Strong Casual Chess

Great for learning chess: strong enough to play respectably, but not so strong that it's unbeatable

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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Table of Contents

Opening Principles
Middlegame Principles
Endgame Principles
Universal Principles

Opening Principles

Goals: develop quickly, control the center, secure king safety.

#2 Control the center.
#1 Develop your pieces quickly.
#3 Put your pieces on squares that give them maximum space.
#4 Develop knights toward the center.
#5 A knight on the rim is dim.
#22 Do not block in your bishops.
#24 Try not to move the same piece twice early.
#26 Do not bring your queen out early.
#27 Castle soon to protect your king and develop your rook.
#31 Do not let your king get caught in the center.
#32 Do not castle if it brings your king into greater danger.
#33 After castling, keep a good pawn formation around your king.
#25 Exchange pieces if it helps your development.
#28 Develop rooks to open files.
#38 Study openings you are comfortable with.
#42 Stick with a few openings with White and a few with Black.
#55 Off-beat openings are less likely to face opponent preparation.
#56 Recognize transpositions from main-line play.

Middlegame Principles

Goals: create plans, coordinate attacks, exploit weaknesses.

#7 Play aggressive.
#6 Do not take unnecessary chances.
#8 Calculate forced moves first.
#9 Always ask, "Can he put me in check or win a piece?"
#11 Assume your opponent's move is his best move.
#12 Ask, "Why did he move there?" after each move.
#13 Play for the initiative and control of the board.
#14 If you must lose a piece, get something for it if you can.
#16 If you are losing, do not give up. Look for counter-play.
#17 Do not play unsound moves unless you are losing badly.
#18 Do not sacrifice a piece without good reason.
#19 If in doubt about an opponent's sacrifice, accept it.
#20 Attack with more than one or two pieces.
#21 Do not make careless pawn moves. Pawns cannot move back.
#35 Trade pawns or pieces when ahead in material or when under attack.
#36 If cramped, free your game by exchanging material.
#37 If your opponent is cramped, do not allow freeing exchanges.
#39 Play over entire games, not just the opening.
#41 Study annotated games and try to guess each move.
#48 Try to double rooks or rook and queen on open files.
#50 Do not make plans that ignore the opponent's threats.
#51 Watch out for captures by retreat.
#52 Do not focus on one sector. View the whole board.
#58 Bishops are worth more than knights except when pinned in.
#59 A knight works better with a bishop than another knight.

Endgame Principles

Goals: activate king, promote pawns, convert advantages.

#15 When behind, exchange pawns. When ahead, exchange pieces.
#23 Bishops of opposite colors have the greatest drawing chances.
#29 Put rooks behind passed pawns.
#30 Study rook endgames. They are the most common.
#34 With one bishop, keep pawns on the opposite color.
#36 If cramped, free your game by exchanging material.
#60 It is usually good to trade down into a pawn-up endgame.

Universal Principles

Always apply these, regardless of phase.

#10 Have a plan. Every move should have a purpose.
#11 Assume the opponent's move is best.
#12 Always ask, "Why did he move there?"
#14 If you must lose a piece, get compensation.
#16 Do not give up. Look for counter-play.
#21 Be cautious with pawn moves. They cannot move back.
#39 Review complete games for pattern growth.
#40 Blitz helps pattern recognition. Play often.
#41 Study annotated games and guess the moves.
#43 Record your games and review losses.
#44 Show your games to higher-rated players for feedback.
#45 Use computers and databases to study and play.
#46 Everyone blunders. Champions just blunder less.
#47 When it is not your move, look for tactics and combinations.
#49 Ask before moving: "Does this overlook something simple?"
#50 Consider the opponent's threats before your plan.
#52 Always view the whole board.
#53 If it helps, write down your move first before making it.
#54 Solve diagram puzzles from books and magazines.
#57 Watch your time and avoid time trouble.
#61 Play in as many rated events as you can.
#62 Try not to look at opponent ratings until after the game.