What did my opponent just do?
In short
The most important beginner habit is to stop and look at the opponent’s last move before playing your own. Ask: what does that piece attack now?
By the end you can
- Check the opponent’s last move for threats
- Defend simple attacks on pieces
The lesson
The most important beginner habit is to stop and look at the opponent’s last move before playing your own. Ask: what does that piece attack now? Is it threatening to capture something, or to give check?
If something of yours is attacked, you have four choices: move it, protect it, block the attack, or capture the attacker. If nothing is attacked, look for something you can attack or capture yourself.
Key points to remember
- Stop and look at every opponent move
- Ask: what is attacked now?
- Defend: move, protect, block or capture
Examples
Show the solution
46... Kxh3 47. a7 h1=Q
Practise it
Solve puzzles on this idea: hanging piece puzzles.
Homework
In two games, put your hands under the table after each opponent move and say what it attacks.
More thinking process lessons
- The safety check before every move (Novice)
- Checks, captures, threats (CCT) (Class F)
- Candidate moves (Class E)
- A full thinking routine (Class D)
- Prophylaxis: what does my opponent want? (Class C)
- Recognising critical moments at the board (Class A)