You may recognize this position. Suppose you are playing this position as white. What do you do? First, forget about your opening preparation and get focused on the game by stepping through an assessment of the position. Look at the position with fresh eyes. What is your assessment?
Tactics are ruled out, but it might be a good idea to run through your mental checklist for the assessment of tactics (checks, captures, threats, loose pieces, etc). You need to get accustomed to doing this on every move anyways, since tactics can arise at the most unexpected moments.
Strategically, this is a non-specific position in the sense that there is no need to advance a specific plan that is already in progress nor change gears as a result of what your opponent is doing, but there are still relevant strategic considerations nonetheless.
So what needs to be considered? Let’s take a look at the five strategic elements I focus on.
Contend Control of the Center
There are a variety of means to do so in this position. For example, one can take the direct route and establish a pawn on the fourth rank with e4 or d4. One could do so, but perhaps a little more indirectly with c4 or f4. Or one can play Nf3 or Nc3.
There are also moves such as g3 and b3. For example, b3 prepares Bb2, which exerts pressure down the long diagonal and may be prepare for an eventual c4.
Even atypical moves such as g4 or Nh3 should be done with the intent of controlling the center.
Improve Piece Effectiveness
Look at your pieces all sitting nicely on the back row. Get them out and give them space to roam! Give your rooks and bishops as much scope as possible.
Enhance Dynamic Potential
This is often overlooked and is best appreciated by studying dynamic chess strategy. You want to play moves that are going to give your position dynamic potential, which can be loosely defined as the ability to change the direction of the game.
This doesn’t mean that anything dynamic has to occur in the first few moves. Some contend that benign positions, such as positions arising from the Hedge Hog setup, have a substantial degree of inherit dynamic potential. Of course, we also have the French Defense, which seems very safe to a beginner, but contains a substantial level of dynamic potential.
Ensure King Safety
No problems right now, but consider moves that will minimize risk to your king down the road.
Don’t Forget Your Opponent
Do your best to make moves that prevent your opponent from doing any of the above.