hey bro. i appreciate the question. however, i certainly am not the one that can help you with this similiar situation. my actual rating is only about , down to 475elo, now. So i'm not going to even attempt to waste your time. i have the similiar problems. all i can say, is good luck to both of us- and lets keep trying our 100% best. your friend and chess bud, jayosmo99
CCTO what am I doing wrong?
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Aug 30, 2025
0
#3
Bro, if you want to be any good at chess ever, first thing you must do is to stop lying to yourself. You are not considering checks captures and threats. You are just blitzing moves without any thinking. If you would consider checks captures and threats you would spend at least 20 -30 seconds at every move. The goal of chess is definitely not to have more time on your clock than as you started and be several pieces down.
Mar 18, 2026
0
#4
Defend defend defend. As Capablanca said, if the game ain't boring, you're probably behind.
Step one (before you CCTO): check for your opponent’s threat(s). Last step: check for blunders. At your rating that means look to make sure you are not hanging pieces.
Mar 21, 2026
0
#6
lornaedgar32 wrote:
I have been trying to use CCTO in games but am getting absolutely nowhere with it. I try to look at obvious captures which I wouldn't play because I would lose a piece or it's just a trade. I look at checks and try and threaten my opponent. Meanwhile my opponents make moves and just crush me. What am I doing wrong with this? It works and I got up to 600 then I just get obliterated again. Anyone look over some of my games and point out what I am doing wrong?
hi friend, i'm just playing chess for only several months, so take my input with a grain of salt. does CCTO work? imho yes, but what many experienced players didn't tell you is that you have to do it FOUR times every move.
1) CCTO your piece before moving
2) CCTO opponent's piece before moving
3) CCTO your piece after moving (if online, before confirming moves. or visualize the board first in your mind)
4) CCTO opponent's piece after moving (if online, before confirming moves. see number 3 above why)
my best games were always when I did all four CCTO consistently through my gameplay. overlook less than four CCTO, then my game quality worsened. the faster your timeframe, the more likely you overlook any of four CCTO. and the more likely your opponent punishes you. that's why many elder players suggest classical chess with longer timeframe. too bad many don't tell you the real reasons why.
I have been trying to use CCTO in games but am getting absolutely nowhere with it. I try to look at obvious captures which I wouldn't play because I would lose a piece or it's just a trade. I look at checks and try and threaten my opponent. Meanwhile my opponents make moves and just crush me. What am I doing wrong with this? It works and I got up to 600 then I just get obliterated again. Anyone look over some of my games and point out what I am doing wrong?