What is your mental checklist when making a move?

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ChessCaviaar

I need some help developing a checklist I run through with each move. My mistakes/blunders, I find, occur when I do not systematically think through a process. Usually, they come when I get tunnel vision or focus too much on one aspect of the board. 

Here's as far as I've gotten:

  1. Threats. Are there any immediate threats or any coming based on my opponent's last move?
  2. Counters. What in between moves or counters are available to me in response to threats?
  3. Plans. No threats? Ok, what's my long-term plans. How can I develop that?
  4. Attacks. What attacks fit within my plan or any tactical schemes available to me right now?

Suggestions/critiques welcomed! Thanks.

ChessCaviaar
Gart_Arfunkel wrote:

Sounds like you're overthinking things, bro.  Maybe you should just Netflix and chill.

crycrycry Chess is the definition of overthinking!!!!! Lol.

Deadmanparty

I see a move, make a move, no check list.  If I am lucky I find a better move, but often enough it is a bad move.

Flameus1110
ChessCaviar93 wrote:

I need some help developing a checklist I run through with each move. My mistakes/blunders, I find, occur when I do not systematically think through a process. Usually, they come when I get tunnel vision or focus too much on one aspect of the board. 

Here's as far as I've gotten:

  1. Threats. Are there any immediate threats or any coming based on my opponent's last move?
  2. Counters. What in between moves or counters are available to me in response to threats?
  3. Plans. No threats? Ok, what's my long-term plans. How can I develop that?
  4. Attacks. What attacks fit within my plan or any tactical schemes available to me right now?

Suggestions/critiques welcomed! Thanks.

I think your checklist is great for when you have a lot of time still left on the clock. Although I would add check and make sure you don't  have that many loose pieces.

CHINGCHONGMYEYESRLONG

idk likeig ur mom

Karrysparov

Does this move do something?

Does this move LET them do something?

Do I have a goal this move works toward to?

DirectorOfTheFBI

Here's my checklist so far:

  • What options do I have to give a check? And do they accomplish anything?
  • Am I in danger of being checked?
  • Are any of my pieces hanging or underdefended?
  • Are there any tactics in the position (opportunities to create forks, pins, skewers, etc)?
  • Can I place any of my pieces in a more active position?
  • Can I occupy or control any outpost squares or open files?
  • Can I blockade an enemy knight or bishop with a pawn push? 

With rapid games, it's hard to think of all these before every move, but with more practice you start noticing things faster.