Helpful Hints
One thing that helped me progress was to keep a running
list of things I learned from my games. Rereading the
list occasionally, helped these things sink in to where
they'd start automatically popping into my head whenever
they'd apply to a move or plan I was contemplating.
Important caveat: These are meant to be considered
rather than to be obeyed unconditionally.
Another caveat: Since I didn't start compiling this list
until already an advanced player, i.e., a master or nearly
a master, some of the concepts mentioned below might be
hard for an inexperienced player to fully grasp.
Feel free to contact me with any questions, and I'll try
to address them either on this site or in a personal reply.
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Weigh technical difficulties carefully when deciding
whether to win or trade material, i.e., don't
overemphasize technical difficulties.
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Beware of the position that "looks nice" but offers
no constructive plan.
Modified 11/7/06
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There are very few automatic moves, thus do not
automatically reject.
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A weakness does not exist unless it can be exploited.
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Don't be too eager to sacrifice; be eager enough.
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Pawn moves are among the most deceptive and easy to overlook.
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Don't automatically capture en passant.
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Don't complicate if it's not necessary, or if there
is neither tactical nor strategic justification.
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Don't overlook the complement. ("Complement" is a term I'd
coined for a move that occupies a square that the opponent
has just released control of. For example, in the opening
sequence 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5, 2...Nd5 is the complement to 2. e5.)
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Don't ask for it, i.e., make a provocative move just for the
sake of being provocative.
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Be wary of an intuitively wrong move that seems to
work tactically.
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Don't make preventive moves that can be advantageously
ignored.
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Take your opponent seriously.
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Analogies are helpful, but may be incorrect.
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Expect the opponent to try to thwart your plans.
Modified 11/7/06
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Avoid tactical moves that lack an effective follow-up.
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Don't stop analyzing a line until there are no more
threatening moves, captures or checks.
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In a quiet position, take into account possibilities
beyond the tactical horizon.
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False fortresses are prone to diversion or zugzwang.
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Never move hastily.
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Don't misevaluate defensive possibilities.
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Calculate sharp lines, don't evaluate them using only
intuition.
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Don't count on obscure tactics to counterbalance
positional deficiencies.
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Don't develop your opponent's men.
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Assume the opponent knows the opening at least as
well as you.
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Don't put a piece on a bad square merely to keep an enemy
piece out of its best square. Instead, put your own piece on
its best square.
Modified 11/7/06
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Don't be paranoid about lack of development.
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Don't be in a hurry when you can advantageously wait.
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Keep your objectivity.
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Watch for interference themes.
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Never move without anticipating the reply.
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Don't walk into pins.
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Assume a space advantage combined with pawn tension
will lead to a strong attack.
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Just because a desirable positional or tactical
thrust is achieved, doesn't mean the game is over.
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When playing a well-trodden opening line, don't
overanalyze alternatives.
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Don't "rotely" play as in a similar, but distinctly
different position.
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When in an apparently unfamiliar opening, try to
recall past experiences.
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With a structural advantage(s), don't provoke
unnecessary complications.
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Don't provoke redeployment of a poorly posted piece.
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Seek to exchange an opponent's piece that's "in your hair."
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Recheck your analysis before playing a move.
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An unusual, even inferior plan by the opponent doesn't
mean you'll win, especially if he's White.
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Be conscious of the risk of playing an opening you don't know.
Modified 11/7/06
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Don't dissolve your opponent's weaknesses.
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A better position isn't necessarily a winning one.
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If it's your turn and you're considering several moves (say, five),
have scrutinized the first four, and find none of those four to be
satisfactory, don't fall into the trap of impulsively thinking
that you have to play the fifth move. You need to scrutinize
that move to the same extent as you did the others.
Added 5/18/14