Chess Strategy (94)

Improving your strategic abilities will help you in every phase of your chess games.

There is a lot to learn about chess strategy and middlegame play. Fortunately, we have many top-quality chess courses to help you master this part of your chess game (just scroll down to find them).

These courses are presented by titled players who have many years of chess coaching experience. They know all the challenges you are likely to encounter and how to conquer them.

Some of the presenters include Susan Polgar, Simon Williams (GingerGM), Bryan Smith, Mesgen Amanov, Jan Gustafsson, Igor Smirnov, Damian Lemos, and more!

The good news is no matter which course you choose, you are sure to make the right move!

Chess strategy is all about making plans in chess.

Tactics might be a short combination of moves, but chess strategy is about your long-term goal.

Chess strategy can include playing with or against hanging pawns or the isolated queen pawn. Your strategy can be determined in the opening and continue through the middlegame and even the endgame.

One of the crucial elements in deciding on a strategy is evaluating the position. There are several factors to take into account when evaluating a chess position.

These include:

• Material imbalances, including the pieces left on the board.
• The pawn structure.
• King safety and king activity in the endgame.
  Piece activity.
• What your opponent is trying to achieve with their last move (prophylaxis).

When deciding on a strategy, it’s essential to look at dynamic and static factors.

A dynamic advantage is a short-term advantage like a lead in development. You must act quickly to take advantage of dynamic advantages.

One of the most significant dynamic advantages you can have is the initiative.

Static factors are long-term weaknesses and advantages like poor pawn structure or a weak color complex.

Once you have decided on your strategy, you do not need to reevaluate the position after every move. Reevaluate the position after piece exchanges or a change in the pawn structure.

Piece play is a vital part of middlegame play. Always look to improve or exchange your worst piece.

When considering which pieces to exchange, avoid exchanging your good pieces for your opponent’s bad pieces. If you can’t exchange pieces, look to restrict your opponent’s pieces with your pawns.