user9025: I've taken up correspondence chess again, and planning has always been one of my biggest weaknesses. It's still something with which I struggle. Besides analyzing specific variations, how do correspondence players keep track of the plans they want to execute, or prevent their opponent from carrying out, during a game?
For example, in a recent game, I knew I needed to not let my opponent put his rook on the 7th rank, as he would likely win another pawn, which I let happen a few moves later.

user7657: Although it's been many years since I participated,  I used to play postal chess by snail mail.  For each game I would write down and keep analysis of significant lines each time I moved so I didn't forget them in the interval. I would also write notes concerning what ideas I had in general for the position.  I also tried to keep the number of games to a manageable amount to avoid confusion, generally 6 to 12 games at a time. I always had good results with this method.

user-1: I write a short description in my notebook for each move I make, unless it is a trivial move (e.g. a forced recapture, an opening move I know already or an endgame that I know already).
I try to imitate the style used in Logical Chess by Irving Chernev.

9025: <p>I've taken up correspondence chess again, and planning has always been one of my biggest weaknesses. It's still something with which I struggle. Besides analyzing specific variations, how do correspondence players keep track of the plans they want to execute, or prevent their opponent from carrying out, during a game?</p>

<p>For example, in a recent game, I knew I needed to not let my opponent put his rook on the 7th rank, as he would likely win another pawn, which I let happen a few moves later.</p>
 7657: <p>Although it's been many years since I participated,  I used to play postal chess by snail mail.  For each game I would write down and keep analysis of significant lines each time I moved so I didn't forget them in the interval. I would also write notes concerning what ideas I had in general for the position.  I also tried to keep the number of games to a manageable amount to avoid confusion, generally 6 to 12 games at a time. I always had good results with this method.</p>
 -1: <p>I write a short description in my notebook for each move I make, unless it is a trivial move (e.g. a forced recapture, an opening move I know already or an endgame that I know already).</p>

<p>I try to imitate the style used in <em>Logical Chess</em> by Irving Chernev.</p>
