ChessRanger
Strategy

Candidate move

One of the handful of moves worth calculating in a position.

Before calculating, strong players list the candidate moves — the two, three, or four moves that deserve serious analysis — then examine each in turn. It's a discipline that stops you from tunnel-visioning on the first idea you see.

Kotov's advice, 'examine each candidate once, thoroughly,' is a cornerstone of practical calculation.

Why it matters

Most missed wins come from never considering the move that worked — listing candidates first is how you make sure the good move is on the list.

The mistake everyone makes

Fixating on one attractive move and calculating it ten times while never even looking at the move that refutes it.

Related terms

Initiative
The ability to make threats the opponent must answer, keeping them reacting rather than acting.
Prophylaxis
Preventing the opponent's ideas before pursuing your own.
Tactic
A short, forcing sequence of moves that wins material or delivers mate.

See Candidate move in your own games

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