Diagnose their threats before doing anything else.
Step 1 of 3
The opponent-plan question
Concept
The opponent-plan question
Every move begins with one question: what does the opponent want? Diagnose their plan first, then find the move that denies it AND improves you. Petrosian won a world title this way.
Remember
• First: 'What does my opponent want to play?'
• Then: 'How do I stop that AND improve my position?'
• Prophylaxis is denial of plans, not just good moves.
• Works even without a concrete threat: preemption is strength.