Jun '25 (edited) • Lessons
🧠 6 Simple Acronyms That Help Me Think Through Chess Moves
♟️ CBA — When you’re in check
Capture the checking piece
Block the check
Away (move your king)
A quick checklist so you don’t panic.
🧊 ICED — When your piece is attacked
Ignore it (only if you have a stronger threat)
Capture the attacker
Escape by moving the piece
Defend it
Helps me stay calm and think clearly.
🔍 SCOUT — After your opponent’s move
See what changed
Checks they can play
Opposite threats
Uncovered tactics (pins, x-rays)
Targets and weaknesses
A quick scan so I’m not caught off guard.
🚨 BLAST — Before you move
Blunders?
Loose pieces?
Answers to their last move?
Strategy — does this fit?
Tactics — am I missing one?
My little pause before clicking “move.”
🐾 PETS — For openings
Pieces out
Early king safety
Take the center
Solid structure
Keeps me on track early in the game.
🎯 TACTIC — When picking moves
Threats (can I create one?)
Attacks (what’s already under fire?)
Checks
Tactics (forks, pins, etc.)
Improve piece activity
Control key squares
Helps me find good ideas on the board.
Just sharing what I’m trying out — hope it helps someone else too!
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🧠 6 Simple Acronyms That Help Me Think Through Chess Moves
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