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Thinking Habits: Slow Down on Captures and Checks

Slow down on captures and checks. Captures and checks change the position more than quiet moves do.

Slow down on a capture

White pawn is on e5 and Black pawn is on d6. Before capturing, White counts defenders on d6 and checks for a reply.

FEN: 4k3/8/3p4/4P3/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . p . . . . 6
5 . . . . P . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Slow down on a check

White queen is on d5 and Black king is on e8. Before playing Qd8, White asks how Black can answer the check.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/3Q4/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . Q . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Slow down on an offered piece

White queen is on e5 and Black rook is on e6 with no defender. Before capturing, White checks that no enemy piece recaptures with a better result.

FEN: 4k3/8/4r3/4Q3/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . r . . . 6
5 . . . . Q . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • Slow down before every capture. Count attackers and defenders before capturing.
  • Slow down before every check. Ask how the enemy can answer the check.
  • Slow down when the enemy offers a capture. Ask why the piece is offered and what follows.
  • Slow down on your last move before a time trouble. A rushed move in time trouble often loses material.
  • A short pause before captures and checks prevents most beginner losses.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White queen can capture an undefended rook. What should White check first?