Strategy And Tactics On Chess
Robert Michael
Strategy and tactics is what the game of chess is all about. An
army of 16 chess is commanded by each player. A game of chess
has three sates if being played well. In the opening, the
players bring out their forces in preparation for combat. The
players maneuver for position and carry out attacks and
counterattacks in the middlegame. The endgame is when with
fewer pawns and pieces left on the board, it is safer for the
kings to come out and join the final battle. Here are 10 ways
to improve your chess game.
1. Have a Plan. Your opponent will have an easy time defending
themselves if you threaten something here in one move,
something over there in the next move and so on. For you to be
effective, your pieces must work together. Your men can work in
harmony when you develop a plan. The chess men are your “team”;
to be a good “coach,” you have to use all of their strengths
together.
2. Know what the pieces are worth. You should think about the
value of your men when thinking about giving up some of your
pieces for some of your opponents. The player whose men add up
to a great value will usually have the advantage.
3. Look at your opponent’s move. You should stop and think
every time your opponent makes a move. Ask yourself, why was
that move chosen? Is a particular piece in danger? Are there
other threats I should watch out for? You will be able to
successfully carry out your own strategies by defending against
your opponent’s threats.
4. Develop quickly and well. An important element of chess is
time. The player whose men are ready for action more quickly
will be able to control the course of the game. You have to
develop your men efficiently to powerful posts if you want to
be that player.
5. Keep your king safe. The object of the game is to checkmate
the opponent’s king. Sometimes a player forgets that his
opponent is also hunting for the king because they are too busy
thinking about their own plan.
6. Make the best possible move. Ask yourself these questions
when you are considering a move. Can I improve my position even
more by increasing the effectiveness of a different piece? Will
the piece I am moving go to a better square than the one it is
on now? Does the move help to defend against my opponent’s
threats? will the piece I move be safe on its new square?
7. If it is a pawn, consider: Can I keep it protected from
attack?
8. If it is another piece, consider: Can the enemy drive it
away?
9. Always be alert. Once a player has reached a good position
or given up hope if their position is bad there is a tendency
for people to relax. If you have a better position, watch out!
One careless move could throw away your advantage. You must
always watch out for your opponent’s threats.
10. Know when to trade pieces. The best time to trade men is
when you can capture men worth more than the one you will be
giving up, which is called “winning material”. If your opponent
is very careful, that opportunity may not arise.
11. Think about the endgame. You should remember that every
move you make might affect your chances in the endgame.
Concentrate on your immediate plans, as well as your
opponent’s.
12. Control the center. The player who controls the four
squares at the center of the board will have the better game,
in many cases.
Hopefully these tips will help improve your chess game. Go
practice – and have some fun!
About The Author: Robert Michael is a writer for Ray Chess
which is an excellent place to find chess links, resources and
articles. For more information go to:
http://www.raychess.com
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