5 Best strategies in chess

"Did you know that great chess players can simply glance at the position of the pieces on the board and based on that assess which side will win?

And not only that, they can determine the best future moves and ideas for each player just by observation. Quite a skill, isn't it? If you too aspire to reach that level, it's essential to dedicate yourself to learning chess strategies.

This means truly delving into the essence of this sport and mastering how to outwit your opponents with clever and deliberate ideas and moves.

To assist you in this endeavor, in this text, we will introduce you to 5 best strategies in chess that will certainly elevate your game to a higher level! Understanding these basic principles will make playing chess much easier and enjoyable.

Additionally, these strategic lessons will help you confidently defeat anyone, whether you're a beginner or a more experienced player.

To begin the discussion on chess strategy, it's necessary to first clarify that term."

What is strategy in chess?

Chess strategy is a slightly deeper concept than chess tactics. Unlike tactics, strategy involves long-term goals, usually related to the safety of the king, pawn structure, space, piece coordination, etc.

While chess tactics can indeed define the outcome of a game, good strategy is what creates opportunities for tactical moves. In other words, without good strategy, there is no good tactics.

Now that we've clarified the importance of this skill, here are 5 simple strategies to consider before every encounter across the chessboard.

Seizing control of the center of the board

One of the key aspects to understand the significance of chess lies in the concept of centralization, i.e., control of the central squares on the board.

Centralization involves positioning your pieces in or around the central squares of the board. This strategic principle gives your pieces maximum influence over critical areas on the board, facilitating both offensive and defensive maneuvers.

By centralizing your pieces, you enhance their mobility, allowing them to reach distant parts of the board more quickly.

Moreover, centralized pieces exert pressure on your opponent, creating threats and opportunities for tactical strikes.

For example, in many chess openings, players aim to control the center right from the start. Moves like 1.e4 or 1.d4 aim to establish a strong presence in the center and set the stage for further strategic moves.

Mastering good coordination of pieces on the board

Coordinating pieces on the board refers to placing pieces on optimal squares. Effective piece placement is essential for taking control of the board.

Each piece should occupy squares that maximize its influence and minimize its vulnerability to attack. By aligning your pieces along shared lines or diagonals, you enhance their collective power, setting the stage for future attacks or tactical combinations.

Active pieces represent a constant threat and force the opponent to react defensively. In this way, you will be the one dictating the course of the game and taking control of critical positions.

Anticipating and thwarting opponent's plans

Incorporate into your strategy the anticipation and thwarting of your opponent's moves before they can realize them.

Don't just think about your own moves, but try to anticipate theirs as well. With this proactive approach, you can neutralize potential threats and maintain control over the pace of the game.

This strategy aims to disrupt your opponent's coordination, limit their options, or preempt their strategic plans. Always stay one step ahead.

This may involve subtly repositioning pieces, advancing pawns, or strategically sacrificing certain pieces to prevent immediate threats.

Ensuring the safety of the king

The king is the most valuable piece on the board, and its safety should always come first. A well-protected king ensures the stability of your position and shields you from sudden checkmate threats by the opponent.

As a novice chess player, you must know that castling is a crucial element of king safety. It is a fundamental defensive move that simultaneously moves the king to a safer position and activates the rook.

By castling early, you strengthen your king's defense while preparing to mobilize your rook for potential attacks.

Since beginners often make the mistake of neglecting the safety of their king in pursuit of attacking the opponent, as a savvy chess player, you should always be cautious and safeguard your king from enemy attacks.

Understanding pawn formation

Moving your pawns should be well-thought-out, as it is considered a highly important strategy. Since pawns can only move forward, caution should be exercised when moving them.

Most beginners make the mistake of moving their pawns whenever they're unsure of their next move, without much consideration.

They probably think something like "Since pawns have the lowest value, even if I mess up, I'm only losing 1 point." This is only partially true. Since pawns play a significant role in king safety, they are much more than "cannon fodder."

Besides protecting the king, they are used to claim important space and to launch attacks.

Pawns are strong when connected – that is, when they stand on adjacent squares to protect each other. Isolated pawns are weak, and you should try to avoid such moves, as they won't truly disrupt your opponent while potentially harming yourself.

The choice of chess opening also greatly influences pawn structure. In the opening phase, it determines which pawns are moved to which squares in the attack and which squares are defended.

Since pawns usually defend each other, they directly affect the freedom of movement of all other chess pieces on the chessboard.

Understanding pawn structure thus aids in preparing your own strategy and disrupting your opponent's plans.

Conclusion

Mastering chess strategies is not just about learning moves, but also understanding the fundamental principles of this game.

Every move in chess is a step towards a greater goal, and by honing strategic skills, players can navigate through the intricacies of the game with much greater confidence.

So, whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your game, embracing these basic strategies will undoubtedly enhance your play.

If you're interested in learning more, you can always find useful courses on our website tailored for both beginners and more experienced enthusiasts of this game.