What Should I Think About on Each Move?
A practical mental checklist that turns chaotic thinking into clear decision-making.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: The number one question my students ask me is not about openings or tactics — it is "What am I supposed to think about?" That question is worth its weight in gold, because once you have a structured way to think, every position becomes less intimidating. You stop guessing and start reasoning.
The Five-Step Thinking Checklist
- Step 1: What did my opponent just do? - Before you do anything, understand your opponent's last move. Is it a threat? Does it attack one of your pieces? Does it open or close a line? Does it change the pawn structure? Answering this question prevents blunders and gives you essential information for your own move. Many beginners skip this step and immediately start thinking about their own plans, which leads to overlooking simple threats.
- Step 2: Are all my pieces safe? - Quickly scan the board. Is any piece undefended? Is any piece on a square where it can be captured for free or for an advantageous trade? This two-second safety check will save you from more blunders than any other habit. Think of it as checking your mirrors before changing lanes.
- Step 3: What are the forcing moves? - Look for checks, captures, and threats — in that order. These "forcing moves" limit your opponent's options and are often the strongest moves available. Even if you do not play a forcing move, considering them first helps you see the tactical landscape of the position. If there is a check that wins material, you want to find it before looking at quiet moves.
- Step 4: What does the position need? - Think about the bigger picture. Do you need to develop a piece? Improve your worst-placed piece? Create a pawn break? Activate your rooks? Transfer your knight to a better square? This step is about having a plan, even a small one. A bad plan is better than no plan at all, because it gives your moves purpose and direction.
- Step 5: Blunder check before you move - You have chosen a move. Before you play it, take one final look. Does your move leave anything undefended? Does it walk into a tactic? Does it allow a check or a fork you did not see? This final blunder check is like proofreading an essay before submitting it. It takes five seconds and saves you from heartbreak.
Why a Checklist Works
Chess is overwhelming because there are so many things to consider. Without a system, your mind bounces randomly from idea to idea, often missing the most important features of the position. A checklist imposes order on chaos.
Pilots use checklists before every flight, even though they have flown thousands of times. Surgeons use checklists before every operation. These professionals understand that the human mind, no matter how experienced, benefits from a structured process. Chess is no different.
The five-step checklist does not guarantee you will find the best move. But it guarantees you will not miss obvious threats, overlook hanging pieces, or play without a purpose. That alone will improve your results dramatically.
Adapting the Checklist to Your Level
As a beginner, you might spend most of your time on steps one and two — simply not hanging pieces is a huge improvement at lower levels. As you advance, steps three and four become more important. You start seeing deeper tactics and forming multi-move plans.
The beauty of this system is that it scales. A beginner uses it to avoid blunders. An intermediate player uses it to find tactical opportunities. An advanced player uses it to navigate complex strategic decisions. The steps are the same; the depth of analysis at each step grows with your understanding.
I encourage my students to write the checklist on a card and keep it next to them during practice games until it becomes automatic.
Questions About Thinking in Chess
How long should I spend on each move?
In a casual game, aim for ten to thirty seconds per move. In a tournament with longer time controls, you might spend two to five minutes on critical decisions. The checklist helps you use that time productively rather than staring at the board without direction.
What if I cannot find a plan in step four?
If you cannot find a clear plan, improve your worst piece. Look at your least active piece and find a better square for it. This is almost always a good move and gives you something constructive to do while the position clarifies.
Professor Archer says: The checklist may feel slow at first. You will sit there, running through each step, wondering if you are wasting time. But I promise you: within a few weeks, it becomes second nature. Your brain learns to process these steps in seconds rather than minutes. That is when the real improvement begins.
Quick Quiz
What should be your FIRST thought after your opponent makes a move?
- Plan my next three moves - Planning ahead is important, but not before you understand what your opponent just did. Their move might change everything about your plans.
- Look for a checkmate - Checking for forcing moves comes later in the process. First you need to understand the current situation and ensure your pieces are safe.
- Understand what my opponent's move does and whether it creates a threat (Correct) - Correct. Always start by understanding your opponent's last move. Does it threaten something? Does it change the position? This prevents blunders and gives you the information you need to make a good decision.
- Count how much time I have left on the clock - Time management matters, but it should not be the first thing on your mind after each move. Understanding the position is always the priority.