The Difference Between a “Good” Move and the “Best” Move in Chess

The Difference Between a “Good” Move and the “Best” Move in Chess

In the game of chess, players are constantly faced with decisions that demand logic, creativity, and judgment. At each turn, a chess player must evaluate many possible moves and choose the one that best supports their goals. Interestingly, not all good moves are the best moves. This distinction may seem subtle, but it reveals deep insights into human psychology, chess strategy, and even artificial intelligence. Understanding the difference between a “good” move and the “best” move is crucial for improving as a chess player—and for appreciating the beauty of the game.

 
What Makes a Move “Good”?
A good move in chess is one that improves your position, defends against threats, develops your pieces, or puts pressure on your opponent. It follows the basic principles of chess strategy, such as controlling the center of the board, ensuring the safety of your king, and increasing the activity of your pieces.

For example, in the opening phase, playing a move like Nc3 (developing your knight toward the center) is generally a good move. It follows opening principles, opens up lines for other pieces, and does not create weaknesses. Even if it is not the absolute best move according to a computer engine, it is still logical and effective.

Good moves are also practical. They may not lead to a forced win, but they avoid danger, create opportunities, and make it harder for your opponent to find a plan. In human play, good moves help you stay in control and avoid blunders.

 
What Is the “Best” Move?
The “best” move in chess is the move that creates the strongest possible advantage or defense, often determined by deep calculation or engine analysis. It is usually the move that maximizes your evaluation score (measured in centipawns by engines like Stockfish) and leads to the most favorable outcome if both sides play perfectly.

The best move might be a tactical strike, such as a brilliant sacrifice that leads to checkmate in 5 moves, or a positional shift that slowly suffocates your opponent's chances. These moves are often hard to find without deep thinking, study, or computer assistance.

For instance, imagine a position where a player can safely move their rook to a central square (a good move), but there’s a hidden combination where a pawn sacrifice leads to a mating net—something only the best move reveals. Many grandmasters have missed such best moves during games and later found them during post-game analysis.

 
The Human vs. Machine Gap
One of the most striking illustrations of the difference between good and best moves comes from the rise of chess engines. Programs like Stockfish or AlphaZero often suggest moves that seem strange or even bad to human players—but turn out to be the best after deep analysis. These moves challenge our understanding of strategy.

For example, AlphaZero famously made long-term pawn sacrifices that no human would consider good—until the engine’s crushing attack proved them to be the best. These moves weren't just surprising; they were a revelation. They showed that even strong players often settle for good, understandable moves while missing best moves hidden in complexity.

This gap between good and best is also why elite players spend hours preparing openings with engine assistance—trying to memorize and understand the best lines instead of just relying on what feels right.

 
Why Players Choose “Good” Over “Best”
There are several reasons why players, even at a high level, often choose good moves rather than the best ones:

Time Pressure: In rapid or blitz games, players may not have time to analyze deeply. Good moves are easier to find quickly and carry less risk.
Practicality: In over-the-board play, the best move may be too risky or difficult to follow up. A good move that keeps the position safe might be the smarter practical choice.
Psychological Factors: Sometimes, players avoid sharp or complicated best moves because they are afraid of making a mistake or falling into a trap.
Imperfect Information: Humans cannot calculate 20 moves ahead like a computer. They evaluate positions based on experience, intuition, and incomplete information. That often leads to good—but not best—choices.
Style and Preference: Some players prefer attacking play, others prefer defense or quiet maneuvering. What’s best in a cold, objective sense may not suit a player's personal style.
 
Case Study: Kasparov vs. Karpov
A famous example of choosing a good move over the best occurred during the intense world championship matches between Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. Karpov was known for making solid, positional moves that reduced risks and maintained a small edge. Kasparov, on the other hand, often played aggressively, searching for the most dynamic and powerful continuations.

In several games, Karpov passed up sharp continuations (best moves) in favor of safe, solid ones (good moves). While his strategy worked well overall, it sometimes allowed Kasparov to escape worse positions and even win.

This shows that playing the best move requires confidence, courage, and calculation—and sometimes choosing the good move is safer but less rewarding.

 
Learning to Find the Best Move
For players who want to improve, learning to distinguish between good and best moves is a key skill. Here are a few tips:

Study Grandmaster Games: Focus on why certain moves were chosen over others. Look for explanations in commentary or analysis.
Use Chess Engines Wisely: Analyze your games with engines to compare your good moves with the best ones. Learn from your mistakes.
Solve Tactics and Puzzles: These sharpen your ability to recognize best moves in complex positions.
Play Slower Games: Give yourself time to think and consider multiple candidate moves before deciding.
Ask “Why Not?”: For every move you consider, ask why the other options are worse. This leads to better decision-making.
 
Conclusion
The difference between a good move and the best move in chess is not just a technical matter—it reflects the heart of chess itself. Good moves are reliable, safe, and based on well-known principles. Best moves are bold, precise, and often hard to see. While good moves can win games, the best moves create masterpieces.

Every chess player must navigate this tension in their own way. The journey from making good moves to finding the best moves is the path toward mastery. It is what separates casual players from serious competitors and helps all players grow—not just as chess thinkers, but as decision-makers in complex situations.