How to Use Inert and Forward Images in Chess

Inert imaging in chess involves assessing an existing position and regarding it as the final assessment of the game. Even though the game is going to continue, you’ve made up your mind that the game is over, there are just some minor difficulties to overcome and you don’t feel they will take much mental challenge.

When you utilize inert imaging, you are transferring the present situation to the future and thus weakening your objectivity when assessing current positions on the board. Often an inert image is made in haste and is incorrect, leading you to make assumptions about continued play that also incorrect.

You may feel you recognize a well-known type of position which you think will predetermine the end result of the game. This assumption causes you to relax your attention and you become complacent and often over-confident. You lower your ability to switch your attention and analyze ahead, thus causing you to make errors.

Often you come to see these inert images when you feel you have the better position or even winning position on the board. Feeling over-confident in your position you overlook the possibility of changes in positions. You are guided solely by the present inert image without taking into consideration any changes.

Although inert images by their nature present a negative front because they cause deficiencies in thinking. With practice and training, you can overcome the negative aspects. You need to train yourself to look for paradoxical situations, develop more concrete thinking and look for exceptions to the rules.

Another means to overcome inert images is to take yourself out of your plans and objectives and place yourself in your opponent’s mind. Cross to the other side of the board and look at the positions through your opponent’s eyes. This allows you to discover a more objective approach to assessing each situation and therefore avoiding pre-conceived assessments.

Forward images come about when players are thinking about future changes in positions. Often forward images become so over-estimated in player’s minds that they can appear as though the already exist on the board. Forward images can come in two forms; one is where your opponent’s possible threats become accepted as already present or become such an obsession that you treat them real factors when assessing the current positions. The second is when you put to much emphasis on your own possible future maneuvers that you are unprepared for actual positions.

Another way to describe forward images is to think of them as mirages created by your imagination. Forward imaging causes you to become so wrapped up in the mirage that you can’t transfer your attention back to the reality of the situation.

While future imaging can have a negative impact on your game, it has a positive side also. Used properly it can help you develop your imagination when mixed with perception. Learn to use forward images to foresee events on the board. After our opponent makes his move, take the time to evaluate the forward image, look the board over one more time, re-evaluate your move and then make your move.