What separates a grandmaster from an amateur? While talent and practice play a role, it’s often their thinking process that makes the difference. In this post, we’ll break down three habits you can adopt to analyze positions like a pro.

Habit 1: Always Ask, “What Are the Threats?”
Before making a move, grandmasters evaluate their opponent’s possibilities. For example:

• Is there a check, capture, or tactical threat?
• Could your last move have weakened a square or piece?
  Practice Tip: Spend 30 seconds asking these questions before every move in your next game.

Habit 2: Calculate Backward
Instead of starting with your current position, imagine your ideal outcome (e.g., a checkmate or winning a piece) and work backward to find the path.
Example: If you want to deliver checkmate in 3 moves, what needs to happen on moves 1 and 2?

Habit 3: Prioritize Coordination Over Material
Beginners often chase material gains, but grandmasters focus on harmonizing their pieces. Ask yourself:

• Are my pieces working together?
• Can I improve their activity (e.g., rooks on open files)?
  Pro Tip: Sacrifice a pawn to activate your pieces if it creates long-term pressure.

Conclusion
Adopting these habits won’t turn you into Magnus Carlsen overnight, but they’ll help you avoid blunders and spot opportunities.