Guide
The Blunder Check Method (CCT for Club Players)
Checks, captures, threats — a simple pre-move routine used by coaches to cut one-move oversights.
Updated 2026-06-15 · Part of improvement series
CCT: Checks, Captures, Threats
Before playing your candidate move, ask what forcing replies exist for your opponent: checks, captures, and threats (including mate threats and attacks on your queen). If you cannot answer, the move is not ready.
When to skip full CCT
In known equal endgames or repeated opening moves, a full scan is overkill. In sharp middlegames and whenever you touch a piece, CCT is non-negotiable.
Pair CCT with candidate moves
Choose two candidate moves, run CCT on both, play the one that survives. This beats calculating one deep line that ignores a simple fork reply.
Frequently asked questions
- Does CCT work in bullet?
- Partially. Even a half-second "any checks?" catches many bullet blunders. Full CCT is for rapid and classical.