Alex Colovic

THE METHOD is live. A practical guide to chess improvement built from how I actually trained: • Studying games for intuition • Puzzles for calculation • Online play for discipline (without numb clicking) Includes the PDF + a downloadable PGN database covering the last 3 World Championship matches (commented by me). Get it here: alexcolovic.com/TheMethod

If you went through a game and never stopped to check a few moves yourself, to calculate them and to evaluate the ensuing positions, you didn’t really study it. This is what chapter one of The Method is about.

@Santiagochess64 I guess it took me a long way to arrive...

@GMAlexColovic took me a long time to realize this on my own, where you were GM Alex!

There is a difference between studying chess and exposing yourself to chess. Watching videos, reading annotations, and scrolling through lines can feel serious while leaving your judgment untouched. The opponent doesn’t care how much you consumed. They care how well you play.

@ginger_gm @DavidHowellGM The things we do for love.

Shocking to see that @DavidHowellGM has packed in his chess career and opened up a florist shop in Oslo 😱 Thought that I should pop along and support him on his first day ❤️ Pop into '64 Flowers' if you are in the Oslo area. (This is not an AI picture)

@JourneyChess Perhaps you can check The Method and see if it relates to your expectations how chess should be studied.

I can relate. I used to think I was "taking chess seriously," but I was really doing what you describe here. I am also considering working with a coach again, but the coaches I've worked with in the past were more interested in taking my money than guiding my chess improvement.

@alois_knight Great for social media!

@GMAlexColovic the great bluebaum sweep

I've just recorded my Candidates preview! 3 tiers, the favourites, the possible and the unlikely. It is out on Saturday at 12.45pm CET.

@McCreadyChess Nothing's wrong with it, but there is this thing called fashion.

@GMAlexColovic I've often thought that. Can't see anything that's wrong with it.

I can't escape the feeling that the Queen's Gambit Accepted is underused at the highest level. Maybe Cyprus Candidates will change that.

@MaxMurrayX Not by me! But feel free to check the videos on my channel!

@GMAlexColovic We often get a featured opening come out of the woodwork at the candidates. Maybe it will be QGA!

@MorrisHern To a certain extent it is true for all strong players.

@GMAlexColovic Losses in chess make me think of Carlsen and his ability to come back and win. He often seems almost possessed and unstoppable after a loss. But is that the case for Caruana and Nakamura?

Both Caruana and Nakamura losing matches before the Candidates is probably good for them. Losses always make you more wary and that will be helpful to keep it controlled in the tense atmosphere.

@CmielThorsten No course for now, just several videos on my channel you can check.

@GMAlexColovic When comes your course or do you have one? Btw. Gukesh played it in Toronto 2024.

How realistic are Koneru's fears about flying to Cyprus? It is an important topic, but Fide says all is fine, while a player obviously doesn't think so. Some resemblance to Yekaterinburg, Covid and Radjabov.

@caulixtla And yet, some are undaunted at the prospect.

@GMAlexColovic I will give people an idea of what it would take to prepare opening theory for Chess960: samboy.github.io/ChessVariantRe… This shows a 21-ply Stockfish18 analysis of all 960 positions of Chess960. To memorize only White’s best opening move for all 960 positions is, well, daunting.

Freestyle chess (I prefer Fischer Random) starts in South Africa. They said they prefer it to "just" chess because it doesn't have theory. But what they do now is they actually analyse these positions with the same engines and start creating theory! Go figure.

@MaxMurrayX They don't have problems with confidence. What they need is the best possible balance between confidence and carefulness.

We learn more from losses than wins. You put a good spin on it. But, Naka and Fabi should be peaking in form for the candidates. The match losses will make them more cautious and will shake confidence, which is problematic because there is only the top prize in this tournament and second through last place walk away empty-handed in that regard. The winner must take risks. There can be only one.

@alois_knight Yeah, the ultimate player, Naka. All sorts of puns intended.

@GMAlexColovic i think very much depends. someone like fischer (and me for sure, just to put myself next to him) would definitely not benefit from it. in this case also, nakamura is feigning humbleness, absolutely sure hes not enjoying himself right now

@Twitagra_DM That is not how strong players react to losses. Check what Alekhine said on the topic.

@GMAlexColovic Yeh, sharpens you to get punched in the nose. Complacency is always bad.

@dgriffinchess Seems to be analysing the Evans Gambit!!

Vasily Smyslov, pictured during the 12th USSR Championship final in Moscow, September 1940. The 19-year-old, on his first appearance in the event, sensationally finished in 3rd place (ahead of, amongst others, Keres & Botvinnik). (📷: A. Yegorov / FotoSoyuz.) #chess

"What the hand does, the mind remembers." - attributed to Maria Montessori. That is exactly what The Method does and why it works.