Finally, with 6 registered for the class, we started at 8 pm Nov 3.
It was a good mix, with retirees, 3 enthusiasts and 1 student. We started on the topic of visualisation.
Few spared time training for this aspect of chess but little do they know of the potential benefits in improving visualisation of the pieces on the board, especially when they perform 3-6 ply calculations. Having the ability to keep track of the changes per ply can be a daunting task but yet so critical as one mistake can alter the choice of candidate moves.
No we are not learning visualisation for the purpose of playing blindfold chess. It is mainly to allow us to see into the future the result of our calculations and evaluating the right picture. As each ply is added the visual clarity of the board and pieces becomes unclear. After 4 ply it is even a challenge to note which piece has cleared a path or expose another piece to attack or threat.
What then are the building blocks of good visualising habits? The coordinates of course. Knowing each square and their location greatly helps in the orientation of the virtual chessboard. Not just from White's vantage point, but also from Black's. Players who shun recording often have problems knowing where the squares are and rely extensively on the letters and numbers on the chessboard. This is akin to playing the piano looking at the fingers all the time. There is no improving board vision if one is not well versed in the coordinates.
Next come the colour of each square. Knowing that helps in the discovery of each diagonal, each potential square a Knight can hop to (as they alternate colours with each move). Then comes visualising lines of attack by the Rook,Bishop and Queen. To facilitate board vision it helps to trace the paths of the pieces when the opponent is thinking. That strengthens the mind's view when one is searching for candidate moves and calculating.
So I urge all keen improvers to first move the pieces in their head when analysing or calculating. The task strengthens the mind's ability to project the moves for both sides. Good knowledge of the coordinates will facilitate this task making each ply on the board as clear as one gets in the mind's eye.
Many asked for how long do they need to do this to see benefits in their play. It is really a question of how your game has improved in avoiding hanging pieces and seeing potential threats from your opponent. When a game is played from start to end without hanging piece moves, the next phase is to train to see tactics for you and the opponent in visualising patterns of captures that win material. Most games below 1600 often are lost through missing threats because they did not see them coming when calculating their moves.
Students received a recording of the Zoom proceedings even if they were unable to attend the session, which makes it useful to review the material.
Let's see if there are more adult improvers willing to come aboard to improve on their game where it matters most.
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