Middlegame

From WikiChess

The middlegame in chess refers to the part of a game after the opening, and just before the beginning of the endgame. In this phase of the game, both players attempt to strengthen their positions while weakening their opponent's, with a combination of planned attacks aimed at the king and by wittling down the opponent's resources. The line between where the middlegame ends and the endgame begins is difficult to define, as both parts usually blend into each other.

Typical moves that players will employ during the middlegame include forks, pinning, skewers, and discovered attacks. Trades are also common as players exchange their own pieces for their opponent's (usually of equal or better value). An important part of the middlegame is the preparation of one's pieces for the endgame, even if it involves moving a piece where it is not necessarily useful.