Evaluate Your Game in These Areas

There are bits of advice for winning at chess. Some of these bits, though small, can be the difference in winning or losing. Some can help a beginner take the next step toward a more solid game and improved play and rating. Consider some of the following bits of advice.

Bits of advice for winning at chess:

• Concentrate!
• Play a solid opening.
• Make the best move every time!
• For most players, open with a center pawn.
• Develop your pieces!
• Gain control of the center.
• Avoid moving a piece twice in the opening (unless absolutely necessary).
• Castle quickly without sacrificing development and momentum.
• Don't just move; move with a plan and purpose!
• Plans must be short and examined from both sides of the board.
• Avoid trading pieces of equal value unless there is a clear advantage or you are ahead by at least five points.
• Where possible, prevent your opponent from castling.
• In the middle game, avoid moving and causing pawn chain weakness.
• After the opening, evaluate every possible move by considering the following: your current material, king safety, enemy attacks, ability of your pieces to move/attack, and pawn structure.
• When in even but cramped positions, look for strategic opportunities to exchange pieces.
• Knights are frequently better than bishops in cramped positions.

ChIP Step 1 is to evaluate/assess your game. With which of these do you struggle? ChIP Step 2 is to identify the needs. ChIP Step 3 is to prioritize what you have identified so that you can know the best place to start to address the needs you have identified. Share your ChIP responses. Leave a comment!

Where is "protect the king"? 

I have seen folks following all the above rules, but losing quickly because they didn't double check if the king was safe from a sacrificial attack.

One example: Don't castle into trouble. Make sure you have defenders well placed on the side of the board you are castling towards.

It is included a little in this one:

• After the opening, evaluate every possible move by considering the following: your current material, king safety, enemy attacks, ability of your pieces to move/attack, and pawn structure.

But I agree, king safety is the point of chess! Probably deserves its own point.