of being caught up with tunnel vision. When (always) burning clock, the mind isn't supposed to be idle. Use it to keep reminding yourself to focus and refocus whenever you feel you're starting to drift.