Phases of a Chess Game

Tutorial

Three basic phases

Your strategy depends on knowing the phase of the game that you're in. The three basic phases are the opening, the middle game, and the endgame. The correct transition from one phase to another can mean the difference between a win and a draw -- or a draw and a loss.

The diagrams in this tutorial are from the 34th game of the World Championship match between Alexander Alekhine and Jose Capablanca, Buenos Aires, 1927. Alekhine beat reigning champion Capablanca in this, the final game of the match, to win the title of World Champion.

1. Three basic phases
2. Opening
3. Middle game
4. Endgame

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