There’s a general level of appreciation that all chess players have for brilliant moves.
It’s a badge of creativity, precision, and daring nature. The glowing, brilliant label shows you are unleashing your inner Mikhail Tal.
Many people wonder what makes a move “brilliant” on chess.com and how you can constantly pull off such brilliancies.
This article looks at how Chess.com awards brilliancy, the type of moves that earn that label, and practical training methods to add more brilliancy to your game.
What is a “Brilliant Move”?
Chess.com Game Review uses computer engine evaluation to classify each of the moves in a game as Excellent, Good, Book, Best, Miss, Inaccuracy, Mistake, Blunder, and the rare Brilliant.
A move is usually described as “brilliant” if it meets one or more of the following conditions.
- It sacrifices material (e.g., a queen, rook, or bishop) in a way that doesn’t seem obvious at first glance.
- It is the only move that works: either to maintain equality or gain an advantage.
- It defies logic: At first glance, the move may appear weak or strange, but upon further analysis, its strength becomes apparent.
- It requires precision: Brilliance often emerges from tactical battles and difficult defensive situations.
To recap, a brilliant move is one that both humans and engines find surprising or strange but turns out to be a crucial move to victory or survival in a game.
Typical Examples of Brilliant Moves
To fully understand what makes a brilliant move, It is necessary to see the kinds of moves that often receive the tag.
The Queen Sacrifice
Nothing gets the brilliant approval on Chess.com faster than giving up your queen, especially when it leads to forced checkmate or advantage in position.
Defensive Resources
Sometimes, the only way to avoid checkmate is an unusual retreat or intermezzo (zwischenzug).
In losing positions, finding a miracle save may earn you the “brilliant move” tag.
Quiet Moves after Chaos
Imagine sacrificing two pieces in a row, and instead of continuing with the attacks, you cold-bloodedly play a move that is Prophylactic but locks down the win.
These “quiet but deadly” moves often are brilliant, according to Chess.com.
Unexpected Counterplay
Moves that turn defense into attack, especially if they shift the evaluation dramatically, often earn the “brilliant” tag.
How To Increase Your Chances Of Playing A Brilliant Move
Brilliance doesn’t just happen by chance; it comes from creativity, skill, and knowing the important tactical motifs.
Here are steps you can take to increase your chances.
Engage with Puzzles for Training
Chess puzzles are filled with sacrificial and tactical patterns. Solving puzzles daily sharpens one’s ability to see brilliancies in actual games.
Focus on Learning about Motifs Like
- Deflection
- Discovered attack
- Clearance Sacrifice
- Bank Rank Mate
- And more importantly, Zwischenzug (intermediate moves)
Play Longer Time Controls
In Blitz or Bullet, players rarely have time to calculate moves deeply.
Brilliance often requires seeing and analyzing several moves of precise variations.
Hence, by playing longer time control like Rapid or Daily games, you have better chances of spotting those brilliances.
Study Famous Brilliances
Look at games played by creative players like Mikhail Tal, Bobby Fischer, and Kasparov.
By studying these masters who were adept at spotting sacrifices and playing some of the most brilliant moves in history.
By exposing yourself to these patterns, you will help in seeing and playing such themes in your own game.
Be Willing to Sacrifice
We all know it’s difficult to give up materials, especially when the follow-up is not so clear.
However, brilliance emerges from boldness.
Don’t fear throwing away pieces as long as you have calculated carefully. Trust your instincts; so far, the numbers work out.
Learn Defensive Tricks
Not all brilliance comes from attack. Study Endgames from books like 100 Endgame You Must Know.
Defensive motifs, such as fortresses, perpetual check, and stalemate tricks, should be learned.
Often, your opponent’s winning attack can be neutralized in one brilliant move.
Psychology of Brilliance
Brilliant moves have a significant impact on your opponent’s mindset.
A surprise sacrifice can stun your opponent, pushing them to second-guess themselves and further spiral into loss.
When you play brilliant moves, you are simply not getting the “Brilliant” tag. You are influencing your opponent’s psychology and confidence.
Leveraging Chess.com Tools for Improvement
Chess.com provides various features to help train, sharpen, and improve your chances at brilliance.
Game Review
After each game, analyze your brilliant moves, and ask why the engine praises any move. And if there’s a brilliance, understand why.
Puzzle Rush
Puzzles help build pattern recognition under time pressure; several puzzles are built on ideas that could qualify as brilliant.
Lessons
Chess.com has the lesson feature where you can learn more about tactics, follow historical games, and take Grandmaster lessons.
This will enhance your chess understanding and ability to play brilliant moves.
Conclusion
Brilliant moves in chess embody creativity, courage, and precision under pressure, surpassing mere engine-approved sacrifices.
While the “Brilliant” tag on Chess.com may feel rare and elusive, it isn’t just a matter of luck.
With deliberate training in tactical motifs, exposure to master games, and the discipline to calculate deeply, players can improve their chances of producing moves worthy of the label.
At its core, brilliance comes from boldness balanced with accuracy, and every attempt to seek it strengthens your overall chess understanding.
So rather than chasing the tag alone, focus on improving your skills.
join the conversation