Middlegame

The middlegame comes after the opening and before the endgame, but its boundaries are not exact. It is usually recognizable when the main pieces are participating and the position demands plans of its own rather than only known opening moves.

Choosing a plan begins by comparing features of the position. Material means the pieces and pawns each side still has. Activity describes how much useful influence a piece exerts. Pawn structure is the arrangement and connection of the pawns. Available space and the safety of both kings also matter.

A plan is a multi-move direction based on those differences: attack an exposed king, improve a badly placed piece, occupy an open file, or create a weakness that can be attacked. The plan must be reassessed after every reply because the position changes.

Tactics are concrete sequences aimed at an immediate result such as winning material or checkmating. Motifs such as a pin or a fork can decide the game even when the overall plan was sound. Strategy and calculation therefore work together: the plan suggests goals, and tactics determine whether they can be carried out now.

The transition to an endgame does not depend only on exchanging queens. A queenless position may still contain many pieces, exposed kings, and tactical play; a position with queens can show endgame features when little material remains and the kings are relatively safe.