Calculation in Chess

Calculation in chess means:

These are good things you get right away in a game.
They help with starting an attack or taking control.
Be brave! Sometimes it's okay to take a little risk if you get a big reward fast.

Look at the board carefully.
See if your opponent has a threat.
Stop their threat if you can.
Look at your attacking moves:
- Checks
- Captures
- Tempo moves (a move that forces a reaction)
- Threats
Think ahead for each of those moves. What could happen?
If no good moves? Make a simple, safe move—but still think it through!

We use something called SWOT to help us think:

🏅 If you find a good move… look for an even better one!

Start with Forcing Moves: First look at checks, captures, and threats.
Pick Candidate Moves: Think of 2–4 smart move choices before calculating.
Don’t Touch the Pieces! Try to calculate in your head.
Go One Step at a Time: Don’t jump between ideas. Finish one idea, then try the next.
Don’t Go Too Far: Only think as many moves ahead as you need.
Watch for Sneaky Quiet Moves: Some strong moves aren’t flashy—they just make your opponent stuck.
Think at the End: Ask, "Who is better now?"
Blunder Check! Before playing, ask: “Can my opponent hurt me after this?”
Don’t Hope—Be Ready: Think about all the moves your opponent might play.
Use Your Time Wisely: Take longer on tricky moves, go fast on easy ones.
Under Time Pressure? Trust your gut and pick the most forcing move.
Practice Tactics Every Day: This builds your chess brain!
Try Blindfold Training: Picture moves in your head without looking at the board.
Study Old Games: See what the great players did in tricky spots.

✅ Move forward—only go back if it’s really needed.
✅ In-between Move: A surprise move that creates a new threat before finishing the exchange.
❌ Don’t go for random tricks. Use tactics only when they work!
❌ Don’t block your own pieces. Let them move freely.