Choosing a Move
The game is under way. You are out of the opening and must think for yourself. You have some general ideas about the position, but at the moment it is your opponents turn. You try to guess what he will do .Then he moves. Just how do you set about deciding on your reply ?
Choosing a move is after all the most important process in a chess game. So now you need a method or a program, for organizing your thoughts …..
The Program
The process of making a move can be divided into several more or less distinct stages, which will vary in importance from one case to another. These stages are ….
1. Assessment of the opponents last move. How have things been changed by it ?
2. What immediate threats must I meet ? Find possible defences.
3. What immediate tactical blows are at my disposal ? List the apparently strong moves in the position.
4. Positional assessment, including long-range considerations.
5. What moves are suggested by these positional musings, List them.
6. Compare the “ Candidate Moves “ which derive from 2,3, and 5 and form a short list of two, three or four of them.
7. Calculate variations based on the short – listed “candidate moves” and assess the resulting positions that could arise.
8. Compare these assessments, and so decide on the move you prefer. DO NOT MAKE IT ON THE BOARD YET .
9. HAVE A LAST LOOK AROUND, To guard against traps & blunders. It should be routine to examine all the opponents replies, which could be awkward: checks, captures, mate threats, threats to the Queen or Rooks, threats to pieces by pawns, advances of passed pawns.
10. If you are still satisfied with your choice, make it on the board …