March 26, 2024
Get your rooks, knights, and bishops out of the corner squares early. This activates their power and brings them into the fight.
Occupying the central squares (d4, e4, d5, e5) gives you more space to maneuver and restricts your opponent's options.
Before moving a piece, look for opportunities to checkmate, capture material, or deliver a fork (attacking two pieces at once).
Don't just react to your opponent's last move. Try to anticipate their plans and have a counter-strategy in mind.
Tactics are the most important skill in chess. Solve puzzles that train you to identify opportunities like forks, pins, skewers, and discovered checks.
As the game progresses, consider how your piece placement will affect the endgame (when only a few pieces remain).
Be wary of falling for quick traps or gambits (sacrificing material for an advantage). Focus on building a solid position.