The blunder check
Also called Checks, captures and threats.
Before you act, ask what your move allows the other side to do.
In chess the check is three questions, for both sides: which checks, which captures and which threats are there? Asking them every move turns a vague worry into a habit.
The habit matters more than the speed. A check that runs every time catches more than brilliance that runs only sometimes.
A related exercise for teams is the pre-mortem: before you start, imagine the plan has already failed, and say why.
Why it matters
Most games, and many decisions, are lost to one oversight rather than a lack of brilliance. A short, fixed check catches the oversight while it is still cheap.
Away from the game
Before you send the email, sign the contract or make the offer, ask: what could go wrong, and what will they do next?
New to chess? The examples here use it. Play your first moves (five minutes), then learn chess from the beginning, one short lesson at a time.
Try it yourself
White would like to play Bxf7+, taking a pawn with check. Check first: what does it allow?
One question, a minute or two. Nothing to finish first.
Want more? Practise Think ahead.
Learn and practise it
- Lesson: The blunder check
- Skill: Think ahead