The 10-Minute Post-Game Review
Most players either donβt review their games β or they spend far too long and learn very little. This page gives you a 10-minute system that works.
The goal is not perfect analysis. The goal is to extract one useful lesson per game.
Why Most Game Analysis Fails
- Jumping straight to the engine
- Trying to analyse every move
- Getting lost in opening theory
- No written takeaway
A short, repeatable review beats a deep analysis you never finish.
When to Do This Review
- Immediately after the game (best)
- Later the same day
- Before your next session
Even reviewing one game per week consistently is enough to drive improvement.
The 10-Minute Breakdown
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Minute 1 β Game Snapshot
Answer quickly (no board yet if possible):
- Opening played
- Result
- Where did it feel like the game turned?
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Minutes 2β4 β The Critical Moment
Find the single position where the game changed: a blunder, missed tactic, bad plan, or time scramble.
Related: Blunder Taxonomy
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Minutes 5β6 β Why Did It Happen?
Ask:
- Did I miss a threat?
- Did I mis-evaluate the position?
- Was I short on time?
- Did I assume instead of calculate?
If this repeats often: Why You Are Losing at Chess
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Minutes 7β8 β One Better Alternative
Find one reasonable alternative you could have played. This is not about finding the best engine move β just something more solid or practical.
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Minutes 9β10 β The Takeaway
Write one sentence:
βNext time I will ________.β
Examples: check forcing moves first, castle before attacking, simplify when ahead.
Should You Use an Engine?
Yes β but only after this review.
- Use engines to confirm your conclusion
- Check only the critical moment
- Ignore long tactical lines you wouldnβt find in a game
More detail: Engines Without Overfitting
This Review Is Especially Useful If Youβ¦
- Blunder in winning positions
- Feel stuck at the same rating
- Play a lot but donβt improve
- Donβt know what to study next
Diagnosis: Diagnose Your Chess Weakness
How This Fits Your Training
- Daily or weekly review habit
- Feeds your weakest-link training
- Prevents random study
See also: Minimum Effective Chess Routine β’ Training for Busy People
This review alone can fix more mistakes than hours of passive study.
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