Traps, Tricks & Mistakes: Visualization

The deeper the visualization a player has, the higher the chance he/she has to succeed in chess. It is well known the importance of playing according to a plan. Chess is a game with two players involved and each one follows his/her own plan. Very often both plans interfere and adjustments are unavoidable. For that reason, anticipation is good. And only with deep visualization, the player can anticipate the opponent’s plan. Foresee and understanding the opponent’s plan helps to make the most convenient adjustments if it is necessary.

Today’s game corresponds to a tournament that took place in Moscow, 2005. None of the contenders were titled players at that time. But Alina Kashinskaya has now the IM title and has had a good progression. Kashlinskaya embarked on a combination apparently promising the win of a piece. However, her opponent could anticipate her intention and concluded that there was no danger for him.

Igor Maksimov had a deeper visualization than Alina Kashlinskaya. For that reason, he could proceed with his plan and took advantage of Kashlinskaya’s weak tactical attempt.

Kashlinskaya was too greedy because she wanted to exploit not only the threat over the b2 pawn but also take advantage of the diagonal b6-g1.

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