We often hear that the best chess players think several moves ahead, mapping out a game’s complex pathways.

But here’s the paradox: truly great players don’t need to calculate every possible future move. Instead, they zero in on one—the right move in the present moment.

While good players craft intricate plans, great players choose quality over quantity.

Years of practice refine their intuition, allowing them to make moves that transform the board with clarity and precision.

As Garry Kasparov observed about Magnus Carlsen, his mastery isn’t just a product of raw calculation; it’s grounded in “a deep intuitive sense no computer can teach,” a feel for the board that even seasoned grandmasters find hard to explain.

The same principle applies off the board too.

Whether it’s a career decision, an investment choice, or a relationship, the key is to develop your instincts—by practicing decision-making and reflecting on the outcomes, you’ll learn to trust your gut more deeply.

In chess, as in life, it’s not about predicting every turn in the road but mastering the power of a perfectly timed step forward.

So, when you’re caught weighing too many options, remember: sometimes the win lies in one right move, right now.