The basics of each phase of the game
Opening:
Follow the Opening principles:
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Control the center squares – d4-e4-d5-e5
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Develop your minor pieces toward the center – piece activity is the key
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Complete your development before moving a piece twice or starting an attack.
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Move pieces not pawns.
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Castle
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Connect your rooks
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By move 12, you should have connected your Rooks, or be about to do so.
Middle game:
When you have completed the Opening Principles, you are now at the middle game. Now you need to formulate a middle game plan. The middle game is a very complicated part of a chess game. A simple way to develop a middle game plan is to perform the following steps.
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Scan your opponents 5th, and 6th ranks (3rd, and 4th if your black)
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Look for weak pawns, and or weak squares.
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Weak pawns and squares are Pawns, and squares that cannot be defended by another Pawn.
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Knights are excellent pieces on weak squares.
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When deciding on weak squares, and weak Pawns to attack, the closer to the center the better
End game:
Start with the basics:
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Learn basic mates – KQ vs. K, KR vs. K, KRR vs. K
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Learn Opposition, and Key Squares
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Learn basic King and Pawn endings
Pre Move Checklist:
1. Make sure all your pieces are safe.
2. Look for forcing move: Checks, captures, threats. You want to look at ALL forcing moves (even the bad ones) this will force you look at, and see the entire board.
3. If there are no forcing moves, you then want to remove any of your opponent’s pieces from your side of the board.
4. If your opponent doesn’t have any of his pieces on your side of the board, then you want to improve the position of your least active piece.
Are there no end to blind spots?
At my level, they are everywhere. Yet the whole point is to think ahead.
Forks still take me by surprise.
Skewers are still piercing.
It isn't as though I didn't look for danger and try to see a couple moves ahead; but being snookered is simply too common a threat to my ego and my ability to win.