The Checklist - questions to ask and answer on every move.

    I am working on my chess thinking, and developing good anti-blunder habits.  Here is my current basic thinking plan.

1. Can my opponent play a check?
2. Can my opponent capture any of my pieces?
3. Does my opponent pose any other immediate threats?
4. What should be my strategy here - defend?  improve? attack?
5. Where should I play?   Which part of the board has the best opportunities for me?
6. What is my plan?  What are my candidate moves?  Where should my pieces be?  How do I get them there?
7. How will this move/these moves change the position?  Goto 1.