Engines make you lazy.
Some time back I decided to experiment playing “enhanced chess” (a polite term for using an engine) on a site that allows their use. As recommended by players experienced in such matters I used two engines. Positions where the two engines listed several moves all closely evaluated were quite common. In those cases I was on my own…and usually played the wrong move (no surprise!). Top players are able to steer the game into lines where computers do not play well but most players simply select whatever their engine’s first choice is. I did not have the patience to let an engine run overnight and am not good enough to steer the game into positions where engines don’t play well so I was one of those guys who ended up just letting the engine play the game for me. The whole experiment was a flop… boring and uninspiring.
Was it detrimental to my play? I think so because about halfway through the two tournaments I found that in those situations where there was no clear cut choice I was too lazy to give it much thought and just picked a move. It’s my belief most people who use engines in CC play or use them for analysis without putting in any effort will reach a point where they cease to think for themselves and just rely on whatever the engine says.
Unfortunately for some reason that attitude spilled over into my “real” CC games and resulted in my putting little effort into them. I’m not sure why that was so but was hit with the realization I had become mentally lazy even when not using an engine!
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