Reducing hanging pieces and blunders

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markisimo06

So I've come to the point where I understand I have to focus on hanging pieces and eliminating blunders.  Chess.com has so many tools such as drills and puzzzles, but I don't see any exercises or drills dedicated to avoiding blunders other than just playing games.  Any tips for focusing on this critical skill development?

Verbeena

Read this thread:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/for-beginners/improving-the-observation-skill-making-less-blunders

blueemu

Sit on your hands.

glamdring27

You only make 1 move at a time, so the immediate effects of that 1 move are easy to see.  Are you moving the piece somewhere it can be taken?  Are you un-defending another piece by moving it?  What is the piece doing where it is now that it won't be doing when you move it?

Even just asking yourself those questions before making a move should eliminate hanging pieces in one move.  Obviously sometimes a move leads to a piece hanging at the end of a combination, but that is where your tactics comes in.  For most players at low level just avoiding hanging pieces in 1 move can lead to a big improvement to start with.

I don't ask myself those questions most of the time so I still hang pieces in one move from time to time, though usually only when I move fast.


hisokaxhunter

focus on study endgame, every hanging pieces u can use as a bait to gain better position and strategy

hisokaxhunter

focus on study endgame, every hanging pieces u can use as a bait to gain better position and strategy

glamdring27

If hanging pieces is your problem though you probably won't get to an endgame!

IpswichMatt

The advice that I've seen is to try to get into the habit of doing a conscious blunder check, after deciding on your move but before playing it. Easier said than done though.