How to convert an advantage

Am sure this' a common problem hoping for suggestions to solve: i usually open the game so well, good piece placement an 2out of 3times i'll have a more promising mid game but then i can't seem to follow through especially when the position gets quiet...i know i have the better game but i choke, can't seem to find the correct plan and if they don't blunder somewhere, that game is lost

Almost everyone has the same problem. I suggest books like The Amateur Mind by Jeremy Silman so you get an idea of things to look for.

Thanks

I'm not sure for what advantage are u talking about, but if it's development then look for "sacrifices" to open the position. Push pawns, push on weakness you have supirior forces. I suggest to study finale (especially pawns and rooks) and middle game. (silman, keres, kotov, euwe). But here on chess.com I like very much the chess tactic and mentor. Personally, for training look at my favorite player recent games and I try to predict his next move.

Depends on the type of advantage.

Advantage in force (ie: an extra piece or Pawn) can be converted by exchanging down into an endgame. With an extra Pawn, you should exchange off pieces, not Pawns, to avoid a situation where your opponent can give up his last piece for your last Pawn... leaving you with (for example) King and Bishop vs King, a draw instead of a win.

Advantage in time (development) can be converted by direct attack. Look for threats and combinations.

Advantage in controlled space can be converted by avoiding exchanges (to keep the opponent cramped) and using alternating threats on widely-seperated sectors of the board. Since your opponent is cramped, he will usually lose time rushing back and forth to put out the fires... and this allows you to convert your space advantage into a time advantage; which is easier to exploit.

I'd advise you to study up some combinations and middle game and look up some games of your favorite openings and see what kind of combinations are viable to create. I'd recommend you a tiny but very informative book from I.Z. Bondarevsky (Korchnoi teacher) called Combinations in Middle Game which i find really valuable and simple to understand, and it shall improve your middle game steadily.

thanks guys, your suggestions are resourceful