Devise, for yourself, a list of questions to ask yourself or steps to take before you make moves; and ask yourselves those questions and/or take those steps each and every time before you make your move; even if the move seems obvious.
Here is a link to a blog post I made on this very thing:
https://blog.chess.com/blog/CaptainPike/before-you-move
Here it is, copied and pasted:
If I took my own advice, I would win far more games! This is a process that came partially from my coach from long ago, and partially from a beginner's book at chess; and a smidgeon from my experience. Because I have overloaded myself in games and because I tend to be a little impatient, this has been being neglected; and my rating shows it!
See Every Piece!
See the whole board! Low rated players, like myself, tend to see only the square of the board that are nearest the objective or threat. If our King is under attack, we tend to focus so much on blocking and moving it out of danger, we miss opportunities to attack. When we believe we are close to checkmate, we sometimes concentratte on the offense until we are overcommitted and we neglect to respond to the threats to our own King. Pins and discovered checks can be nasty; and this can easily happen to us if we're not seeing what is behind that nearest piece.
What is that piece doing?
Unless our opponent has made a mistake or left a piece hanging, it's there for a reason. Where is it pointing? What is it threatening? What squares is it defending? In considering this, pay attention to that Knight. See where it is, what squares it can cover; then look at what squares it can cover when it makes its next move.
Why did he make that move?
Your opponent has an objective for the last move he made, unless he has made a mistake. Look at what piece he moved last, and to where that piece was moved. Then, look at the squares it covers, look at how it is defended, look where it is pointed and what else may be pointed there as well.
What does that move do for him? What does that move do to me?
Do I Have Center Control?
Center control is integral in the game of Chess. If you do not have your share of center control, that should be the focus of your moves. Do not begin a wing attack while center control is contested.
Are my pieces defended?
Are My Pieces Coordinated?
Your pieces must be working together towards the same goal. During the endgame, all of your available pieces should be focused on affecting checkmate.
Are my opponent's pieces defended?
Are My Opponents Pieces Coordinated?
If your opponents' pieces are not coordinated, there remains the possibility of capitaliing on this.
Can I check?
Checks are powerful weapons. Sometimes, when we get our opponent in check, his defenses fall apart and checkmate is not far behind.
Can I be checked?
Checks are powerful weapons. Sometimes, when we get into check, our defenses fall apart and checkmate is not far behind.
Can I capture?
Can I be captured?
Are My Pawns Defended?
Is My Pawn Structure Intact?
Are My Opponent's Pawns Defended?
Is My Opponent's Pawn Structure Intact?
Then what?
Look at least (at the very least) 3 moves in advance!
- Then what?
- Then what?
Consider 3 options!
Don't rush your moves. Don't make the first move you see. There may be a stronger move.
If I took my own advice and went through this list each time I moved on every game, I'd probably be 1400+ by now, LoL.
Here is a couple more thoughts:\
-- Use the "notes" section in the game play area to record your thoughts/strategies. These can help you "remember" what you saw last time and can help you evaluate your games later.
-- Use the "explorer" for "your games". This will give you "answers" you have made in the past to given positions and give you stats on your wins/losses for your common responses.
Another suggestion ....
For a time, after each game, I would grab the FEN, post it in the comments section and evaluate each and every move I and my opponent made during the game. I did this for just over a dozen games; doing this helped me see a pattern weakness I had and didn't realize that I had until after I took the time to study my own games. My weakness was (is?) "center control"; which I took seriously during the first dozen moves (give or take) then I noticed that from that point, I neglected center control (as if "center control" was a rule that only applied during the opening moves) -- which is why I edited my blog to include the "center control" question. Anyway, maybe evaluating your games later can help you see patterns of mistakes and correct them.
Here is what I'm talking about:
https://www.chess.com/echess/game?id=128506744
https://www.chess.com/echess/game?id=128227414
Just some thoughts from a fellow novice.
Good luck and see you on the chess board!
Ok, so I know that there are plenty of forum posts about this, and I know that there are many books on the subject. However, I seem to have a specific problem that cannot really be answered with "insert chess book here."
I will divulge:
I know that in the opening you develop all your pieces and take control of the center.
I know that the midgame is 90% tactics and using tactics to make my pieces superior and cramp in my opponent. I also know that one must make a plan in the midgame and try to determine what the other person's plan is so that they can stop it.
I know that in the endgame you have to make sure you are leading by pawns and (even better though it rarely happens) have a powerful piece advantage. I also know that you have to get the pawn to the other side to get another powerful piece.
My problem isn't "theory" or "tactics." My problem is "missing" things. I will sometimes stare at the chess board for a good minute before making a move, only to not realize a simple fork that my opponent immediately plays, or I will sometimes forget whole pieces that are under attack. I have done so much studying, but I just can't seem to "see" what my opponent is doing sometimes. I will often notice when it's too late to do anything about it. I do think ahead and I do analyze the board when I play, but I just seem to "miss" obvious things.
What can I do to remedy my problem? I've tried chess puzzles but I still miss such obvious positions and superior moves sometimes. I know that everyone blunders, but I think my blundering is just insanely stupid sometimes. It surprises me since I've been playing chess since I was 6 years old and I have been studying the game for years now (books, classes, chess programs (including chessmaster), puzzles, openings, famous games, etc.). So what can I do?