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Drawing Lost Games

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Play against MadChess starting from a slightly disadvantageous position.

  • Select a game where a slight advantage was reached and the stronger side successfully converted it to a win.
  • Use a clock.
    • Set to rapid time control (not bullet or blitz).
    • This allows time to think about each move (rather than simply react).
  • Set MadChess rating to 100 points below personal rating.
  • Play the weaker side.

Attempt to draw the game.

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Winning Won Games

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Play against MadChess starting from a winning position.

  • Select a game where a winning position was reached.
    • But the stronger side failed to convert it to a win.
    • And the game ended in a draw or loss.
  • Do not review computer analysis that shows winning continuations.
  • Use a clock.
    • Set to rapid time control (not bullet or blitz).
    • This allows time to think about each move (rather than simply react).
  • Set MadChess rating to 100 points above personal rating.
  • Play the stronger side.

Attempt to win the game.

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Calculation Training

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Select a personal game played against MadChess or played online.

  1. Select four critical positions from the game, either my move or my opponent’s move.
  2. Spend five minutes per position analyzing possible continuations.
    1. Do not use any computer assistance.
    2. Add variations to the PGN file.
  3. Run MadChess engine in MultiPV mode to verify analysis.
  4. Run Komodo* chess engine in MultiPV mode to verify MadChess analysis.
  5. Add interesting variations found by MadChess and Komodo to the PGN file.
  6. Write a blog post about the game, focusing on the critical positions.

* Or any other world-class chess engine.

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Thought Process

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Dana Mackenzie suggests before moving, ask the following questions.

  1. What are the pawn breaks?
  2. What are my and my opponent’s best and worst placed pieces?
  3. What pieces are targeted and vulnerable?
  4. What are the possible trades, and which ones benefit me?
  5. Where are the best squares for my pieces?
  6. Who would be winning the endgame?
  7. Who has the safer king?
  8. On which side of the board should I play?