What next?

When it's move 22, you have equal material, equal positional strength and it's all seeming kind of locked up? I stare at the board, and can see no plan at all.

That is usually when I choose to drink. YMMV.

That depends on the position, but in general, I try to add pressure and prevent counterplay on the c file 🙂

Originally posted by Mr Average
When it's move 22, you have equal material, equal positional strength and it's all seeming kind of locked up? I stare at the board, and can see no plan at all.

“Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do, strategy is
knowing what to do when there is nothing to do” – Savielly Tartakower

Originally posted by tmetzler
That is usually when I choose to drink. YMMV.

I hear you. Just contemplating opening and slowly consuming one bottle of festive Stella. To help me 'think'.

Offer a draw.

Sac your queen!

Ask the computer what it thinks

What chesspraxis quoted.

Some actual plans for your consideration...

1) Exchange your bishops for knights if possible. Keep it closed, hop around, pick off some pawns, exchange the knights then open it up.

2) If you have less space, offer a draw.

3) If you have more space and feel brave sac a knight to open it up and then see what happens. If you don't feel brave enough wait for your opponent to do the same. Either way, connect your rooks on whatever file you think might be opened in anticipation.

4) Play 50 meaningless moves then claim a draw.

5) Resolve to play more swashbuckling openings in future.

If I'm within ten or twenty rating points of the other gentleman, and it's just an open invite game, I'll throw the draw offer out there.

If he doesn't accept, I'll either shuffle a piece, sac a pawn, or blunder, depending on the position.

Originally posted by Mr Average
When it's move 22, you have equal material, equal positional strength and it's all seeming kind of locked up? I stare at the board, and can see no plan at all.

Welcome to chess for the sub 1600's 😛

"I stare at the board, and can see no plan at all."

Good.

Play Kh1-g1-h1-g1 till your opponent comes up with a plan.

Then you hatch a counter plan. Counter plans always win.
First one to think of something to do in these tepid postions losses.

Game 7989626
Looks like I unwittingly gave good advice when I said to minimize counter play on the C file.
😞

Originally posted by kalvinator
Game 7989626
Looks like I unwittingly gave good advice when I said to minimize counter play on the C file.
😞

Ssssh! Game is in progress.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
"I stare at the board, and can see no plan at all."

Good.

Play Kh1-g1-h1-g1 till your opponent comes up with a plan.

Then you hatch a counter plan. Counter plans always win.
First one to think of something to do in these tepid postions losses.

I always say, do little, but do not play anything that makes your position worse. If nothing else, a slow but steady improvement.
I seem to fail at not making targets myself. 🙁