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"I’m the one to do you good,Out of sleep, out of foodOnly thinking nights and days,How to make the best chess aids...*" in the original version,the fox thought about helping animals....Jan Wiktor Lesman (Jan Brzechwa)“The Mischiefs of Vitalis the Fox” A Practical GuideA few practical guidelines can facilitate the decision-making process,but without doubt they only present a certain problem in simple terms.Chess, however, is a highly complicated game and each general rule containsa lot of exceptions. It is our task to spot the moment in which one of theseexceptions occurs. Look for weaknesses! When driving, drivers use traffic signs as a form of guidance. For chessplayers, such traffic signs are weaknesses.Squares in the centre and in one’s own camp, which are not defendedby pawns, can easily become weak. Avoid exchanging pieces which defendthese squares. If your opponent has a weakened complex of squares ofa given colour, try to exchange the Bishops that control these squares.Isolated pawns or especially doubled isolated pawns become a long-termtarget for enemy pieces. The square in front of an isolated pawn is oftenweak and can become a perfect outpost for the opponent’s piece. Do notweaken the pawn structure unless doing so will bring you tangible benefits.Remember that pawns do not move backwards!Pawns can also be potential tactical weaknesses, especially when thedifference between the number of attackers and defenders of a given targetis equal to or greater than zero. In such case, each additional and unexpectedattack of the opponent, especially double attack, may result in our materiallosses.Pieces can also be tactical as pieces are easier to move around than pawns,they are considered to be more strategical than tactical weaknesses.More often they are considered to be strategic weaknesses when their acti-vity is limited by our own or our opponent’s pawns. Do not let that happen! You should consider your moves in the following order:a) forcing movesa1) checksa2) capturesa3) attacking weaknessesb) non-forcing movesWhen you have a space disadvantage, try to exchange pieces. This willincrease your chances of finding a good spot for each of your chessmen.When you have a space advantage, try not to exchange pieces.Play on the side of the board where you have a space advantage.If you have a lead in development, open up the position. The enemy King caneasily find himself in trouble. The opening of a position is also good whenyou have the Bishops and your opponent has the Knights.When you are the side with the Bishops, try to establish an asymmetricalpawn structure.Do not leave your King without any defending pieces. Also, make sure thatthe King has an escape square, where he could take refuge in case of a checkalong the back rank.