remember "CCT"
...checks,
...captures, and
...threats
1. to take is a mistake
2. neutralize invading pieces
3. can I counterattack
when attacked on the wing, open the center.
a flank attack is best met by a reaction in the center.
"Chess, like love and music, has the ability to make man happy." -- Tarrasch
the longer it takes to win, the more difficult it is to win.
"As a rule, you should try to occupy a blockading square with a piece." - Karpov
if the tactics aren't working out, switch the move order.
For a plan: ask yourself what you would do if you had two or three moves in a row.
Make your opponent make the captures in your favor.
Throw out the move, but not the idea.
Patzer sees a check, patzer plays a check.
When behind in space, trade pieces.
If your opponent's pieces are working better than your own, trade them off.
Fixed or blockaded pawns become stationary targets.
"...a winning position can and has to be improved and perfected before material is won and it becomes a technical win." --Seirawan
Try to create play on the side of the board on which you have the advantage.
When faced with a choice of protecting a passed pawn by a rook (passive role) or sacrificing the pawn to make more active use of the rook, after careful consideration, sac the pawn.
The rook belongs behind the passed pawn, yours or the opponent's. --Tarrasch
In isolated pawn positions, trading pieces benefits the player who is facing the isolated pawn.
The player who has more space tries to keep pieces on the board.
Open positions favor the player who is better developed.
Invite all your pieces to the party!
Don't open fresh lines to a better-developed opponent.
"It's important to continue playing accurately." -Daniel Naroditsky
Don't make unnecessary pawn moves in the endgame.
---------------- more stuff found on the Internet ---------------------
SOLAR
S: Situation: king safety, material, space, development, weak pawns.
O: Opponent's last move: what changed?
L: Loose pieces / pawns
A: Alignment: Diagonals / Ranks / Files
R: Reply - your opponent's reply to your moves
MISTAKES 2000+ PLAYERS DON'T MAKE:
1. don't capture in a way that complicates the position.
2. don't sacrifice without proper calculation
3. don't leave the worst piece undeveloped.
4. dont trade into a losing endgame.
5. don't consider material and nothing else.
6. dont fail to consider EVERY forcing move:
a. check
b. capture
c. strong threat
7. don't release the tension too soon.
