The major problem in chess is concentration. It is a special kind of concentration requiring special training. Most people believe that they lose concentration if they are distracted from the actual game, or are thinking about something else, but more commonly the absolute opposite is true: they are thinking about the game and losing concentration. Any blunder is an indication of this. You may think that you did not lose concentration, but if you made a mistake, you lost it. Secondly, many mistakes come from choosing a new move without thinking after spending lots of time on other ideas. You can hope your slip was not crucial, but it often is.                                      

During his match with Petrosian, Spassky was often asked why he offered draws when he had a better position. Spassky explained that if he noticed a mistake in his calculations, even if only in one sideline, that was a sign that he could not concentrate that day, and so he preferred to draw the game immediately. Spassky's insight was eventually rewarded; he became World Champion.                

How do you improve your concentration so you make fewer mistakes during a game? There is only one way: Training. Thinking during a tournament game should be a pleasant walk in the park compared to chess training. Like the old military adage says: War for soldiers should be rest from training!

To start, set up the position after the moves:

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 c5 7.Bb2 Nc6 8.e3 b6 9.Nc3 dxc4 10.bxc4 Bb7 11.d3 Rc8 12.Qe2 Qc7 13.Rad1 a6 14.Ne1 Na7 15.f4 b5 16.g4 Rb8 17.g5 Ne8 18.cxb5 axb5 19.Ne4 Rd8 20.Nf3 Bd5 21.Ne5 f6 22.gxf6 Nxf6 23.Ng5 Qb6 24.Kh1 Bxg2+ 25.Qxg2 Nd5 26.Rf3 Bxg5 27.Qxg5 Qb7 28.Rg1 Nxe3 29.Qh6 Nf5 30.Qxe6+ Kh8

ANALYZE THS POSITION FOR 30 MINUTES!

Now, analyze this position for thirty minutes. Ask yourself what kinds of forced lines would cross your mind during a tournament game, and record them. Now, choose what you think is the best move.

The game score is Dzindzichashvili-Tseshkovsky, Tbilisi, 1973.

Dzindzi was in big time trouble at this point in the game, and his solution showed amazing fighting spirit. I've always been impressed with this game, and hope you will be too. Now, turn away from this article and spend half an hour analyzing the forcing lines of the position above, then compare your answer to Dzindzichashvili's.

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