Winning the won position • page 1/1 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

FM Bugcrusher

Some of my students complain on failing to convert much better or even winning positions. Of course, every example should be explained in a different way, but maybe there is some general advice in such cases, how to fix such leak. Maybe some of you have some advice, that would be appreciated.

kindaspongey

Maybe, it would be helpful to look at Clinch it! by IM Cyrus Lakdawala.
https://www.amazon.com/Clinch-Convert-Advantage-into-Chess/dp/905691801X?asin=B07MJD6VDW&revisionId=4cc7ae58&format=3&depth=1

Maybe, it would be helpful to look at Clinch it! by IM Cyrus Lakdawala. https://www.amazon.com/Clinch-Convert-Advantage-into-Chess/dp/905691801X?asin=B07MJD6VDW&revisionId=4cc7ae58&format=3&depth=1

lonelypeanut

I have this problem often, this video helped a bit but I have to be focusing to actually follow it. But when I do it it works.

You really have to tell yourself to see the game after the point of "winning" as 10x harder and put in as much more effort. See the video for better explanation.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gsjz9eZ6PU

Would be happy to see more tips here though

I have this problem often, this video helped a bit but I have to be focusing to actually follow it. But when I do it it works. You really have to tell yourself to see the game after the point of "winning" as 10x harder and put in as much more effort. See the video for better explanation. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gsjz9eZ6PU Would be happy to see more tips here though

TheMagnusAura

I have lost hundreds of winning positions against higher rated and drew hundreds of positions against lowers till now.

Sandy1966-05

@Bugcrusher said in #1:

Some of my students complain on failing to convert much better or even winning positions. Of course, every example should be explained in a different way, but maybe there is some general advice in such cases, how to fix such leak. Maybe some of you have some advice, that would be appreciated.

"The hardest game to win is a won game" (Emmanuel Lasker)
Not only your students.

@Bugcrusher said in #1: > Some of my students complain on failing to convert much better or even winning positions. Of course, every example should be explained in a different way, but maybe there is some general advice in such cases, how to fix such leak. Maybe some of you have some advice, that would be appreciated. "The hardest game to win is a won game" (Emmanuel Lasker) Not only your students.

tpr

There are two kinds of won positions: technically won positions and tactically won positions.
A technically won position e.g. with a material advantage requires simplification and technique to win. To fix that study endgames or study games by technically strong grandmasters, e.g. Carlsen, Fischer, Capablanca, Rubinstein.
A tactically won position e.g. with a winning combination requires intuition and calculation. To fix that solve tactics puzzles and study games by tactically strong grandmasters, e.g. Kasparov, Fischer, Tal. Also analyse your lost games and identify missed tactics for both sides.

There are two kinds of won positions: technically won positions and tactically won positions. A technically won position e.g. with a material advantage requires simplification and technique to win. To fix that study endgames or study games by technically strong grandmasters, e.g. Carlsen, Fischer, Capablanca, Rubinstein. A tactically won position e.g. with a winning combination requires intuition and calculation. To fix that solve tactics puzzles and study games by tactically strong grandmasters, e.g. Kasparov, Fischer, Tal. Also analyse your lost games and identify missed tactics for both sides.

VasilyBelyaev

@Bugcrusher said in #1:

Some of my students complain on failing to convert much better or even winning positions. Of course, every example should be explained in a different way, but maybe there is some general advice in such cases, how to fix such leak. Maybe some of you have some advice, that would be appreciated.

Advice that often helps me and that I practice:

"In a winning position, do not think that it is won. Just make the best moves you can".

This eliminates unnecessary excitement and a sense of importance to win.

@Bugcrusher said in #1: > Some of my students complain on failing to convert much better or even winning positions. Of course, every example should be explained in a different way, but maybe there is some general advice in such cases, how to fix such leak. Maybe some of you have some advice, that would be appreciated. Advice that often helps me and that I practice: "In a winning position, do not think that it is won. Just make the best moves you can". This eliminates unnecessary excitement and a sense of importance to win.

msteen

Both here and on chess.com, there is a small circle at the bottom of each tactics puzzle that will allow you to play the "won" position against the engine. Terrific practice!