Middlegame Course: Beat Aggressive Players!
INTRODUCTION
Do you feel lost when your opponent attacks your position? Don’t worry! Today, I’ll show you an effective strategy to handle aggressive opponents. I’ll break it down into simple steps, so no matter your level, you can start using this approach to improve your game right away.
To make things easier, I’ve divided this guide into two parts:
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The Opening: Here, I’ll show you how to set a strong foundation from the very first moves.
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The Middlegame: We’ll focus on strategies to handle attacks and turn the game in your favor.
Let’s begin with the opening!
1. OPENING PHASE
When your opponent attacks early in the opening, stay calm and focus on developing your pieces. Aggressive players often move the same piece multiple times, but you can gain an advantage by steadily bringing your own pieces into the game. This will give you a stronger position going into the middlegame.
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2. MIDDLEGAME PHASE
In the middlegame, aggressive attacks are more dangerous, so you need to respond carefully. Always look for ways to stay active and create threats of your own. This will help you keep control of the game and avoid being on the defensive for too long. When facing an attack in the middlegame, there are four key strategies you can use:
Counterattack: If your opponent attacks, try to create a bigger threat that forces them to deal with your move instead.
Trade pieces: If counter-attacking isn't an option, exchange key attacking pieces to reduce their attacking power.
Defend actively: Defend while keeping your pieces active, so you’re ready to counter when the chance arises.
Just defend: If you can’t counter or trade, defend carefully, but always watch for opportunities to break free.
SUMMARY
When facing aggressive opponents, stay calm and focus on developing your position in the opening. In the middlegame, look for chances to counterattack, trade key pieces, or defend actively to keep control. Stick to these strategies, and you’ll turn the tables on your opponent!
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