Candidate moves?

Hi, have this peculiar problem in that every game i play i seem to see only one move as the continuation...am pretty sure there are alternatives which would still hold the position playable but i don't see them(thus i often miss the strongest replies)...some advice please on how i could make a habit of formulating candidates moves. It'll be highly appreciated ;-D

Skip the live and blitz games for a couple of months and play ONLY Online Chess, where you can take up to 3 days or more to make a move.  And DO take at the very least 5 minutes trying all the different possible moves - sometimes you may take 30 minutes to decide on a move.  Very often your first thought for a move is not the best, but explore all possible moves. (even sometimes the ridiculus, like sac'ing your Queen.  This saved a sure loss for me one time and gave me a win)  

    After trying this for a couple of months, you will naturally start exploring different candidate moves.  (and consider the same candidate moves for your opponent, leaning toward the very best replies)   

   Playing those other type games, blitz, etc., don't let you apply the candidate moves much.  Good luck! 

Thanks alot Williams, that sure does sound like the way to go :-P

Hehehe, thats a funny one Mendez...i don't exactly get what you mean by 'timed tactics'???

There is chess based game, that can help you. Let's call it "i not allow you; you have to". Basically you ask your opponent about move you want to move:

Can i go 1. e4?

Your opponent can anserw:

A) i not allow you!

And then you can make any other possible move without his allowance.

B) you have to!

And you have to move according to what you said (1.e4).

The same for your opponent, when it is his turn

.

Well, only one thing is you can not play this online, unless you do some agreement with someone on this rule.

Candidate moves include:

- all tactical possibilities (captures, checks, attacks, forks, interpolations, etc.);

- moves suggested by general principles (develop your pieces in the opening, place your rook behind the passed pawn in the endgame and so on);

- positionally favorable moves (Bf4 to control e5);

- moves that advance your strategy (moving a piece to attack a backward pawn);

- problem pieces - exchanging your inactive pieces for yourt opponent's active ones; improving the positions of your badly placed pieces; hindering your opponent's pieces.

As you can see, in a general position there are usually more than 1 candidate moves. By calculating the variations after those moves and evaluating the final position (which should be a quiet one, unless you're unable to reach such one because of limited visualization skills) you should choose the one you like best.

And of course get 5 go 10 online games going.  Still in the 30 minute games you don't have enough time to develop this skill.  You'll find a few opponents that make several moves per day.  I have one regular friend, we can still play an entire game in 1 or 2 days and yet get LOTS of practice in searching out the best candidate moves.  Your skill and rating will TAKE OFF within a month and you'll become a better player.  And be sure, when you think you see your move, look hard for a better one - very often you'll find one that surprises you. 

Thanks so much guys for the help and input, i'll put to practise all these ideas and see which one works out for me, God bless.