Control the center
Develop pieces quickly
Knights before Bishops
Don't move the same piece twice in the opening
Don't bring your Queen out too early
Castle before move 10
Connect your rooks
Rooks should go to open or half-open files
Knights on the rim are grim
Try to avoid doubled pawns
Try to avoid isolated pawns
Try to avoid backward pawns
Don't trade a Bishop for a Knight without a good reason
Avoid moving pawns in front of your castled King
Don't open the center if your King is still there
2 minor pieces are usually better than a rook and a pawn
3 minor pieces are usually better than a Queen
Rooks are good on the 7th rank
Doubled rooks on an open file are very strong
Bishops are better in open positions, Knights are better in closed positions
The best way to deal with a flank attack, is with a counter attack in the center
When 2 pieces can capture the same piece, capture towards the center
The king should be activated in the end game
Rooks go behind passed pawns
2 connected passed pawns in the 6th rank will beat a rook
Attack the base of a pawn chain
Knights are usually the best piece to use to blockade a pawn
If your position is cramped, trading pieces can help
Trade your passive pieces for your opponents active pieces
When ahead material, trade pieces, not pawns
When behind material, trade pawns, not pieces
Games with opposite colored Bishops are dangerous in the middle game, and drawish in the endgame
Don't play "hope" chess
When you see a good move, look for a better move
A really good chess player knows the right time to ignore a chess principle