The first thing the new chess player should understand is where the line between the opening and the middle game is drawn. You goals in the opening should be to exert as much control on the center of the board and to develop your pieces (get them out into the center of the board) as much as you feel comfortable with. You can throw everything out there or you can choose a few key pieces (the Knights and Bishops would be a good choice) for a more restrained development. Once this work is done (usually in 8 to 12 moves), you are officially in the middle game.

A lot of the middle game for the beginner may feel like a vast unknown, but keep in mind that a lot of this is simply perception, which is to say that both sides could feel the same way or could feel supremely confident - it's a matter of how you look at things. Since your emotional state will profoundly affect your mental state, control your confusion and focus on the consequences of each move you might make. Imagine a move and then look at three possible moves your opponent could make in return. If none of them seem terrible to you, make the move.

Later, increase the number of moves you imagine your opponent could make, then practice predicting. Predicting the move your opponent will most likely make is a very valuable skill, because it allows you to think about the move after that, and this is a crucial element of the game. Being able to play more and more steps in advance will mean you are strengthening your ability to control the game.

It also means you are developing an understanding of the connection between personality and play. If you think, "Oh, this guy is real arrogant. He'll make this brash move," and you are right, then you have made a quantum leap in the game. The first time you make an accurate prediction in this way, make a note of it somewhere. It is like a new belt in karate.

These skills are the true skills of chess, and you should realize that they are abilities anyone can master. Thinking ahead and recognizing personality types are everyday skills. It is up to you how much you want to work on them, but they are skills that will benefit you in everyday life and that you have opportunities to sharpen every day.

Now, there are also some terms that will help you as you apply the concepts of strategy and tactics to the middle game:

Weak squares: A square that is in control of your opponent, and over which you have little chance of gaining control.

Strong center: A center over which you have a great deal of control.

Open file: A column with no pawns from either side on it.