White to move

White to move.

What would you do if you are white, and why?

What I played was Bd2 which turned out to be an inaccuracy.

If I want to activate my dark square bishop,

how about e4 or b3(preparing for Bb2)?

If I play e4, where do I have to place my dark square bishop next?

Thank you :)

I like Ne5 for white first trying to win the bishop pair.

Than I would consider castles.

I think you don't need to worry about your dark square bishop right now.

The problem you have is you don't know where your dark square bishop should go.

So you shouldn't move it until you can figure out where it belongs.

It might go to b2, d2, or maybe in the future you will play e4 and move the bishop to e3, f4, g5  etc.

You should play the moves you know are needed first.

For example:

I like the move Ne5 because it would attack blacks light square bishop.

It would be great if I could win that piece.

Another move to consider would be to get king safety!

Playing 0-0 would be a sensible move.

You give yourself more time to figure out what to do with the dark bishop.

Yeah white isn't behind in development.

Your bishop on c1 looks as bad as black's knight on b8!

So it all balances out in this position.

Wow, I forgot importance of maintaining pawn structure.

You reminded me of that.. thank you!

Whenever I play chess and don't know where my minor piece should be,

I will remember what you said. Thanks!

Each opening has places were the minor pieces should be.

However, some minor pieces have a few different spots depending on player preference!