Put your rooks on open files. Move knights to advanced squares where they can't be attacked by enemy pawns or traded off. Take squares away from enemy knights with pawns. Push pawns on the side of the board where you have more space. Trade off your bishops.
Closed Position Strategy
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What is the general strategy in closed positions? I know that knights are stronger when everything is gridlocked but I just can't seem to know what kind of plan to look for in these closed games.
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The general strategy in closed positions/pawn stucture is almost always the same as with any other pawn structure. Spot the indicated levers and pawn breaks and formulate a strategy/plan of attack to fit the terrain of the battlefield (pawn structure) (the mountains, hills and valleys)
If there are no indicated levers and pawn breaks then more than likely you are headed for a draw. Unless there is a positional sacrifice or tactic to break thru to the enemy position. And, yes the N(s) are very handy in these closed pawn structures. Also Rs are meekly dependent on pawn levers and pawn breaks to create half-open and open files to allow Rs to ivade the enemy position, especially the 7th and 8th ranks.
Normally when a game is open it's easier to find a plan or a tactic than in a closed game. For me at least.
What is the general strategy in closed positions? I know that knights are stronger when everything is gridlocked but I just can't seem to know what kind of plan to look for in these closed games.
Any tips?