Process
Variation
You might say: calculated line, move tree
A variation is one candidate move followed by the opponent's best replies and the player's continuations, ending when the position can be evaluated or a forcing result is reached. Keep the board state, move order, and side to move explicit.
- What it does
- Exposes refutations and winning continuations before a move is committed.
- Ask
- What is the opponent's strongest forcing reply, and what position remains after the line?
- Typical
- From a single reply to a branching tree; stop at a stable position or a forced result.
- Trouble
- A line is extended past the useful point while a forcing reply, changed defender, or move-order issue is forgotten.
Pattern
Connections
- Made by: Calculation
- Raises: Blunder check
Sources
- Bryan Smith, Forcing Moves, Part 1, article
When we calculate variations, we should always pay attention – and calculate first – the forcing moves.
- Bryan Smith, Forcing Moves, Part 1, article
It is pure calculation that allows a chess player to decide between these two moves.
Use it on your project
teardown-apply: hold "Variation" (variation) from the teardown at https://teardownatlas.com/chess/ against my project
Paste it into a coding agent that has the teardown skills.
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