Why I Love Miniature Games

A miniature game is one that ends in under 25 moves, generally because of a decisive attack or combination.  These are excellent training tools, for a number of reasons:

1. Efficient: It is possible to review several entire games in a small period of time.
2. Capitalization: One side punishes the other's mistakes.  We thus learn to recognize common mistakes and how to take advantage.
3. Thematic: The same types of mistakes occur again and again, generally from the same root causes.  This makes it easier to learn and absorb.
4. Applicable: You can apply the lessons in your own games quickly.  Contrast endgames, where you might not play an endgame you have studied for a long time.
5. Fun: Seeing someone get blasted off the board always brings a smile to my face.

This the start of a two-part series.  Today, I want to dive deep into these reasons and convince you why a portion of your study time should include miniature games.  In the follow-up, I describe exactly how to do this. If you can't wait until then, feel free to click on this mystery link.  It may or may not take you to a free video series on miniature games by a certain chess blogger.

Spoiler Alert: I have created a new video series on miniature games.