Post-Game Checklist – Review for Improvement
Consistent analysis is the secret to chess improvement, but knowing *what* to check is key. This Post-Game Checklist provides a structured framework for reviewing your matches. By systematically identifying critical moments and tactical errors, you ensure that every game—win or lose—contributes to your long-term growth.
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Record the Result & Opponent
Note the final score, opponent rating, and time control. Tracking this helps identify where you perform best and where you struggle.
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Replay Without an Engine
First go through the game on your own. Mark where you felt uncertain, confident, or surprised. This builds awareness of your decision process.
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Identify Critical Moments
Highlight 2–3 turning points in the game. Focus analysis on these moments rather than every move. Quality beats quantity in reviews.
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Check Blunders & Missed Tactics
Look for outright mistakes. Many games under 1600 are decided by simple tactics—spotting them helps prevent repeats.
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Then Use an Engine
Only after self-review, run the game through an engine. Compare your thoughts with the engine’s suggestions to refine your understanding.
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Note Recurring Mistakes
Did you rush in time trouble? Misplay a pawn structure? Forget an endgame principle? Recognizing patterns turns games into lessons.
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Update Training Notes
Add insights to your repertoire file or notebook. Over time, this builds a personalized improvement plan tailored to your weaknesses.
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Extract One Lesson
Don’t overload yourself. Focus on one key takeaway from each game—something you’ll consciously apply next time.
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Store the Game
Keep a PGN database of your games with annotations. This library becomes a treasure of your personal chess journey.
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Move On
Don’t obsess. Once the review is done, close the game and reset mentally. The next game is always the most important.