Play slower chess, daily is good. When you see a viable move, take time to look for reasons it's not a good move.
Fixated on first viable move
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the thing i have to keep telling myself every game is the position changes after every move
if there are no forcing tactical lines immediately to be had then it is important to “keep current” as each move is played
getting tunnel vision on one move or maneuver or operation is something i struggle with as well
this also goes with trying to really see opponents threats (which are very easy to miss when tunnel visioned) and also opponents defenses and resources to my threats
really trying to find the opponents best moves after my move is what i try to work on
obviously, i need to play as long a game as possible (even 30 min games are too fast for me atm) to really focus my thinking process and not feel rushed
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one of the most common ways i “get fixated on first viable move” is when a position is similar to a tactical operation or pattern i have previously drilled on and i will move without calculating only to find that i messed up a move order or an opponent resource that i neglected
if there are no forcing tactical lines immediately to be had then it is important to “keep current” as each move is played
getting tunnel vision on one move or maneuver or operation is something i struggle with as well
this also goes with trying to really see opponents threats (which are very easy to miss when tunnel visioned) and also opponents defenses and resources to my threats
really trying to find the opponents best moves after my move is what i try to work on
obviously, i need to play as long a game as possible (even 30 min games are too fast for me atm) to really focus my thinking process and not feel rushed
——-
one of the most common ways i “get fixated on first viable move” is when a position is similar to a tactical operation or pattern i have previously drilled on and i will move without calculating only to find that i messed up a move order or an opponent resource that i neglected
Perhaps a book on chess strategy would help.
In the absence of tactics, you need to work on longer range plans and defense.
"... for those that want to be as good as they can be, they'll have to work hard.
Play opponents who are better than you … . Learn basic endgames. Create a simple opening repertoire (understanding the moves are far more important than memorizing them). Study tactics. And pick up tons of patterns. That’s the drumbeat of success. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (December 27, 2018)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/little-things-that-help-your-game
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-start-out-in-chess
https://www.chess.com/news/view/a-new-years-resolution-improve-your-chess-with-new-lessons
"... In order to maximize the benefits of [theory and practice], these two should be approached in a balanced manner. ... Play as many slow games (60 5 or preferably slower) as possible, ... The other side of improvement is theory. ... This can be reading books, taking lessons, watching videos, doing problems on software, etc. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2002)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627084053/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman19.pdf
"... If it’s instruction, you look for an author that addresses players at your level (buying something that’s too advanced won’t help you at all). This means that a classic book that is revered by many people might not be useful for you. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (2015)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-best-chess-books-ever
Here are some reading possibilities that I often mention:
Simple Attacking Plans by Fred Wilson (2012)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090402/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review874.pdf
http://dev.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Simple-Attacking-Plans-77p3731.htm
Logical Chess: Move by Move by Irving Chernev (1957)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708104437/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/logichess.pdf
The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played by Irving Chernev (1965)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/most-instructive-games-of-chess-ever-played/
Winning Chess by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld (1948)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708093415/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review919.pdf
Back to Basics: Tactics by Dan Heisman (2007)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708233537/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review585.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-back-to-basics-tactics
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5856bd64ff7c50433c3803db/t/5895fc0ca5790af7895297e4/1486224396755/btbtactics2excerpt.pdf
Discovering Chess Openings by GM John Emms (2006)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro (2014)
http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/openings-for-amateurs/
https://www.mongoosepress.com/catalog/excerpts/openings_amateurs.pdf
Chess Endgames for Kids by Karsten Müller (2015)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/chess-endgames-for-kids/
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Chess_Endgames_for_Kids.pdf
A Guide to Chess Improvement by Dan Heisman (2010)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708105628/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review781.pdf
Studying Chess Made Easy by Andrew Soltis (2009)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090448/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review750.pdf
Seirawan stuff:
http://seagaard.dk/review/eng/bo_beginner/ev_winning_chess.asp?KATID=BO&ID=BO-Beginner
http://www.nystar.com/tamarkin/review1.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627132508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen173.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-winning-chess-endings
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708092617/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review560.pdf
When I look for moves, I tend to ultimately play the first viable one that I found. Even though I'll look for other moves, I'm justifying that first move in my head. Do other people experience this and are there any tips to avoid this?