Kostya Kavutskiy: Mastering Calculation - Think Clearly, Calculate Precisely, Improve Consistently

by ChessBase
6/29/2026 – In his new ChessBase course, IM Kostya Kavutskiy focuses on one of the most important and challenging skills in chess: calculation. Drawing on more than 15 years of coaching experience and his work with ChessDojo, he presents key concepts, patterns and practical techniques to help players calculate more clearly and objectively. The course also includes challenging assessments with instructive puzzles, encouraging students to test their skills, avoid tempting but flawed solutions and continue improving even after completing the video lessons.

Chess is a concrete game. There is no way around training your calculation skills. Improve your visualization, pattern recognition and learn calculation techniques such as reciprocal thinking with this course.
Calculation is at the heart of practical chess. Every chess concept builds on proper calculation technique. Therefore, all chess players should continuosly train the fundamental techniques, concepts and patterns this course will present. The goal isn't only to teach you to calculate, but to give you the tools and insights to keep improving long after the final lesson.
Free sample video: Introduction

Free sample video: Quiet Moves

Mastering Calculation - Think Clearly, Calculate Precisely, Improve Consistently  

by Kostya Kavutskiy

Calculation is at the heart of practical chess. Every chess concept builds on proper calculation technique. Therefore, all chess players should continuosly train the fundamental techniques, concepts and patterns this course will present. The goal isn't only to teach you to calculate, but to give you the tools and insights to keep improving long after the final lesson.

Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: Quiet Moves

The Techniques you will learn in this course:

  • Brute Force Thinking: Learn the disciplined habit of always starting your analysis with the most forcing moves, examining every check and capture to its conclusion before considering anything quieter.
  • Candidate Moves: Discover how to widen your search beyond the obvious, because the hardest part of finding the winning move is often simply considering it in the first place.
  • Tactical Pattern Recognition: Build the foundation of tactical vision by absorbing the recurring patterns that let strong players spot combinations almost instantly.
  • Quiet Moves: Train your eye to find the moves that are neither checks nor captures yet carry a deadly threat.
  • Advanced Tactical Themes: Master the sophisticated ideas that hide inside combinations, including the Zwischenzug, interference, and blocking theme.
  • Visualization: Develop the ability to hold a position clearly in your mind's eye and see it accurately several moves deep.
  • Evaluation: Build a framework for knowing when to stop calculating and weigh a position on its merits.
  • Finding Difficult Moves: Train yourself to find the counterintuitive shots that most players dismiss out of hand.
  • Mental Agility: Cultivate the flexibility to stay open to unexpected resources rather than locking onto your first idea.
  • Reciprocal Thinking: Learn the logical art of understanding why an idea fails and then changing the position to make it work.
  • Spotting Your Opponent's Resources: Tackle one of the hardest skills of all: looking for your opponent's chances as hard as you look for your own.

Running time: 4 hours 28 minutes
Chess is a concrete game. There is no way around training your calculation skills. Improve your visualization, pattern recognition and learn calculation techniques such as reciprocal thinking with this course.
Calculation is at the heart of practical chess. Every chess concept builds on proper calculation technique. Therefore, all chess players should continuosly train the fundamental techniques, concepts and patterns this course will present. The goal isn't only to teach you to calculate, but to give you the tools and insights to keep improving long after the final lesson.
Free sample video: Introduction

Free sample video: Quiet Moves

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