--- title: "Post-game analysis in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/post-game-analysis.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/post-game-analysis" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "Post-game analysis is the discussion or private review held right after a game. Many players quickly walk away from a loss, which wastes that chance." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/game-review-habit.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/game-review.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/engine-analysis.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/resilience.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/study-plan.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/coach.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/training-psychology.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Post-game analysis in chess > **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md. Post-game analysis is the discussion or private review held right after a game. Many players quickly walk away from a loss, which wastes that chance. Post-game analysis is the discussion or private review held right after a game, in which both players or one player alone retrace the moves and identify the turning points, missed ideas and lessons. The best moment to learn from a game is often straight after it ends, while the ideas are still fresh. Many players quickly walk away from a loss, which wastes that chance. A short post-mortem with your opponent can reveal lines neither of you saw and shows how the other side was thinking, something no [engine](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-engine.md) can tell you. Stay curious and polite. Ask where they felt the game turned, what they were afraid of and which moves they considered. Share your own doubts honestly. You may discover that a move you were proud of was a [mistake](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mistake.md), or that a position you thought was lost held resources. A common error is arguing about who was better. The point is to learn, not to win again. Another is trusting a casual verdict as final, because quick analysis misses things. After the conversation, write down two or three key moments and your thinking at each while you still remember it. Later, check them with an engine and fold the lessons into your study notes. Even five minutes of this routine builds the foundation of a long-term [game review habit](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/game-review-habit.md). Also called: post-mortem. It sits close to [Coach](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/coach.md). A chess coach is a more experienced player or teacher who helps a student improve by diagnosing weaknesses, structuring study, reviewing games and keeping the student accountable to a steady training routine. A neighboring idea is [Resilience](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/resilience.md). Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from a blunder, a lost game or a bad tournament round and keep playing your best chess without carrying the setback into the next decision. Compare it with [Tilt](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tilt.md). Tilt is a state of frustration or emotional disturbance after a setback, where a player stops thinking clearly, plays faster or more recklessly, and makes worse decisions than usual. Training ideas such as "Post-game analysis" work best with a plan built for you, and the [first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md) with George Li produces one from your own games. ## Related terms - [Game review habit](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/game-review-habit.md) - [Game review](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/game-review.md) - [Engine analysis](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/engine-analysis.md) - [Resilience](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/resilience.md) - [Study plan](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/study-plan.md) - [Coach](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/coach.md) ## Guides that go further - [How to choose a chess coach](https://georgelichess.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-coach.md): What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid. - [How much does chess coaching cost?](https://georgelichess.com/chess-coaching-cost.md): Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each. - [The first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li. [Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com. ## Related - [Game review habit in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/game-review-habit.md) - [Game review in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/game-review.md) - [Engine analysis in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/engine-analysis.md) - [Resilience in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/resilience.md) - [Study plan in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/study-plan.md) - [Coach in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/coach.md) - [Chess terms: Training and psychology](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/training-psychology.md) - [Chess terms glossary: plain definitions](https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md)