Expert: Satyajit Das - 1/28/2008

Question
hi!!
i have a rating of some 1500s according to gameknot.com . give me some advice...how do i improve on my tactics...i have a good understanding of the openings.....but i lose bcoz of my middle game!! pls advise

Answer
Hi Prashant,

Thanks for the question.
Hey, Prashant this is great to know that you play chess at gameknot.com Even I am a registered player by name 'zoooom'. Which name do you play with? Please do reply or send me a message at gameknot. Thanks

Now moving further towards your question about improving chess, i will give you some breif concepts about the middle games and how to manage them.

As already mentioned by you that you can start a game with an excellent opening structure. It would have been easy for me to discuss the middlegames if I would have known which opening do you use most because middle games totally depend on your opening structure.
Generally it is believed white should be attacking and black defensive because white always has one move advantage. A few tips for a good opening (as I said a middlegames depend on the opening structure):
1. Have control over the center.(d4,d5,e4,e5)(This is a must)
2. Dont take out your queen early. (Depends on the game)
3. Always build a pawn chain structure.
4. Always prefer knight attacks supported by bishops.
5. Build a strong defence.
6. Keep mobility amongst your peices.
7. Try and castle early.
8. Play according to a gameplan.
9. If possible attack early.

Middlegames are the most sensous part of the game as endgames rely on them. Your peice management and exchange of material during the middlegames play a significant role in deciding your fate in the game during endgames. The most important is your position of peices on the board.
1. Always try to stay attacking and dont give time to your opponent to build up his peices or execute his plan.
2. Always exchange your weaker peice with the peice he might be building a plan or he relies upon.
3. Try to discover pins and forks during the game.
4. Try to divert his peices forcefully or try to disperse his peices.
5. Try to disrupt his pawn chain as it is one of the most dangerous part during the endgames.
6. Trading of peices should be done very thoughtfully.
7. Always trade queens if you have a considerable material advantage.
8. And finally 'Practise makes a man perfect'. Try to play as many games as possible and study the middlegames later on using an analyst or a computer if possible.

However I have references if you wish to read some books.
a) The Middlegame (two volumes), by Max Euwe and H. Kramer
b) Chess Middlegames: Essential Knowledge, by Yuri Averbakh, 1996, Cadogan, ISBN 1-85744-125-7
c) The Middlegame in Chess, by Reuben Fine

Hopefully the information provided by me proves to be helpful to you. If you have any further questions in your mind please do revert back.
Regards,
Satyajit Das
India