Surprised

[perseus]

I am surprised more novices beginner and intermediates do not pose real chess problems on this forum. If I can learn from others ....


Lots of time I can get stuck of what to do. Can't threaten any bits or mate, cannot advance pawns to my advantage, cannot even gain control of more squares, cannot think of a plan (these do not work very well anyhow), cannot force a mate (although the position looks promising).

What are the general strategies used? I tend to just arrange my pieces in what looks promising positions, hopefully before the opponent does the same, and then try to look for opportunities. Or hopefully my pieces will be able to take advantage of any small blunder by the opposition.

Other (better) players seem to analysis the board and go for weak spots in the opponents defence. What if there isn't any?

[yitwail]

i'm no strategic genius, so i can only state the obvious: if you can't improve your position, avoid making moves that will weaken it. you can also try Nimzovich's idea of prophylaxis: make moves that prevent your opponent from improving his/her position. beyond this, i would offer a draw if i couldn't make any headway.

[perseus]

I sometimes miss the obvious. OTB time rarely allows much analysis of the opponents position. I try to recognise threats, but thinking more what my opponent is up to may help me. I do when my brain is racing, but not always.