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Middlegame Tips and Tricks

TheStrategyTimes

Updated: May 9, 2026, 6:16 PM | 27

The middlegame is, as its name suggests, the middle of the game. There are so many ideas, and the phase of the game that everyone messes up. Often, during my lost games, I played the middlegame incorrectly and therefore ended up losing in the endgame. If you'd like to see how to play the endgame, check out my Endgame Techniques.

Often, it results in some wild battles, but when you realize you are lost, it is often too late. In order to avoid being lost while being after the point of no return, you have to study the middlegame before hopping to the endgame when you are lost. Since losing in the middlegame is super common and is what leads to a loss in the endgame, check out this tutorial of Middlegames.

Philidor Knight

A knight supported by two pawns is essentially a free pass to an attack.

As shown, the Knight in the center is a mighty tool used to obtain an outpost while being essentially unaffected by threats bar the f-pawn, which is obstructed by Black's own Knight.

The Bg5 Pin

The pin on g5 with the bishop is as annoying as it sounds, it is super hard to get out of.

As you can see, the Bg5/Bg4 pin is very deadly, particularly against strong players who know the Bh4 retreat, which is super annoying to deal against, and I have lost numerous games trying to deal with this pin. The good news is that if you have a Knight on b1, you can play Nbd2 to protect the Knight on f3 and then break the pin by moving the queen away.

Pawn Structure

As the diagram shows, pawn structure often directly leads to a loss of pawns or the successful protection of the pawns. Black's poor choice in the opening led to the loss of a pawn, which is often what the game is decided on.

Pawn Storms

Pawn storms break open the king's protection, exposing it. Based on the pawn structure, the Sicilian often leads to White attacking on the kingside and being attacked on the queenside. This opening has many lines to watch out for.

King Attack

As you can see, being unprepared for an attack often loses on the spot, similar to the next strategy.

Trade when Ahead

If you can trade pieces but not pawns when up material, it is best. The reason is that the less pieces, the less chances for messing up. However, less pawns means that the board can get stale and you will not be able to win. Therefore, the opposite is also true. If you are down material, do not trade pieces but trade pawns.

Sacrifices

Although you have to watch out for whether it is sound, here is a brilliant game of Mikhail Botvinnik that deserves to be studied.

The Strategy Times would like to say thanks and goodbye, hope to see you next time!