Thinking & Calculation
What is a text move in chess?
- Thinking
- Calculation
- Review
Text move is a thinking and analysis concept: this term is used in written analysis of chess games to refer to a move actually played in the game as opposed to other possible moves. Often shortened to text, for example "The text is inferior as it allows...f5." Text moves are usually in bold whereas analysis moves are not. Turn the term into a question you can ask before moving.
What to look for on the board
- Candidate moves.
- The opponent's best reply.
- Whether this is a critical position.
text move FAQ
What is a text move in chess?
Text move is a thinking and analysis concept: this term is used in written analysis of chess games to refer to a move actually played in the game as opposed to other possible moves. Often shortened to text, for example "The text is inferior as it allows...f5." Text moves are usually in bold whereas analysis moves are not. Turn the term into a question you can ask before moving.
How do you spot a text move on the board?
Look for: Candidate moves.; The opponent's best reply.; Whether this is a critical position..
What is the most common mistake with a text move?
Using the term after the game but not as a question during the game.
How do you get better at using a text move?
Turn the term into a question you can ask during a game.
Train this pattern on your own games
Reading a definition is not the same as spotting the pattern with a clock running. Chessiro's free game review runs Stockfish 18 over every move you play, names the concept behind each mistake, and turns the positions where it cost you into training puzzles. You can also see the idea in action in the classic games collection, where the greatest players in history demonstrate it.
Free game review
See where text move decides your games
Chessiro reviews your games with an AI coach that names the concept behind every mistake, then drills you on the exact positions where it happened until you stop repeating them.
