PART 1 • The position is set – what now?
Play practice games against the engine starting from your position. This
is potentially the best way to explore chess positions using a playing program because it lets you test your own ideas against your computerized
sparring partner. Try different ideas and candidate moves from game to
game and, if you make a mistake, don't be afraid to take moves back
and try something else. In this manner you're learning about the position
“hands on”, by doing, not just by looking at computer's suggested variation.
This method is especially useful for practicing endgames. After studying
a particular type of endgame, set up the same positions you've studied
from your book, video, or software and try your hand against a chess engine to see if you can duplicate the winning technique. Then set up some
imaginary positions using the same material to try applying the concepts
you've learned to other, similar endings.
Your chess engine can be both an advisor and a sparring partner when
you're trying to figure out a chess position from a database, book, or video. Try all three methods; each will increase your chess knowledge in a
different way, all by using the same basic function of your chess playing
program.
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