Strategy Kit

There is plenty of chess learning material available on the internet, but most of them do not demonstrate the most key strategy during a mid-game. If you have a good chess rating i.e. 1200-2200 chess.com rating, but still struggling to come up with strategies and do not know your circumstances in a mid-game, Everyone’s First Strategy Kit will help you get your opponent a tough time to keep up with you. Some of the strategies are given below:  

 ♟Exchange the right pieces and when.

Learn how you can swap off your opponent’s MVP for your weak piece (even if their point value is ‘the same’) - allowing the rest of your pieces to march in with little resistance

♟Maneuver the closed games

Playing 1.d4 (or against it) is often a much different game than 1.e4. Learn the strategic maneuvers and planning skills needed to be successful in this family of openings which include 1.c4 and 1.Nf3

♟Make a strategic blueprint based on pawn structure.

Understand how to play with or against an isolated queen pawn, play for the minority attack or defend against it, and other common pawn structure plans

♟Learn when material doesn’t matter.

With a chapter dedicated to positional sacrifices, you’ll learn when you should give up material - whether that be a pawn, an exchange, or even a piece - to get long-term positional compensation

♟ Exploit critical squares.

Learn how to find a weak square and exploit it - or make one if there is none

 Chess Strategy #1: Develop your pieces with freedom – Piece Development

If you have successfully developed your pieces, but you do not have any space left to move your pieces freely even in your area, it is not considered a healthy development. When the central pawns or other pieces are blocked, it gets more complex to develop your pieces suitably.

Developing your pieces does not mean you are moving your pieces out one by one, but, it should be done by keeping in mind the proper chess principles. The best way to develop your pieces with freedom is to move your pieces after analyzing the squares that your opponent is threatening. You should always try to get control of the center squares with the help of either bishops or knights. Controlling the center with the major pieces like a queen or the rook is not recommended as it enables the chances for your opponent to challenge your major pieces and develop at the same time.

At each of your moves, you should check if your pawns or opponent's pieces do not block your major or minor pieces, if they get blocked, might even get captured by the opponent's pawn. It is recommended to develop as many pieces as possible and attack with only two pieces.

The best way to develop your pieces after 5 to 6 moves is to develop your pieces while threatening the opponent's pieces, in that way your opponent will be forced to take defensive action.

 Chess Strategy #2: Don’t undervalue your pawns – Pawn Structure

In a chess game, most of the players consider pawns as weak pieces at the board but in reality, they are undeniably valued by experienced chess players. They play the most vital role in a chess mid-game as they are mostly used to cover up your critical pieces and certainly save the King from the opponent’s threats. In the section Pawn Structure, you can find exactly what you need to know you should play with your crucial pawns and win a game without most of your opponents figuring out your strategy. 

Although a pawn is worth only one point, if you lose it you can undoubtedly lose the entire game if your opponent is an intermediate level or even a beginner at chess. However, the best practice for pawns is to move them according to any strategic plan because moving randomly can turn the game in your opponent’s favor. The best example to move your pawns would be in openings where your goal should be to bring your pawns out and try to control the center such as e4 or d5 and then support these pawns with other pieces. Once pawns are all set in a middle game, a single pawn step can disrupt your opponent and give a devastating impact. Whenever ALL your pieces are in perfect places, pawn moves can have a devastating effect.

Chess Strategy #3: Always try to control center blocks 

In every chess game, regardless of any kind of opening, controlling the center of the board is considered the first opening principle. You will see this principle used by the opponents in most of your games. However, most of the players without thinking make an unusual opening that leads to their loss.

Controlling the center represents four squares that are e4, d4, e5, and d5. They are considered the most important area of a chessboard, when controlled by any side, can allow extra pieces mobility having access to more squares. 

Another benefit of controlling these squares is to NOT allow your opponent's pieces to develop more commendably. If both the players try to control the squares, it can turn into a fierce battle.

Test your positional skills:

 Besides these strategies, there is plenty more tactical material to get you prepared in your first strategy kit for your next game. 

Website: Chess-boost

Course: Everyone's First Strategy Kit