If-then-principles

You might know the principles:

• If you have already castled and you opponent hasn't, try to open the center.
• In case of opposite side castles, march with your pawns.
• If you have a passed pawn, put a rook behind it.

I call these "if-then-principles" and I would like to know more of them. For instance:

• If you control more space, ...
• If you have the bishops' pair and your opponent hasn't, ...
• If your opponent's pawn structure is messed up, ...
• If you are facing a pawn storm towards your king, ...

Any suggestions for these or other situations?

BTW: I am in my fifties and news to online chess. I played chess as a teenager and haven't played for decades. During the pandemic, I started to follow some youtube channels. Now I registered here, played some games and hey, it works and it is fun! My main expertise is to reach a better position and then blunder a piece. ;-)

@1

"If you have already castled and you opponent hasn't, try to open the center."
"In case of opposite side castles, march with your pawns." ++ But do not neglect center
"If you have a passed pawn, put a rook behind it." ++ Also if your opponent has the pawn

"If you control more space, ..." ++ Space is overrated
"If you have the bishops' pair and your opponent hasn't, ..." ++ Activate the bishop that has no opponent
"If your opponent's pawn structure is messed up, ..." ++ Trade heavy pieces
"If you are facing a pawn storm towards your king, ..." ++ Counterattack the center

Obviously, you should know that these "if-then" principles are general guidelines, and the specifics of the position may demand something that violates one or more of these.

- If you control more space, you should avoid exchanges and try to mobilize your forces on the side where it is difficult for your opponent to defend

- If you have the bishop pair, you should open up lines so your bishops can attack down the center of the board

- If your opponent's pawn structure is messed up, you should find a way to attack the weak points in the pawn structure, and/or you should put your pieces on the weak squares that the pawn structure leaves behind

- If you are facing a pawn storm toward your king, you should not create any "pawn hooks" and you should seek counterplay in the center