How to Think During a Chess Game: A Simplified Approach for Real Improvement

“Tactics flow from a superior position.”
~ Bobby Fischer

👋 Welcome to my new blog once again, my dearest and lovely readers!

First off, my sincerest apologies for bringing this blog post to you a little later than expected, life may have caused a slight delay, but the chessboard always calls us back! 🕰️♟️

So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s dive into this new chapter together - one thoughtful move at a time. ♟️💡

                                                   

                                                   🧭 Table of Contents

                           Introduction: The Hidden Struggle of Chess Thinking

                          Why Most Thinking Advice Doesn't Work for Amateurs

                          The Need for a Simplified Thought Process

                          Introducing TIPS: The Four-Part Chess Thinking Process

                                                       T: Threats

                                                        I: Ideas

                                                        P: Plans

                                                        S: Safety

                            How to Use TIPS Effectively in Your Games

                            Common Pitfalls to Avoid

                            Conclusion: Be Human, Think Smart, Enjoy the Game

🧠 Introduction: The Hidden Struggle of Chess Thinking 

Every chess player has asked this question at some point:
“What should I be thinking about on each move?”

It’s a simple question with surprisingly complicated answers. Grandmasters and coaches have tried to explain it for decades, but their methods often leave amateur players confused, frustrated, or even demotivated.

Books like Think Like a Grandmaster by Alexander Kotov or The Method in Chess by GM Iossif Dorfman offer powerful tools but they’re designed for players who already think like professionals. For the rest of us, those systems can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded.

The good news? There's a simpler way. A way that helps you:

1) Avoid blunders

2) Spot tactics

3) Make solid moves

4) Improve consistently without memorizing a library of variations

Let’s talk about the TIPS Method -> a practical and simplified thought process you can use in every single game you play.

🚧 Why Most Thinking Advice Doesn’t Work for Amateurs 

Books written for advanced players often suggest:

1) Calculating 5–10 moves ahead

2) Building trees of variations in your mind

3) Following rigid decision-making formulas

This kind of thinking is:

1) Overwhelming for newer players

2) Unrealistic under time pressure

3) Hard to learn and harder to apply consistently

Even strong players admit struggling with these methods. So, instead of aiming for perfection, let’s aim for consistency and clarity. That’s where the Simplified Chess Improvement System (SCIS) and the TIPS method come in.

🧩 The Need for a Simplified Thought Process

A good thought process in chess should help you:

1) Find good moves often

2) Avoid bad moves almost always

3) Adapt to time controls and your current level

SCIS doesn’t ask you to be a machine. It asks you to think like a human, just more effectively.

The goal? Not to play like a supercomputer, but to have a simple, repeatable mental checklist that you can use in every game.

The "mental checklist" here refers to a simple, repeatable thought process you go through before making each move in a chess game. It’s like a quick list of questions you mentally ask yourself to make sure you’re not missing something important.

Let me explain it for those readers and players who did not catch what it means.

♟️ The Mental Checklist = The TIPS Method

TIPS is the 4-step mental checklist designed to:

1) Keep you from rushing

2) Catch blunders before they happen

3) Help you think more clearly and logically during games

✅ TIPS -> Your Move-by-Move Mental Checklist

1) T — Threats

   .) “What is my opponent threatening?”

   .) Check for any immediate danger to your pieces or position.

   .) Ask: Is anything hanging? Could I be checkmated?

2) I — Ideas

   .) “Do I have any tactical opportunities?”

   .) Look for captures, checks, forks, or pins.

   .) Ask: Can I win material, force a weakness, or create pressure?

3) P — Plans

   .) “What is my overall goal in this position?”

   .) Think strategically -> improve a piece, control a square, prepare a pawn break.

   .) Ask: What’s the most useful thing I can do here?

4) S — Safety

   .) “Will this move get me in trouble?”

   .) Double-check your intended move before you play it.

   .) Ask: Am I leaving a piece undefended? Is my king exposed?

🧠 Why Use a Mental Checklist?

1) It builds good habits and structure into your thinking.

2) It helps you avoid the most common amateur mistakes like hanging a piece or missing a simple tactic.

3) It slows down impulsive play and gives you a routine to stay focused.

Think of it like a pilot’s pre-flight checklist -> you’re making sure everything is in order before “taking off” with your move. Over time, it becomes automatic and natural.

Introducing TIPS: The Four-Part Chess Thinking Process

Meet TIPS -> a 4-step system that’s easy to remember and powerful when applied consistently. Here’s what it stands for:

1) ♟️ T — Threats

Before anything else, always ask:
“What is my opponent threatening?”

Start with the basics:

1) Is any of your material “hanging” (undefended)?

2) Are they threatening to fork, pin, or check?

3) Is your king exposed?

Why it matters:
If you overlook a threat, your entire position could collapse before you get to show your strategy. Think of this as your first line of defense.

2) 💡 I — Ideas

Next, flip the board in your mind:
“What are my tactical chances?”

Look for:

1) Checks, captures, and attacks (especially forcing moves)

2) Tactical shots like forks, skewers, pins, or discovered attacks

3) Potential sacrifices or combinations

Why it matters:
Even a losing position can be turned around by spotting a clever tactic. Many players ignore their own chances because they focus only on defense. This step shifts you back to offense.

3) 📋 P — Plans

Now that you’ve checked threats and ideas, ask:
“What’s my plan?”

Here you think:

1) Where should I place my pieces ideally?

2) Should I attack, defend, or improve a piece?

3) What pawn breaks or positional goals make sense?

Caution: Don’t overthink. At lower levels (below ~1500), a good plan is often just a safe and active move. No need to reinvent the wheel, just develop, control space, and stay solid.

4) 🛡️ S — Safety

Finally, do a blunder check:
“If I play this move, will I lose anything?”

Look for:

1) Hanging pieces or tactical shots you’re allowing

2) Weak squares you may have exposed

3) King safety, especially in open positions

This step saves games. Even if your move seems perfect, double-check to avoid a simple mistake. A 5-second scan here can save a 45-minute game.

🧪 How to Use TIPS Effectively in Your Games 

Don’t try to use all 4 steps at once if you’re new to the method. Instead:

1) Start with one step at a time. Begin with Threats -> just get in the habit of asking if anything is under attack.

2) Once that feels natural, add the next step: Ideas, then Plans, and finally Safety.

3) Don’t aim for perfection. The goal is progress. Even doing 2 out of 4 steps consistently is better than guessing every move.

4) Make each step easy. For example, asking “Is anything hanging?” is a simple and powerful habit.

⚠️ Common Pitfalls to Avoid 

1) Overthinking Plans: Players often get stuck here. Don’t make it a philosophy debate, just make a useful, safe move.

2) Skipping Safety: The game is going great… until you blunder a queen. Always run a safety check.

3) Trying to Think Like a Machine: You’re human. That’s good. The goal is clarity and rhythm, not robotic perfection.

4) Giving Up Too Early: Learning a new habit takes time. Stick with it, even imperfect use of TIPS will help.

Conclusion: Be Human, Think Smart, Enjoy the Game

Using a thought process in chess doesn't mean playing like a robot. It means thinking with purpose. TIPS helps you slow down, avoid disaster, and make the most of your position — all without needing to be a grandmaster.

Whether you're playing 1-minute bullet or a 30-minute rapid game, remembering TIPS will help you:

1) Play more confidently

2) Avoid silly blunders

3) Spot more tactics

4) Make better choices under pressure

You don’t have to be perfect. Just try your best, learn from each game, and enjoy the beauty of chess -> one smart move at a time.

            "Doing your best is something you can be proud of, no matter what the result is."

Here is the video which breaks down the same four‑step train of thought in a clear, step‑by‑step way, complete with examples. The creator of this video IM Yevhenii Yelisieiev aka IM Journey to Grandmaster is a International Master from Ukraine who walks through identifying threats, spotting tactics, planning basic strategies, and performing a safety check—all in practical, real-game settings.

Give this video a watch before your next game and try applying one or two steps from it and then let me know in the comments which part helped you the most!

Happy Playing