Your opponent has just made a move. What do you personally have pop into your mind first (try not to think about it too much). For me I find myself the first thing I say in my head is "why did he make that move".
Pearl Harbor...
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usually either 'why did they make that move?', 'yes!' or 'shit'
Before my opponent can even move I've already anticipated what he's most likely to do, either by knowing the opening or by predicting his move in a novel position. Therefore the first thing that "comes to mind" hits me as an emotional reaction before my brain can even analyze it: Did he do what I expected, yes or no? If I feel surprise, then he didn't do what I expected. If it fits what I expected, then often I can just play my intended response without thinking. If I feel surprise, only then does my logical processing cortex step in to ask why: Did I overlook something?, did he blunder?, is this a theoretical novelty?, or what?
Thank you both for the responces, 2 different trains of thought that I found informative. @bb_gum I find when I win a game it's because I did a good job remembering to think about the things like what you mentioned. It slips my mind alot tho and I'm not always thinking as deep as that though and often I find myself saying the things like hartherhare said lol
I good system is:
1. Why did s/he make that move?
2. If I "passed", what would his/her best move be?
3. Pick a candidate move
4. If I make this move , what is his/her best move?
Your opponent has just made a move. What do you personally have pop into your mind first (try not to think about it too much). For me I find myself the first thing I say in my head is "why did he make that move".