It just means putting ur pieces on good squares where they have more influence on the game (eg a bishop on a long diagonal)
Learning positional chess
Sort:
...
Jul 12, 2025
0
#4
Files/squares: this rule is saying to take advantage of open files, diagonals, and weak squares. Weak squares are places your pieces can go to which are controlled by you and not by your opponent and can’t be controlled by your opponent in 2-1 move/s. If you put a rook on an open file you can infiltrate on the 7th and bishops fianchettoed are good and ones with big diagonals, but not fianchettoed are good and putting pieces(generally knights)on weak squares.
If you understand these, you’re halfway there:
Outposts (strong squares for knights, e.g. d5)
Weak squares/pawns (things that can’t be defended easily)
Open files (for rooks)
Good vs. bad bishops
Space advantage
Pawn breaks (changing the structure at the right time)
Prophylaxis (stopping your opponent's ideas before they happen)
Jul 12, 2025
0
#6
From what I've heard, it means making sure your pieces are well-placed, trying to make your opponent's pieces as useless as possible, and getting rid of especially troublesome pieces.
Pieces are more than just their numeric value. Sometimes, a bishop or knight can be even more powerful than a rook, while on the other hand even a queen can be nearly useless if it isn't deployed properly.
The "exchange sacrifice" is a good example of positional play, as it is often done to get rid of a minor piece that is causing a lot of issues.
Take this position, for example. Garry Kasparov (White) demonstrates it quite nicely:
Jul 12, 2025
0
#7
Read my posts in this thread:
GM Larry Evans' method of static analysis - Chess Forums - Chess.com
Posts #4, 7 to 10 and especially post #12.
Then play over the three sample games on pages 1 and 2, reading my notes to the moves.
Good Positional Chess, Planning & Strategy Books for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/introduction-to-positional-chess-planning-strategy
I do puzzles and play games and watch game commentaries and analysis.
But still I thing I haven't properly understood how and what things people think and do when they say "play positional chess"
Can someone help me the resources or any good videos to consume that skill