how to improve middle game

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Avatar of aVeryHandsomeFella

look for checks, captures and attacks (in that order). First see if you have any useful checks since they are the most forcing moves and require a response from the opponent. Not all checks are good though, if they have an obvious good response then don't do it. Then look for any pieces you can take safely that will improve your position on the board, maybe you can damage their structure or maybe they left a piece completely hanging! If nothing, look for ways in which you can attack the opponents pieces, the bigger the threat the better, it's pretty nice to force moves from your opponent which could weaken their position in other ways. Also if one of your pieces gets attacked, you can respond by attacking one of their more valuable pieces, if they attack your rook but you have an effective way to attack their queen then that's going to be a good move. These are some of the things I've learnt.

Avatar of aVeryHandsomeFella

 

Just to my last point as I'm still learning too, this is a game I just had, you can see how keeping the pressure on the opponent can work wonders (checks, captures, attacks...), not all my moves were optimal but I got an accuracy of 94ish. Opponent tried a mate threat with their queen and bishop but by turning the threat on to their queen I achieved a winning position by being whole piece up. Opponent also threw away their e pawn, if they move a piece into danger and you can see you can safely take it then you should. Just be aware of any vulnerabilities you can create for yourself when moving your pieces (is that piece you're going to move a crucial defender of another piece?). In the end the opponent blundered mate in one.

Avatar of Chaya47
@aVeryHandsomeFella : sorry for the late reply, i have been kind of inactive this two days because of work. “Checks, capture, attacks”, i will try to do that in my next play 😁. Ah yeah sometimes i give check without thinking about what opponent might respond because of time limit of 10 minutes gives me pressure to move fast. Probably should play in longer games 😂. I see your point, So actually middle game is about finding a way to attack efficiently and without exposing yourself either.
Thank you for sharing your game and thoughts, i can learn many things 😁🙏🏼
Avatar of Nwap111

Three things: notice every check, capture, or mate threat for both sides; next, ask yourself why your opponent move there with that piece; and finally play over your losses only and ask yourself why you moved where you did. Look to see how you can improve.

Avatar of Chaya47
@Nwap111 : thank you for the tips 🙏🏼, i find it hard to concentrate and check everything when playing 10 minute rapid. I need to play 15/10 or 30 minutes game more in order to check those three things you just mentioned. have a good day sir 😁
Avatar of DerekDHarvey

Exchange Queens at the first opportunity for a year or so to improve your piece play.

Avatar of Ekansh_shah12

do a lot of chess puzzels

Avatar of Psychic_Vigilante

You need to get two books:

1.Mastering Chess Strategy - Johan Hellsten

2. Positional Play by Jacob Aagard

Avatar of Henson_Chess

1. Tactics, Tactics, Tactics. Many middlegames are won and lost because someone spotted/missed a tactic.

2. Every opening has several middlegame plans to follow up on. Find out what middlegame your opening of choice leads you to and what plans are attached to it.

3. Strategic chess. Always be asking. "What are my good pieces? What are my bad pieces? How can I reposition/exchange my bad pieces? How can I avoid exchanging/losing my good pieces?"

An example from one of my games many years ago as a beginner.

I am already much better. Many moves win. By light-squared bishop is doing a good job pinning the knight. My dark squared bishop lazers the long diagonal, which prompt the my opponent to play the losing blunder f6??

Can you spot my next move? (its not the BEST move, but it strives to improve a piece which is not very active)

Answer:

Try to put it in practice in your games. Find ways to constantly improve your pieces, you'll be surprised how many tactics crop up.

Avatar of AraW2025
I think I’m a little confused dumb noob so maybe I need some help with chess.SSSSSSSOOOOOOO HHHHHEEEELLLLPPPP