Errors correction

If through an analysis of one's own performance in chess, errors are discovered in the practical development of the game, and most likely one may find them every now and then, the first thing to consider in favor of their correction is what kind of error it is, technical or conceptual.

The main causes of these inaccuracies are always due to carelessness in the systemic approach to thinking and the lack of theoretical preparation. Themes that, in order to be intuitively assimilated, must be covered consequently from the constant review of the independent theoretical preparation and the mental processes that influence the selection of moves, as each type of error also corresponds to ideological subtleties that should be pondered in order to know the specific means of working on their correction and instructional dissolution.



Technical errors


In this classification are the inaccuracies corresponding to the systematic approach to thinking, caused by confusions in the order of calculated moves, visualization of random moves without coordinated objectives of attack or defense, and the mania of trying to calculate extensive variations devoid of positional basis, which usually result in:

  • Tactical omissions. Situations in which a player misses tactical opportunities that could have maintained his position or led to material gains, positional advantages, and even checkmate. For example, not capturing unprotected pieces, not defending an opponent's threat, not considering the opponent's responses, or not seeing a winning combination.
  • Pseudo-natural moves. Moves that, at first glance, may seem reasonable or natural but in reality do not contribute effectively to the own position and can be exploited by the opponent, due to an incomplete understanding of positional dynamics, a lack of calculation, not considering every possibility in a critical position, or even by giving in to psychological pressure during the game. Examples: Negligent attacking moves that omit easy tactical refutations, unnecessary piece exchanges, putting pieces in vulnerable positions that create structural weaknesses.
  • Frequent time troubles. Technical problems caused by thinking too much or too little depending on the character of the position and time control. No move should take less than 1 to 5 minutes when it is a recognizable logical move or sequence of moves, nor more than 20 to 40 minutes when possible complications that will decisively influence the evaluation of the position are detected. The extraordinary cases in which more than 40 minutes are used to calculate various continuations are a sign of inefficient time management, but can be justified if with a few seconds left it is still possible to define a decisive positional advantage, achieve a draw or checkmate the adversary.

 

Possible solutions


  • Resolution of combination problems, tactical and checkmate patterns, to develop clarity in the processes of calculation.
  • Implementation of combinative openings to the repertoire in order to enhance the objective contemplation of precise attack and defense variations.
  • Analysis of the game of players with dynamic style, in order to assimilate plans or combinations that define some positional advantage (emphasis on the relative value of pieces).
  • Work on time management, for example, using fast rhythms to memorize repertoire variations, or slow rhythms to develop the positional evaluation approach and calculation in middlegame and endgame schemes.

 

 

Conceptual errors

They refer to mistakes relative to an incorrect or biased understanding of the strategic, tactical or positional principles of the game. These errors involve decisions based on misconceptions about how the game or certain positions should be played, or how certain pawn structures and piece combinations should be handled. In other words, positional pseudo-interpretations devoid of tactical and strategic logic, implicit in:

  • Materialism. Problems caused by a player's tendency to prioritize material gains (capture of pieces) without adequately considering the tactical, strategic, or positional aspects of the position. A player makes a mistake of materialism when he focuses exclusively on capturing pieces without evaluating the possible tactical and positional consequences of those captures, since that can result in the loss of an advantage, weakening of the pawn structure or other long-term disadvantages related to the lack of piece coordination.
  • Inability to formulate plans. Difficulties in identifying clear positional goals, developing a sequence of moves to achieve those goals, and carrying out a comprehensive strategy to improve the position and practical chances on the board, which in turn can be the cause of the aforementioned technical errors.
  • Overestimation of the attacking possibilities. This in turn implies an underestimation of the defensive resources, both one's own and the opponent's, which is generally perceived in hasty and unjustifiable attacks or material sacrifices, the result of which is none other than a weakening of one's own position.


Possible solutions


  • Resolution of strategic problems, exercising the processes of systemic thought (analysis, positional assessment and calculation), to avoid errors of materialism, the lack of strategic plans and any uncertainty in the objective appreciation of offensive or defensive opportunities in practice.
  • Implementation of schematic openings to the repertoire that illustrate objective nuances of strategic planning.
  • Analysis of the game of players with positional style, in order to achieve a clear perception of the technical elements of the game that contribute to the development of positional advantages and its efficient management in simplification themes (emphasis on the absolute value of the pieces).

Understanding the causes of errors in chess is important for multiple reasons: it allows learning and improving from one's own mistakes, identifying recurring patterns and areas for improvement, preventing repetition of mistakes by optimizing one's thinking parameters and independent preparation. Which also helps to develop the pragmatic intuition of the game, encourage critical self-evaluation to make more rational decisions, recognize distraction patterns to overcome through the conscious cultivation of concentration, adapt strategic plans based on past experiences, and finally, apply the lessons learned illustrating the correction of such errors in future battles.

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