ALWAYS IN A CHESS GAME

• A knight on the rim is grim!
• Rooks belong on the open files.
• A good bishop is not blocked in by his own pawns…A bad bishop is blocked in.
• Keep your good bishops, trade off your bad bishops.
• When trading, count the defenders and the attackers.
• Tempo means time. Try to play moves that gain time. For example developing while attacking.

IN THE OPENING

• Develop your pieces
• Control the center
• Play for the pawn center! The pawn center is mighty!
• Develop with threats!
• Castle often, castle early!
• Make as few pawn moves as possible
• Do not move the same piece twice
• Do not bring your queen out early without good reason.
• Try to do moves that achieve multiple goals.

In the Middle game

• Search for uses for All your Weapons!
  • Pins
  • Forks
  • Deflections
  • Back rank threats
  • Discovered Attacks
• Pressure the pinned piece.
• Always scan the board for hanging pieces!
• All combinations start with a check or a piece capture.
• Try to attack multiple targets with one move.
• Coordinate your pieces.
• When trading, count your attackers and count your defenders
• Limit the movement of your opponent’s pieces.
• Trade pieces (man for man) when winning.
• Play like a tiger…not a jellyfish.

In the Endgame

• The king’s a fighting piece!
• Once the queens come off, the king can go to the center.
• The passed pawn must be pushed
• If you don’t have a passed pawn, try to create one!
• If your opponent has a passed pawn, blockade it!
• Place your pieces in active positions.