Chess Principles

1. When playing an opening make sure that you know the main plans and where you should place the pieces.

2. Don’t move the pawns on the side where you are attacked (only if it’s absolutely necessary).

3. The control over an open file is an important positional factor (fight for it). If you have control over an open file try to penetrate along it.

4. Make sure that you are aquainted (familiar) with the basic tactical tricks.

5. When advancing the pawns make sure that there are no weaknesses left behind.

6. Take control over the weak squares and try to occupy them.

7. Pay attention in what order you develop the pieces.

8. Generally in openings develop knight before bishop.

9. When heading for a plan, make sure that it can be realized.

10. It’s always useful to disturb your opponent plans.

11.When making any positional decision, make sure that it doesn’t fail on tactic.

12.Even when you have a large advantage, it’s desirable to find the most precise way in getting the most of it.

13.When converting an advantage, choose the simple way, not the spectacular one.

14.When you have a decisive material advantage, trade as many pieces as you can.

15.We should always pay attention to our opponent threats.

16. If a bad move isn’t answered properly it turns out to be a good one.

17.Getting the queen out at early stages isn’t desirable.

18.When analyzing a position first look at the active moves (that are attacking or threatening something).

19.When calculating a line, you never stop until you opponent lacks active moves (that attack or threaten something).

20. If you intend to do something, choose the simple way to do it.

Sarvadh Sathiaram 1

Chess Principles

21. In positions were you lack counter play, you should try to leave your opponent with as few winning ideas as you can.

22. It is desirable to bring all your pieces into play (if possible).

23. In the endgames with rook against a minor piece, the simplest way to win is by making a passed pawn.

24. In unbalanced endgames, the only chance of survive is either active play (or) fortresses.

25.The rook’s best place is behind the pawn

26.When having space advantage is desirable to avoid trades.

27. In any position, when you have to choose a plan, make sure that ALL of them are spotted and try to choose the best one.

28.When you are worse in a position, you should check the active possibilities at each move.

29.When defending a weaker position make sure that any active play makes no further weaknesses.

30. If you find the right decision in a position, make sure that it is executed in the best possible way. (find the line that offers LEAST possibilities for the opponent)

31. In the double rooks endgames, the side with the advantage should trade a couple of rooks and the other should avoid it.

32.At any phase of the game, if you can place the opponent’s pieces on passive squares, do it.

33. In endgames, the rooks should be placed behind the pawns.

34.The passed pawns should be advanced.

35.Never put a piece in front of your passed pawn, unless it is forced.

36.A bad move unanswered correctly proves to be good.

37.The general rules are useful, but shouldn’t be applied mechanically.

38.A weak square should be occupied.

39.When having the bishops pair we should open the game.

40.Any useful pawn moves should be played as soon as possible.

Sarvadh Sathiaram 2

Chess Principles

41.When you are lost, it is too late to be afraid. (look for unconventional resources too)

42.Pay attention to details.

43.When you play with a plan (or idea), it’s better to stick with it.

44.When heading for an idea, make sure that it can be achieved.

45.When a piece is badly placed, the whole game is worse.

46. It is always useful to trade a worse placed piece and it’s better if we do this by trading it with an active opponent’s piece.

47.When we have the advantage, yet not a direct way of converting it, we should restrain the opponent’s possibilities (in getting counter chances) at minimum.

48.After getting out of a bad position, the tendency of overestimating the chances is quite great (also we can lose focus).

49. If an idea doesn’t come to your mind in the first couple of minutes, the chances of spotting it later are close to zero.

50.Making a good move without the right idea behind doesn’t help at all.

51.Especially during the opening, you should fight for the center.

52.When we have a development advantage, we should open the game.

53.Never start active operations before finishing the development.

54.We should always pay attention on intermediary moves.

55.Always check for key squares that are important for you and for your opponent (squares that give an advantage)

56.When you have to trade pieces or take a pawn, always choose the most dangerous one.

57.At all times we should concentrate on the current situation. Live in the present

58. In the endgame, the king is an important piece, therefore it should be activated.

Sarvadh Sathiaram 3