Kotov's Theory of Calculating variations

Here is the theory of Kotov based on "How to Calculate Variations" (Step By Step)

• In beginning our calculations,we must first of all list all possible moves in the position - the 'candidate moves' - so as to ensure that we do not overlook some important possibility.
• Having done this,we then calculate each variation in turn. The order in which we do this depends on the character of the player and the characteristics of the position.Every player has his own way of doing this. One prefers to start with the most difficult lines,and only then turn to the easier ones, while onother players prefer the opposite.
• All of the possible lines can be pictured as a 'tree of variations'.
• The main rule of calculating is that the player must train during a game to go over each branch of the tree only once and must not be tempted to return to lines he has already looked at.

Kotov's Theory of calculating variations is very useful and can be useful for finding hidden possibilities even in the most solid position.

Not only to find hidden possibilities ,but one can also find out hidden threats against him in deep variations.

But Valeri Beim in his book "How to calculate chess tactics" Says that this theory is not applicable in every situations.