Online Chess 2 — Improved Principles
A well played game of chess is a sign of a gentleman, an expertly played game of chess is a sign of a wasted life. -Paul Morphy (chess expert)
Chess Principles by Phase
Chess Principles by Phase
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Opening Principles
Goals: develop quickly, control the center, ensure king safety.
- Develop your pieces quickly.
- Control the center.
- Develop knights toward the center. A knight on the rim is dim.
- Avoid moving the same piece twice early.
- Do not block your bishops.
- Do not bring your queen out too early.
- Castle soon to protect your king and connect your rooks.
- Keep a solid pawn structure around your king.
- Do not let your king get caught in the center.
- Exchange pieces only if it helps your development.
- Study and stick with a few comfortable openings.
- Recognize transpositions and avoid theory traps.
- Offbeat openings can catch opponents unprepared.
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Middlegame Principles
Goals: create plans, coordinate attacks, exploit weaknesses.
- Play aggressive, but do not take unnecessary chances.
- Calculate forced moves first.
- Always ask, "Can he check me or win a piece?"
- Assume the opponent's move is their best move and ask, "Why did they move there?"
- Play for the initiative and control of the board.
- If losing, look for counterplay. Do not give up.
- Do not sacrifice without a clear reason.
- If in doubt about a sacrifice, accept it.
- Attack with multiple pieces, not just one or two.
- Avoid careless pawn moves. Pawns cannot move back.
- Double rooks or rook and queen on open files.
- If cramped, exchange pieces; if the opponent is cramped, avoid exchanges.
- Be aware of captures by retreat and tactical patterns.
- Coordinate bishop and knight. They complement each other.
- Do not make plans that ignore the opponent's threats.
- See the whole board, not just one area.
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Endgame Principles
Goals: activate king, promote pawns, convert advantage.
- When ahead, exchange pieces, not pawns.
- When behind, exchange pawns, not pieces.
- Put rooks behind passed pawns.
- Bishops of opposite colors often lead to draws.
- Keep pawns on the opposite color of your lone bishop.
- Study rook endgames. They are the most common.
- Simplify into a pawn-up endgame when possible.
- Free cramped positions through exchanges.
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Universal Principles
Always apply these, regardless of phase.
- Every move should have a purpose. Have a plan.
- Do not take unnecessary risks.
- Everyone blunders. Champions just do it less.
- Before moving, ask: "Does this overlook something simple?"
- Consider the opponent's threats before your own plan.
- Use your time wisely. Avoid time trouble.
- Record and analyze your games, especially losses.
- Get feedback from stronger players.
- Use computers and databases to study.
- Study annotated games and guess the moves.
- Blitz can help pattern recognition. Play often.
- Play as often as you can. Rated games build experience.
- Do not fixate on ratings. Focus on finding the best move.
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