The Middle Game

The part of a chess game which follows the opening is called the middle game. It is characterized by the complexity of the interrelationships between the pieces and by multiple possibilities for action. This part of the game is most difficult of all because it is not charted in books. Unlike the Opening, it has not been subjected to exhaustive theoretical research; unlike the endgame, it has not been compressed into a set of neat techniques. Because of the absence of clear indications of how to proceed, and because of its essential complexity, it poses many difficult problems of the game. To play the Middle game properly, one must see the position as a whole, asses it (evaluation) properly, formulate a plan (strategy), and then should go on to executing the plan with taking into consideration the various special demands of the moment (tactics).

 A.      Evaluation of the position

 Plan is the heart of Middle game play, and a plan should be based on the proper evaluation of the position. In evaluating a position, what a player needs to look at are:

1.  King’s safety.

2.  Material balance.

3.  Balance of the position.

4.  Occupation of the center.

5.  Advantage of Space.

6.  Advantage of Time.

7.  Piece placement and mobility.

8.  Pawn Structure.

9.  Control of important files or squares.

10.  Presence of a possible combination, sacrifice, maneuver, or a forced variation.

A.1. King’s Safety

When assessing the position of the Kings in the board a player should take into account the following things:

• Is his opponent’s King (or his own) is exposed or restricted?
• Different forms of exposure are:
  • King in the middle of the board;
  • King without pawn cover;
  • Broken castled position;
  • Weakened castled position;
  • King threatened by major pieces on open files or the seventh (second) rank;
  • Other cases of exposed King positions.
• Do the Kings have sufficiently defended?
• Are safe flight squares available?

A. 2. Material Balance

One should always inquire whether two sides have equal number of pieces or not.

A. 3. Balance of Position

One should always inquire whether some of the advantages at the disposal of his opponent are compensated by some advantages at his own disposal or not. He should take into consideration the presence of:

• Double Bishops.
• Weak squares in the enemy position, etc.

A. 4. Occupation of the Center

Occupation of the center is one of the important aspects of Chess play. Pieces gain highest activity if placed at the center. So, the side that holds the center has a decisive advantage. In evaluating a position, a player should always take center control (own or his opponent’s) into consideration.

A. 5. Advantage of Space

When one side controls the most territory in the center and on the either side of the board he gains an advantage of space. So, which side controls the most space should be one of the criteria in a player’s assessment of the position.

A. 6. Advantage of Time

Time is one of the important elements of Chess play. When one side makes pointless moves, his opponent gains an advantage of time. In assessing a position one should always ask himself about which side has an advantage of time.

A. 7. Piece placement and mobility

When assessing a middle game position, one should always compare the placement and mobility of the pieces of his own with his opponent's. He should ask himself whether all his pieces are safe, active, mobile and well coordinated or not. If the placement and mobility of one's pieces are better than his opponent, then it should be considered as an advantage. This sort of advantage plays a great role in the formulation of a middle game plan.

A. 8. Pawn Structure

In evaluating a middle game position one should compare one's pawn structure with that of his opponent. In the middle game the division of pawns on either side of the board can be different and the consequence may be that one side has a majority on the Queen-side and the other on the King-side. Characteristics of this sort not only can influence the strategy but can even dictate the strategy of both sides. A King-side majority can often be used as a very strong attacking weapon. A Queen-side majority can be productive of a passed pawn. Other than this, advanced center Pawns can be very strong, because it may increase the preponderance of space. On the other hand, the advance sometimes enables one's opponent to seize a strong square between the advanced Pawns. In this respect, a player needs to understand various types of pawn formation and their strong and weak points. For example,

• Pawn Chain
• Passed Pawn
• Hanging Pawns
• Isolated Pawns
• Backward Pawn
• Spearhead Pawn
• Vulnerable Pawns.

A. 9. Control of important files, diagonals or squares

In the middle game one should evaluate one's position in terms of the possession of important files, diagonals and squares also. This is the time one has to decide whether to open files/diagonals or close them permanently.

A. 10. Presence of a possible combination, sacrifice, maneuver, or a forced variation

In the middle game one should keep one eye open for the presence of a possible combination, sacrifice, maneuver, or a forced variation.

B.      Evaluation of the position

 Plan

(This page is under construction)