planning during a game

I am at the stage of realising that planning is very important during the game, how do I develop this skill of choosing the right plan, are there principles involved that I need to learn

If you are having a hard time choosing a plan, remember your chess basics.  Does your plan develop/improve your pieces?  Does your plan control the center?  Does your plan give you flexibility while forcing your opponent to do things he doesn't want to do?

In my opening, I have certain plans that allow me to win a pawn.  In the middle game, I might be looking for ways to win a piece.  Just don't forget, your opponent is planning, too!  Watch out for his traps while you make your own.

One last thing - don't be afraid to change your plan!  Every move creates a different position - what looked good a move ago might not work anymore.  That's why you want to have your pieces in places where you can change it up if you need to.

Best of luck!

Planning in Chess is a very confusing topic, I am reminded of the story of a player who was set to play Korchnoi, he said :-

I have a plan to beat him

after he was defeated a friend asked

what happened to your plan

he answered

 Korchnoi never followed it

Therein lies the problem you have an opponent who is going to do all he can to frustrate your plan.

You can only therefore plan, in relation to the board position in front of you, by means of addressing the relative merits of each position.

I suggest that you buy :- Silmans Reassess Your chess

He sets out a system,for planning your game, the system is based on imbalances creating and using them.

is

cheers, good advice from both of you

What you will find, when you build an opening tree and acquire an opening repertoire, is that every opening has at least two good plans of attack that extend into the middle game and very often the endgame.  And, that your choice of plan is dictated by how your opponent chooses to defend.

Life is like a Game of Chess. All dependant on all the moves you make.

thanks for the advice, game improving slowly!

The more you play the better you will get, surely?