A candidate move is any move a player identifies as worth analyzing before making a final decision. The method involves building a short list — typically two to four moves — that appear most promising in a given position, then evaluating each one carefully before choosing.
Rather than trying to calculate every legal move (an impossible task), the player selects candidates based on simple criteria: active moves, captures, checks, and threats. In a tense position, the question to ask is not "what can I play?" but "which two or three moves truly deserve my attention here?" This focused approach prevents both impulsive decisions and wasted thinking time.
In practice, listing candidate moves before calculating anything helps players at the 800–1400 level avoid two common mistakes: playing the first appealing move without looking further, or spending time on moves that are clearly insufficient. Always ask yourself: "Have I considered all active moves — captures, checks, and threats — before committing to a choice?"