That's a great question. In the middlegame, it's time to develop a plan, and also be prepared to change it.
One of the best ways to figure this out is through example. I have a bunch of videos where I play players rated under 1000, so you can focus on the opening - middlegame transition in those to get a feel for it.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeLmy4hisTQG7qb5ELyUYTKz2-i2WRzrh
hope that helps. i didn't use computer assistance so maybe someone can refine the analysis and point out my mistakes.
lol i fell asleep halfway thru that game because it was midnight haha
When it comes to forming a plan in the late opening or early middle-game, you could try reading through my posts on the first two or three pages of this thread, and playing through the sample games with notes:
GM Larry Evans' method of static analysis - Chess Forums - Chess.com
When it comes to forming a plan in the late opening or early middle-game, you could try reading through my posts on the first two or three pages of this thread, and playing through the sample games with notes:
GM Larry Evans' method of static analysis - Chess Forums - Chess.com
+1
Planning is key. It doesn't even have to be the right plan. Just something sensible that is not easy for your opponent to refute. It will unify your moves. A juicy target, the more specific the better. Learn a few positional ideas such as weak squares and backward pawns. You could then form a simple plan of manoeuvring your pieces to attack the pawn or occupy the weak square. This will improve your pieces, give them a job and stable squares, and if your opponent hangs something along the way, all the better. I found it helpful to play through GM games in Logical Chess by Chernev and see how targets (weaknesses) are provoked and attacked in the middlegame.
Well. The plan. It also depends on what opening do you play. You should be familiar with ideas of the opening - look for good squares for you pieces, look for tactics - pins, skewers etc..., learn some pawn structures so you can get better position for endgame, if you can attack, if your opponent is attacking, it is always better to give up one move for defending instead getting to trouble. You were consating about your opponent was defensive. In that case I am just aggresive (but careful, it is important) I just push and I am trying to take space so my opponent cannot cover center with knights, I am trying to cutting of bishops from good diagonals. I think just concentrating about controling center is good idea and if you caslte on king side for example you can try to push on queenside more for example. Trying to force your opponent to mess up with his pawn structure etc...
I also have to mention that I looked at your last game. You developed your pieces well and opening was good, you were doing well. Your opponent left bishop for free, you took it - also good. But you were hanging your bishop as well after he moved dark squared bishop. So you could just move it. So another advice is to analyze your games and trying to eliminate blunders. Do some Tactics puzzles. But I think you are at good way, I really liked how well you played your opening. When I was at 750 I just moved pieces randomly in opening. You can get much further for sure, you look like serious student of chess in my point of view.
Improving Your Chess - Resources for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/improving-your-chess-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell
I've made two new videos on exactly this topic for you today.
And a longer example...
13 Chess Middle Game Strategic Goals by ChessEdge on YouTube...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBZL_uUX-7E
Good Positional Chess, Planning & Strategy Books for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/introduction-to-positional-chess-planning-strategy
Correct. Don't move pieces out simply in order to get them "developed". Every move should serve a purpose, and developing moves in the opening are no exception. Avoid "cosmetic" development and try to ensure that each move actually improves your position.
Here's an example, from a game here on chess.com a few years ago. My opponent was a titled player; an FM.
So I develop e4/e5, then knights and bishops, castle, connect rooks but then I'm stuck. If my opponent played a good opening, I can't attack any pieces, and I basically just push pawns until my opponent blunders. Is there any tactics to force my opponent out of a defensive position and make them hang?