Define the mission
Set the result goal, color, time budget and the player's own request.
- Key decision
- What kind of position is worth pursuing in this match?
- Output
- A preparation mission with clear constraints.
The method · 01—07More analysis
More analysis
is not the goal.
The measure of preparation is the quality of decisions it helps the player make. Our seven-stage framework runs from the match mission to the post-game review.
The preparation loopSeven stages.
Seven stages.
One connected system.
Each stage changes the next one. The opponent file is useless without the player profile; the best line is useless without a plan the player can use.
Stage 01 / 07Before the database: goal, colour, time.
- 01
Define the mission
Set the result goal, color, time budget, and player’s needs before opening a database.
- 02
Know your player
Map repertoire, familiar structures, practical strengths, and preferred information load.
- 03
Scout the opponent
Study recent games, likely responses, decision patterns, and the strength of the evidence.
- 04
Choose the battlefield
Compare candidate openings for soundness, player fit, opponent likelihood, and learning cost.
- 05
Validate the lines
Test best defense, deviations, tactical risk, human plans, and counter-preparation.
- 06
Brief and rehearse
Compress the work into a player-ready file and test recall of plans, not only moves.
- 07
Review the game
Assess the preparation separately from the result, then update the next opponent and player files.
Inside each stageWhat we ask.
What we ask.
What we hand over.
Know your player
Map the player's repertoire, experienced pawn structures, practical strengths, earlier preparation and preferred amount of information.
- Key decision
- Which positions can this player understand and play well?
- Output
- A player profile shaped with the player and coach.
Scout the opponent
Check repertoire, recency, position preference, decision patterns and adaptation after surprises or losses. Separate classical games from other time controls and mark small samples.
- Key decision
- Which responses are likely — and how strong is the evidence?
- Output
- An opponent map with confidence and sample notes.
Choose the battlefield
Compare candidate openings for theoretical soundness, player fit, opponent likelihood, practical complexity and learning cost.
- Key decision
- Which battlefield offers the best practical game?
- Output
- A shortlist of candidate paths and reasons for rejecting others.
Validate the lines
Test best defence, off-main-line replies, human difficulty and counter-preparation. Keep engine-checked, analyst-approved and player-ready states distinct.
- Key decision
- What breaks if the opponent chooses differently?
- Output
- Validated lines, critical positions and risk notes.
Brief and rehearse
Keep a complete analyst file, compress a player-ready file, then rehearse plans and decisions as well as moves.
- Key decision
- What can the player recall and use before the round?
- Output
- A brief the player can actually carry to the board.
Review the game
Check whether the opponent forecast held, where theory ended, what the player remembered and which new information should enter the files.
- Key decision
- Did the preparation work, regardless of the final result?
- Output
- A post-game review that improves the next brief.
A closer look · Opponent scoutingPast games are evidence.
Past games are evidence.
Not a prediction by themselves.
We examine five different signals. Each forecast should carry its source, the number of relevant games, recency and level of confidence.
Which branches appear, and against what choices?
Has the opponent changed direction lately?
Which structures repeatedly occur?
What choices appear in comparable situations?
How do choices change after a surprise or loss?
Quality controlFour ways to
Four ways to
challenge a line.
Objective
Does it survive the opponent's best defence?
Alternative
What if the opponent exits the main line?
Human
Which resulting decisions are hard, and what must the player understand?
Adversarial
How would an opposing analyst attack the idea?
01Candidate02Engine checked03Human approved04Player ready
Transfer to the playerThree layers of
Three layers of
attention.
A complete file serves the analyst and coach. The player gets a narrower view and a short rehearsal. How much to show depends on the time and energy before the game.
01 / 03Complete research
Analyst Master File
Candidate lines, alternatives, sources, evaluations, and risk notes for the analyst and coach.
02 / 03Decision-ready
Player Preparation File
The lines, critical positions, ideas, and likely deviations the player can realistically review.
03 / 03Ready to play
Final Recall Check
A short rehearsal that checks understanding of plans and decisions, not only memorized moves.
Match-specificFor the next opponent
Adapt researched ideas to one opponent, color and match goal.
Long-termFor the season ahead
Develop and retain ideas well before the next pairings are announced.
Preparation readiness · 10 checks
Before the player sits down.
- 01
Match goal and time constraints are defined
- 02
Player repertoire and current needs are reviewed
- 03
Recent opponent games are validated
- 04
Forecast confidence and evidence are recorded
- 05
Candidate paths are aligned with player or coach
- 06
Main lines and alternatives are technically checked
- 07
Counter-preparation and theory exits are considered
- 08
The player has rehearsed key plans
- 09
The final brief is approved and kept private
- 10
Preparation is reviewed after the game
After the game
The result is not the review.
A player can lose after excellent preparation or win despite a failed opening forecast. We review the prediction, the deviation point, player recall and plans after theory, then update both player and opponent files.
Your move
Discuss your preparationBring us the next preparation question.
A match goal, color and deadline are enough to begin defining the work.