Ha Hounddog, yesterday was very instructive but I only realized that afterwards. I explain what we did so that Knetfan en ChessPlayerLol can follow it too if they want.

I am testing middle game checklists. The one from Nelson Lopez looks promising. I have been testing on my own and yesterday in the sunday session Hounddogmusic and I did half a game together. It is very time consuming but for the moment I don't care.

What is the checklist? As soon as you run out of prep you first scan de board and look for priorities:

I. prioritize

And keep the highest on the list, or two highests, in mind:

checkmates?
hanging pieces?
king safety problem?
akward pieces (Q->R->B->N), pinned, trapped, out of place?
weak pawns; isolated, backward, doubled...?
weak squares, squares that can't be attacked by a pawn?
piece imbalances, many on one side of the board, or three attackers one defender?

II. attack or defend?

decide if I am attacking or defending. The priority list gives a hint.

III. short-term or long-term plan?

do we need a short-term or a long term plan? Are we in a closed position were we for example can reroute a knight in 3 moves, or did we just sac our queen for an all overwelming end attack? how much places with tension on the board gives a hint?

Now make your plan and aks yourself three more questions:

IV. easy to stop?

is my plan easy to stop?

V. combi possible?

is there a plan with a combination of priorities?

VI. check for tactics

Hound Dogs

Super Admins