CHOOSING MOVES

I generally try to have a generic game plan (like a queen-knight checkmate) and i try to play moves that a.) help me achieve my plan b.)don't completely destroy my position, and c.) is completely unexpected(this is optional).

There have been some games where i just can't think of anything.  Than i do what any good chess players do, namely move a pawn forward!

Sometimes in deciding which pawn to move forward i come up with a generic plan, and sometimes it blows up in my face.

There have been some games where i just can't think of anything.  Than i do what any good chess players do, namely move a pawn forward!

You should find your opponents candidate moves too, finding the right plan and a good variation could take hour's....

I know my place as a bad player, so I do what bad players does.

"Pick the first move that comes to my mind"

"I calculate a forced variation, and play it, no matter how bad it makes my position"

I could do what the IM's and GM's tell's me (Yes I have read some chess books)

"take a deep look at the position, find the imbalances, find a plan that helps my position/ ruins my opponent, find the candidate moves according to the plan, calculate the most promissing one first.

Then after this, play a good move.

Why do I prefer the first medtod? Because I'm a bad player :)

Do you attempt what they say? Or just tell yourself "I'm just a bad player so I won't bother"? 

against an opponent that has the same or higher rating than mine, i use the Bangiev method- choose the square choose the move! against an opponent way below my rating, just sort out from established chess ideas, themes and principles. when attacking, i look for chess pattern to calculate the moves. when defending i ask my self five questions to choose my reply.

 Does it work? Do you think your games is good? (yes I could take a look, but I'm to lazy)

i have some good games doing this method, win or lose it shows me where i can improve my play and analysis.

Such a general question, but I will try to answer partially only as I feel that I can write a treatise on the subject, that few people will read and  which would naturally be taken contested in some of suggestions I make, but why not as there is always something to learn in chess.

1. Opening phase here at chess.com, when playing online chess only, I always review the opponent's game I play against before making my first move, I review 10 wins with whites, 10 losses with whites, the same with opponent's black games and 10 draws.

Why? to try to offer a level of play that is somewhat competitive but not overly complicated for the player. Obviously over an 1900 rating or so, I play the best opening I can to win, at lower levels it is more a learning experience for me where I can try new variations and see how I fare.

As I help or guide or coach players on this site I try to steer them into a game with the most efficient move, the less memory retention, and yes there will be some as it is unavoidable, but it can be kept to a minimum.

As an example, I recommend to respond to white 1.e4 with the Sicilian, why?

The symmetrical response of 1...e5, though a good move, leaves black on the defensive for quite a while and forces them to play precisely to be able to have a draw and even tougher to get a win.

This is why Bobby Fisher played so many times this opening as white, 1.e4, it was his favorite opening.

Further more black has to learn the refutation of several gambits.

With 1.4 white can easily conclude a draw.

Do not miss read me as I like playing 1.e4.

What I am saying is that the Sicilian, 1…c5, as a response to white 1.e4 is a better choice.

That leaves the French and the Sicilian responses for Black.

The French, though a good solid defense, which often turns into a symmetrical pawn structure after 1.e4 e6, this move is what determines the French defense, 2.d4 d5, 3.exd5 exd5. Naturally after 1.e4 e6, 2.d4 black can play 2. c5, but this is a mere transposition into the Sicilian defense.

2. Middle game moves: I always have a plan, that changes constantly but the ultimate goal is to have a route map and compose with the side moves and try to deal with them.

My moves here are first impression, possible opponent threats and openings that I have for placing a piece in the opposite territory beyond row a5 for whites and a 4 for black.

Then follows analysis of a better positional play by either exchanging or moving forward in the enemy territory or opening  a file to get behind the opponent’s lines.

Analysis is usually 2 to 3 moves ahead and seldom 4, never more as the combinations are too many.

Recognizing a position helps a lot, that is seeing the overall board with strengths and weaknesses on both sides.

Never forget to move your pawns only as necessary and try to position them for the endgame, I mean for instance try to avoid doubling pawns on a file.

3. In the endgame phase, play your pawns cautiously and sparingly, only move them after your opponent has made a pawn move unless you know the outcome.

If only kings and pawns are left to move, try to move pawns on both sides of the board as no king can stop both.

So much more to say but I will stop here.

These are only general guidelines.

I look everywhere were my opponent can move to and follow the diagonals files ranks. I will then look everywhere were I can move to, and then I will decide what my move will be.

 Do you feel that you did your best in the games you lost?

If you don't, there is something wrong with your methods, or you could be lazy like me.

I think this is a good and serious topic. How do you choose your moves. Give me all your ideas and I will combine them and share them with others on this great site. example look for checks, to threaten a piece, control a file, threaten mate etc.Please contribute.