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"No entrenes solo tus fortalezas. El verdadero progreso viene cuando corriges tus debilidades."
"Los finales no se memorizan, se entienden. Entrena finales como si fueran combinaciones."
By Nibaldo - FIDE Instructor
A common mistake among beginners is getting carried away by the first move that seems attractive, without considering the opponent’s responses or the consequences. This approach can lead to losing material or finding yourself in a disadvantaged position.
In the diagram below, the player with the black pieces is in check and has three options: to move the king to one of these squares: f5, f7, or g7.
The move 34... Kf5 was made, and it was responded with 35. Re5++ (diagram below). Checkmate!
🔍 Tips for Evaluating Multiple Options
Identify threats: Before deciding, it’s crucial to recognize the immediate threats from the opponent and how our potential moves affect them.
Evaluate the consequences: Consider how each option impacts pawn structure, king safety, and piece activity.
Think about the long-term plan: Beyond the immediate tactics, it’s important to have a strategic plan and choose the move that best aligns with it.
Avoid impulsive decisions: Taking the necessary time to analyze helps avoid mistakes made in haste.
By Nibaldo – FIDE Instructor
You’ve moved your central pawns, developed your knights and bishops, and castled. All good… but now what?
Many beginner players feel completely lost right after the opening. There's no longer a clear “recipe,” and that's when mistakes begin. But don’t worry — in this article, I’ll show you the easiest and most effective plan to stay on track in the middlegame.
Before making a move, ask yourself:
👉 Don’t move just to move. Every move must have a purpose.
It’s not enough to just “develop” your pieces. Now you need to place them where they can attack, pressure, or control key squares.
🧠 Your goal now is to improve the position of your pieces one by one.
You don’t need a spectacular attack right away. Here are 3 basic plans that work in most games:
Great if the opponent hasn’t castled or has weak defenses around their king.
Look for weak pawns or badly placed pieces (like an isolated pawn or trapped rook).
Push your pawns on the queenside or kingside to gain space and open lines.
🔁 Always ask yourself:
“Which piece can I improve?” or“What threat can I create?”
The secret is to improve your pieces, find weaknesses, and have a plan, even if it's simple. Don’t rush to attack or look for magical combinations — chess is strategy and patience.
“Tactics flow from a superior position.” — Bobby Fischer
