In the game below, after move White moves 20. cxb5, Stockfish tells me I'm basically up 5+ points. I don't see it, and I know it's because I'm terrible at evaluating positions (for evidence watch me almost piss the game away over the next 7-8 moves). How do I get better at reading the board?
en.lichess.org/wjUD58z9/black#45im not an excelent chess player, but in that position u have an extra piece and a better pawn structure in queen side, and after cxb5 he is completely loss, because of your pawn structure in queen side, also, he gave you an open file for you rook in A8 (if you played 23.bxa4 instead of 23.h5).
Also, this brings to a position were your C pawn has the C file free of enemy pawns, with almost free path for promoting.
Sorry for my english, that all i see.
+3 or +4 or +5 or +6 does not matter: your position was completely won.
There are interdependent hints to look for to help evaluate the position. Using this game for all examples.
1. King safety. Since mate ends the game this is the most important one. At move 22, remove Black's dark square Bishop, and you will see a weakness around Black's King. White can post his pieces on f6 and h6 with serious effect.
2. Open lines. If the pieces can't move, they are useless. At move 22, g6 was played to close the line for White's Bishop and Queen, and h4 is an attempt to open the line again.
3. Material. The more pieces you have, the easier it is to win the game.
4. Active pieces. If your pieces are "staring into space." On move 21, Black's Bf6 is pointing toward a1, hitting nothing. It is useful by preventing the Ra1 move, but it would be much better on d4, pointing toward the King. White's Bf3 is passively placed and its only duty is to protect d5 and the white squares around his King.
5. Pawn structure. Pawns show hints of how to play. They provide outpost support, cramping effect, space advantage, hints of which side to attack on, weaknesses to attack, and other tactical/strategic ideas.
With the exception of material, all things are based upon the position of the pawns. There are exceptions and other criteria, but that is advanced and would take too much space.
@rodrigoelmaestro,
@jonesmh Maybe I just need to go back are start reviewing my games in more detail. If I stare at a position long enough I can figure it out, but when I'm playing 10+0 I'm usually fumbling around and not really watching the board. Thanks for the feedback.
@tpr The problem is I couldn't see that it was a winning position.
You were one piece up with no relevant compensation for him. That is a won position.