Jeremy Silman is an International Master in Chess and a world class teacher, writer and a playey who has won the American Open and many other tournaments. This book deals with mainly the middle game part of a chess game where a player can win the game based on the position in the board. It requir...

Definition: Imbalance is any significant difference in the two respective positions (white side and black side)

Main imbalances are

• Superior minor piece
• Pawn structure
• Space
• Material
• Control of a key file
• ...

• Imbalances are the roadmap that shows each side what to do.
• It helps in planning
• It helps in observing traps, threats and tactical themes.
• Chess engines usually show the right moves and taking their help sometimes useful but they are fatel to improvement because the...

• Knights (N) and Bishops (B) are the minor piece and have the same value of 3.
• Knight requires support point by pawn or other pieces where it can safely land without being attacked by enemy pawn. It is short range piece so finding such a square to put it is important.
• Knights...

• Knights are the best blockaders as it doesn't lose its mobility when sitting in front of an enemy pawn. It is the only piece that can hop over other pieces.
• Knights are short range pieces and Bishops are long range pieces. Knight requires at least 4 moves to stand on a square which i...

• Bishop, trapped behind its pawns is a tall-pawn, is unhelpful.
• Changing pawn structure or moving even a pawn can affect the activities of the Bishop. Don't place pawn in front of it if not necessary.
• The tall-pawn should be moved by moving the pawns or moving the Bishop out...

• In the endgame with all pawns on one side of the board, the Knight is superior for having access to both colors than the Bishop.
• In a situation B + B vs B + N, trading one of the enemy Bishop to lead to B vs B or B vs N is more beneficial of the side having the knight.
• N + ...

• An effective Rook needs an open file
• Although it has 5 points, it is inferior to 3 points of Knight and Bishop when it is not in an open file.
• The Rook strategy: creating a open or half open file, exerting pressure on the pawns or pieces on that half open file, fighting to d...

• Depending on the position, material needs to be collected or rejected or sacrificed with out attaching fear or other emotions to it.
• Material advantage can give an edge on middlegame and winning chances in endgame so a free pawn or piece should not be neglected if no direct attack i...

• Never accept an enemy threats unless it is proved as dangerous.
• Preventing a false threat is actually helping the enemy to win.
• Always believe in your own position
• Stick to your move and check if the move still work against enemy's threats
• Analyse the possib...

• Best attitude is "I will do what O want no matter what you say".
• Don't fall for "I have to" mindset, don't be on autopilot or mechanical. Challenge it and let him know that the only agenda that's going to be pushed is yours.
• Macho Chess is Jeremy Silman's style of saying "In...

• Player with the large center has to defend it, if he can make it indestructible, then the center rules.
• Lines that suit your personal comfort level, your style or that particular situation should be choosen.
• Slowly improve your pawns and pieces until everything is optimally...

Play against an isolated d-pawn

• Trade off all the minor pieces
• Play for Q + R vs Q + R (better than Q + 2 R) since presence of Queens makes it far too dangerous for the defender's king to come forward and join in the defense of the pawn.
• The rook blocks the isolated d ...

• Allows Rook and Bishop to slide and dominate
• Weak squares on 4th, 5th Or 6th rank allow a knight to outpost
• Weak squares can be turned into artificial support point.
• Chess is a team game, placing a piece on a square where it doesn't work with the rest of its army is ...

• Active play at the center against the uncastled king is required.
• Don't allow it to castle safely.
• Bring more pieces to the battle area and penetrate.
• Rip open more lines.

Statics are long term pluses, positional factors.

• Holes
• Weak pawns
• Material deficit
• Space

Dynamics are short term, use them now or die factors.

• Active pieces
• Attacking possibilities based on a vulnerable enemy king
• Tactic...

Space is created by the expansion of pawns, the territory behind the most advanced pawn.

Side with less space is passive.

Playing for superior minor piece can be a useful for space gain.

Side with more space should avoid unnecessary exchanges.

To play against opponent'...

A static powerhouse and/or a dynamic game winner.

A pawn majority's ultimate goal is creation of A passed pawn.

A passed pawn, even A protected passed pawn can often turn out to be a serious disadvantage when

• It does not contribute to the main gameplay
• A successfu...

To face and fix weakness and create a temporary learning repertoire

• Choose openings that don't suit your style/temperament (Tactical player choosing positional openings)
• Choose openings that focus your chess weakness
• Vulnerable, insecure and mostly losing but ultimatel...

High level chess demands the balance of tactics and positional skills.

Making a plan

• On the part where you are stronger.
• Activities of the pieces
• 2-3 move operations based on imbalances

A grand plan is possible when

• Stronger side has A hug...

1. Learn from tactical patterns
2. Create a basic opening repertoire
3. Positional play
4. The endgame
5. Learn from master games.