Basic Chess Strategies: A Practical Guide

Clear principles you can apply in every game — with simple diagrams you can memorize.


#1

Control the Center (d4, e4, d5, e5)

Center control
FEN: 4k3/8/2n2n2/3pp3/3PP3/2N2N2/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

Key Ideas

  • Occupy or control d4/e4 or d5/e5.
  • Central pawns first; knights to f3/c3 or f6/c6.
  • Controlling the center improves activity and king safety.
If you control the center, your pieces breathe better and tactics appear naturally.

#2

King Safety: Castle Early

Castle early
FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/5PPP/5RK1 w - - 0 1

Key Ideas

  • Castle early to sit behind a pawn shield f2–g2–h2.
  • Castling connects rooks and improves coordination.
  • Don’t push flank pawns in front of your king without a reason.
Safe king = freedom to attack.

#3

Use Open Files for Your Rooks

Rooks on open file
FEN: 4r1k1/8/8/8/8/8/8/2K1R3 w - - 0 1

Key Ideas

  • Open a file by trading pawns, then place or double rooks on it.
  • Invade the 7th rank to hit weaknesses from behind.
  • Rooks belong behind passed pawns.
Open files are highways for rooks.

#4

Create & Push Passed Pawns

Passed pawn
FEN: 2k5/8/P7/8/8/8/8/2K5 w - - 0 1

Key Ideas

  • A passed pawn has no enemy pawns on its file or adjacent files.
  • In endgames, activate your king to escort the pawn.
  • Push it when safe or when you gain tempo; otherwise support first.
“Passed pawns must be pushed” — wisely.

#5

Build Outposts for Knights

Knight outpost
FEN: 4k3/8/3N4/2P1P3/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

Key Ideas

  • An outpost is a square enemy pawns can’t attack — perfect for a knight.
  • Support it with pawns; look for forks and invasion squares.
  • Fix enemy pawn weaknesses, then occupy them.
Knights on outposts are monsters.

TL;DR

Practical Checklist

  • Develop fast: knights before bishops; avoid moving the same piece twice.
  • Castle early; don’t open your own king.
  • Fight for the center every move.
  • Put rooks on open/semi-open files; double when possible.
  • Create plans around pawn structure (passers, majorities, pawn breaks).
  • Trade into endgames when up material; keep pieces when attacking.
Play simple, logical moves that improve your worst piece and respect king safety.