Opening
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I'm a beginner, how do you play black if your opponent opens with queenside pawn is it E2? : I apologize as I can't quite trust in my ability writing chess notation, much less read it. Back to my original question though, you start a game, your opponent plays white and opens with his queenside pawn moving two spaces? Does it throw off the tempo of your game? I don't know what to do
The basics of each phase of the game
Opening:
Follow the Opening principles:
1. Control the center squares – d4-e4-d5-e5
2. Develop your minor pieces toward the center – piece activity is the key
Ø Complete your development before moving a piece twice or starting an attack.
Ø Move pieces not pawns.
3. Castle
4. Connect your rooks
Ø 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.
1. Scan your opponents 5th, and 6th ranks (3rd, and 4th if your black)
2. Look for weak pawns, and or weak squares.
Ø Weak pawns and squares are Pawns, and squares that cannot be defended by another Pawn.
Ø Knights are excellent pieces on weak squares.
Ø When deciding on weak squares, and weak Pawns to attack, the closer to the center the better
End game:
Start with the basics:
1. Learn basic mates – KQ vs. K, KR vs. K, KRR vs. K
2. Learn Opposition, and Key Squares
3. Learn basic King and Pawn endings
Pre Move Checklist
1. Make sure all your pieces are safe.
2. Look for forcing moves: 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.
5. After each move by your opponent, ask yourself: "What is my opponent trying to do?"
thanks diakonia👍👍👍👍👍 you have no idea how long ive been searching for this kind of info on creating plans in the middlegame👌
masterfowler wrote:
thanks diakonia👍👍👍👍👍 you have no idea how long ive been searching for this kind of info on creating plans in the middlegame👌
Youre very welcome, but keep in mind that it is a very simple way to develop a middlegame plan.
that i understand...but its a stepping stone in the right direction☺ all this time ive just been attacking the king because i had no real idea what to actually do after developing☺ you are Godsent Sire🙏
Thank you diakonia. This is great roadmap. I guess I just want control...... my plan of playing so much when white plays e4 on first move. It feels like I'm playing a different game
For someone seeking help with openings, I usually bring up Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro (2014).
http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
I believe that it is possible to see a fair portion of the beginning of Tamburro's book by going to the Mongoose Press site.
https://www.mongoosepress.com/excerpts/OpeningsForAmateurs%20sample.pdf
Perhaps chessterlarry would also want to look at Discovering Chess Openings by GM John Emms (2006).
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf