Chess Strategy

"Strategy requires thought; tactics requires observation." - Max Euwe, 5th World Chess Champion

Learning chess is similar to learning a language. In chess, knowledge of the moves and how to play under certain given conditions is equivalent to acquiring a vocabulary in a language.

Chess strategy consists of setting and achieving long-term goals during the game, while chess tactics concentrate on immediate maneuver. These two parts of chess thinking cannot be completely separated, because strategic goals are mostly achieved by the means of tactics, while the tactical opportunities are based on the previous strategy of play. Taking chess lessons would be an excellent way to know more about the game in detail and will help you to use your chess strategies in the best way. We do recommend a few of the general chess strategies that might be helpful to you in your game.

• A good chess strategy is if you avoid moving a chess piece several times during the opening. This means that when you have developed a piece, it should not be moved again until the other pieces have been developed.


• A good chess strategy is if you have castled, don’t permit the opponent to open a file on your king.


• A good chess strategy is developing pieces to coordinate well with one another. Unless you do this, you may find your attack to lose steam and that may put you at a disadvantage.


• A good chess strategy is to seize control of the center, as this will give you more play and better attacks.


• A good chess strategy is to cutting off communication between opponent’s pieces.


• A good chess strategy is to avoid premature attacks. It is probable that more games are lost by beginners through disregard of this principle than from any other cause. An attack should never be launched until there is sufficient force in the field to carry it to a successful conclusion, and a premature attack almost inevitably recoils on the head of the attacker.


• A good chess strategy is seeking a weak spot in opponent’s position. The ability to detect opponent weakness and then take full advantage of it is one of the most important abilities in chess.


• A good chess strategy is exchanging an inactive piece with a similar but active piece of the opponent.


• A good chess strategy is to avoid making exchanges which develop another piece for the opponent.


• A good chess strategy is not being greedy! Sometimes you may find an easy pawn to pick up but it may be a trap (‘poisoned pawn’). Accepting it will often allow the opponent to launch a powerful attack and often the best way to neutralize is to return that material instead of trying to hold on to it.