HANDLING TIME TROUBLE
One should always keep track of how many moves have been made and not depend on the opponent's scoresheet, which may be wrong. If you do not have time to record the full move, at least tick the move. HANDLING OPPONENTS TIME TROUBLE A common mistake is to play very quickly in the opponents time trouble, hoping to prevent the opponent from thinking on your time. This negates the value of having more time and has lost many games.
TENDENCY TO EXCHANGE It is well known that players in time trouble have a tendency to exchange pieces, as this simplifies their task for them.
THE BARRAGE Some players like to use this slightly risky method against an opponent in time trouble. The iea is that you plan your moves 2 moves deep. First you play one move, then if your opponent plays the expected reply you quickly whip out your next move. This may be unethical because it often means you will make a move without recording your previous move.
SEALING Sometimes you have the choice of whether to seal the move or allow the opponent to seal. There is a temptation to seal an unpredictable move to make the opponents adjounament analysis less effective. Many mistakes have been made that way. Sometimes avoiding a committal move like a pawn move or exchange may be ok, provided the committal move is not clearly best.
ADJOURNAMENT ANALYSIS If you adjourn a game, you are able to use books, computers, your friends, lots of time and you are able to move the pieces around. Adjournment analysis can be good practice for the endgame.
PREPARATION Stronger players may prepare for an important tournament by studying openings they will play on certain people.
PLAYING THE MAN If you know of any weaknesses in your opponents style, you may try and aim for positions you think don't suit him. The drawback of this strategy is that you may make mistakes while doing so or end up in a position that does not suit you.
PLAYING THE BOARD Trying to play the objectively the best move each time, or the move dictated by the position, is a safer strategy than playing the man.
CHOOSING OPENINGS One reason for a choice of opening is to try and reach a middlegame that suits your style. Another reason is to try and reach types of midlegames you would like and develop more experience in.
CHOOSING POSITIONS One strategy is to aim for positions where it is easy for you to find a reasonable move. AVOIDING RISKS One good aim is to avoid unnecessary risks. WAITING FOR MISTAKES Common sense dictates that you cannot hope for an advantage unless your opponent has made a mistake.
MAINTAINING THE TENSION If the position is approximately even, maintaining the tension can lead to a mistake by the opponent, who may attempt to relieve the ension prematurely.
OBJECTIVITY DRAWISH GAMES In drawish positions be on the lookout for hidden possibilities in a position.
WHEN WINNING If you have a winning position, don't take unnecessary risks, and eliminate counterplay. Never exchange a position you know is winning for one that might be winning.
WHEN LOSING In an absolutely desperate position you may be justified in setting traps. As when winning, patience in defence can be asset. You may get back into the game after a series of small mistakes by the winner.