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3 easy steps to help analyze your games

I still categorically disagree with this. You want your games analyzed, hire a coach. I'm not wavering from that, ever.

I still categorically disagree with this. You want your games analyzed, hire a coach. I'm not wavering from that, ever.

Analyzing games is incredibly important however the self-analysis of mistakes with an engine, especially when they are positional in nature, can quickly delve into not only learning nothing but actually teach detrimental habits that negatively affect your future games.

I'm no master, not even close, but I believe that the concept of having a knight on d3 in the Catalan is very strong when you can achieve it. I also believe that missing this concept was the core reason for the eventual blunder in your Catalan game. Without knowing the knight needs to reroute to d3 it eventually ran out of squares to go to. The fundamental issue is that that move (15. Nc3) is a very easy move to play because it redevelops the knight onto one of the most common squares a knight is always developed to, this pattern recognition clicks and bam a knight is on c3. On move 15, Nf4 was so strong because Nd3 lets the knight have access to an outpost square in the middle of the board; e5.

The chance to achieve Nd3 still existed even here; 19. a4 b4?! 20. Ne2 with the plan of establishing Rc5 along with Nc1 Nd3 this would have been a nice way to take positional control over the center. In fact, this looks even more crushing than if you had initially placed your knight on d3 because of black's over committed pawn on b4.

The ultimate question is, how does one attain that knowledge? My conclusion is that there is realistically no way for self-analysis, with or without an engine, to be enough of a catalyst to signifcantly improve one's ability. Reviewing master level games and listening to a master's analysis of those games while comparing their analysis to your own is a necessary step to chess improvement.

Great post, I essentially just believe that there needs to be a step inbetween your steps 1/2 that includes master analysis of a similar position. Then take that analysis and compare it to your position using the engine as a guide to see if similar concepts apply.

"You must learn from the mistakes of others. You cannot possibly live long enough to make them all yourself." - Sam Levenson

I learned the Nd3 concept from Aman Hambleton's
100 chess tips that ONLY a Grandmaster knows | #1

Also, for the game you won (1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. cxd5 exd5) on move 26 there is a tricky move that looks like a mistake but is very strong.

Analyzing games is incredibly important however the self-analysis of mistakes with an engine, especially when they are positional in nature, can quickly delve into not only learning nothing but actually teach detrimental habits that negatively affect your future games. I'm no master, not even close, but I believe that the concept of having a knight on d3 in the Catalan is very strong when you can achieve it. I also believe that missing this concept was the core reason for the eventual blunder in your Catalan game. Without knowing the knight needs to reroute to d3 it eventually ran out of squares to go to. The fundamental issue is that that move (15. Nc3) is a very easy move to play because it redevelops the knight onto one of the most common squares a knight is always developed to, this pattern recognition clicks and bam a knight is on c3. On move 15, Nf4 was so strong because Nd3 lets the knight have access to an outpost square in the middle of the board; e5. The chance to achieve Nd3 still existed even here; 19. a4 b4?! 20. Ne2 with the plan of establishing Rc5 along with Nc1 Nd3 this would have been a nice way to take positional control over the center. In fact, this looks even more crushing than if you had initially placed your knight on d3 because of black's over committed pawn on b4. The ultimate question is, how does one attain that knowledge? My conclusion is that there is realistically no way for self-analysis, with or without an engine, to be enough of a catalyst to signifcantly improve one's ability. Reviewing master level games and listening to a master's analysis of those games while comparing their analysis to your own is a necessary step to chess improvement. Great post, I essentially just believe that there needs to be a step inbetween your steps 1/2 that includes master analysis of a similar position. Then take that analysis and compare it to your position using the engine as a guide to see if similar concepts apply. "You must learn from the mistakes of others. You cannot possibly live long enough to make them all yourself." - Sam Levenson I learned the Nd3 concept from Aman Hambleton's 100 chess tips that ONLY a Grandmaster knows | #1 Also, for the game you won (1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. cxd5 exd5) on move 26 there is a tricky move that looks like a mistake but is very strong.

@F0RW3R Which is equivalent to hiring a coach, which has been my argument all along. I feel vindicated!

@F0RW3R Which is equivalent to hiring a coach, which has been my argument all along. I feel vindicated!

Excellent post! I think it's a good idea to analyze your own games. Ideally with a coach, but you can also get positive results without one. Of course, this assumes you already understand a bit about chess. For beginners, a coach is probably best.

Excellent post! I think it's a good idea to analyze your own games. Ideally with a coach, but you can also get positive results without one. Of course, this assumes you already understand a bit about chess. For beginners, a coach is probably best.

@Pawnpuzzle What if you can't afford a coach (my situation, since I have a double hip replacement next month that will cost a pretty penny even though I have insurance) and are categorically against against analyzing games using any form of engine or AI?

@Pawnpuzzle What if you can't afford a coach (my situation, since I have a double hip replacement next month that will cost a pretty penny even though I have insurance) and are categorically against against analyzing games using any form of engine or AI?

@Mindgames2026 said ^

@F0RW3R Which is equivalent to hiring a coach, which has been my argument all along. I feel vindicated!

Why would it be an 'argument' of yours? Nobody said that hiring a coach wouldn't be as good or better than self-analysis or computer analysis. But, #1 not everyone has a good chess coach in their area (like mine) and #2 not everyone has the money for a coach and #3 not everyone has the time. At least with self-analysis and computer analysis you get instant feedback and it doesn't cost a cent. Regarding #1, there's only two chess coaches that I know of near me and they're both an hours drive away. Regarding #2, these coaches charge $150/hr for their services. Regarding #3, I don't have hours to spend with my busy schedule on something I can do myself in 5-10 minutes. Sure, you could hire a chess coach online, but you still have to deal with #2 and #3.

@Mindgames2026 said [^](/forum/redirect/post/dycOmRsZ) > @F0RW3R Which is equivalent to hiring a coach, which has been my argument all along. I feel vindicated! Why would it be an 'argument' of yours? Nobody said that hiring a coach wouldn't be as good or better than self-analysis or computer analysis. But, #1 not everyone has a good chess coach in their area (like mine) and #2 not everyone has the money for a coach and #3 not everyone has the time. At least with self-analysis and computer analysis you get instant feedback and it doesn't cost a cent. Regarding #1, there's only two chess coaches that I know of near me and they're both an hours drive away. Regarding #2, these coaches charge $150/hr for their services. Regarding #3, I don't have hours to spend with my busy schedule on something I can do myself in 5-10 minutes. Sure, you could hire a chess coach online, but you still have to deal with #2 and #3.

@mullerrj Because if you want an unfiltered view of where you need to improve, it's non-negotiable to have a coach. At least I'm not a hypocrite, wasting time on self-analysis when I know that's a road to nowhere. I would sooner have to face a firing squad than do something I categorically disagree with. Chessable courses and Lichess studies are a poor substitute but it's what I have and I don't care if I'm a greenhorn forever.

@mullerrj Because if you want an unfiltered view of where you need to improve, it's non-negotiable to have a coach. At least I'm not a hypocrite, wasting time on self-analysis when I know that's a road to nowhere. I would sooner have to face a firing squad than do something I categorically disagree with. Chessable courses and Lichess studies are a poor substitute but it's what I have and I don't care if I'm a greenhorn forever.