The Steps Method - Finding the best Move and Plan

In this series, I present all the chess concepts that form the fabric of the Steps Method.
The series is intended for:
adult players who start in Step 3 or higher and want to make sure they have a good grasp of the chess concepts in Step 1 and Step 2
Chess Steps teachers who want to compare their understanding of the Steps Method
parents who are teaching Step 1 to their kids and want to make sure they fully understand the underlying concepts
In this video, I explain how to find the best move and plan.
Orientation:
Direct threats: tactical characteristics
Positional: activity and vulnerability
Calculation and Evaluation
Establish goal
Find moves that fit with the goal using the mini-concepts
Look for forcing moves as preparatory moves
Increase activity or exploit vulnerabilities
Verify calculation
How will the position change after I play my move?
Did I consider the strongest reply of my opponent?

[@justsomeboyprobablydressed9579]

In the 2nd example @9:42, you showed us that if 1.Qd2, Black will have a counterattack defense. But, it is interesting that after 1.Qc1 (the other candidate move), Black can save his queen (at a cost) with the surprising defense 1...Nh5. This clears the d8-h4 diagonal for the black queen to retreat along, and if White plays 2.Bg5 as intended, then Black is a little better in the position after 2...Nf4 (counterattack on e2). However, instead of 2.Bg5, White has the nice 2.Bg4, interfering with the black queen's defense of the f4 square, making 2...Nf4 impossible, and Black can't retreat with his queen with, say, 2...Qe7 without losing the knight on h5. So, the Black queen is still trapped.
Very nice example. And a great video in this series! I'm watching them all twice. I love the systematic approach of the step method, and, thanks to you, I've purchased materials for steps 4, 5, and 6. These videos are invaluable for catching me up.

[@JoseMartinez-iq3xq]

His trainer-style videos are the best

[@willyh.r.1216]

The best youtube chess teaching, right to the bull's eye: no fluff, and 100% key takeaway.

[@HanSchut]

Thank you! That is a big compliment.

[@southernrun9048]

Very well done. Thanks for the video

[@AdrianaValente-f2v]

Thank you for the video, a gentle and precise explanation

[@neuracap]

Thank Han! Very well explained

[@moonlifeSW]

Great video thanks!

[@B51tausifabdulgaffarshershah]

Thanks Han, learned a lot from this!!😊

[@Yohan421-e5g]

Thanks Han

[@Discipulus1]

so with the last step calculate how you want it too happen but check too make sure your opponent can’t do anything too stop it ?

[@HanSchut]

The last step is twofold:
- falsifying: double check that you really considered the most resilient replies of your opponent. You look outside-in (what would I do if I were my opponent) instead of inside out (how shall I continue)
- after I visualize the move the I want to play, what will change in the position and are there any captures, checks or threats by my opponent that I did not consider.

[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

@@HanSchut @7:45 Orientation! It would help if You said, "Black to move".