Introduction to Chess Strategy
Strategy can be defined as a long-term action plan, though not all people will agree with this concise definition of the word. What we all can agree upon would have to be that strategy does require a rather elaborate plan with all the details pretty much in the whole thing. For one to have a strategy one must have goals both long-term and short-term ones. Obviously the short-term goals are prerequisite to attaining the long-term goals.
That is basically the same idea when we play chess to win. We use chess strategy to win against our opponent, which means that if we don't we're just playing around. Though at times when we talk about strategy we don't really make a distinction between tactics and strategy. There is difference between these two terms as well when we use them in chess.
When we talk about chess tactics we refer to a series of moves that help us achieve short-term goals. When we say chess strategy this involves the general plan, which definitely includes the use of tactics to obtain the ultimate goal in the game - defeating your opponent. If you need to learn more about chess tactics you should read more on it in our chess tactics page. You'll find details on the different move combinations you can make in order to secure certain goals.
Chess strategy will definitely take an evaluation of the current status of the game and work on what future plays you'll make at certain points later in the game. Certain items of great import for strategizing would include the safety of the King, Pawn structure, how many important squares you have in control and which ones are they, the value of your current pieces on the board, and every imaginable move your opponent can make in return for every move you make.
Other than that long list of items you ought to consider, here are some aspects of chess strategy you should also consider. One highlight you should also put into perspective when talking about chess strategy is the amount of space you have on the board. The more space on the board you control, the more options you have.
Another important aspect to consider would be pieces that are undefended. If you have undefended pieces then you should make it a point to defend it, or if you see it among your opponent's ranks then exploit it. Closely related to that would be the exchange of captures on both sides. Typically, an exchange will be more beneficial to the player who is defending and to the player with more men. That would lead us to another aspect of the game, which is the value of your pieces during the end game.
These are the many different items of concern if you use strategy when you play chess to win. It might look like a lot, but after some time you'll learn to use all of these.