How to Analyse Your Games
Analysing your own games is one of the fastest ways to improve, but it’s easy to stare at a finished game and not know what to look for. Use the checklist for your rating band below. Each band includes everything from the bands before it, so as you improve, your post-game review grows with you.
Don’t have a rating yet? Start with the first checklist.
Below 1000
Did I or my opponent hang any pieces?
A hanging piece is a piece which is undefended, and taking that piece is the best move. Go through the game slowly and, on every move, check whether anything of yours or theirs was left undefended. At this level, most games are decided by hung pieces, so spotting them (and the ones you missed at the board) is the single most valuable habit you can build.
1000–1500
Everything in the checklist above, plus:
What tactics emerged?
Look for the moments where a pin, fork, skewer, or discovered attack appeared, whether it was played, missed, or successfully avoided. See Winning Chess Tactics on our books page for a thorough tour of the tactical motifs.
When did the game deviate from opening theory?
Find the first move where you (or your opponent) left known theory, and look up what the main line recommends instead. Searching for your opening’s name on YouTube is a good free way to learn the theory, and there are excellent video guides for every common opening.
1500–2000
Everything in both checklists above, plus:
What pawn weaknesses were created?
Trace where isolated, doubled, or backward pawns appeared in the game, who created them, and whether they ended up mattering.
Did I choose the appropriate plan for the pawn structure?
At this level, games are often decided by who picked the right plan, not who saw the deepest tactic. Compare the plan you followed with the plans typical of the structure you had. See Chess Structures: A Grandmaster’s Guide on our books page for a structure-by-structure guide.
Want to go over a game with someone? Bring your scoresheet along on Tuesday evenings and a club member will be happy to look at it with you.