Middlegame Strategy Traning for 2000+ - Part 2

This post features 5 advanced strategic exercises taken from my book How to Create Plans in the Middlegame. The positions are designed to train your ability to identify long-term plans based on pawn structure and piece activity — two essential pillars of positional understanding.

The difficulty level is aimed at players rated around 2000 and above, but ambitious players below that level may still benefit from reflecting on the ideas and comparing their thinking to the solutions.

This is Part 2 of a 3-part series. Each post will present 5 positions with brief context and full explanations after each diagram. Try to pause and think before reading the solution — the goal is not just to get the move, but to understand the plan. The explanations of each exercise are on the end of the blog.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Exercise 5

Exercises solutions

Exercise 1

1. e5
With this move, White forces 1...dxe5 and consequently creates weaknesses in Black's pawn structure.
1...dxe5

2.Ne4

Exercise 2

In this position, White has the bishop pair.
Therefore, Black intends to break it.
1...Nd5
2. Bb2 Nf4
Winning the bishop pair.
3. Qe3 Nxd3
4. Qxd3
In this position, the bishops on d6 and b7 are very active.

Exercise 3

In this position, White intends to transfer the knight from e2 to d5, where it would be very well placed.
1...Bg4

With this move, Black intends to eliminate the knight on e2 and then transfer the knight from c6 to d5, where it would be very well placed.
2. Kd2

Defending against the threat of Nd5.
2...Bxe2
3. Kxe2 Nd5

With this, Black has gained an advantage, as the knight is superior to the bishop.

Exercise 4

In this position, the bishop on b7 is very passive, and Black's plan is to improve it or trade it.
1...Ba6

With this move, Black manages to trade a bad bishop for a good one and, consequently, solve the only problem in the position.

Exercise 5

In this position, the bishop on d3 is very passive, and White's goal is to trade it.

1.Qe2 a5

2.Bc4
If 2...Bxc4, White manages to trade the bishop, and if 2...Bd7, the bishop on c4 becomes active.

I hope you enjoyed the exercises. The next part will be posted as soon as possible.