How To Avoid Blunders In Chess [Anti-Blunder Checklist]

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In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov teaches you the "A/B Method" to avoid blunders in chess. It was found by one of the students of the Remote Chess Academy (RCA), by summarizing Igor's anti-blunder techniques. That's his way to memorize this principle so that he can remember and implement this in his practical games.

Watch the video lesson and learn how to avoid making blunders (or make less blunders) in your chess games. This video also has practical examples including the two blunders Capablanca made in the same game.

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► Chapters

00:00 RCA Student's Anti-Blunder Check
00:30 A/B Method to Avoid Blunders
01:00 Example-1
02:01 After opponent's move, check Attacks
02:32 Before your move, check Blunders
03:56 How chess players usually blunder
05:06 Example-2: Why Capablanca blundered twice?
08:05 Example-3: Blunder in Bishop's Opening
10:56 Test for you: Anti-Blunder check

#IgorNation #ChessBlunders #ChessTips

[GMIgorSmirnov]

💡Get the clear blueprint for chess improvement

[GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters

00:00 RCA Student's Anti-Blunder Check
00:30 A/B Method to Avoid Blunders
01:00 Example-1
02:01 After opponent's move, check Attacks
02:32 Before your move, check Blunders
03:56 How chess players usually blunder
05:06 Example-2: Why Capablanca blundered twice?
08:05 Example-3: Blunder in Bishop's Opening
10:56 Test for you: Anti-Blunder check

[Poopieso]

Thanks. This is exactly the video that I needed to improve. I watched a lot of videos on how to improve to 1000 elos or videos destined towards low elo in general but this is surelt the most useful that I've seen. Avoiding blunders is the first step to make some progress when you're a n00b in chess imo

[bikeboy]

After 6...Bg4 white can play 7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Nxe5+ then if 8...dxe5 then 9. Qxd8. If 8. Ke8 then 9. Nxg4 and white is winning. If 8...Ke7 then 9. Bg5+ Nf6 10. Nxg4. So 6...Bg4 is a blunder! (+1 to Herr Spaten for seeing the flaw in my original variation)

[gm]

On longer time games when it is your turn you should identify all moves you can make and all moves your opponent can make in their current position. Once you have decided on a move make sure that there is nothing new your opponent can do before playing the move. Your brain will usually spot combinations you already know once you are paying attention. Keep doing this consideration when it is your opponent's turn as this will be mean you are more alert to the candidate moves for both sides.

Once practiced in familiar positions this should become a faster pattern recognition. If it helps start naming the patterns for easier recall. The more you play an opening and endgame the easier it should become.

[richminor]

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement ! These videos are helpful to me !😁

[mariogilligan]

I will give this method a try, because you can’t imagine how much I am struggling to diminish my blunders; a real shame 🤒! Thanks again!

[danpatterson]

Simple is always better.
Nicely put.
I am a beginner and have enjoyed your work and your lessons very much. Thank you for the insight and experience you've given.

[tankoteemusic]

Chessmaster 10 has 2 useful blunder reduction training methods. One is avoid mate exercise. Two is find safe square with 1 piece and the opponent has given only 1 safe square.

[ChristianSoschner]

Excellent method. Slow down the response and think more deeply with the A/B Method

[ilyaibrahimovic]

Will you ever cover psychology in chess? (ex: Karpov-Davies)

[derektoyne]

The other night while playing chess my opponent played Qd6 and together with knight on f6 got mated. This was because following Igors advice to always to look at attacking moves I played ...Ne4 with the aim of trading knights. So I believe if you have the time you should ALWAYS first look at his attacking moves first see if you have a defence. But before playing it see if you have a better move. In my game I had ...Kf7 which saves the game. In another game my opponent played...
Qc8 attacking my rook on a6 so played Ra7 which was a mistake because he had a bishop on d7 attacking my pawn on h3 which was protected by a pawn on g2. A better move was to play Rxf6! and if he recaptured I mate with Qxf6+! What both games show me is making a chess move is a two part process, in the first game there is no better move than...Kf7 but in the second game even though Ra7 won I needed to look for a better move. The A/B system is that two part process, even if your not under attack you still need to check to see if your move isn't a mistake.

[ChristyHan]

i've learn this attack for a week... good lesson

[mikekeenan]

Solution to the quiz: After 6. ... Bg4, 7. Nxe5! dxe5 (obviously if 7. ... Bxd1?? then the Legal-like 8. Bxf7ch Ke7 9. Bg5 mate), 8. Qxg4, and White has regained the gambit pawn, has the bishop pair, and gained a huge lead in development. The doubled c-pawns might be an issue if Black somehow survives to the endgame, but that ain't likely to happen.

Edited to add: Duh, I'd missed 8. Bxf7ch picking up the queen. Oh well...

[goodtoGoNow]

This is so great! It’s going to work perfectly for everybody, but you just need to remember two things:

1 you must think about five times faster than you do. Yes that’s right, just, simply be a lot smarter than you are. That one secret tip will win you a lot of games. It’s worth well over 300 ELO!! Conservatively I would estimate that is worth about 2000 ELO. But ask Magnus.

2. Alternatively: don’t think very fast — just be your regular intelligence, but go through this process every game anyway. Just realize the clock will run out, and your opponent will win on time. That’s fine! Remember it’s not about winning when you are stupid! Winning is not gonna happen! You are going to lose anyway! But remember: at least you will not have blundered! And what’s really important?

There you go! Now go play chess and have fun! You’ll be a grandmaster in no time or else you will be 200 ELO but your game accuracy will be perfect.

[keluargabahagia]

Bg6 is a blunder because White will play :
7...Bxf7+, Kxf7 8...Kxe5, dxf5 9...Qxd8 or 7...Bxf7+, Kxf7 8...Kxe5, Ke8 9...Kxg4

[darrylkassle]

My dad would disagree he says I am average, dumb and I definitely don't rock. What motivational videos~ gurus have you been watching GM SMIRNOV !!!

[rahularal]

is anybody here after trying to big brain their opponent and then blundering their queen 2 seconds later?

[roryeastham]

No, as Nxe5 is winning for White.
- If Black takes the Queen, Bxf7+ Ke7 Bg5 and Black is mated.
- If Black takes the Knight instead they lose the Queen with Bxf7.

All these tactics work due to Bxf7 so maybe Be6 but that also looks bad due to Bxe6 fxe6 Qh5+.

So to conclude Bg4 is a blunder. I think the simple Be7 trying to castle is best.

[Vvott]

11:15 shouldn't maybe
Reason is white can ruin black positionally by fried liver attack. Gaining some material in exchange of queen(comparatively lower than queen) . And tactics flow from a superior position.