Understanding before Moving 25: The "Strategic Thinking Protocol"

As in the previous episode of this video series, we are going to make an assessment of the position to determine the most promising plan. In the diagram position it is Black to move. Now, try to find the best move by using the following "strategic thinking protocol":

I. Orientation

1. Material balance.
2. Are there any (immediate) tactical threats?
3. Compare the safety of the kings.
4. Pawn structure

a. Center and space.
b. Control of open files, diagonals and ranks.
c. Strong and weak squares.

5. Activity of the pieces.
6. Evaluation of the position.

II. Generating candidate moves. Determining and evaluating candidate moves.

III. Checking the planned move.

This week’s show (for Premium Members only)

Links

• More videos...
• Understanding before moving 1: How to design a concept in the opening
• Understanding before moving 2: How to improve the activity of my pieces
• Understanding before moving 3: Queen in the corner
• Understanding before moving 4: King in the box
• Understanding before moving 5: Locked up pieces
• Understanding before moving 6: Paralyzed
• Understanding before moving 7: Divided in two - Part 1
• Understanding before moving 8: Divided in two - Part 2
• Understanding before moving 9: Hunting the king - Part 1
• Understanding before moving 10: Hunting the king - Part 2
• Understanding before moving 11: Pattern Recognition
• Understanding before moving 12: Advantage in Development
• Understanding before moving 13: Compensation
• Understanding before moving 14: Smoking the king out
• Understanding before moving 15: Knight on the Rim
• Understanding before moving 16: Limiting the opponent’s activity
• Understanding before moving 17: The Panno knight
• Understanding before Moving 18: The bad bishop
• Understanding before Moving 19: The rook lift
• Understanding before Moving 20: Activate your worst piece
• Understanding before Moving 21: Strong knight vs bad bishop (1)
• Understanding before Moving 22: Strong knight vs bad bishop (2)
• Understanding before Moving 23: "V" stands for Victory!
• Understanding before Moving 24: Strategic Thinking
• Herman Grooten - An interview with a chess authority