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Basic Middlegame Strategy

Strategic Elements: Time

Part One: Lead in Development

We discussed development (as well as general opening principles which contribute to development) in our lessons on Basic Opening Strategy. Consider the following series of moves (click here for an interactive board):

1.e4 a5

White plays a good opening move which contributes to the development of the pieces and control of the center. Black on the other hand makes a pawn move which does neither.

2.d4

Since 1...a5 does nothing to prevent it, White plays 2.d4 and establishes a strong pawn center.

2...a4

Black wants to move the Rook, but 2...Ra6 loses material after 3.Bxa6 bxa6.

3.Nf3

White continues developing.

3...Ra5

Apparently, Black is one of those beginners who likes to move big pieces like the Rooks. Though it may look fun, it doesn't help Black achieve the opening objectives we discussed in our previous lessons.

4.Bd2

White develops a piece while attacking Black's Rook (remember opening principle #6 ?).

4...Ra7

Now Black has to waste a move retreating the Rook to safety. Black thought about playing 4...Rh5, but this loses material after 5.g4 Rh6 6.Bxh6 Nxh6 7.g5 Ng8 ( 7...Ng4 8.h3 Nxf2 9.Kxf2 ).

5.Bd3 e6 6.0-0 Qf6

White calmly develops another minor piece and castles the King to safety. Black on the other hand breaks opening principle #4 and develops the Queen far too early.

7.Nc3 Qd8

Black has to retreat the Queen to a safe square. If instead 7...h5 then 8.Bg5 Qg6 9.e5 loses the Queen.

Let's take a look at the position after 7...Qd8:

It's safe to say that White has a tremendous lead in development. It's almost as though White has been allowed to move more often than Black; thus it makes sense to think of a lead in development as an advantage in "time."

A lead in development is usually an advantage because it means that you'll be able to initiate your middlegame plans sooner than your opponent. By move eight in the example above, White has developed the entire White army, and is now ready to think about ways to secure other middlegame advantages. This might involve an attempt to win material, gain space, create weaknesses in Black's pawn structure (which we'll discuss in a later lesson), or even launch an attack against the enemy King. Black, on the other hand, still has a lot of developing to do before even thinking about anything else.

As a beginner, the best way for you to maximize your chances of obtaining a lead in development is to follow the general opening principles we discussed before. If you follow these principles better than your opponent, then you're very likely to end up with a lead in development.

Next: Strategic Elements – Time – Part Two: The Initiative

[For further reading, consult "A Collection of Chess Wisdom - The Elements"]