Consider the following position, where it is white to play

Best Chess Strategy White

In chess, while playing white chess games players have many options to choose from when making their moves. In the given position, white has several options available, including queen to c2, rook to e1, exchanging the pawn on d5, pushing the pawn forward to gain some space, advancing the e4 pawn in the center, or playing b3 to shadow the dark-squared bishop on b2.

To apply the principle of the least active piece, white must identify the least active piece on the board. In this case, it is the bishop and rook on the queenside. These pieces are doing nothing at the moment and are not participating in the game. Therefore, white should work to activate these pieces and bring them into play.

In the actual game, a white played pawn to e4, which opened up the diagonal for the bishop and enabled White to play bishop g5 on the following move. Black captured the pawn on e4, but white then made an interesting tactical move with the bishop taking h7. After Black recaptured, white took the bishop on e5, and then played queen to h5, double attacking black’s king and knight. Black was forced to give the piece back, and white ended up with an extra pawn and a more active position. This was enough to give white the winning advantage.

By identifying and improving the least active piece on the board, white was able to activate their pieces and gain an advantage over their opponent. This is an important strategy in chess that can help players to make better moves and win the game.

Example 2: Black to Play

Consider the following position, where it is black to play

Best Chess Strategy Black

In the given position, it is black’s turn to play, and their least active pieces are the bishop and rook on the kingside. These pieces are not yet participating in the game and are not doing anything useful. Therefore, black should work to activate these pieces and bring them into play.

The logical move for black would be to play bishop down to a more active square, such as d6 or e7. Then, black could bring the rook into play by moving it to e8 or f8. However, in the actual game, black played pawn to f5, which was an aggressive move that aimed to gain control of the center of the board.

White then applied the principle of the least active piece and played rook to e1, attacking black’s queen. This move was effective because it activated the least active piece on the board and put pressure on black’s position. However, instead of continuing to play solidly, white decided to set a trap for black. Unfortunately, this trap didn’t work out for white, and black was able to gain an advantage and eventually win the game.

Although the trap didn’t work out, it’s important to note that the principle of the least active piece can help players to make the right moves and avoid costly mistakes. By identifying and improving the least active piece on the board, players can activate their pieces and gain an advantage over their opponent. This will be a very important strategy in chess that can help players make better moves and win the black chess game.

Example 3: Best Strategy in Chess

A standard practical position that may appear in various openings, where white is to play. There are many options available to white, including queen to c2, rook to e1, exchanging the pawn on d5, pushing the pawn forward to gain space, advancing the e4 pawn in the center, and playing b3 to shadow the bishop on b2. However, instead of considering all of these options, we can apply the principle of the least active piece to narrow down our choices.

After analyzing the board, we can see that several pieces are already active, such as the minor pieces on the third rank and the queen on its original square. However, the bishop and rook on the queenside are passive and have not contributed to the game at all. Thus, the least active pieces in this position are the bishop and rook on the queenside, and we should focus on improving their positions.

In the actual game, a white played pawn to e4, opening up the diagonal for the bishop and allowing for bishop g5 on the following move. This led to an interesting tactical blow, where white played bishop takes h7, winning a pawn and gaining a significant advantage. This example demonstrates how applying the principle of the least active piece can lead to powerful and unbeatable moves.

12 Tips for the Best Chess Strategy

Control the center

The center of the board is a very important area in chess. You should try to control the center of the board with your pawns and pieces as much as possible.

Develop your pieces

In order to control the center, you need to develop your pieces quickly. This means moving pieces out of their starting positions and into the game where they can be effective.

Castle early

Castling is an important defensive move that involves moving your king to a safer position behind a wall of pawns. You should try to castle as soon as possible to protect your king.

Protect your king

Your king is the most important piece on the board, so you need to keep it safe. Make sure it is protected by other pieces and pawns.

Don’t move the same piece twice

In general, you want to avoid moving the same piece twice in the opening. This wastes time and allows your opponent to develop their pieces more quickly.

Control key squares

Certain squares on the board are more important than others, such as those in the center or near your opponent’s king. You should try to control these squares with your pieces and pawns.

Keep your pieces coordinated

Your pieces should work together as a team. You don’t want to have one piece working against the others or getting in their way.

Don’t make too many pawn moves

While you want to control the center with your pawns, you also don’t want to make too many pawn moves that block your pieces or weaken your pawn structure.

Look for tactical opportunities

Chess is a game of tactics, so you should always be on the lookout for opportunities to take advantage of your opponent’s mistakes or weaknesses.

Understand pawn structure

The pawn structure refers to the way your pawns are arranged on the board. Understanding pawn structure can help you make better strategic decisions.

Make a plan

You should have a clear plan in mind for how you want to attack or defend. This will help you make more purposeful moves and avoid wasting time.

Be patient

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best chess strategy?

There is no best chess strategy that works in all situations. However, one powerful and effective strategy is the principle of the least active piece, which involves identifying the least active piece on the board and we will improve its position.

Why the principle of the least active piece is a powerful strategy in chess?

The principle of the least active piece is a powerful strategy because it helps players to identify and improve the position of their least active pieces, which can lead to a stronger position and a good chance of winning the game.

How important is executing a strategy properly in chess?

Executing a strategy properly is important in chess because even the best strategy can be defeated if not executed properly. It is important for players to be aware of potential traps and to make solid moves that support their overall strategy.

How can a player control the center of the board?

There are several ways to gain control of the center of the board in chess, such as pushing pawns forward, developing pieces that control the center, or exchanging pawns to open up lines for pieces.

What is the best way to develop pieces in the opening?

The best way to develop pieces in the opening is to place them on squares that control the center and prepare to castle to safety. Many openings have specific plans for piece development, so it’s important to study and understand the key ideas in each opening.

How do we create threats against their opponent’s king?

There are many ways to create threats against your opponent’s king in chess, such as opening up lines of attack, sacrificing material for an attack, or creating a pawn storm.

What is the advantage of having a bishop pair in chess?

Having a bishop pair in chess can be advantageous because the bishops can control many squares and work together to control even more. They can also be used to create powerful attacks and defend against threats.

How can we take advantage of opponents weaknesses in chess?

A player can take advantage of their opponent’s weaknesses in chess by identifying their weaknesses and then creating threats or attacking those weaknesses. For example, if your opponent has weak pawns, a player can attack those pawns and force the opponent to defend them.

What is the best way to defend against a pawn storm in chess?

The best way to defend against a pawn storm in chess is to create counterplay and attack the pawns that are creating the storm. Additionally, it’s important to make sure the king is safe and not exposed to potential checkmate threats.

What is the best way to attack a castled king in chess?

The best way to attack a castled king in chess is to create threats against the pawn structure in front of the king, open up lines of attack, and bring more pieces into the attack.

How can a player use tactics to gain an advantage in chess?

A player can use tactics to gain an advantage in chess by creating threats or combinations that force the opponent to make a specific move or lose material. Tactics can involve forks, pins, skewers, or other tactical motifs. It’s important to be aware of tactical ideas and opportunities in every position.