Spot the Blunder: chess tactic

Pause before you commit. Find the move you almost missed.

Every player blunders. The difference between players is how often they catch themselves before pressing the piece down. The drill is simple: when your opponent moves, stop for five seconds and ask one question. What did that move give up? Most of the time the answer is nothing. But the times it is something, you win a piece, a pawn, or the game.

• Ask what your move gives up. Every move loses control of squares.
• Look for opponent checks, captures, and threats first.
• If a move feels obvious, give it five more seconds.
• When your opponent moves, ask the same question: did that move give something up?