Stop Losing to One-Move Blunders

by FIDE Trainer Darko Polimac (Ireland) — coaching inquiries: dpolimac@gmail.com

Savielly Tartakower joked that “the blunders are all there on the board, waiting to be made.” He wasn’t wrong. At beginner and club level, most decisive moments aren’t deep novelties—they’re simple, human mistakes. Your job is to lower the blunder rate. Do that, and your results jump.

As a coach, I teach students to build an anti-blunder routine—a short, reliable thinking process you can apply on every move, even in rapid games. This isn’t about genius; it’s about discipline. Having a clear thought process and a final safety check dramatically reduces basic errors.

Why blunders happen (and keep happening)

Blunders usually come from the same roots: tunnel vision (“I only looked at my idea”), impatience (“I moved as soon as I saw something”), and missing forcing replies (checks, captures, threats). A tiny pause to scan opponent replies—especially forcing ones—catches a shocking percentage of mistakes.

Five ways to stop blundering—starting today

1) Run the CCT safety scan before you move

For your candidate move, imagine it on the board, then ask: What are their Checks, Captures, and Threats against me right after that move? If any line looks dangerous, fix it or choose another move.

2) Add a 10-second “blunder check” at critical moments

When kings are exposed, pieces hang, or tactics are in the air, slow down. Take 10 seconds to ask: What is loose? What’s attacked twice? What tactic exists for my opponent? This simple pause saves games.

3) Warm up your vision before you play

Cold starts cause slips. Do 5–10 easy puzzles to switch on calculation and board vision. Grandmasters often include a short tactics warm-up; you should, too.

4) Prefer the safer move when choices feel equal

If two candidate moves evaluate similarly, pick the one that leaves fewer loose pieces, fewer targets, and fewer immediate tactics for your opponent. Safety first is a legitimate heuristic for beginners.

5) Learn the “usual suspects” of beginner mistakes

Most early errors are predictable: weakening your king, dropping central pawns, forgetting pins/skewers, and leaving pieces undefended. Name them, scan for them, and you’ll prevent them.

Your 20-second Anti-Blunder Checklist (use this every move)

1. Opponent’s idea: What did their last move threaten?

2. My candidate move: Visualize it—don’t touch the piece yet.

3. CCT vs. me: After my move, what checks, captures, threats can they play?

4. Loose & overloaded: What’s hanging or defended only once?

5. Commit: If safe, play it with confidence.

Do this consistently for a week and you’ll feel the difference. Your games get quieter—fewer heart-attack moments, more “clean” wins.

Final word from the coach’s chair

Avoiding blunders isn’t glamorous, but it’s the fastest rating boost you’ll ever get. Build the routine; make it a habit. If you’d like a personalized blunder-proof plan—with warm-up sets, annotated practice games, and a thinking-process worksheet tailored to your time controls—email me at dpolimac@gmail.com.

You can also book a free trial lesson here:
👉 https://scheduler.zoom.us/darko-polimac/coaching-with-darko-

See you over the board—and fewer blunders already.