Run CCA for him — checks, captures, attacks. Then name the real threat; most scary moves have no follow-up.
I
Ideas
Run CCA for you. Forcing moves first — they make the position calculable.
P
Plans
Calculate the most-forcing line to the end, then judge: material, king safety, activity, structure.
S
Safety
CCA one more time for him after your move. What can he take? Is everything defended?
His threats? → My ideas? → Best plan, calculated to the end → Before I move: is it safe (what can he take)?
🎓 Levy's edge
🎯
Name the threat
Most scary-looking moves have no follow-up. Trace his actual next move before you react — the fear usually evaporates.
⚖️
Danger levels
A check beats a threat to your queen. If your threat is scarier than his, ignore his and play yours.
⚡
Most forcing first
Among your checks, try the one with the fewest replies first — it collapses the calculation to a single line.
🎓 Grounded in Levy Rozman (GothamChess) — How to Win at Chess. His #1 rule: run CCA — checks, captures, attacks — every move, for BOTH sides. TIPS is how you organize it.