choosing the next move in online chess

I would like to pride myself that even while having a number of games on the go at the same time (for me 20 is the optimum number) I can make my move when I come to review my online games, normally once in the morning and once in the evening (minimum). That way games progress at a nice rate and I feel I respecting my opponent.

HOWEVER, that is not always possible after having "left the book", including those games where I have the upper hand. I fret and agonise, think until it hurts, and the "right move" eludes or comes only sometimes (no wonder some people use chess engines who chess.com ban when discovered).

And when I do make my best move I find out later through the computer analysis that too often (or more often that I would like to admit) it is an innacuracy or worse still a mistake and even on occasions a blunder.

I like to think my approach is right: I only play when in a good frame of mind, I take my time, I adopt principles like protecting my king, not leaving material en prise, developing material, combining forces, advancing pawns, having a plan if possible etc. - and despite all that inspiration too often doesn't come and I am left with doing what seems to be the best move in the circumstances from a number of what seems viable moves.

What I would like to know is do others have similar experiences, what I am doing wrong and how might I  improve?

I definitely recognize some of this, although mostly in closed middlegames, in which it seems to be a matter of long-term plans and quiet manouvering that can be very hard to find; if you can't formulate a solid long-term plan, then it doesn't matter how much time you have to make your move - there is no move to be looking for in the first place! Not that I am to preach about it, having these problems myself, but just some thoughts that came to my mind.

I play online chess and never use a book, a chess engine, or anything. I feel you should study when not in a game, and just use your brain when actually playing.

I don't get time to study, but I know when i do, improvement will be rapid.

If you consult something while playing, there is no enjoyment in it, if you are playing for fun. And if you are playing seriously, it really won't help.

I love online chess, firstly, and I feel I can make good moves when not encumbered by having to make all of my moves in ten minutes, which to me seems like sticking your finger in a light socket. I have to make myself not rush sometimes, though. I blundered a rook in one of my online games recently, and I berated myself horribly. I didn't think long enough, as I was at work and wanted to make a quick move while on break. Anyway, now that I've cried over that stinking rook for the hundredth time, I am always trying to think of things like.....what is he doing that's hurting me right now? In one game I have going, it was a pawn chain, and I developed a plan to get the base pawn of that chain so I could start eroding the chain. Silman says you have to think of a theoretical position you'd like to be in then figure out how to get there. I have not been able to get to that point yet. I'm happy to have smaller plans and make them happen. Maybe that's how you get to that point, though, by making plans and then achieving bigger plans and yet bigger. I'm not sure. lol. I hope I'm on the right track, though.

I agree with most of this with the exception of the last paragraph. I think it's possible some people use online chess as a way to make studying openings more enjoyable. However, i'm guessing the majority aren't actually studying it as much as memorizing it through repetition. I can't say it's useless, since the right moves are the right moves. Personally, i prefer to understand the reason why they're the right moves, but is that really necessary when, as i said, the right moves are the right moves without question.

The Analysis Board is my best friend when it comes to turn based chess(TBC) online.  I can follow an idea for several moves and see where it comes out.  Then either go with it (if it's sound) or go back to the drawing board.  It's the main reason I joined this website.

  TBC here has helped my OTB play.  I disagree with the purist attitude that one should never use books, Game Explorer or other legal tools in TBC.  Of course engines are out of the question.  TBC here is an opportunity to excersise extended study of a position before making your final decision.  It may seem tedious at first but after a few months you should notice a difference.

 One more tip.  When you think you have a line figured out in the Analysis Board...  use the "flip board" option and run back through the line you think is good.  Think as if you are your opponent.  You may just find a flaw in your "good line".

Good luck!

You also may use a tricky way and use online software to calculate next move. When I'm in hard position and don't know what to do I use www.chessnextmove.com to get next move.

I have just checked this out and it appears to do what you suggest and do it well. However, according to the rules of chess.com, if one were to use this, it would be deemed as cheating, so in the interests of fair play my advice is not to use this in competetive games but by all means use in post match analysis.

It's completely normal to feel stuck after leaving the opening, especially when you have the upper hand. Many players, even with a solid approach like focusing on principles and staying in the right mindset, still struggle with finding the "right move." You're not alone in this.

One key is not to stress too much about perfection. Mistakes happen, and they’re part of learning. Improving involves regularly reviewing games, practicing tactics, and learning from errors.

If you're looking for some help with finding the best chess move, there are tools online that can assist without crossing any ethical lines—just keep working on your game and trust the process!

Hopefully you’ll find an answer to your question posed 12 years ago

Here is a tool where we find best chess move

Mistakes are part of learning. Even world champions make inaccuracies. Focus on the progress, not perfection.