For those of you ranked 1800 and below, this should help your game:

This comes from a highly ranked friend of mine on this site.

Before making your seemingly "best" move,

Picture the move on the board and then:

1)  examine all your opponent checks on you and the potential consequences

2) examine all your opponent possible captures on you & the potential consequences.

3) examine all your opponent knight moves, being aware of forks

4) look at all of his pawn advances and any problems there.

If you start doing even 1&2 above, taking your time and really looking at each one, it will help your game!

More advanced:

When looking for your best move,

1) Start by looking for the threat of his last move

2) then look at all your possible checks

3) all your possible captures

4) all your knight moves

5) all your pawn advances.

Start taking your time (I have a hard time applying this) and doing this for each move, and your ranking will rise.

I hope this helps & that you all will start posting helpful tips in these forums.

Go Gators,

Dan

Good advice...

This blunder check has greatly improved my game. I am amazed at how well these  basic tips work! The hardest part is not getting into a rush, and taking the time to realize probabilities. Thanks Dan, and rock on Gator Nation!!!

I agree great advise, don't hurry and check before you confirm