Post-Mortem

A post-mortem is the analysis and discussion of a completed chess game, usually by the players, to identify mistakes, better moves, and lessons learned.

Category
Strategy
Also in
Tactics, Etiquette
Difficulty
Intermediate
Also known as
post-game analysis, game analysis, postmortem, post mortem, game review, analysis session, debrief

Post-mortem is the review of a finished chess game, most often by the two players together, to understand what happened and extract lessons.

The discussion usually starts right after the game or soon afterward. Players retrace the key moments, point out mistakes, and explore better alternatives. The goal is improved understanding rather than proving who was right.

Why post-mortems matter

Club players improve fastest when they examine their own games. A post-mortem reveals recurring weaknesses—such as missing candidate moves in sharp positions or misjudging pawn-structure changes—that engine checks alone often miss. Talking through the game also trains the habit of thinking in concrete variations rather than general impressions.

How to conduct one well

  • Begin with the opening and note where the game left known theory.
  • Identify two or three critical moments; for each, ask what both sides missed and what the strongest replies were.
  • Keep the tone collaborative. Treat every position as a shared puzzle rather than a contest of egos.
  • Finish by stating one or two concrete lessons (for example, “I must check checks and captures before every move in time trouble”).

When engines are available, use them only after the human discussion. Let the engine confirm or refute ideas rather than replace thinking. If the opponent is unavailable, a quiet solo review with a scoresheet or database still counts as a post-mortem and remains one of the most effective training habits at club level.

Frequently asked questions

What is a post-mortem in chess?
A post-mortem is the review of a finished chess game, most often by the two players together, to understand what happened and extract lessons.
Why should players analyze their games in a post-mortem?
Club players improve fastest when they examine their own games soon after play, revealing recurring weaknesses such as missed candidate moves that engines alone often overlook.
How should players conduct a post-mortem?
Begin with the opening to note where the game left known theory, identify two or three critical moments, and jointly analyze what both sides missed while keeping a collaborative tone.
When is the best time to hold a post-mortem?
The discussion usually starts right after the game or soon afterward while memories remain fresh, ending with one or two concrete lessons to guide future play.

See also

  • Bonehead Move — A bonehead move is an obvious blunder such as hanging a piece or allowing an elementary tactic that a player of the same strength should spot instantly.
  • Brilliancy — A brilliancy is a striking, often sacrificial move or sequence whose originality, depth, and elegance transform the position in an unexpected yet forcing way to produce a decisive advantage.
  • Chess Blindness — Chess blindness is a player's temporary inability to see an obvious move, capture, or threat on the board, typically caused by fatigue, time pressure, or fixation on a single idea.
  • Compensation — Compensation is a positional or dynamic advantage such as initiative, better pawn structure, or attacking chances that offsets a material deficit.
  • Cramped Position — A cramped position restricts a player's piece mobility due to insufficient space, typically from their own pawns blocking development or the opponent's pieces controlling key squares.
  • Dead Draw — A dead draw is a position offering neither side any realistic winning chances even against suboptimal defense, typically from insufficient material or blocked structures that prevent all progress.

Referenced by

  • Chess Boomer — A Chess Boomer is a player from the baby-boomer generation who typically favors classical openings, over-the-board tournaments, and pre-computer-era study habits.

Written by Chesswick.

Reviewed by Benjamin Himmel.

Published
Last updated

About the reviewer

Benjamin Himmel

Ben's been in love with chess since he was seven years old, when his grandfather taught him the Sicilian Defense on a well-worn board that had traveled through three generations of family game nights.

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