Learning to Think Like a Grandmaster: The Thought Process Behind Every Move

And here’s the good news: you can learn to think like a grandmaster too. You don’t need to be a genius; you just need the right mindset and practice.

Step 1: Observation – What’s Going On?

Before making any move, a grandmaster carefully looks at the board. They don’t rush. They take their time to understand the current position. They ask themselves basic questions like:

• What are my opponent’s threats?
• What pieces are under attack?
• Are there any weaknesses in my opponent's setup?

By doing this, they make sure they don’t miss any obvious danger. At the same time, they’re looking for opportunities. Is there a weak pawn they can target? Maybe an open file for their rook to dominate? Observation is all about fully understanding the position before making a decision.

FM Aleksa Alimpic is a professional chess coach. For lessons and consultations contact via e-mail: alimpicbusiness@gmail.com or via Lichess messages.

Step 2: Finding Candidate Moves

Once they have a clear picture of the situation, grandmasters begin thinking about possible moves. These are called "candidate moves." Instead of just focusing on the first move that comes to mind, they think of multiple options. Maybe there’s a way to attack, defend, or even create a sneaky threat.
For example, if your opponent’s king is exposed, a grandmaster might consider attacking with a queen or a rook. If their own pieces are under pressure, they might think about moving a knight to block the attack or castling to get the king to safety. The key is not to stick to the first idea but to explore different paths.

Step 3: Calculating Variations

After choosing a few candidate moves, grandmasters start calculating. This is where they visualize the consequences of each move. They imagine what the board will look like after making one of their candidate moves, then think about how their opponent might respond. They mentally play out the game several moves ahead, trying to see which option gives them the best chances.
This step might sound complicated, but it’s really just about thinking ahead and considering all possibilities. When you practice enough, you get better at spotting patterns, so the calculations become faster and more accurate.

Step 4: Evaluating the Position

Once the calculations are done, grandmasters don’t just stop and pick a move. They take a step back and evaluate the position again. They ask themselves:

• Did my calculations lead to a better position for me?
• Will my pieces be active after this move?
• Is my king safe?

If a move leads to a solid position, where their pieces are working well together and they’re not in danger, then that move is probably a good choice. If not, they might go back and consider other options.

Step 5: Making a Decision

Finally, after all that thought, grandmasters make their move. But here’s something important: they trust their decision. Even though they know chess is a game where one mistake can be costly, they don’t second-guess themselves too much. They’ve done the work, and now it’s time to act.
It’s common for beginners to doubt their decisions, especially when they don’t see immediate results. But confidence is key. Grandmasters understand that not every move is going to lead to an instant win. Sometimes, you just need to play patiently and keep building up small advantages.

Step 6: Learning From Mistakes

Even grandmasters make mistakes. The difference is that they don’t get discouraged by them. Instead, they use their mistakes as learning opportunities. After each game, win or lose, they review their moves. They figure out what went wrong and how they could’ve played better.
This is something that every chess player should do. If you want to improve, you have to look back at your games and find where you can grow. It’s like playing any sport: the more you practice and learn from your mistakes, the better you get.

Practice Makes Perfect

Thinking like a grandmaster isn’t about memorizing a bunch of opening moves or fancy tricks. It’s about developing a disciplined thought process that helps you make smart decisions during the game. It’s about observing the board, considering multiple options, calculating ahead, evaluating the position, and learning from mistakes.
With enough practice, you can develop this thought process too. You might not become a grandmaster overnight, but with patience and hard work, you’ll definitely improve. So the next time you play chess, take your time, think like a grandmaster, and see how your game improves!

If you are interested in improving at chess, book a lesson with me (FM Alimpic Aleksa), contact me via e-mail: alimpicbusiness@gmail.com or via Lichess messages.
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