The Midgame

Entering the Midgame

Generally, Play enters the Midgame when the [Opening] objectives have been met, or abandoned, by one or both players. Games are often won during the Midgame, otherwise, material will dwindle to the point where the game will transition to the [Endgame].

Midgame Objectives:

To achieve positional & material advantages while defending vigorously and attacking effectively.

• Establish a [Positional] advantage.
  • Advantageous - Open lanes, Expand defensive structure forward, create passed pawns.
  • Subversive - Moves which cause closed lanes, doubled pawns, expose the king or back rows, or float pawn chains.
  
  
• Establish material superiority.
  • Use [Tactical Concepts] such as forks and pins.
  • Exchange carefully.
    • [Evaluating Exchanges]
    • [Piece Values]
  • Punish mistakes.
    • Over-extended pieces
    • Unsupported pawns
      
      
• Defend vigorously.
  • Dynamic - As play demands.
  • Static - Solidify structures, withdraw overextended pieces.
    
    
• Attack effectively.
  • Build offensive pressure.
    • Line pieces up on King and surrounding squares.
    • Post knights across the line.
    • Post bishops/rooks/queen on open lines.
  • Launch coordinated strikes for material advantages.
  • Sieze midgame opportunities for checkmate.
  • Avoid inadequate attacks!

Do you play the against your opponent, or do you play against the board?

A lot of people feel strongly about this question as a philosophical approach to the game. While the popular movie, "Searching for Bobby Fischer" emphasizes the struggle against the human opponent, I always emphasize the opposite - concentrating on the board, almost to the exclusion of the human opponent. This emphasis is instrumental in developing both sportsmanship and calm tenacity when teaching children. For myself, it allows me to stay calm and analytical, as opposed to reacting to emotional baggage while I try to play chess!

For others, however, chess is a battleground or a proving field which is only measured by the opponent they face. For these people, all the savour of the game is in the victory or gallant struggle against another soul. I cannot say anything against this attitude, indeed I cannot divorce myself entirely from it, nor would I want to!

But in conclusion, I do recommend an approach of concentration of the board instead of the opponent - but not to the exclusion of the competetive excitement for which we play in the first place!