A plan in chess is a coherent sequence of connected ideas that a player decides to pursue in order to improve their position or gain an advantage over their opponent.
Unlike a single move, a plan gives direction to an entire series of actions. It might involve doubling rooks on an open file, launching a pawn advance on the kingside, rerouting a knight to an ideal outpost, or targeting a permanent weakness in the opponent’s pawn structure. What matters is that every move played serves a consistent overall objective.
In practice, whenever you are unsure what to play, ask yourself: "What is my opponent’s weakness, and how can I exploit it?" The answer to that question is the heart of your plan. A modest but achievable plan is always worth more than a brilliant isolated move that fits no broader logic.