Harass opponent's pieces with your pawns.

Understand the concept of "outposts" for knights.

Avoid giving your opponent strong outposts.

Improve the position of your king's pawn shield.

Look for opportunities to simplify into a more favorable material balance.

Don't allow your opponent to simplify into a favorable material balance.

Be aware of the opponent's tactical resources.

Look for ways to restrict the opponent's king.

Create a passed pawn and support its advance.

Understand the concept of a "minority attack."

Use your rooks on open files.

Place your bishops on long diagonals.

Keep your knights active and centralized.

Coordinate your pieces for maximum effect.

Avoid placing your pieces on squares where they can be easily trapped.

Look for opportunities to create a battery with your queen and rook.

Don't allow your opponent to create a strong defensive setup.

Be patient and wait for the right moment to attack.

Don't force an attack if the conditions are not right.

Understand the concept of "critical squares."

Control the critical squares.

Avoid making moves that weaken your back rank.

Look for opportunities to create a "pawn storm" on the king side.

Don't allow your opponent to create a pawn storm on your king side.

Be aware of the opponent's counterplay.

Defend against the opponent's counterplay.

Look for opportunities to create a "fork" with your knight.

Don't allow your opponent to create a fork with their knight.

Be aware of the opponent's potential "skewer" threats.

Don't allow your opponent to create a skewer.

Look for opportunities to create a "pin" with your bishop or rook.

Don't allow your opponent to create a pin.

Be aware of the opponent's potential "discovered attack" threats.

Don't allow your opponent to create a discovered attack.

Look for opportunities to create a "double attack" with your queen.

Don't allow your opponent to create a double attack.

Be aware of the opponent's potential "back rank mate" threats.

Don't allow your opponent to create a back rank mate.

Look for opportunities to create a "smothered mate" with your knight.

Don't allow your opponent to create a smothered mate.

Be aware of the opponent's potential "checkmate" threats.

Don't allow your opponent to checkmate you.

Look for opportunities to create a "perpetual check" if you are losing.

Don't allow your opponent to create a perpetual check if you are winning.

Be aware of the opponent's potential "stalemate" threats.

Don't allow your opponent to create a stalemate if you are winning.

Look for opportunities to create a "fork" with your pawn.

Don't allow your opponent to create a fork with their pawn.