Stop Looking for the Best Move. Find the Plan Instead.

This is a position Brian (one of my newsletter subscribers) sent me.

White is better, but what’s the right plan here?

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The Real Question

There are probably a dozen decent moves here.
But what makes the difference is the plan.

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What Is a Plan?

A plan is a simple description (in words) of what you are trying to do.
You should always be able to say what you are doing.
It doesn’t change every move. Usually, a plan lasts for a few moves.
Once you complete it - or the position changes - you create a new one.

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How to Find the Right Plan

The best plan comes from:

• your strengths
• or your opponent’s weaknesses

You attack where it makes sense.

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Let’s Look at This Position

White is up material.
Black has a weak isolated pawn on d6, sitting on a semi-open file.
So the plan is clear:

• attack the center (target the pawn on d6)
• exchange pieces when possible (because you are up material)

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What About the Moves?

Because of that, it’s less important whether White starts with:

• Qe2
• Bd5
• or something else

As long as the moves follow the plan, you are on the right track.
In the game, Bd5 was played. And that’s completely fine.

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Why I’m Not Giving You the “Best Move”

There is a reason.
I don’t want you to think in terms of:
“right move vs wrong move”
I want you to think:
“what is my plan?”
A good plan can win the game.

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Think Like This

Your best chance to break through is where your opponent is weak.
You need to learn to spot those weaknesses.

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Simple Example (From Football)

Let’s say the opponent has a very weak left defender.
Where should you attack most of the time?
Exactly.

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Chess Is the Same

Before you play a move, ask yourself:

• What am I trying to do? (one sentence)
• Where is my opponent weak?

Then play moves that follow that idea.
Don’t just play moves.

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Key Takeaways

• Always have a clear plan
• Say it in one sentence before you move
• Attack where your opponent is weak

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Want more like this?

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