Strategy 101: Weaknesses, Space & Tempo

Tactics decide games; STRATEGY decides who gets the tactics. The core vocabulary (from FM Morefield's curriculum):

• WEAKNESSES — find a soft spot in their position and lean on it • FORCE — more (or better) material wins, all else equal • KING SAFETY — no advantage matters if you're getting mated • SPACE — how much board you control; cramped pieces play badly • TEMPO — one move of time; make your opponent waste theirs • INITIATIVE — it belongs to whoever is making the threats