ses Peete emcee RR ee A iat se teal aWin at Chess! CONTENTS [Introduction .cccccccceececsssesseseseetecsesesecsessseseeeeesenecsesereuensesetensetereeees xiii 1. CHESS GROWTH ooecccccccccccccceeecccceseserseecaeetesenseneesetseeenesnenseees 1 Chess Progression ..cccccccccccecsscecesscesceecceeeteeceeerecaeceeseneeeseneeeaeeatens 2 2. CHESS NOTATION oooeccccecceeecescecceecseeceseeseeeeeeecsenseenesecrenenaeets 7 Special Symbols ...ccccceeeeee cee seteeneeeceenetenereceeteteceenseseeereneseese 7 Definitions ...cccc ccc ccecececeececectecsteececrteseseeecteestaeeeeeesesnetes 7 Files and Ranks ...ccccccccccccecccccecsecteecscesceseesecseeeecseesneseerensesaeeates 7 SQUALES oo. ceecceceeceeseeeeeseeseeseseeceeeseeeeereneneenaesseneeseceeeeneetiesaeoteneties 8 Diagonal oe cccececececcseccceeterecevcrsseneeecersaecseeeeecnecaeeeteeseenenesereaeets 8 MOVES occ ecccccccecccecceeceececeneetenseteneeensecetneeetaeecnsecetesensseenieeetteetieeaes 8 Captures coccecccccceceeeecteceeeseeescseeescesareceenseirireseseseenseetienentennesesers 8 Pawn Promotions ..cccccccecccsccecsseesecseeciesseecneecrsnecsecesecneeeseeeeeners 8 POSHIONS .ccececceececcccseeseeseesecnrescreesscnteecaeceecaeeneesneseaeeeaeeneenneneeenees 8 Annotation Symbols .......cccceccececcecceccsecseececsecseeeeseeseaceneesetaes 9 Part [ — The Opening 3. THE OPENING woe cect ccete cette cee tectetetescatcatttnsetecettices 11 Goals in the Opening occ ceee eee ceee cece cesses teeceteneeneesees 12 Control the Center ...ccccccecceesseeseisecstecsensecenscnenseneneneteertaes 12 Develop All Pieces ccc cccccesetetetciecreneteceetetecseteteeseeitereess 13 Safeguard the King ........0cc ccc cc cece cte cece tet ee ttt etreteetteeseens 14 Hind rance ....ceecececcecceeceeceeeeeceeeeeeneececneeeseeeteeseteeteeneneeeniees 15 Opening Guidelines oo. ccc eee ecneceetientseneeteneney 15 12 Common Mistakes... cc ccccececeeseceeeeeeneetteeenenteneetteeeneenees 16 A Look At The Openings 0... ccccceccceeccteceeeetisereteneeeeenenes 18 Strong Versus Weak Openings .........:. ccc ccecetecteeeeteteeeees 18 Standard Openings cc cccccccccccessees ee sensesseeeneneseneneeenaes 18 Se cre 19 Giuoco Pian cece ceceeeseseteceeseeeetseeeseteneessietenseseieteeseae: 19 Viera Game oeeeeecceeseecceccesceseeeceseesescetenseeseeaceseesetseeeeseeeaees 19Win at Chess! Ruy Lopez .occcccecsereseeecseteeeeesenenes King’s Gambit ..0.00.0 cece Smith-Morra’s Gambit ..0..00:0cccceceececceeseccereseesenteseeseneees Goring’s Gambit ..... ccc cee etree enters eeecneeseneterirneeneens Queen’s Gambit Declined oo... nett eeteeee Queen's Gambit Accepted 0... c ee ee tenets Colle’s Opening occ ceccccccecee eee re ceetensereseeneenertnennrieenes Curry’s Opening .occccceceececeececeeesenetrecceecseneseeeeetertnieneenes Blackmar-Diemer’s Gambit ..0..0000ccccccccceecceccerseseseseestneeee Defenses .eccecceccccccccceescecseensevecersteeccstcsceseesctecsecesseeseetencectsttetessesiss Oe a 20 French Defense ..ccccccccccccccecsceccccseccesssesceesessnsssescectesettesecniees 20 Caro-Kannn's Detense ...ccccececseccccscesccccececnteceectessescteeeeenteeeenes 20 Center Counter Detense o....00 ccc ccc ce cecetcetteeetteceecre 20 Sicilian (Najdorf) Defense occ cceeeseeeeceeeeeeetters 20 Sicilian (Dragon) Defense occ cceccecerseneeceecresseeeereee 21 Pire’s Defense vcccccceccccscccccescesecseccscensenecensecssesseessesseesseetseenes 21 To 1. dd oc ciccccc ccc ccc cc cneeeeceeeeeeee vet tbiettprteeeettiprrerenneeya 21 Tarrasch’s Defense .ooccccccccccecccecce cece sees cece tecestneteettennnsecntes 2] Tartakower’s Defense ............ King’s Indian Defense... Nimzo-Indian Defense oo... cececceeccececcsectetecetecstestreseeee: Gruenfeld’s Defense ..0.0.000cccccc ccc ccee cece te st ectee tence cteeteeen Queen’s Indian Defense occ ccceereenenteenetereteeeneee Dutch Defense occ ccccccccecccecceseecescseecetseseneessisesneeenes 21 Gambits ..eccecccccceececcesccsceeesecccnseceeegreteeesesesteeststenseenstsenttees 21 Defending Against Gambits .0.00. ccc ce cceeceeetteereeeneeen 2] King’s Gambit Accepted occ 23 King's Gambit Declined vce 23 Smith-Morra’s Gambit Accepted .......... 23 Smith-Morra’s Gambit Declined........... 23 Blackmar-Diemer’s Gambit Accepted .. 23 Blackmar-liemer’s Gambit Declined 23 Falkbeer’s Countergambit ....0.cccceceesseceeeerenetetsetneteeneees 23 Comparison of Openings .....ccccceccecccecees ects creesceetseneesenenrerens 23 vi—Win at Chess! Choosing Your Opening ........:cccccescesceeeeeecttetetteteetesseseteeeess 25 Learning a New Opening ......cccececeeeeesceeneeseeeessteeteteneeseereats 26 Recommended Openings and Defenses ........:.ececeeeeeteteee 27 4. THE CURRY OPENING 0.0... cece cececceeeteecescteeeeteeseeteessesetensenes 28 Hlustrative Games....ccccccccecceecscssesscsecssesecsecsessvsssessenseesessens 29 Comparisons oo... ccc cece ceeecesceseeseeeeneesecseeseneesenatraesseenens 30 Part Il — The Middlegame 5. THE MIDDLEGAME oo. ececceceececscessenerscseseeeeeessetesessesenecaeseees 31 Goals in the Middlegame 2... ccc ceeececcecceeseeseeeteeeeesesensesenenes 32 Five-Step Approach 20.0.0. nnn e renee ceteeneneatnneres 33 1. Analyze The Position ...c.cccccccccceccecceee cece ce tiettretietittinene 34 Seven Factors To Analyze ....cccccccccccseccesecsetecsteseestesseseesesaes 30 King Safety oo. teceeeeececeeeettetitestnecatensesetsenenss 35 Material Status 0... ccc cceeccececcee cet eseseseceestescteetseeerees 35 Possible Tactics. ecccccecsececsersssssetsseseteieiesieteeeeenes 36 Piece Placement and Mobility... cccecccceeteeeteeeees 36 Pawn Structure... cece cecccecceccesceecececesseesstteesseseseneateas 36 Control of Important Squares woe. ceceeeeteteeeeteetenee 36 TOMD 1. .eeceececcecseesteeseceeeceeseeceesesseeessestesseseeseessessteesestenenes 36 Strengths and Weaknesses .....0.cccessecesseseesecsseseesseneeeeeeees 39 2. Determine Your Goals ..0...c cc cccececeseetetsessessessteseesscseeeresteeesceaes 4] Strategy and Planning .... cece eeeeeee ence eeeeeeeetsescees 41 Tactical Vulnerability 0.0.0.0 cesceetecetesssececeseeenes 42 Positional Vulnerability 00.0. cece eneceeeteeeeceeeseecees 46 3. Define Your Tasks .0...cccccccccccccssccsecsecseeseescveccenseevtsssenseesteceaseeeass 47 4. Develop Candidate Moves 0.2... :ccccccececetscetsteiseetsettenstenseeseesens 48 5. Select the Best MOC ...ccecseceeseecetstecseetstseeetetseecsesnecsesseiesseseses 48 Grading Moves ....ccccccccccecscsecsessessessseeseescsecsesesstscsesseseseeeeass 49 “King of the Mountain” 0... cccccccecceceeseeeteeeesesesetenseeesesees 50 Four Key Questions ..ccccccccecceceeeececcseceeseecsececetattrsssseastesnsicnneas 51 1. What Is The Threat? ....c ccc cscs ceeeseeseseeterecees 52 2. What Has Changed? .....cececceeeccetetsetessenscsseeeseneceteseesesees 54 3. Does This Move Improve My Position? nce 57 4. Is This Move Safe? .ccccccccccccsecsesccscesscsececsseseesceesesevseens 59 “Your Move” Flow Chart ....ccccccccccteeestecccscescettensensteteessesees 61Win at Chess! Positional Play .....c ccc ceseeesescseenseereeseesen cer ceneieneireees 62 QUUPOSES 6 eect estes cree rereee rene ccitisicnatesteieeeeeeneneeaeeeeneiaaeaeeey 63 Pawn Play ....cscscseseeeseescecsseeeseaesesesesenesneseenenenenenensersgneeeaees 65 Simplifying... cece ccsecceecseseeesssneessencsneseenenecreeeereeestiseees 67 Defense ...cccecccccccsessesseessesseesseeseessenteceeeeceecrecneecneessesneeensseeeeniceas 72 Identifying The Threat ........cccccccctee ce teeteeeeeneneeeeees 73 Defensive Methods .......cccccccccecceeseeceeeeeeeneeeeeeetescneteetneenseteeneess 74 Middlegame Guidelines 0.0.0. ices eete es teeeneneneteets 79 Five Common Mistakes ....c.ccccccccccecsceescccceecree eens teeetseeseenenneee 80 Exercise: Find The Best Move .....::cescceccecceseeseeseneteseeneecereneee 82 Exercise: Win All You Safely Can. oo... cece esenreneten 84 Practice Games .cccccccccccccccccccecccecsetcnseeseeeseniesneesisenseneeeetenaeiss 86 6. MIDDLEGAME TACTICS .o..ccccccceceeccereee teens erceseeeteneneeneenaeees 90 Major Tactics cece ccc ei cesecensererenseeieicneceeeriensesctennenetsey 90 Superior Force... eee ites nenseniisneeates 90 PAD cecccccccccccceecsececcecscsesseecceceyereenseeesaeeesreecieeesarestieeseaeereetencetenes 91 SKEWED ceeccccecccessescestessesssessecscesseeseesteceeecieenecneesneceeceneeseseeeces 92 Knight Fork cccccccceeecesetececsee erence pecseeneseseisessasaneneenees 92 Double Attack ..cccccccccccccccccccseccccccesceeseseceecneeeseeeenaeersvenenees 93 Discovered Attack ...cccccccccccsessecseeteeteeetesnerineteaeeneetseenecnes 93 Minor Tactics ...ccccccccccecccssccsccseessessecseeneeeceseeeeseesneseeeneesiesnieees 94 Overworked Defender .....ccccccccceeccesceecteesecrecererteeneseneeneenees 94 Vital Guards veccccccccccccccccecseessescesceesecseccsessesseaeeseceeneeeeseeeeeats 94 Removing Defenders .......cececcccttecrenene renee csescneneneereenenees 95 Deflecting Defenders ....ccecccecceeese ener n erect est tenseeenens 95 Sacrifices ceccccccscssesesceesevsecessesseceeeescesseesseseetseneeenteetaesteeeneeoeea 95 Back-rank Mate ..cccccccecccccsccecssecceceeeeneeseecneeterteseteseneeenetenerenas 96 In-Between Move vocccccccccccssccsscssesscessesecsseeseenseeteeneeceeeneeneens 97 Interference ciccccccccccccccseceessecccneseeeseeeeecsteeeessreeseeneeeecnirtennnates 97 No Retreat ...cccccccceccscccesccesecesscceseeeeteeesceeenneeesaeeeneeeeseeeatenses 98 Trapped Pieces i.e ct cece esnsesierseneseenssssneseeeeneenenes 98 Desperado ...ceececececesceeee ese ceesiensiesssescensaeseeicissasneetnen 99 ZUSZWANYG ceeeeeecceeceeeeeeceeeeeaeceessesenerseneseceneeaeteeeseeneneetenteeere 99 Queening Combinations .......ccececcccee ree treet nteeecees 99 Unde rpromotion ........ ce cccecceccceeicteieieieteeeieeieneneneseeneneney 100 Move Sequence oo. ccccc scence titceesesieenecssieneneereeenrereeie 100 Tactical Exercises ....cccccccccsccssecccsssesseeeeessenesnsestecsterteetreneess 101 vui—Win at Chess! 7. COMBINATIONS AND SACRIFICES occ 104 Combinations ....cccccccccecccescececceececeeteeaeeeeseecesteccrsaeenesneseseess 105 Checkmate ...cccccccccccccceccesesesenscseseenceseseseeeeeseaetecseseneseseneneeees 107 Win Material ...ccccccccccccccecscesceceecceseesecseeeessecseeseesseesesesaseaeeaeees 08 Expose and Restrict Enemy King oo... cece rerserenenens 109 Prevent Castling ...c..ccccccceceecesceseecisenssneessenscesteecnsectessesecess 109 Gain Time for Development 0.0.00. ccc reeeeenersenersenes 110 Open Lines for Attack... eerestereneerieees 110 Improve Mobility of Pieces oo... cnenneeeneeeeesenens 111 Simplify Into a Winning Endgame oc ee cree 112 Promote a Pawn ..cccccccccceccecccsccecseecetseeeeeseesecseensetieenteeseeneen 112 Avoid Checkmate .occccccccccccccccessseseessecececeeeeeceseeeeenevieeeeneess 113 Minimize Material Loss... cscs eeceeereee ees ceteesteeeetneeneeneeaee 113 Gain Positional Advantage oo... cece cceeeene rest cteneereernenes 114 SacrifiCes ..cccccccecceccesseccecsceeceecceccseeseeeceeneceeseseresensenteneeeeeeaeees 114 Gain Time for Development (Gambits) oo... ceeeeeee renee 115 Open Lines for Attack ....ccc ences eens nse rcnenennenenenetes 115 Improve Pawn Structure 2... cece cece ence ceeeecrceneeeene 116 Establish an Outpost 00.0.0 c cece eceieere eeeseeeeceeeeeeri 116 Unsound Combinations and Sacrifices occ ccceerenenes 117 Combinations Exercises ...cccccccceceececeeeeceessneeeeeseseneeteeseseeaeees 120 8. ATTACKING THE KING woccccccececeecetscneteereneteereneeeenteneees 122 Uneastled Enemy King ...ccceccccceseeteeseecceeteesenenseeseeneneeenees 126 Kings Castled on the Same Side vo... ceeccceeerecceeceeeneeeees 128 Kings Castled on Opposite Sides... cece ceeneneeeeneneeres 132 Attack Guidelines .ccccccccesececsecsenenesiseesnerssiesesnecenesarees 134 Exercises on Attacking the King 0... ceceseeereneteeeeeeeeneeees 135 9. CHECKMATE PATTERNS uve eeccceeceseceseseteteeecsenseeseeseaterenees 140 Queen and King....ccccccecceeeeeeceeneeceeeeeeeenesnesnecneenesneesrteeseeeas 141 Queen and Rook ....cccccccsccecceeeseeseceneenecseneeetseneeeeenseeeeeeneeres 141 Queen and Bishop occ. ceeee ee een ree ener sieeeeenerseenenees 141 Queen and Knight ......ccc ccc ce cece ececcteeecescecteeseescnasateesenecies 142 Queen and Pawn 2... cece ee teeeeetseneeeseesneeseeneensenreeeees 142 QUeeD .oceececessetscsscseetecetsecscesceseceessecsecessevseeaeeeeatneeteeesatensens 142 Rook and King... cceeeeeeseccnseecseeneeesescensvecsenenenseeverneeavees 143 Rook and Queen i....ccccccccccceecceseeecesceseseeeseesesseeseesteeeeereeereneees 143Win at Chess! Rook and Rook ....ccccccessceseccssesseesesseesetsscesssscessessrctvesevereeaneeses 143 Rook and Bishop w..ccceccceccccccscccsesesseecsesvereeevevsesevaneeesvesees 144 Rook and Knight 2.0.0.0 cceceececescsessesscsesessescsesvsssesevsusvevtaeaeaes 144 Rook and Pawn ...c.ccecceecceccccescscsesesesesesssessestevsvesesereavereeeees 144 ROOK eee eeceeeseeseseeseneseeesetetscssececscessstsvansesssavevevsssaeessestetaeeeaes 144 Two Bishops and King .....cccccccccecceeetscsesessesesesvseeseereas 145 Two Bishops and Knight ......cccceeccetccecscsceescscsesssesteseeees 145 Bishop, Knight, and King oo... ccccccseccscsescsesesscsesestscseseeseseees 145 Knight and Bishop .....eccecccceccecsceesccecscscesssavsveseseessesseaesnseess 145 Part II] — The Endgame 10. THE ENDGAME oo. ceceseccseseecsessesvstssesecseseseestetavavess 147 Goals in the Endgame ...c.cccccccsccecssesssessecsssssesestetstevevecseecseess 148 Checkmate ..c.ecceecccccsisesisessesnescsesesssssusessnsterssesavansatseseesessess 148 King & Queen vs. King ceecececcccecccecsscsescesevevetenesessesnaee: 149 King & Rook vs. King .ccccccecccescecseseescscssecssesssvstseeeseeeens 150 King & Two Rooks vs. Kittg...ccceceseescseseeseessentee 15] King & Two Bishops vs. King ...c.cccccccscscscerseseseesessetseerees 15] King, Bishop & Knight vs. King...cccccccccccecsesesesseseeeeeees 151 Pawn Promotion ....ceccccecesescsessssssessssstsesecstevsvsusseseevateetes 152 Principles ccc cece eeseesesceeesessestecsncecsnrevevsesevsseesesensseaees 152 Queening Square eccececeecesesscccecsessvevsiessstvevsnseestessteesesees 153 OPPOSICLON oe eee cece neces ess eesesescetscssseesescsuevescavevevensanareeavene, 154 ZUSZWANG ocsecceccseseesesssesssessssessessseesssssscsessveeevsveseavsresteseavarens 157 Triangulation ..ccecececccccescsescssssescsssesecesseststerescicavavevereaveees 157 Pawn-Promotion Tactics ...ccccecccccccscssessessstsevsressstereseseseeseas 158 Passed Pawns ......cccecescsseceseststessscecsesssscseevsnsesevseatevensseacaneves 158 SACTHICES oe ee cceseeceseeceseatessenesesssceceusscevsvsvevsseseanevasessetseas 161 Multiple Queening Threats ....0.cccccccscccecssseesesessesesceseeeese 163 Offside Pawn Majority 0.0.0 0.cccccccscseecsesceecsesteessessscsesersees 164 Superior King Position ..cccccccccccccccesccesseeseeseseeseseses 166 Restrict the Enemy King ....cccccccccccccsccesscseseeseseseetetseeeeens 168 Endgame Guidelines 0....0.c.ccccccccccsceceessssesstesssesvescsseseercavevesees 169 Six Common Mistakes oc. ccceeccccccccsscscsessecsssveavstestesseaveesesee: 170 11. ENDGAME TACTICS vo cicceccccecccesseesesscssestesteresestssteseaveesees 172 Offensive Tactics ...ceeccceccececescecccscsesrserssanssasseesstsissveseeees 172Win at Chess! Defensive Tactics ......c:cccccccceeseeseeceeeesecteseesenseeseteeesessteneentens 177 Endgame Tactical Exercises .......c:cccescesesseseeseeteeeseretieeneeeeessens 180 Part IV — Practice & Progress 12. ENDGAME PRACTICE 00... eeeecececeeeeeeecteenseteseeenteeenties 184 13. STUDY LESSON GAMES ooo. .cccccecceccecseeteestecneeneeeeeeneesnenenes 190 1. Strong Center (Ruy Lopez) on. ccecceccesenseereecetsenenersees 191 2. Premature Attack (Bishop’s Opening) ......... eee 193 3, Sacrifices (Curry Opening) ..... cee eee cree cnereenereeeeene 195 4. Weaknesses (Tartakower Defense) ........cccccccsesseteteeres 197 5. Pawnstorm (King’s Indian Defense) ....0.0...0. eee 199 6. Counterattack (Sicilian Defense) ...0...cccecceteeceecreeteeees 202 7. Positional Play (English Opening)... cccecceseceeeeerenens 205 14. SOLITAIRE CHESS 2. cceccccccceseseesseneescneneeseaeneeseeeseerererenees 209 Solitaire Game 1 (English Opening) ........ecceceeteeeeteeeetenee 210 Solitaire Game 2 (Sicilian Defense) .......00cccceeeteeeeeee 212 Solitaire Game 3 (King's Gambit) .....0.c cc eecceeeeeeeeeeneene 215 Solitaire Game 4 (Griinfeld Defense) .o....cccccccceecseeeteteees 216 Solitaire Game 5 (Queen's Gambit) ..ccccecccccceceereessetecteens 216 15. CONTINUING YOUR IMPROVEMENT. uo. ceeceeeeereeeeees 219 Study cece ceeccceesceeseeseesesetecsensceneececeesceeeeeseescneveeerseteeneseseteaeees 219 Intermediate Books ...c.ccccccccccecsesceescesstsecssstessecseeeeseeecssensens 220 Advanced Books ...ccccccccccsccsscescssecsenecesetesesssetententessesteees 220 Play woe ce ec ce ce ec ere cen iene setae saeseecneneteeaeteenaetes 220 APPENDIX A — CURRY-OPENING GAMES 1... cee 225 1. Orthodox Defense .....c.cccccccctccce cette ete ceeteteceeeeteesens 226 2. Queen’s Indian Defense ..........ccccceccececeeeeesetesteteeteeteenees 226 3. King’s Indian Defense... cccceceecseteeesereetesesetereeseneenees 226 4. Gruenfeld Deferse .......ccccececcecceseteteneceeseeeeeeeceenenseeenenees 227 5, Irregular Defense ooo. cee ee cteceeseetenetseeeetenenseeteaeens 227 6. Black Castles ...0-0-0 0000 c eect eens 227 7. White Castles 0-0 0.0.0. ..c ccc ce cece eee ete ne ees 228 8. Curry Opening Loses ...0...0. cece cence tee eens ne teeta 228Win at Chess! APPENDIX B — CONDENSED CHESS COURSE ...... ee 229 In General ....ceeceeesecceeceesenseeeseecenesecectensetecseneeeeeeeieesenseeeseennseeses 229 Offence cece cece cee ee cece ce seeeieesececeetatsscacienissesseeesseescaseseeeesens 229 Defense ooccccccceccceccceccceceeecesessssecsesseeevsevesevsteverttevstsssseptstetsttsetsteren 234 SPecifics cece cccccceceececcsceseesessesseeseessesscsecsesseseceseeecsssssseeveeeseeseesies 235 Opening 2... cececeeeeeeeceec eee cee ees cnceeecneeecececsrenseseesaevseetenseeneeseeaeeatens 235 Middlegame occ ceccecceeeccceececeseceseeecssecscssessesessteaevisseeceeesiee 237 Endgame oo. ccc cece cece cesses cescesesececaeesesteesenenectsieetereetaeees 240 Bad Chess Habits ..ccccceececcceccecsseesscseenecrenesaessscsssssceereieneenenseeees 242 Your Continued Development .....0cccccccecceccccsecetsceeeseceseseeranire 244 BSLOSSARY occecectccce ects cere eee cit teeta cites tees tseseesanssnasiessesinasesens 246 EPILOGUE occ ceeccceceeceneerecseeneeenecseceetensenenseeseeneetecietsetesteeesens 252 ABOUT THE AUTHOR ....cc cect eet ete ett titeetittetiteees 253 WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING 20. ceccececcnceeserttetteesetetate 254 COLOPHON ooo cee tee cites c eects tteettecitecistatsenetneceetaeeny 258 xiiWin at Chess! INTRODUCTION Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy. — Tarrasch Every chessplayer wants to play better chess and win more games. To improve, you will need to STUDY and PLAY chess learn to play better, an intermediate chessplayer needs information and especially study. To guidance that is reliable, practical, clear, and well-organized. The comprehen- sive, Master-proven principles and techniques in this book will improve your chess game and help you progress toward chess mastery. The chessplayer who understands WHY will consistently defeat oppo- nents who only know HOW! So, the focus of this book is on understanding important principles rather than memorizing lengthy sequences of moves. The Masters’ key secrets of winning chess play are explained and illustrated with numerous examples throughout this book, and the emphasis is on practical winning principles and methods. Essential principles of winning opening, middlegame, and endgame play are covered, as well as comprehensive tactical and positional themes, maneuvers, and techniques. Numerous exercises are included to test your progress. Win At Chess! is a complete chess manual for improving your chess game. The chess instruction in this manual is theoretically sound and practically reliable. All the principles and techniques have been proven effective by chess Masters in countless games over the centurtes (and by the author, a chess Expert, in national and international tournament competition). During the past twenty years, scores of the author's students have successfully used the ideas in this book to improve their chess games significantly. You can apply these winning principles and techniques in your games with confidence! Study, then apply these vital, Master-proven chess ideas, principles, and techniques — and win at chess! Ronald H. Curry Wilmington, Delaware May 1995 xuChess Growth CHAPTER 1 CHESS GROWTH Chess is a game of understanding, not memory. — Znosko-Borovsky Easeos ae o£ CG Y At 4 4at4 a Z., Diagram 1 Chess, the game of kings and king of games, is a game of skill anda fascinating intellectual challenge. Chess is not simple; it is a complex game founded on rules, guided by rational thinking, and often influ- enced by emotion. There are no axioms or unalterable laws governing every chess position — precepts and guidelines can blaze a safe and promising trail, but you must ultimately select your own path to chess mastery. Chess requires and rewards logic, imagination, a competitive spirit, patience, and, above all, understanding. Learning and applying sound principles, rather than memorizing moves, is the key to success. Win- ning chess games requires knowledge in the opening, imagination in the middlegame, and technique in the endgame. In the soul of every chessplayer breathes the spirit of a Bobby Fischer or Gary Kasparov, but the bleak truth is that most chessplayers do not advance beyond a low intermediate strength. The anchor retarding their progress is lack of knowledge — they seldom study. —!Win at Chess! The secret to improving your chess is to combine STUDY with PLAY. Study alone is sterile; play alone is limiting (you tend to repeat and reinforce your mistakes). A note of caution: many experienced but relatively weak chessplayers are prisoners of their pasts. Clinging to incor- rect or incomplete old chess ideas, and shackled by vestigial notions and inadequate playing habits, they are reluctant to adopt new ideas, change their games for the better, and grow. Change and growth are essential for improvement in chess. No chessplayer improves without taking risks (“Behold the turtle, who makes no progress until he sticks his neck out.”). Changing established chessplaying patterns takes courage, pa- tience, and time, but the rewards are worth the effort. This book is for the chessplayer who seriously wants to improve. In reading this book you will probably encounter some new or different ideas on how to play better chess. For maximum benefit, set up each of the diagrammed positions on a chessboard for study. While the text explains and summarizes, the diagrams clarify and reinforce important principles and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with any of the chess terms used, consult the Glossary. The chapters in this book are arranged in logical progression; but if youare impatient and anxious to improve yourchess game immediately, read Appendix B (“The Condensed Chess Course”) for concise, com- prehensive instruction. If one area of your chess game particularly needs improvement, read the chapter on that ropic. To become a complete chessplayer, however, be certain to read all the chapters to increase and balance your chess improvement. Do all the practical exercises included in several chapters — they simulate game conditions and afford you instructive practice in applying the principles you have learned. You WANT to improve your chess, you CAN improve your chess, and you WILL improve your chess. Let’s get started! CHESS PROGRESSION First, let us find out where you are on the ladder of chess and what lies ahead for you. As you improve, you will grow through several distinct stages of development. At each stage, a dominant theme may emerge for your focus and mastery before you can progress to the next level. Naturally, you retain and increase your proficiency with previous themes as you 2Chess Growth continue your improvement. In reviewing my own chess career, | find a definite, typical, hierar- chical pattern of development. Although many of the themes in chess development overlap strength levels, the pattern of progression is clear. You can assess your present status as an amateur chessplayer and learn what challenges await you by comparing your level of knowledge and skills with mine at various stages of development. My various chess strengths are expressed as United States Chess Federation (USCF) national ratings. 1000 — When my chess strength was approximately 1000 (low intermediate), my play was characterized by careless openings, prema- ture attacks, aimless moves and captures, inferior and passive defense, an impotent, embryonic endgame, and no sound ideas of purposeful pawn play. Worse yet, my major problem was losing material, because | frequently overlooked opponents’ one-move threats, even obvious ones, and left my pieces en prise (attacked and unprotected). Often before I could begin to attack my opponent, he had already attacked me and won several pieces and pawns, or even checkmated me (sound familiar?). In tact, | was losing many chess games before I ever had a chance to win. Before I could win at chess, | had to learn to avoid losing. The major culprit was overlooking opponents’ threats. The effective remedy, which | did not know at the time, was simple: after each of my opponents’ moves | should have asked the vital question, “What is the THREAT?” and before each of my moves I should have asked the key question, “Is this move SAFE?” To winachess game, you must first avoid losing it! 1200 — Having learned to sidestep some of my opponents’ threats, I could still win material only if my opponents left their pieces and pawns en prise or inadequately guarded. My attacks were obvious, and mostly unsuccessful. At this level | discovered the marvelous and intriguing world of TACTICS (pins, skewers, Knight forks, double attacks, discovered attacks, etc.). I learned the critical truth that chess games are decided by tactics. Although I missed many (perhaps most) tactical opportunities in my games, | did occasionally manage to play a convincing tactic if the conditions were pre-established. I also learned the useful method of counting the number and value of attackers and —3Win at Chess! defenders, to determine the safety of captures and occupation of squares by either side. My defense also improved, for | began to recognize more threats and avoid many simple tactics by my opponents. | also learned a few standard opening moves and improved my inept endgame by studying fundamental endgame techniques (“queening square,” oppo- sition, triangulation, zugzwang). I learned the value — nay, necessity — of playing each move with a specific purpose, and | started winning more games. Chess was becoming fun! 1400 — Buoyed up to 1400 by my newly acquired tactical skills, | discovered that peer chessplayers were far less obliging than weaker opponents in succumbing to my new expertise. I learned that against strong chessplayers, tactics must be forced or induced. This illuminaring realization exposed a fundamental weakness in my game — relying on opponents’ errors — and led me to understand the essential truism that every successful chess tactic is based on one or more weaknesses in the position. Thus | discovered that the secret of playing effective tactics is to recognize — create (force or induce) if necessary — and ATTACK WEAKNESSES. To recognize weaknesses, | had to learn to analyze positions more thoroughly for both sides. This new skill of regularly and, sometimes, accurately analyzing The Seven Basic Factors each position for weaknesses en- Which Characterize a abled me to pinpoint more tactical Chess Position Are: opportunities, and to defend better against possible tactical threats by 1 my opponents. | also hegan playing 2 modest combinations and sacrifices, . King Safety . Material 3. Possible Tactics relying more on sound principles than 4. Piece PLacement and memory. I was becoming a Mobility chessplayer. 5. Pawn Structure 6. Control of Important Squares . Temp 1600 — Although | was win- ning more often, my game was still 7 based disproportionately on move- to-move threats and tactics. My chess strategy could best be described as “get my pieces out, castle, and wait for my opponent to make a mistake.” Planning, if any, was 4—Chess Growth rudimentary and haphazard. Against 1600-strength peers, this strategy proved inadequate. My opponents were downright disobliging at mak- ing tactical errors, and | was frequently stymied. In many middlegame positions, I simply had no idea of what to do. At this plateau I sought counsel from several stronger chessplayers, read a chess book or two, and discovered the miraculous element of PLANNING. Planning, while important and beneficial, was the most difficult theme | had encoun- tered in my chess development. However, after considerable study and practice (1 enlisted stronger players to criticize my games, and started a diary of my losses to learn a pertinent lesson from each game), | was finally able to incorporate short- and long-term planning as an integral part of my game and to liberate myself substantially from my former myopic method of move-to-move chess. Soon | began winning more games, even against stronger players, thanks to better planning. 1800 — At this level | began to appreciate seriously the role and value of POSITIONAL PLAY, especially the significance of pawn structure and proper pawn play. | learned that pawn structure always influences — and sometimes dictates — strategy and tactics by defining the squares and lines available for pieces. | learned that positional play, essentially the control of important offensive and defensive squares and lines, depends on active piece placement and sound pawn formations. ! developed more skill at handling a variety of positions: open, semi-open, and closed. I reinforced and expanded my skill at avoiding and inflicting weak pawns (isolated, doubled, backward), and developed greater awareness of “holes” in pawn structures (possible ourposts) and offside pawn majorities (potential new Queen). Extensive experience against stronger players convinced me that, while tactics always win chess games, proper positional play is a necessary prelude to effective tactics. A superior position is almost invariably a prerequisite for game-winning tactics. My games with peers were typically closer and longer, so I studied and improved my endgame knowledge and techniques (King role, distant opposition, pawn structure). To secure consistently promising middlegames against stronger opponents, | also continued to broaden my knowledge of openings. Further, I realized that the attacker wins more often in chess, so | incorporated and emphasized more aggressive play, including active defense. I learned that there is a “thread” — a series of related themes — running through most chess games, and it is 5Win at Chess! important to hew to that thread. As a result, my play became more coordinated, deeper, and longer-range — sounder. 2000 — Improvement at this level has been more mental than technical: * Being aggressive (always alert for weaknesses) ¢ More consistently evaluating positions correctly and analyzing variations accurately ¢ Employing a systematic method of searching for moves ¢ Uniformly playing according to the offensive Opportunities and defensive necessities in each position * Accurately applying more of my appropriate chess knowledge to each position Evaluating plans more critically Being more flexible Being defensively tenacious and resourceful Mentally playing both sides of rhe board at all times Carefully pacing myself (being patient) during each game These characteristics improved my chess. The solid, aggressive style of play | had developed earlier was further enhanced by understanding more fully the importance of the INITIATIVE. With the initiative (ability to create threats), you control the game, direct the flow of events, and generally make your opponent “dance to your tune.” Painfully | discovered that when my opponents seized and maintained the initiative, I usually lost; when I developeda strong initiative, | often won. The initiative is primarily achieved by gaining tempi and superior development, and it is frequently maintained by threats and hindrance. Like most chessplayers, | prefer to attack rather than defend, so concen- trating on seizing and maintaining the initiative is a current paramount concern. | am still working at this level, plus reinforcing my knowledge and skills learned at previous stages. Of course, | am looking forward to the next level. This has been my progression in chess; it may or may not be yours — you may learn and apply some important chess themes and principles before I did. You will encounter various personal stages of development. 6—Chess Notation Chapter 2 CHESS NOTATION Language is mankind’s greatest invention. Chess moves and positions are usually recorded in modern Alge- braic notation, which comprises a coordinated system to: 1) identify squares on the chessboard, and 2) provide symbols describing moves and captures by the chessmen. The following symbols are used for the chessmen: King kK wy & Queen Q wy why Rook R B # Bishop B Q £ Knight N &Y & pawn (omitted) R a Special Symbols + Check t Double-check # Checkmate 0-0 Castles Kingside 0-0-0 Castles Queenside Precedes Black move (in text) Definitions Files and Ranks (Note: The chessboard is always positioned so that each player has alight square in his lower right-hand corner.) The eight vertical columns of squares on the chessboard are FILES, designated a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and —/Win at Chess! h, from White’s left. The horizontal rows of squares are RANKS, numbered | to 8 from the White side (Diagram 2): Diagram 2 Squares Squares are identified by their rank-and-file coordinates. In Dia- gram 2, the white pawn is on the square ¢3, and the black pawn ison the square g6; the white Rooks are on el and e7, and the black Knights are on ad and ¢5. (The square al is always in White’s lower left corner.) Diagonals Diagonals are designated by their terminal squares (e.g., al-h8, f1- ao). Moves Moves are described by specifying the letter for the piece moved (no letter is used for pawns) followed by its arrival square. Nf3 describes a Knight move to the square £3, while e5 describes a pawn move to the square e5. Rank-and-file modifiers are used to prevent ambiguity. In Diagram 2, for example, both white Rooks are capable of moving to e5; therefore, Rle5 specifies the Rook on the first rank moving to e5. Similarly, if the black N/a5 moved to b3, this move would be written .Nab3. Game moves are recorded using the move number, White’s move, then Black’s move (e.g., 1. e4 Nf6). Individual Black moves in text are preceded by ellipses “...” (e.g., ...Be4) to distinguish them from White moves. BeChess Notation Captures Captures are indicated by the symbol for the capturing piece (file designations are used for pawns) followed by an “x” and the designation of the square on which the capture takes place. Bxc4 indicates a Bishop captured a chessman on the square c4; exd5 indicates a pawn on the e- file captured a chessman on the square d5. Rank-and-file modifiers are used if necessary to prevent ambiguity (e.g., Naxb3 or RI xe5). Pawn Promotions Pawn promotions in this book are indicated by an equal sign (e.g., f8=Q indicates that a pawn advanced to the square f8 and “promoted” to a Queen; exf8=N¢t indicates that a pawn on the e-file captured a piece on the square f8 and “underpromoted” to a Knight wy giving check). Positions The position in Diagram 2 can be recorded as: White — R/e7, R/el, P/e3; Black — N/a5, N/c5, P/g6. Annotation Symbols The following supplementary symbols are frequently used by anno- tators to comment tersely on the quality of chess moves: ! Strong move " Outstanding move ! Weak move n Blunder '? Sharp move, but risky 1! Trappy move, but unsound These symbols merely reflect the annotator’s opinion. For experience with Algebraic notation, play through the following game: 1. e4 e}) 4. ¢3 dxc3 2. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Bb4 3. d4 exd4 6. 0-0 exb2 9Win at Chess! Nxc4 Nf6 d6 Bg4 exf6 wy wet BhS5 Bg6 Qd7 Res Na5 Bc5 Bb6 Kf8 Qc6 Nxh7* = Bxh7 exd6+ 22. Qxf7# Qxc4 20. Re7 Bxb2 8 Ne3 9. Nd5 10. Nxf6t h3 Qd5 13. Neg5 14. Bxf6 Rad1 e) 18. Rfel 7. a se — 11. 12. 15. 16. 17. 19. 21. Summary Algebraic notation is simple, accurate, and concise. Easy to read and record, it is recommended for all chessplayers. 10Part | THE OPENINGWin at Chess! Chapter 3 THE OPENING A chess game begins on the first move! Goals in the Opening In the opening (first 10-15 moves), pieces and pawns are mobilized for attack and defense. Checkmate is not a realistic prospect in the opening, barring suicidal blunders by your opponent, so the four primary opening goals are: Control the center Develop all pieces Safeguard the King Hinder your opponent Each move in the opening should contribute toward one or more of these important goals; otherwise, the move is probably weak or an outright mistake. The outcome of the opening determines or influences your strategic alternatives and tactical opportunities for many subsequent moves. The major objective in the opening is to build a safe, solid, active, and flexible position which will provide promising tactical and positional opportunities in the middlegame. A well-played opening does not aim for an immediate knockout; rather, the opening builds for the future. Let us examine these four goals in greater detail. Control the Center In the opening, it is very important to occupy and attack the center squares (4, d5, e4, e5) to gain space for your pieces and restrain enemy pieces and pawns from occupying and controlling the center. Control- ling the center allows you to post active, mobile pieces on strong central squares while denying your opponent similar desirable development. Achieving a strong, supported Ideal Pawn Center (two central pawns 12—The Opening safely abreast on the fourth rank, protected by pieces — see Diagram 3) gains valuable central space, releases both your Bishops, and restricts your opponent’s access to important central squares, hindering his development. A mobile Ideal Pawn Center can later advance to gain more space for your pieces and cramp the opponent. Diagram 3 An advanced pawn wedge in the center (pawns on d4 and e5, or d5 and e4) also divides and restricts opposing pieces and pawns. Controlling the center squares is also important because Knights and Bishops exert their maximum power in or near the center, and many attacking lines crisscross through the center in the middlegame. The center is the hub of the chessboard, and the side which controls the traffic in the center controls the game. Try to gain and maintain control of the center. Develop All Pieces Every piece should be moved to its most effective and safe square in the opening. Develop all your pieces in the opening; do not try to wage a chess war with half your forces sitting idly on their original squares. Seek effective, strong squares which allow your pieces the most scope, mobility, and aggressive prospects. Knights and Bishops belong near the center, attacking it (Bishops can also control the center from the wings, by ftanchettoed develop- ment (i.c., Bishops on b2, g2, b7, or g7) or by pinning opposing Knights which attack the center). Rooks belong on open files, or files likely to become open, especially central files. The Queen’s placement is flexible — develop the Queen, but not too early. The Queen is the most —I13Win at Chess! powerful piece, and will strongly influence the game; but premature, aggressive attacks and pawn-grabbing expeditions with the Queen are usually abortive, and lose time and position when the powerful Queen is harassed by opposing minor pieces and pawns. A long-range picce, the Queen can function effectively close to home in the opening. Develop a new piece in preference to moving an already developed piece twice; ideally, move each piece only once in the opening. (The position of each piece can be improved later, as circumstances change.) Moving the same pieces multiple times in the opening costs valuable moves (tempi) which can usually be used to better advantage to develop new pieces. White tempi losses, in effect, reverse the colors in the game and give Black the initiative. Black tempi losses are even more serious, as Black begins the game one move behind and falls even further behind in development. Avoid losing tempi in the opening. Safeguard the King King safety is paramount. Left on a central file, a King becomes vulnerable in the early middlegame when central lines begin to open. For that reason, both Kings are normally whisked to safety by castling in the opening, before any middlegame activities (especially line- openings and attacks) occur. Kingside castling is usually safer, since all pawns sheltering the castled King are protected and no open lines lead directly to the King. Queenside castling is typically more aggressive but more risky, since a Rook is developed to a central file immediately but the a-pawn is unprotected, and an open diagonal (cl -h6 or h3-c8) often leads directly toward the castled King. A recent survey of several hundred Grandmas- ter games revealed that Grandmasters castle in over 90 percent of their games, and nine times out of ten on the Kingside. When should you castle? Castle when your King is endangered or when you do not have a better move, such as developing an important piece. Timing is important. Castling too soon informs your opponent of your King’s permanent address and allows him to direct his pieces toward that sensitive sector. Conversely, postponing castling too long is often dangerous because you may be attacked and lose castling privileges. Occasionally, especially when Queens and several minor pieces have been exchanged early, a King is relatively safe in the middle — and 14—The Opening is closer to the center of action for the endgame — but such instances are rare, and castling to safeguard your King should be a standard part of the opening. A safe King is a happy King. Castle! Hindrance Along with controlling the center, developing all pieces, and safeguarding your King, an important fourth opening objective is to hinder your opponent from accomplishing the same goals. If a move weakens your opponent’s position without harming yours, and prevents or hinders your opponent from realizing his opening objectives, the move is probably a sound idea and will gain a relative advantage (Diagram 4): Diagram 4-White to move White has available the obvious move 9. Be5, pinning the black N/ f6 to the Queen, but chose instead 9. Ba3! to prevent Black from castling Kingside (a King cannot castle through check). Queenside castling by Black could be dangerous because of the half-open b- and c- files, which White could use later for attack. White’s strong 9. Ba3 develops a new piece and hinders Black. In addition to the four basic principles covered above, you may find the following important guidelines helpful to your opening play. Opening Guidelines © Open with 1.e4 or 1.d4. On the first move, advance a center pawn two squares to occupy and attack the center and release a —I15Win at Chess! Bishop, thereby preparing early castling. As Black, defending with the symmetrical 1... e5 or 1... d5 on the first move is excellent for the same reasons. Flank openings and defenses are no sounder, and can be experimented with later in your development as a player. © Make only a few pawn moves. Pawn moves in the opening have four purposes: to control the center, release pieces, defend your piece-and pawn-formation, and hinder or restrain opposing pieces and pawns. Twoor three pawn moves in the opening can accomplish these tasks. ° Maintain a center pawn. A center pawn, preferably on the fourth rank, restricts your opponent’s central piece-and-pawn activ- ity and prevents your position from being overrun in the center. * Develop with a threat when possible. Developing with threats limits your opponent’s replies and can seize or maintain the initia- tive. If your opponent is busy defending, he cannot be attack- ing. Usually, develop Knights before Bishops. Knights are usually devel- oped before Bishops, since the best squares for the Knights are known first. Whenever the ideal placement of a Bishop he- comes Clear, develop the Bishop accordingly. * Do not lose material. The side ahead in material (pieces and pawns) usually wins chess games, so do not begin by falling behind in material early. Equal exchanges of pieces and pawns may be desirable in the opening if they improve your position, but avoid unsound sacrifices and loss of material. (Opening sacrifices—gambits—are discussed later in this chapter.) 12 Common Mistakes Chess games cannot be won in the opening against reasonable defense, but they can be lost. Avoid the following 12 common opening mistakes, which can lose outright or lead to hopeless or impoverished middlegame positions: lL. Exposing your King 2. Losing material 3. Failing to castle 16—PMN WB 9. 10. 11. 12. The Opening Attacking prematurely Losing control of the center Moving the same piece twice Not developing all pieces Developing the Queen too early Pawn-grabbing Blocking pieces with pawns Making unnecessary pawn moves Giving useless checks These miniature games illus- trate how devastating these open- ing mistakes can be: BeN and SNawyaener e4 f4 fxe5? Ke22? e4 Nf3 Bc4 Ne3 d3 Nxe5! Bxf7* Nd5# e) Be5 Qh4* Oxe4i#t e5 Nc6 d6 Be4 Nd4? Bxd1?? Ke7 Weakening pawn moves which expose the King and pawn-grab- bing at the expense of develop- ment are often culprits: 1. AIAMWR YN d4 Nf3 Bg5 Bh4 Bg3 e)3 Nbd2 Bxc7 d5 e6 {6 go? Qe7 Qb4} Qxb2? b6 9. Rbl Qxa2? 10. Nxg5!— fxg5 11. Qh5+ = Kd? 12. Be5 Nf6 13. Qf7t Ke6 It ...Kd8, 14. Be7 mate. 14. Bb5 mate. (Or 14. Qe7 mate.) These brief games illustrate how quickly opening mistakes can be punished. Avoid the 12 mis- takes listed above, and you will play the opening well. Your knowledge of opening principles is now sufficient to en- sure strong, Competent opening play. But where will you begin? Which of the chessmen at your disposal on the board will you se- lect for your first move? As we proceed to look at the array of choices before you, your own pref- erences and style of play will en- able you to make that important choice.Win at Chess! A Look At The Openings Strong Versus Weak Openings To compare strong and weak openings, consider Diagram 5: & Diagram 5-White Atterten moves, White clearly stands better; he controls the cen- ter, has developed all his pieces to effective central squares, and has castled to safeguard his King. Black exerts minimal center control, his pieces are scattered and not well- posted (three have not even moved), and the permanently uncastled black King is stranded precariously in the middle — a dangerous omen. Black has com- mitted several opening mistakes, and an unpromising middlegame is his legacy. White's strategy will be to open the central files with pawn ex- changes and attack the black King. White has no corresponding weak- nesses, so Black’s prospects for vic- tory are bleak and hinge on later 18— mistakes by White. This example illustrates the importance of playing a strong opening. Let us explore some op- tions for this critical choice in your own play. Standard Openings Over the centuries, Master chessplayers (and many strong amateurs) have developed and analyzed numerous sequences of opening moves, and created sys- tems of White openings and Black defenses. These standard (referred to as “book”) openings insure a reasonable beginning in a chess game. A chessplayer can always play the opening solely by general principles, but unless he intends to “reinvent the wheel” he should study and play standard chess open- ings, choosing variations to suit his style. Ample room for chess originality exists in the middle- game, and even Grandmasters find that the proven openings are best. All standard openings are based on the sound opening principles elaborated earlier; only the appli- cation of these principles differs. Inany event, how wella chessplayer plays the opening is much more important than which opening he plays. Chess opening nomenclature has a myriad background. Some current openings were named forThe Opening chess pieces (e.g., Bishop’s Open- ing, Queen’s Gambit, King’s In- dian Defense), some for strong chessplayers (Alekhine’s Defense, Réti Opening, Pirc Defense), and some for locations where the open- ings were first developed or popu- larized (English Opening, French Defense, Dutch Defense). Until a standardized classification system is developed, these romantic names will linger. Asan introduction to standard chess openings and defenses (over 70 exist), 25 of the most popular are presented. Play through the opening moves of all these stan- dard openings, then try your choices of openings and defenses in practice games with worthy op- ponents or against your computer. Note: If an opponent as White opens with any move other than 1. e4 or 1. d4, simply advance the appropriate Black center pawn two squares and just “play chess” ac- cording to the key opening prin- ciples of center control, rapid development, Kingsafety, and hin- drance, and you will achieve at least an even game. 1. e4 Giuoco Piano 1. e4 e) 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Be4 Be5 Vienna Game 1. e4f e) 2. Ne3 Nf6 3. Be4 Nc6 4. d3 Ruy Lopez 1. e4 e5 2. Nf Nc6 3. Bb5 King’s Gambit 1. e4f re) 2. £4 exf4 3. Nf£3 Smith-Morra’s Gambit 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. 3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Goring’s Gambit 1. e4 e}) 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. 3 dxc3 5. Bc4 cxb2 6. Bxb2 —191. d4 Queen’s Gambit Declined 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Ne3 Nf6 4. Bed Be7 5. @3 0-0 6. Nf£3 Nbd7 7. Rel Queen's Gambit Accepted 1. d4 d5 2. 4 dxc4 3. N¢£3 Nf6 Colle’s Opening 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. 3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 ~~ Be7 7. O-0 0-0 8 Rel Qc7 9. e4 Curry’s Opening 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bg5 e6 4. e3 Be7 5. Bd3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 0-0 7. 3 b6 8. Qc2 Bb? 9, 0-0-0 ¢5 10. h4 20— Win at Chess! Blackmar-Diemer’s Gambit 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Ne3 Nf6 4. 8 exf3 5. Nxf3 1. c4 English Opening 1. c4 e5) 2. Ne3 Nf6 3. g3 Bb4 4. Bg2 Defenses To 1. e4 French Defense 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 Caro-Kann’s Defense 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 Center Counter Defense 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 or Nf6 Sicilian (Najdorf) Defense 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Ne3 a6 6. Bg5 e6The Opening Sicilian (Dragon) Defense Nimzo-Indian Defense 1. e4 c5 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf d6 2. c4 e6 3. d4 cxd4 3. Ne3 Bb4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Ne3 26 Gruenfeld’s Defense 6. Bcd Be7 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 Pirc's Defense 3. Ne3 d5 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 Queen's Indian Defense 3, Nc3 6 1. d4 Nf6 4. £4 Bg? 2. 4 e6 5. Nf3 0-0 3. Nf b6 4. 93 Bb7 To L. d4 Dutch Defense Tarrasch's Defense 1. d4 £5 1. d4 d5 2. g3 e6 2. c4 e6 3. Beg2 Nf6 3. Ne3 c5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. 0-0 0-0 Tartakower’s Defense 6. c4 d6 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 Gambits 3. Ne3 Nf6 Gambits — sacrifices of mate- 4. Bg5 Be7 rial (usually one or two pawns, 5. e}3 0-0 sometimes a piece) in the opening 6. Nf3 h6 — are played to gain a lead in 7. Bh4 b6 development, open lines, control 8. Rel Bb7 the center, seize the initiative, and gain opportunities for attack. A King's Indian Defense gambiteer typically hopes his lead 1. d4 Nft6 in development will result in an 2. 4 g6 early attack against the enemy 3. Ne3 Bg? King. An excellent example of a 4. e4 d6 gambit is the classic King’s Gain- 5. Nf 0-0 bit (Diagram 6):Win at Chess! Diagram 6-Black With 1. e4 e5 2. £4, White offers a pawn to deflect Black’s ..exf4). White hopes to establish an Ideal Pawn Center with an early d2-d4 and, after Nf3, Bc4 and 0-0, exert pres- sure along the half-open f-file against Black’s vulnerable f7- square. White will have pressure on Black’s position, and Black must defend carefully if he accepts the gambit pawn. A lead in development and early control of the center are usu- ally only temporary advantages, and gambits can be risky or even unsound if they do not lead to an attack against the opposing King. When a piece is sacrificed early, an attack against the enemy King is essential! Gambits are speculative and risky, but remain a favorite of ag- gressive, attacking players. Play gambits occasionally to sharpen your tactical skills — and to win central e5-pawn (2 22— games! Defending Against Gambits Gambits, risky for White, can be dangerous for Black. Gambits especially pose dangers for the un- prepared or unwary defender. Faced with a gambit, a Black player has three options: accept the gambit, decline the gambit, or offer a countergambit. Countergambits by Black are theoretically suspect and usually risky, since Black is one move be- hind. But some countergambits — such as the Falkbeer Counter- gambit to the King’s Gambit — yield promising games. Aside from declining a gambit, one reliable approach to defend- ing against gambits is to accept the initial sacrifice, then return the extra material at an appropriate time for positional considerations. Inthe King’s Gambit, for example, 1. e4e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3.d5 4. exd5 Nf6 gives Black a good game. Most Black players prefer to either ACCEPT the gambit mate- rial and resign themselves to play- ing the requisite defense until equalizing in development — be- ing prepared to return the extra material to improve or equalize their positions — or DECLINE the gambit to achieve a safe and active position with material equal- ity. Many strong chessplayers optThe Opening to accept familiar gambits and de- 9. Rdl 0) cline unfamiliar ones. 10. Be3 0-0 Following are brief accepted and declined variations of three Deelined typical gambits, plus one count- 1. e4 5 ergambit: 2. d4 exd4 3. 3 Nf6 King’s Gambit (Or 3... d5 or 3... d3.) Accepted 4. 65 Nd5 1. e4 0) 5. exd4 d6 2. 4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 Blackmar-Liemer’s Gambit 4. Bc4 Bg? Accepted 5. 0-0 h6é 1. d4 d5 6. d4 d6 2. e4 dxe4 7. Ne3 Be6 3. Ne3 Nf6 8. Bxe6 fxe6 4. £3 exf3 5. Nxf3 Bf5 Declined 6. Be4 e6 l. e4 e) 7. Bed Be7 2. £4 Bc5 8. 0-0 0-0 (Safer than 2... d6, 2... Nf6, or 2... Qh4t.) Declined 3. Nf dé 1. d4 d5 4. Nc3 Nf 2. e4 c6 5. Bc4 Nc6 (French Defense) or 6. d3 Be4 1. d4 d5 2. e4 c6 Smith-Morra’s Gambit (Caro-Kann’s Defense) Accepted 1. e4 c5 Falkbeer’s Countergambit 2. d4 cxd4 1. e4 e) 3. «3 dxc3 2. £4 d5 4. Nxc3 Nc6 3. exd5 e4 5. Nf3 d6 4. B&B Nf6 6. Bc4 e6 5. dxe4 Nxe4 7. O-0 Nf6 6. Nf3 Bc5 8. Qe2 Be? 7. Qe2 Bf5Win at Chess! 8. Ne3 Qe7 Caretul defense is required against gambits. The main ideas for the defender are to develop quickly, not become too aggres- sive early, and be willing to return the extra material fora sound posi- tion. Comparison of Openings All standard openings are sound, and the choice is a matter of style and preference, reflectinga balance of aggression (with risk) and safety (with less opportunity). For your guidance, following is a general comparison of several stan- dard openings. Openings Safe Aggressive Giuoco Piano King’s Gambit Ruy Lopez Smith-Morra’ Gambit Queen’s Gambit Curry’s Opening Colle’s Opening Blackmar-Diemer’s Gambit Defenses Safe Aggressive vs. 1. e4 French Defense Sicilian Defense Caro-Kann Defense Center Counter Defense vs. |. d4 Tartakower’s Defense — King’s Indian Defense Nimzo-Indian Defense Dutch DefenseThe Opening For a more detailed discussion of the ideas and themes of any particular standard opening, including specialized variations, consult an opening manual (e.g., Modern Chess Openings, Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings.) Choosing Your Opening There are three schools of chess opening theory: Classical, Modern, and Hypermodern. All three agree that control of the center is impor- tant. The Classical approach is to control the center immediately, primarily with pawns and pieces (e.g., Queen’s Gambit Declined). The Modern school does the same, except that pieces, rather than pawns, play aprimary role early (e.g., Nimzo-Indian Defense). The Hypermodern method is to allow the opponent to advance his center pawns uncon- tested inthe hope that the advanced pawns will become vulnerable later (e.g., King’s Indian Defense). The Classical or Modern approaches are recommended for intermediate players, since Hypermodern defenses can lead to extremely cramped positions if unsuccessful. All three schools agree that it is more important to control the center after 15 moves than after five moves(!), and their differences reflect method and timing — style. Playing sound openings is a big step toward victories in chess. All standard chess openings are sound and playable. Which openings and defenses should you play? The primary criteria are your playing style and the types of middlegame positions you prefer. Games beginning with |. e4 are usually more tactical early, while in games beginning with |. d4 tactics are usually deferred and more positional maneuvering occurs. Attacking players generally prefer to open with |. e4, and positional players often opt for 1. d4 (or 1. c4). Your openings should reflect and promote your style of play. Just because a strong chessplayer plays a certain opening or defense is no assurance that the same opening is right for you. Here are some guidelines to help you choose your best openings and defenses as you learn more by reading this book: ¢ The foremost principle is to choose an opening that fits your style — tactical or positional. Since the outcome of the opening strongly influences the pattern of early middlegame play, a chessplayer should select openings that lead to middlegame —25Win at Chess! positions which experience has proven to be preferable. ¢ Another helpful guideline is to choose a desirable balance of aggression (with accompanying risk) and safety (with less opportunity). Gambits are meat to some chessplayers, poison to others. Some openings generally lead to open positions, others to semi-open or closed formations. Learn your prefer- ences, and play openings that lead to balanced risk/safety positions you desire. * A third principle is to choose flexible openings which provide opportunity and scope for various sound plans later. A foiled narrow, single-purpose opening leaves a player with desolate middlegame prospects. * Finally, it is wise to select openings that can be achieved most of the time. Openings which require extensive cooperation from your opponent are generally to be shunned. You can seldom realize such openings. Learning a New Opening The best method to learn a new opening is to first learn the ideas or themes in that opening, then memorize the first few basic moves. Early memorization of extended variations is unnecessary and often confus- ing. Play by the principles of chess rather than memory. Play the openings and defenses you know best in serious games; experiment with new openings in casual (skittles) games. Try your new opening against weaker opponents or your chess computer (at lower levels) first, to gain experience with the various types of positions, then yraduate to higher levels and stronger opponents. After experimenting, specialize in a few openings and defenses, and learn them well. Be thorough — learn the standard traps for both sides in your chosen openings and defenses. Specialized books on opening traps are available. When an opponent makes an unorthodox or “non-book” move, rely on your knowledge of sound opening principles — just “play chess” — and you will achieve a successful opening. Unorthodox opening moves will not lead to an advantage against play based on sound principles. At all times in the opening, play according to the Master-proven principles of center control, rapid development, King safety, and hindrance. 26—The Opening Recommended Openings and Defenses Recommended openings and defenses for intermediate players are: 1. e4: If 1. e4 is your favorite opening move, try these openings: 1) Giuoco Piano; 2) Ruy Lopez; 3) Vienna Game; 4) King’s Gambit. 1. d4 (and 1. c4): If 1. d4 or 1. c4 is your preference, play these openings: 1) Queen’s Gambir; 2) Colle’s Opening; 3) English Opening; 4) Curry’s Opening. Defenses to 1. e4: In addition to the solid 1... e5, play these defenses: 1) Sicilian Defense; 2) French Defense; 3) Caro- Kann Defense; 4) Center Counter Defense. Defenses to 1. d4: In addition to the reliable 1... d5, play these defenses: 1) Tartakower’s Defense; 2) Nimzo-Indian Defense; 3) King’s Indian Defense; 4) Tarrasch’s Defense. All these openings are sound, and provide a solid, flexible founda- tion for developing further openings to expand your opening repertoire. You will still have to learn how to handle different defenses to your first move if Black doesn't cooperate with your system. Summary In the opening, White attempts to maintain and increase his initiative conferred by the first move. Black tries to equalize with a view toward seizing the initiative. Properly played, the opening will lead to an active and promising middlegame with aggressive prospects. A guiding principle is to play openings and defenses which lead to the types of middlegame positions you prefer. Favor sound openings which feature active piece play and emphasize center control, rapid piece development, and King safety. Play open and semi-open games, and forego closed games with complicated positional maneuvering until tactics and direct attacks have been mastered. A house without a solid foundation will crumble and fall when the later storms buffet. The opening is the foundation of your chess game — build a sound, strong opening!Win at Chess! Chapter 4 THE CURRY OPENING Dare to be original. The graveyard of mankind is littered with the bones and ashes of countless men too timid to express their ideas. Developed in 1971 by the author, the Curry Opening is a Queen Pawn opening which offers White an excellent balance of aggression and safety. The central theme of the Curry Opening is Kingside pressure against Black while maintaining a safe white King position on the Queenside. This promising opening conforms to the three most impor- tant opening principles of center control, piece development, and King safety, and offers White sound, active positions. The ideal sequence of White moves in the Curry Opening is: 1. d4 2. Nf3 3. Bed 4. &3 5. Bd3 6. Nbd2 7. 3 8. Qc2 9. 0-0-0 10. h4 (if ...0-0 by Black). The move order may be varied as necessary or appropriate. Early White transpositions into the Queen’s Gambit, Colle, Lon- don, and Trompovsky Openings are possible, giving the Curry Opening considerable flexibility. In the Curry Opening, White establishes a solid position with strong Kingside pressure. Positionally sound and tactically promising, the 28—The Curry Opening Curry Opening offers White ex- cellent prospects for a Kingside attack or active central play. Expe- rience has indicated that Black must defend carefully or counter- attack energetically to survive. Illustrative Games To be sound and playable, a chess opening must offer a secure, flexible position from which to maneuver for middlegame attacks against a wide variery of defenses. The following games illustrate the Curry Opening against an ortho- dox Queen-pawn. defense and the flexible, modern King’s Indian Defense. Several Curry Opening wins against a variety of defenses, and an instructive loss, appear in Appendix A. The author’s first game with the Curry Opening at a local chess club yielded the following results: Curry Amateur 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bg5d e6 4, & Be? 5. Bd3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 0-0 7. 3 b6 8. Qc2 Bb7 9, 0-0-0 h6é 10. h4 The ideal White position in the Curry Opening has been reached. Diagram 7-Black 10... 11. hxg5 12. Bh7+ 13. Bg8t 14. Qh7# hxg5 Ne4 Kh8 Kxg8 Next isanexample of the Curry Opening versus the sturdy, flex- ible, and popular King’s Indian Defense. Curry Amateur 1. d4 2. Nf3 3. Bed 4. @3 5. Bd3 6. Nbd2 7. 3 8. Qc2 9. exd4 10. h4 Nf6 g6 Be7 d6 0-0 Nbd7 c5 cexd4 Qa5 b5 Bb7 12. 0-0-0 Rac8 —29Win at Chess! Diagram 8-White 13. h5 Nxh5 14. Rxh5 — gxh5 15. Bxh7?* Kh8 16. Rhil f6 17. Rxh5 — fxg5 18. Bf5t Kg8 19. Be6t R£7 20. Qe6 Rcf8 21. Qh7# Inbothpreceding games White achieved his ideal position in the Curry Opening, and White’s ensu- ing Kingside attacks were swift and effective. Comparisons The only chess opening simi- lar to the Curry Opening is the Torre Attack, developed by 20th- century Mexican Grandmaster Carlos Torre. However, the simi- larities between the two openings are overshadowed by four signifi- cant differences: 30— Curry Opening Torre Attack* 1. 0-0-0 0-0 2. Qc2 Qe2 3. h4 not played 4. Nbd2-f3 Nbd2-c4 *Torre-Lasker, Moscow, 1925, for example. These four key differences be- tween the Curry Opening and the Torre Attack alter the strategy and thrusts of each opening. Summary The author’s many successes with the Curry Opening against strong chessplayers, including Masters and Experts, are most en- couraging. A Grandmaster writ- ing in Chess Life has termed the Curry Opening “... a spicy, theo- retical dish.” The merits of this opening willbe revealed with more testing at the Master and Grand- master levels. Whatever the future holds for the Curry Opening, en- terprising chessplayers —- you — have a pioneering upportarnity co become a part of chess history by learning, playing (surprising op- ponents), and winning with the promising new Curry Opening!Part II THE MIDDLEGAMEWin at Chess! Chapter 5 THE MIDDLEGAME Before the endgame, the gods have placed the middlegame. — Tarrasch After the opening, the challenging, complex, and often critical middlegame begins. It is characterized by the three elements: strategy, positional play, and tactics. Strategy is the formulation of plans to exert maximum offensive and defensive force. Positional play is the position- ing of pieces and pawns to control important squares for optimum activity and flexibility. Tactics, the most powerful factor in chess, are direct threats to win material or checkmate. Most games are decided in the middlegame by attacks against the Kings and tactics which win decisive material. Strategy and tactics dominate, and attack and defense are the main activities. Checkmate, the ultimate goal, is always first priority. The transition from opening to middlegame often causes interme- diate chessplayers considerable difficulty, for they are departing the known with its fixed plan (control the center, develop all pieces, safeguard the King) and venturing into the unknown with no clear idea of how to proceed. At this crucial, early stage of the middlegame, planning (strategy) becomes important. But first, is the opening really over? Have you castled and developed all your pieces, and placed both Rooks on open files (or central files likely to become open), forexample? If so, then proceed to middlegame considerations. Goals in the Middlegame The most important middlegame principle is to establish and maintain a scfe, active position while pursuing the following three goals: 32—The Middlegame ® Checkmate the enemy King ¢ Win material © Establish a winning endgame All purposeful middlegame play is directed toward accomplishing these goals and preventing your opponent from realizing the same objectives. The details of tactics, combinations and sacrifices, attacks on the enemy King, and checkmating patterns will be covered in subsequent chapters. First, we will concentrate here on mastering a basic, systematic method to use in selecting your next move in the crowded and complex world of the middlegame. Five-Step Approach All that matters on the chessboard is goud moves. — Former World Champion Bobby Fischer The goal in chess is to play the best move in every position. How can you find the best moves consistently? A chess game is a series of problems. Each position isa new problem to he solved, with the solution being the “best move” (determined through various processes which we will try to outline in these chapters). Repetitive problems, such as chess positions, are amenable to a systematic method of problem-solving — far preferable to a semi-random approach to each new position. One systematic approach is the trial-and-error method, in which every reasonable move is mentally tried and the consequences evalu- ated. Besides being inefficient and time-consuming, this method re- quires that every move be considered to insure that the best move is included, and strong surprise moves are often overlooked. Another systematic approach is to: a) determine your goal in each position; b) define the tasks required to achieve your goal; then c) determine specifically what the next move or sequence of moves should he to accomplish it. This goal-directed method is highly recommended as being more efficient and effective, since only relevant candidate moves need be considered. The recommended five-step, systematic method for selecting the best move in each chess position is: 1. Analyze the position —33Win at Chess! 2. Determine your goals 3. Define tasks 4. Develop candidate moves 5. Choose the best candidate move Steps 2 and 3 are referred to as planning. To play effective moves consistently, analyze the position accu- rately and completely (especially looking for weaknesses), determine your offensive or defensive goals (what you would like — or what you need — to do), define the essential tasks required to realize your desired goal position, then consider only those candidate moves which accom- plish the required tasks — if such moves exist, you will find them in your selective search. Finally, select and play the best move available among the relevant candidate moves (sometimes there are equally good “best” moves—e.g., multiple ways to checkmate). Let us examine these five steps in detail. 1. Analyze The Position Chess mastery essentially consists of analyzing chess positions accurately. —~ Former World Champion Botvinnik Chess is a game of threats, and every move in a chess game should be responsive to the offensive opportunities and defensive necessities in each position. The most certain method of recognizing these opportu- nities and necessities is to analyze the position as accurately and as completely as possible within the time constraints available. Analysis is the critical foundation for sound plans and effective moves. Your plans and moves reflect — and can he no better than — your analysis. A full analysis need not be repeated on every move. Once a complete and accurate analysis has been made, it can be updated with the changes on each move. Periodically, or whenever “major changes” occur, a completely new analysis of the position should be made. As always, your first concern will be a reassessment of the position’s strengths and weak- nesses.The Middlegame Seven Factors To Analyze Considering both sides, you can analyze all chess positions according to these seven comprehensive factors: © King safety Material status Possible tactics Piece placement and mobility Pawn structure Control of important squares Tempi These important factors — especially relative differences — form the basis for sound plans and effective moves. Especially, look for imbal- ances. King safety is always first priority, with material status usually second and potential tactics third. King Safety As yourself these questions, for both sides: Is the King safely castled behind a protective barrier of pawns, or is it exposed or restricted? Are enemy pieces near or aimed at the King? Are sufficient defenders available near the King? Do open or potentially open lines lead toward the King? Does the King have safe flight squares? Material Status The normal values of the chessmen (in pawn units) are: Queen —9; Rook — 5; Bishop — 3+; Knight — 3; pawn — 1. The King is invaluable, since if the King is lost (checkmate), the game is lost. These operating values are not absolute; they depend on the pieces’ actual power, mobility, and potential in each position. The numerical values can thus be influenced or changed — a Knight on a strong outpost may be worth four pawns in strength, for example, while a “bad” Bishop restricted by its own pawns may currently be worth only two pawns. When evaluating material status, be certain to ask: What is the material count for both sides, and does each piece’s —35Win at Chess! activity (or lack of it) modify the point count? Also, what is the composition of any disparity (e.g., is a two-point advantage in the form of two pawns, a Bishop or Knight for one pawn, or a Rook for a Bishop or Knight)? Possible Tactics Are there any immediate or potential tactical opportunities (cov- ered in detail in Chaprer 6)? Does your opponent have any tactical weaknesses you can exploit? Can you force or induce any weaknesses? Do any tactical weaknesses exist in your position? Piece Placement and Mobility Are all the pieces safe, active, and mobile? Are any confined, blocked, or hindered? Are the pieces coordinated and defended, and do they cooperate? Are any pieces inactive or tied to menial defensive tasks that a pawn or less valuable piece could perform? Pawn Structure Are the pawn formations strong, or are there weaknesses (isolated, doubled, backward)? Do any “holes” exist in the pawn structure? Are all the pawns protected? Are there hanging pawns? Are any pawns passed? Is there a pawn majority? Are the pawns mobile or blocked? Control of Important Squares Which side controls the center squares and those around both Kings, or other significant squares? Is the control semi-permanent (with pawns) or temporary (with pieces)? Can controlling pawns or pieces be exchanged or deflected? Tempi Tempi are counted by determining the minimum number of moves required to reach the desired position. Which side has the greatest number of moves existing on the board, and how valuable are those extra moves? A lead in tempi often confers the initiative, and a sizable lead in tempi is a signal ro attack. These seven factors — signposts to guide your planning — overlap in influence, but for purposes of analyzing a position can be considered 36—The Middlegame separately, then synthesized to develop an overall assessment of the position. Be thorough — do not overlook the small details, for they often contain the keys to victory. A misplaced or pinned enemy piece or pawn, a potentially overworked defender, an open line leading toward the opposing King, or even a weak square in the opponent’s position may be all that is required for a successful tactic or attack. A complete analysis yields a clear picture of the position and provides the basis for sound plans. Let us analyze a chess position, highlighting the seven characteristic features (Diagram 9). Ey At , 3 ‘twa ttt te Diagram 9-White First, a detailed analysis: White Black King safety Sate Restricted (cannot castle) Material status —] pawn +] pawn Possible tactics Yes (Bxe6!) No Piece placement and mobility — Excellent Poor (undeveloped) Pawn structure Sound Adequate Control of important squares Superior Inferior Tempi 9 6 White’s tremendous full development, combined with Black's un- developed position and the restricted black King, more than compen- sates for White’s pawn minus, and White has a promising attack starting with |. Bxe6! (The game actually concluded quickly with 1. Bxe6! Nf6 []... fxre6 allows 2. Qxe6+ Be7 3. Qxe7 checkmate] 2. Bxf7#! Kd7 [if 2... Kxf7, 3. Qe6 mate] 3. Qe6F Kd8 4. Qe8& mate — the black N/f6 is pinned.) —37Win at Chess! Another example of a complete analysis follows Diagram 10: Diagram 10-White Analysis of the position reveals the following: White Black King safety Safe Restricted (cannot castle) Material status +Bishop, Knight -Bishop, Knight —l pawn +1 pawn Possible tactics Yes (Nexb5, Nc6, or e5) = No Piece placement and mobility Excellent, active Fair Pawn structure Sound Fair (no pawn on fourth rank, c-pawn backward) Control of important squares Superior Inferior (...0-0 impossible) Tempi 1] 6 White is five points ahead in material (Bishop and Knight for a pawn) and has an imposing lead in development and safe King position, while the black King is restricted and cannot castle. White clearly stands better and has a winning position. (White’s material advantage and strong attacking position, combined with Black’s immobile King, led to a successful checkmating attack in 12 moves, beginning with 1. Nexb5 c6 2. Nd6?). When analyzing a position, it is often helpful to minimize the 38—The Middlegame similarities on both sides and concentrate on the differences, or imbal- ances, which give rise to winning opportunities (Diagram 11): as Y RAY Diagram 11-White to move Analysis of this position reveals that material iseven and both Kings are under attack — Black’s by a Kingside pawnstorm, and White's by a Queenside piece attack. White’s pawnstorm is more advanced (he will be able to play hxg6 next, opening the h-file for attack), but his pieces must be advanced to bolster the attack. Meanwhile, Black’s pieces are aimed at the white King. Black can attempt to disrupt its defenders (...a5-a4) and, if the white Queen moves to the Kingside for attack, to possibly break up the white King’s protection with the Exchange sacrifice ...Rxc3. The position is dynamically unbalanced, with chances about even. Both sides should pursue their opposite wing attacks vigorously, and the side whose attack breaks through first will probably win the game. These examples illustrate the critical information to be gained from analyzing the seven basic factors inherent in each position. An accurate assessment will invariably bring to light any imbalances which exist — and thereby expose the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. Strengths and Weaknesses Chess isa game of relative strengths and weaknesses, and every game reflects their interplay. Each player strives to maximize his own strengths and minimize his weaknesses, while attempting to minimize his opponent’s strengths and capitalize on his weaknesses. Every successful tactic, combination, sacrifice, and attack is based on one or more weaknesses. —39Win at Chess! Without them, no successful tac- tics can occur. Winning in chess consists of exploiting opponents’ weak- nesses! The next logical step, there- fore, is to analyze the position ac- cording to the strengths and weaknesses made apparent by your previous seven-point examination. Strengths and weaknesses are of two types: tactical and positional. ¢ Tactical strengths include: 1. Batteries (doubled or tripled pieces acting along a file, rank, or diagonal toward an enemy piece or vital square) 2. Pins of enemy chessmen © Tactical weaknesses include: . Exposed King . Vulnerable back rank . Unguarded pieces and ww bo pawns Pinned pieces and pawns ae Pieces ina line Pieces vulnerable to Knight fork Pieces with no retreat Overworked defenders Unstable defenders Vulnerable vital guards a Cw EN Positional strengths include: Control of center . Center pawn on our fourth boo rank vs. enemy pawn on his third rank 3. Superior development 4. Greater space control 5. Strong outpost 6. Control of open file 7. Doubled Rooks 8. Rook(s) on seventh rank 9. Control of open diagonal 10. Half-open file 11. Bishop pair 12. Bishop vs. Knight 13. Mobile pawn wing 14. Offside pawn majority 15. Advanced pawn chain 16. Advanced pawn wedge 17. Advanced pawn 18. Passed pawn 19. Protected passed pawn 20. Outside passed pawn 21. Betrer King position 22. Available tempi Positional weaknesses include: Restricted King Open lines toward the King Cramped position “Bad” Bishop Isolated pawns Doubled pawns Backward pawns Hanging pawns “Holes” in pawn structure Ce eENRO Rw oe — Weak-square complex These tactical and positional strengths and weaknesses — typi-The Middlegame cal central features — enable a player to formulate opportunistic plans. 2. Determine Your Goals Strategy and Planning Strategy is the formulation of sound plans to exert maximum of- fensive (and requisite defensive) force to achieve specific advan- tages and goals. A sound plan pro- vides the framework fordeveloping effective moves. Rather than play only move-to-move, play with a series of sound, purposeful, flexible plans. Several important consider- ations regarding sound planning: 1. Plans can be offensive or de- fensive. 2. Plans should have specific goals. 3. Plans should be based on spe- cific features in the posi- tion. 4. Plansaremade for afew moves at a time; several will be made during the game. 5. Plans should be flexible, and modified or replaced when necessary. 6. Planning is constant — every move in a chess game should fit into a definite plan. Sound planning involves se- lecting realizable goals, based on an accurate and complete analysis of the position — especially its strengths and weaknesses. Purpose- tul plans reflect what is both posi- tionally desirable and tactically feasible. Recognize that it is unlikely that any “plan” is perfect (except maybe a short-term checkmate); every move yields control of some squares as itattacks new ones. Plans need to be modified as the position changes. Stubbornly clinging to an inappropriate or ineffective plan too long is no better than aban- doningasound plan toosoon. Most plans are short-range (two to five moves), progressing gradually to- ward the ultimate goal of check- mate. Typical short-range plans in- volve minor goals: developing pieces, controlling the center, win- ning material, seizing an open file or diagonal, establishing a Knight outpost, doubling major pieces on an open file, posting a Rook or doubling Rooks on the seventh rank, controlling important squares, hindering the opponent, exposing the enemy King, improv- ing the mobility of your pieces, simplifying (trading pieces) when ahead in material, strengthening your pawn formation, weakening the opposing pawn structure, and increasing your King’s safety. These —41Win at Chess! small advantages accumulate and win chess games. A series of successful plans with minor goals can produce a won game. When planning, do not be plagued by self-doubt. Uncertainty and tisk are an inherent part of chess which all chessplayers must abide. Whether yourplan is an ambitious Kingside attack ora modest Queenside defensive consolidation, have faith in your plans and have the courage of your convictions, based on your analysis of the position, to play your chosen moves. If your analysis is accurate, your plans will be sound, and your moves will be effective. Strategy and planning will open a panorama of more purposeful play for you, and enable you to liberate yourself from move-to-move chess. Sound planning takes practice and experience. As youimprove inchess, your plans will correspondingly improve. Usually, even a faulty plan is better than no plan at all, so focus on planning in your chess games. Analyze and PLAN first, then move. Your plan will be founded on the position’s strengths and weak- nesses as revealed in your analysis. If those weaknesses are yours, your plan must be defensive; if the weaknesses are your opponent’s, however, you are free to formulate an attack strategy. Next we'll look at the most effective ways to exploit any weaknesses found in your opponent's position. Tactical Vulnerability Use your analysis to identify your opponent’s weaknesses in a hierarchy — look for weaknesses around the King first (checkmate is highest priority), then consider Queens, Rooks, Bishops, Knights, and pawns. The effectiveness of this approach is illustrated in Diagram 1?: What is White’s best move? 42—The Middlegame UY Y, Y, We Whe Y Diagram 12-White to move A Knight ahead, White can win Black’s advanced passed d3-pawn with 1. Nxd3, or win the Exchange with |. Ne67 Kf6 2. Nxc5 dxe5. But White noticed that the black King was restricted (a weakness), being able to retreat only to the sixth rank. Accordingly, White played 1. Re6!, denying the black King access to f6 or h6. After 1... d2 (other moves do not help), White immediately concluded with 2. Re6 checkmate! Analyzing for weaknesses in a hierarchy — with checkmate as the first priority — enabled White to force a swift checkmate ina position in which many chessplayers would have settled for a lesser gain. Consider the strengths and weaknesses in Diagram 13: Ta ea * BiG 3 4 ‘L004. Vox, y gae Re ; WU U4 YU YR Mm RY Y Diagram 13-Black to move Material is even, although unbalanced, and White has an advanced outside passed a7-pawn (a strength) threatening to promote to a new Queen on the next move. Black can sacrifice his Bishop for the —43Win at Chess! dangerous passed a-pawn with |... Bc5¢ 2. Ke4 Bxa7 3. Rxa7, but the sacrifice would leave him two points behind in material, and White would still have a passed c-pawn supported by a Rook. What is Black to do? Black saw a significant weakness in White’s position: the white King is exposed and restricted — in fact, its only available move is to e4. Accordingly, Black ignored White’s imminent queening threat and won the game immediately with 1... Bf6t! 2. Ke¢4 Nc5 checkmate! Black could even have mated in two other ways: 1... BcSt 2. Ke4 f5 checkmate or 1... Bc5+ 2. Ke4 Re3 checkmate. The weakness of the exposed and restricted whire King was decisive. This dramatic example highlights the importance of searching for weaknesses near the enemy King first. For another example of a weakness near a King and a swift finish, consider Diagram 14: Diagram 14-White to move Black has exchanged his former fianchettoed B/g7 for a white Knight, so the dark squares (f6, g7, h6) around the black King are weak. White immediately exploited the weak dark-square complex around the black King with 1. Qd2!, threatening 2. Qh6 and 3. Qg7 checkmate. Black can only delay this early mate by surrendering his Queen (1... Qd8, 1... Qe7, or ...Qxd4t), so Black resigned. Look for weaknesses near the enemy King first! Your hierarchical search for weaknesses won’t always stop with the King, however. Sometimes, the search goes all the way down the line to a lowly pawn, but can be just as deadly. Diagram 15 illustrates: 44—The Middlegame YW ot Yj YJ Pere GJ Diagram 15-White to move Material is even, and both sides have strengths and weaknesses — Whire has a supported N/c5 on a strong outpost and doubled Rooks attacking the weak black e6-pawn; but the white d4-pawn is isolated, and White’s g2- and g3-pawns are doubled. Black has a supported, centralized N/d5 which can move to an advanced supported outpost (c3) with athreat on the white R/e2, also opening the long diagonal for the black B/a8; but Black has a weak e6-pawn and doubled g5- and g7- pawns. The most sensitive weakness in the Black position is the weak e6- pawn, currently equally attacked and defended, and White's plan is to undermine the protection of that weak black pawn. Surprisingly, the game concluded quickly with 1. Bb5! (attacking one defender of the black e6-pawn) Rb8 (counterattacking the white Bishop) 2. Bd? (attacking the weak black e6-pawn a fourth time!) Ne3 (counterattacking the white R/e2) 3. Bxe6T Ke8 4. Bd7T! and Black resigned, for he must lose a Rook. Black’s weak e6-pawn was his downfall —attempting to protect this weakness cost him the game. Black would have been wiser to let his weak e-pawn be captured and seek counterplay. Defending a weakness too stubbornly might cost more material or cause a position to deteriorate. The most important weaknesses are those near the Kings — if you can checkmate your opponent, little value accrues in playing to win a pawn, Knight, Bishop, Rook, or even Queen. Keep this tactical hierarchy in mind at all times, and look for weaknesses near the enemy King first. Ifno weaknesses exist near the opposing King, consider possible ways to —45Win at Chess! win a Queen, Rook, Bishop, Knight, or pawn, in that order. Play to win all you safely can! Positional Vulnerability Superior positions involve positional strengths in your position and positional weaknesses in the opponent’s. Superior positions allow you to seize and maintain the initiative (ability to create threats), control the play, and impose your will on the game. Your opponent’s positional weaknesses allow you to post your pieces and pawns on strong squares, control vital squares and lines, and execute effective tactics (Diagram 16): of vey ty wane Ua en a Y igh Ui & ae a Diagram 16-White to move Material is even, and both sides have isolated d-pawns (a weakness); but White has a Knight outpost at c5 and doubled Rooks on c7 and e7 (the seventh rank — positional strengths). White capitalized on his positional advantages to initiate game-winning tactics with 1. Nxe6!, capturing the black Bishop and forking the black Rooks. Facing material ruin, Black responded 1... fxe6. White concluded with checkmate on the seventh rank: 2. Rxg7} Kh8 3. Rxh7+ Kg8 4. Reg7 mate. This example demonstrates the impressive power of doubled Rooks on the seventh rank. Another example of positional strengths and weaknesses is shown in Diagram 17:The Middlegame Diagram 17-White to move Black has two positional weaknesses: a backward d6-pawn and a hole in his pawn structure at d5 — a potential outpost for the white N/ c3. Currently, the black N/f6 is defending this hole. White removed the guardian Knight with 1. Bxf6! Bxf6, then occupied the outpost with 2. Nd5. The powerful white N/d5 radiares control in all directions, while Black’s pieces are cramped and have little mobility. White has a bind (a clamp on the position) and a strong initiative; his outpost N/d5 later participated in a winning Kingside attack. Positional strengths win chess games, and positional weaknesses lose chess games. Tactical weaknesses usually lose material or the game more quickly, but positional weaknesses lose just as surely — avoid them in your position, and seek (and create) them in your opponent’s. 3. Define Your Tasks After an accurate analysis has mapped the position’s strengths and weaknesses, and thus provided you with the goal (offensive or defen- sive) toward which to plan, the next step is to determine which changes on the board would bring your plan to fruition. Imagination is valuable at this stage — it is helpful to visualize your specific goal. Ask yourself, “What would I like to do” Imagine your pieces and pawns in “the” IDEAL POSITION, with obstructing or defending enemy chessmen eliminated, moved, or pinned. Then try to define the tasks (moves) necessary to achieve thar desired position. The changes in the current position required to achieve your IDEAL POSITION represent your general tasks. To define your specific —47Win at Chess! tasks, first determine the ideal squares and paths necessary for your pieces and pawns to reach your IDEAL POSITION, then ask, “What is preventing me from achieving my IDEAL POSITION?” — determine which obstructive defenders must be eliminated, deflected, blocked, or immobilized to reach your goal position. Whether your goal is checkmate, material gain, a positional advan- tage, oran effective defensive formation, first visualizing your pieces and pawns in the IDEAL POSITION is an excellent start. 4. Develop Candidate Moves The key criterion in developing candidate moves is that they must perform or contribute toward the specific tasks defined in Step 3. In developing candidate moves, first consider forcing moves (checks, cap- tures, and threats to check and capture), since they limit your opponent's replies, render his moves more predictable, and deny him time for effective counterplay. Do not be satisfied with the first good move you find — there may be a better one—look until you have several from which to choose. 5. Choose the “Best” Move In a typical middlegame position, there will be several plausible candidate moves. Once identified, they should he analyzed separately, then evaluated comparatively. Selecting the best move involves choosing from among the relevant candidate moves the one which best promotes your goals: accomplishes the required tasks, wins the most material, or gains the greatest posi- tional advantage. Many chessplayers shift back and forth among candidate moves when analyzing them. This widespread practice is usually confusing, and always inefficient. Candidate moves (say A, B, and C) should he analyzed completely and sequentially in separate “watertight compart- ments,” the door to each compartment clanging shut once that move’s advantages and disadvantages have been analyzed. Then, after all the candidate moves have been carefully analyzed separately (in your head), their relative merits can be compared. No absolute scale exists for evaluating chess moves — every move can only be evaluated against alternatives. We will examine two methods for doing this; choose the one with which you are most 43—The Middlegame comfortable. Grading Moves To evaluate a candidate move, it is often helpful to assign a numerical “grade” based on its merits and drawbacks. A suggested grading scale is -10 (blunder, loses outright) to +10 (outstanding, wins outright), with zero being a neutral (balanced advantages and disadvan- tages) move. After all candidate moves have been thoroughly analyzed and carefully graded, a comparison of their respective “grades” will reveal the best move. Analyze the position in Diagram 18, and identify and grade respon- sive candidate moves tor Black: Diagram 18-Black to move Material is even, and opposite wing attacks are in progress. On the previous move Black played 1... e5, and White withdrew his attacked Bishop with 2. B/d4-e3. The white R/d1 now attacks the black d6- pawn. How should Black respond? Black’s plausible defensive candidate moves to save his threatened d6-pawn include 2... Qa6, ...Qc6, ...Qd7, ...Bf8, ...Ne8, ...Rd8, R8c6, and ...R4c6. All eight moves defend the threatened d-pawn, but which move in this bewildering array of defensive responses is best? Remember: when meeting short-term threats, play moves that promote your long-term goals! Let us analyze and evaluate the eight Black candidate moves and assign “grades”:Win at Chess! Queen is a very expensive guard. Also removes black Queen from the vicinity of the white King. Same as 2... Qa6, plus loses the Exchange (3. Na5!). Same drawbacks as 2... Qa6, plus pins black d-pawn. Cheaper guard, but leaves N/f6 unguarded; and, is the Bishop more active at 8? Cheapest guard available, but allows 3. Qxh7¢ losing a pawn and rendering black’s King less secure. Undoubles attacking Rooks and diminishes Black’s attack, plus pins the black d-pawn. Keeps Rooks doubled, does not pin d-pawn, Rook at c6 can swing to a6 for attack, but cramps Rook at c4 and creates possible vulnerable back rank. All the benefits of 2... R8c6 without the drawbacks. Improves the mobility of Rook, provides flexibility in maneuvering Rooks, and also uncovers attack on white N/b}3 by the black B/f?. Conclusion: Other moves such as moving away from d6 (2... d5) being ineffective, and counterattack (2... bxc3 3. Nxc3) merely delay- ing and allowing White to reinforce his weak P/a2, Black’s best defen- sive move is 2... R4c6 with a grade of “+8.” 2... R4c6 meets White’s short-term threat (3. Rxd6) and promotes Black’s long-term goals (3... Ra6 to support an attack against the white King). “King of the Mountain” An alternative practical method of evaluaring candidate moves is the “King of the Mountain” approach. Start by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of any candidate move (preferably an apparently promising one), consider it the initial standard, then successively analyze and compare the other candidate moves to the standard, replacing the current “King of the Mountain” with any better move until all have been analyzed and evaluated. The move remaining as “King of the Mountain” is the best move in the position. This method is simple and, if the analysis of each candidate move is thorough, can be quite effective. The numerical method is more precise, but the “King on the 50—The Middlegame Mountain” approach is simpler and equally effective. Once the best move has been found, re-analyze it thoroughly (as time allows) for insurance, and check it carefully for SAFETY. Adopting either of these systematic methods of analyzing and evaluating responsive candidate moves — whether in the opening, middlegame, or endgame — will pay dividends immediately. The goal-directed, five-step method given above for navigating the middlegame saves time and avoids confusion by narrowing the search for, and improving the evaluation of, goals and plans, thus insuring more consistently purposeful moves. Whether attacking, defending against threats, improving your position, or hindering your opponent, this recommended method offers a systematic approach for selecting the best move in every position. With practice, you can learn to apply this logical sysrem consistently, and play more effective middlegames. The improvement in your planning skills will be immediately apparent — but remember, there are two players on the board. In addition to formulating and executing your own plans, you must also remain aware of your opponent’s, and be able to adjust your plans as necessary to stay abreast of new developments. Four Key Questions An apocryphal story concerns a famous Greek philosopher who, while walking in atield one day pondering the sky, fell intoa well. Avoid becoming so involved in long-range plans that you overlook immediate threats from your opponent. Every move alters the position on the chessboard, so pay particular attention to your opponent’s last move. Immediately after each of your opponent’s moves, ask yourself: 1. What is the THREAT? 2. What has CHANGED? Before each of your moves, ask yourself: 3. Does this move IMPROVE MY POSITION? 4. Is this move SAFE?Win at Chess! Consistently asking and correctly answering these four critical ques- tions before every move will enable you to avoid many serious mistakes, recognize more opportunities, and improve the effectiveness of your moves. Let us examine each of them them in greater detail, with examples. Each of your moves should be responsive and safe. To insure this, every time your opponent makes a move ask yourself the first two viral questions: “What is the THREAT?” and “What has CHANGED” This will unerringly identify any threats or new opportunities created by your opponent’s last move. If a threat is discovered, decide whether you should parry it immediately or if you can safely continue with your own plans. The following examples will illustrate. 1. What Is The Threat? Was my opponent’s last move a check or capture? Does it threaten a check or capture on the next move? Does it attack or pin any of my pieces or pawns? Does it threaten to improve the position of any of his pieces or pawns’? Is there a positional threat (¢.g., occupying an outpost, doubling Rooks on an open file, securing a Rook on the seventh rank, creating a passed pawn, isolating or doubling any of my pawns)? Does his last move portend and prepare any long-term threats (such as a Kingside attack)? Whatever the position, it is necessary — sometimes crucial — to determine the purpose of your opponent’s last move, even if it does not involve an immediate threat. What is he up to? And what can he do next? Consider Diagram 19: 52—The Middlegame iy wey Rae Y CR Y Zi a M yi RY) W Mie eZ Rae Ze MRE TBS LL AX Vaya RX, d Diagram 19-Black to move White has just played 1. Q/e2-c2. What is White’s THREAT? Answer: 2. Qa4t! winning the black B/b4, with a double attack on the black Bishop and King. Responsive Black defenses to White’s threat include 12 candidate moves: .. Bxc3t (counterattack) ..¢6, ...Bc6, ...Qd7, or ...Nd7 (interpose against check) .. Qd6, ...Qe7, ...a5, or ...c5 (guard Bishop) .. Bd6 or ...Be7 (move away) .. 0-0 (move away) me In the game, Black chose 1... Qe7 (flexibly preparing either 2... O-0 or 2... 0-0-0) to parry White’s threat. For another example, consider Diagram 20: BJ A A @ Ze Diagram 20-White to moveWin at Chess! Black has just played 1... Bb4. What is Black’s THREAT? Answer: Black threatens 2... Nxe4, winning a valuable center pawn, since White’s defending N/c3 was pinned by Black’s last Bishop move. White's candidate defenses to Black's threat are: 2. Bg5 (pin attacker) 2. Bd3 or Qd3 (guard pawn) 2. 3 (move away) (Note: Defending the white e4-pawn with 2. Qc2, Qe2, or Nd2 will lose White’s d4-pawn to 2... Nxd4. And 2. a3, attacking the black Bishop, or 2. Bd2 or 2. 0-0, unpinning the defending white Knight, would be ineffective against 2... Bxc3 followed by 3... Nxe4 and Black has won White’s e-pawn.) In the game, White decided on 2. Bd3 to neutralize Black’s threat (the d4-pawn is indirectly defended—see Diagram 27). 2. What Has Changed? Does my opponent's last move create any new weaknesses with tactical or positional possibilities for him or me? Is he concentrating his forces? Has he pinned or unpinned any of his or my pieces or pawns? Are any pieces, pawns, or important squares in his or my position now unguarded, or inadequately guarded? Has he created, removed, or attacked any vital guards? Is the protection of weak points in his or my position still adequate? Has his last move left any pieces en prise? Created any weak pawns? Exposed or restricted his King? Created a vulnerable back rank? Learn to recognize what has CHANGED with each move. Examine Diagram 21:The Middlegame Hw ZES Diagram 21-Black to move White has just played 1. N/f3-e5. What has CHANGED? Answer: Black’s B/b4 is now endangered, since White’s last move (1. Ne5) threatens to capture the black N/c6, removing the black Bishop’s defender (e.g., 2. Nxc6 Bxc6 [...Bxe3 3. Nxd8 is unthinkable} 3. Qxb4, and Black has lost a Bishop). Plausible Black defenses to White’s threat include: .. Bxc3 (counterattack) .. Nxe5 (capture attacker) .. or ...Qe7 (guard Bishop) .. BaS, ...Bd6, ...Be7, or ...Bf8 (move away) In the game, Black chose to meet Whire’s threat to his Bishop with 1... Be7, unpinning his N/f6. If an opponent inflicts no immediate threats and defense is not required, a chessplayer has a “free” move, and should strive to create threats of his own, increase the pressure on his opponent’s position, win material, or prepare or launch attacks in the furtherance of his plan. To develop threats, look firsr at forcing moves and threats to check or capture on the next move. Look for weaknesses in your opponent's position, and for tactical opportunities to checkmate, attack, or win material. Weaknesses DO exist in all chess games — a chessplayer just has to learn to recognize them. checks, captures,Win at Chess! Examine Diagram 22: Diagram 22-White to move Black has just played 1... 0-0, which poses no immediate threat to White; so White has a “free” move, and seeks tactical opportunities as a first priority. Black’s N/f6 is pinned, and Black’s last move (1... 0-0) created a new weakness — Black’s ¢7-pawn is now potentially pinned to the black King by the white R/g1 if the white B/g5 moves (“What has CHANGED?”). White took advantage of the changed circumstances in Black’s position by playing 2. Bxf6! Qd7 (the black g7-pawn is pinned, and if 2... Qxf6, 3. Nxf67) 3. Rxg7* Kh8 4. Rg5 mate. White recognized and quickly exploited the new weakness in the Black position after 1... 0-0. Tactical opportunities frequently occur when weaknesses exist, so be alert to recognize and exploit weaknesses — remedy your own weak- nesses promptly. In this next example (Diagram 23), find a winning plan for White: Diagram 23-White to move 56—The Middlegame White is a Rook, Bishop, and pawn (9 points) ahead in material, and his strategy is to simplify (trade pieces) to achieve a winning endgame, even returning some material if necessary. White therefore played 1. Qh4!, with the double threat of 2. Qxd8 checkmate and 2. Qxh3. Black was forced to exchange Queens with 1... Qxh4. After 2. gxh4 Rxd3 (winning the white Bishop), 3. Rfd1! pinned the black Rook to the open d-file because of Black’s vulnerable back rank. So Black reluc- tantly traded Rooks with 3... Rxd1t. After 4. Rxd1 Kf8 5. c4 Ke7 6. c5 Black resigned, for the white Rook restricts the black King from the c-file, and the white c-pawn will queen. 3. Does This Move Improve My Position? The essential criterion for a chess move is whether it strengthens your position and promotes your goals and objectives. Each move can be viewed as a transaction — hopefully, you gain something on each move, and you must give up something. The strong chessplayer seeks to make consistently favorable transactions — chess “bargains” — in which he always gains more than he loses on every move. Consequently, his advantages accumulate. If defense is not required and no immediate tactical or attacking opportuniries exist, try to IMPROVE YOUR POSITION by activating dormant pieces, opening key lines for attack, seizing outposts, contest- ing open files and diagonals, doubling Rooks on important files, posting a Rook strongly on the seventh rank, shifting pieces toward the major attacking sector, or increasing the scope of blocked or immobile pieces. Consider Diagrain 24: ae Ww Rota Ag & Boon TB Diagram 24-BlackWin at Chess! On the previous move White played 1. Rel, which poses no immediate threats. Black sees no exploitable weaknesses in the White position, and therefore seeks to IMPROVE HIS POSITION. To that end, Black is considering the candidate moves ]... Bxf3, 1... Nb6, 1... 0-0-0, and I... Bd6. Do any of these moves improve Black’s position? Let us analyze: ..Bxf3 would move a well-developed piece twice in the opening (generally a poor idea), relieve a strong pin, and bring a new white piece (Knight or Queen) to f3, giving White a lead in development. ...Nb6, attacking the white B/c4, is likewise undesirable because Nb6 would also move a developed piece twice in the opening, and, after the white Bishop retreats to b3, d3, or e2 (breaking Black’s strong pin), the black Knight is not well-posted on the Queenside (if... Nbd5 later, c4 evicts the Knight). Neither ...Bxf3 nor ... Nb6 improves Black’s position, even tempo- rarily. ...O-0-0 is strategically desirable, but tactically unfeasible. After .. 0-0-0, 2. Qa4 Kb8 3. d5! threatens Qxa7t, and the black King is insecure. ...0-O-0 is unsafe, and would nor improve Black’s position. ..Bd6 develops a new piece, prepares for Kingside castling, and threatens to win a pawn (2... Bxh2?), since White’s N/f3 is pinned. Of the four candidate moves, ...Bd6 IMPROVES BLACK’S POSITION the most. In the game, Black continued with 1... Bd6. An excellent way to IMPROVE YOUR POSITION is to activate your least active pieces first (Diagram 25): o Nya 8s Ys on, Diagram 25-White to move Material is even in this position, and Black’s last move (1... Qd7) 58—The Middlegame poses no immediate tactical or positional threats. White also has no immediate tactical opportunities, and thus seeks to IMPROVE HIS POSITION. His least active pieces are his N/c3 and B/b2. With this in mind, White played 2. Ne2, after which the fianchettoed white B/b2’s long attacking diagonal is unblocked, and the Knight heads for f4 to assist in a Kingside arrack. The quiet move 2. Ne2 IMPROVED WHITE’S POSITION. For another example, consider Diagram 26: Hee MA by BA ong Diagram 26-White to move Material is even, but White's pieces are more active, a hole exists in the black pawn structure at e5 (a weakness), and Black’s c7-pawn is backward (another weakness). White would like to IMPROVE HIS POSITION by establishing a Knight outpost on e5 (1. Ned), but Black could simply capture 1... Nxe5. If 2. dxe5, then... c5!, would eliminate both Black weaknesses (although White would have a passed e5-pawn). Before playing Ne5 (plan), Whire must first eliminate rhe black N/c6 (task). Therefore Whire played 1. Bb5!, soon capturing the black N/c6 with the Bishop and occupying the e5 outpost with Ne5 as planned. White’s strong N/e5 outpost proved valuable in his later successful winning attack. 4. Is This Move Safe? Last, but emphatically not least, we will examine the fourth critical question: “Is this move SAFE?” Every chess move should pass a primary SAFETY test: if I make this contemplated move, does my opponent have any move which can hurt ine (cost me material or position) immediately or soon? —59Win at Chess! After my move, would my King and all my pieces and pawns be adequately defended? Would my opponent have any dangerous checks or captures? Would my move create any weaknesses? Would (or could) my move lose material? What is my opponent’s best reply to my contemplated move? Would it refute my move? Which side would stand better after my opponent’s best reply to my move? Avoid playing moves which help your opponent — refer to Diagram 27: iat * ae ic J heater en w “ _ mM AR a Us Diagram 27-Black to move White has just played 1. B/c4-d3 to defend his threatened e4-pawn, and Black is considering the candidate move I... Nxd4 apparently winning a valuable center pawn (if 2. Nxd4 Qxd4 and Black remains a pawn ahead). The question is: is 1... Nxd4 a SAFE move? Answer: absolutely NOT! If 1... Nxd4?, 2. Nxd4 Qxd4?? 3. Bb5+!, and Black loses his Queen to the discovered attack. Even if Black does not recapture on d4 with his Queen after 1... Nxd4? 2. Nxd4, he has lost a powerful Knight for a pawn. The conclusion: |... Nxd4 is not SAFE. Do not draw the curtain too soon — analyze to a quiet position. In the game, Black continued with 1... 0-0, now safely threatening 2... Nxd4. Consistently asking and correctly answering the previous FOUR KEY QUESTIONS will enable you to avoid fatal mistakes and recog- nize winning Opportunities. 60—The Middlegame Remember the three general situations which may exist after your opponent’s last move: 1. Opponent made a threat 2. Opponent made no threat and has weaknesses 3. Opponent made no threat and has no weaknesses Defining which type of position exists will help narrow your search for the best move, as schematically illustrated in the following flow chart. “YOUR MOVE” START Analyze the Position (Look for Opponent's Weaknessess) Must | Defend? YES How Many Ways t Any Weaknesses? iO Defend?, Select Candidate Moves Evaluate Candidate Moves (‘Watertight Compartments’) Identity All Weaknesses Improve Your Position Put pieces on belier squares Quickly Exploit Weaknesses? Increase King Salety Improve Pawn Structure Eliminate Weaknesses Develop Plan e FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE ON EVERY MOVE!Win at Chess! If your opponent's last move created a threat that you must parry, play a responsive defensive move. If there is no significant threat, look for weaknesses in your opponent's position and for tactical and positional opportunities. If no significant threat was created by your opponent's last move and no weaknesses exist in his Position, try to improve your position. Follow this procedure on every move to ensure that a solid, flexible position is maintained — a critical activity in the middlegame. Positional Play Positional play is a means to an end — effective tactics. Winning tactics do not spontaneously occur in chess. Barring unforced errors by the opponent, successful tactics are the deserving fruits of a superior position established by sound positional play. Positional play, the control of significant offensive and defensive squares and lines, involves active piece placement and sound pawn structures. Specific positional goals in the middlegame are to maintain control of the center, establish outposts for pieces, open files and diagonals for penetration and attack, and gain control of the seventh rank. Inferior positional play is seldom redeemed by tactical salvation. Seek positional superiority first — do not gamble on recovering from inferior positions with later game-saving tactics. Diagram 28 offers an example of superior positional play. Diagram 28-White to move White's King is safe, the white pawn structure is sound, all white pieces are in play, and White has four extremely active pieces (Q/h5, B/ h6, N/d5, and B/d3). The black King, on the other hand, is exposed and 62—The Middlegame restricted, the black pieces are cramped and have limited scope, plus Black has doubled f-pawns and a backward d6-pawn. White has clear positional superiority, which he converted into win with the surprising tactical sacrifice 1. Bg7! (threatening 2. Qxh7 checkmate). If Black captures I... Kxg7, 2, Qxh7* Kf8 3. Qh8 would be mate, so Black declined White’s Greek gift offer and tried 1... £5 to close the supporting white B/d3’s diagonal leading to h7. White continued 2. Nf61!, forking the black King and Queen. After 2... Bxf6 3. Bxf6 Black resigned, as 4. QOe57 (or Qh6) and 5. Qg7 checkmate was unavoidable. Tactics are the payoff for superior positional play. White capital- ized on his superior position — the result of previous sound positional play —to force checkmate with a swift sacrificial attack. Such stunning examples of converting positional superiority into quick tactical wins are frequent. Positional play — what some chessplayers jocularly refer to as “what to do when there is nothing to do” — involves improving your offensive or defensive position and hindering your opponent, often by the control of important squares and lines, especially central squares and squares around both Kings. Control of these significant squares enables you to post your pieces aggressively and deny your opponent's pieces access to these key squares; controlling open lines allows your pieces to attack and penetrate from long range. Two significant aspects of positional play which facilitate these conditions are outposts and pawn play, which we will now examine in detail. Outposts An important middlegame goal is to establish and maintain out- posts for your pieces, especially Knights and Bishops. (An outpost is a square in or near enemy territory on which a piece can be safely placed and not he easily evicted or profitably exchanged.) Following are some significant facts and guidelines regarding outposts: © The best outpost squares are those near the enemy King or the center. ¢ Pieces, not pawns, should occupy outposts. e A Knight is generally the best piece to occupy an outpost, followed by a Bishop. © The eventual payoff for occupying an outpost is tactics, while the —63Win at Chess! immediate benefits are the attack and defense of nearby squares. ¢ An occupied outpost removes both offensive and defensive squares from the enemy, and restricts enemy pieces and pawns. ¢ Occupy an outpost when it can be supported by another piece (preferably) or a pawn. Occupy the outpost without support if the enemy cannot attack it. ¢ Avoid, contest, and neutralize (undermine or exchange) enemy pieces on outposts. * Outposts are created by pawn weaknesses, and are often the squares in front of weak pawns — look for the isolated, doubled, and backward pawns for potential outposts. For an example of an effective outpost, refer to Diagram 29: Diagram 29-White to move Black has doubled f-pawns; consequently, the weak square f5 is a potential outpost for the white N/g3. Furthermore, if the white N/g3 were on f5 (attacking g7 and shielding the white Queen’s checking square g4 from the black Q/d7), White could play Q¢4f followed by Qg7 checkmate. Accordingly, White played 1. Nf5!, seizing the important outpost. Black responded 1... Kh7 to allow 2... Rg8 to guard the sensitive g7 mating square. White continued 2. Qh5, threatening 3. Qxh6t (supported by the N/f5) Kg8 4. Qg7 checkmate. Black’s intended 2... Rg8 is now ineffective (if 2... Rg8, 3. Qxh6 mate). Black must now surrender his Queen (2... Qxf5) to avoid checkmate, so Black resigned. Whire’s strong Knighr outpost played a decisive role in his swift, convincing attack against Black’s exposed and restricted King, while Black’s doubled pawns in front of his castled King proved a fatal 64—The Middlegame weakness. Strong outposts are a critical advantage in middlegame play, and should be pursued at every safe opportunity — their absence can cripple your game. Outposts are often gained and held with the support of pawns, so effective pawn play must also comprise one of your major positional considerations. Pawn Play If tactics are the heart of chess, pawn play is its soul. Because pawns move so slowly, and their position changes gradually, pawn structure — the skeleton of chess positions — is the most permanent feature of the game. As such, it influences — and sometimes dictates — strategy and tactics by defining available squares and lines for pieces, and is thus the primary constraint on their activity. The goal, therefore, is to develop pawn formations which allow your pieces maximum scope and stability while restricting your opponent. Sound pawn formations combined with active pieces are the cornerstone of effective positional play and tactics. A vanguard for pieces, pawns can: control the center and other important squares, attack, block, and hinder opposing chessmen; defend friendly chessmen; be exchanged or sacrificed to open lines for attack; and promote to Queens, (or, rarely, other pieces). Some pawn formations are strong (chains, phalanxes, passed pawns, pawn majorities), and others are weak (isolated, doubled, backward). Two restrictive weaknesses of weak pawns are: 1) they can only be defended by pieces, costly defenders; and 2) the square immediately ahead of the weak pawn is a potential enemy outpost. Pawn weaknesses should be avoided or remedied. Pawn structure affects the outcome of every game. Often, one pawn (promoted to a Queen) proves decisive. Half of the chessmen are pawns — pawns count! Various types of pawn structures are illustrated in Diagram 30:Win at Chess! Diagram 30 White's a5-pawn is isolated, his c2- and c3-pawns are isolated and doubled, and his ¢2-pawn is backward. Black’s b7-pawn is backward, his e5-pawn is a passed pawn, his e5- and f5-pawns are hanging pawns, and his h4-pawn is isolated. Overall, Black has the superior pawn structure because of his extra passed e5-pawn. For an example of the cramping effect pawns can exert in the middlegame, examine Diagram 31: hite Diagram 31- The choked black pieces can hardly move, being severely restricted by the formidable white central pawn mass. In fact, White shortly trapped and won the black Queen with the aid of his pawns: 1. Nxf5! ¢5 (to protect the black Queen from the white B/e3) 2. Nxe7t Kh8 3. Na4! and the black Queen is lost. A stunning example of superior pawn play! For another example of superior pawn play, consider Diagram 32: 66—The Middlegame Diagram 32-White to move Earlier White sacrificed a Knight for two pawns to achieve a central pawn majority and a passed d-pawn. White's strategy was to promote a central pawn; following several well-timed white pawn advances, White played 1. Qe5!, attacking the trapped black R/c7. Black responded 1... Bb6 to protect the Rook, and White continued 2. e7! Black resigned, for a white pawn will queen or Black must suffer ruinous loss of material (e.g., 2... Qxe7 3. Qxe7 Rexd7 4. Rxd7). Pawn weaknesses should be remedied whenever possible, preferably by advancing and exchanging the weak pawns. For flexibility and mutual protection, the fewer pawn “islands,” or clusters of connected pawns, the stronger the pawn formation, generally. Since pawn moves are irreversible, improper pawn advances may leave irreparable weak- nesses. Think carefully of the consequences before moving a pawn. As you improve and play stronger opponents, pawn play will become a greater factor in deciding the outcomes of your games. Understanding the important role of pawns and developing skill in proper pawn play are essential steps in strengthening your middlegame — and can directly affect the endgame, if a pawn advantage allows you to “simplify.” Simplifying If you have a winning material or positional advantage in pawn structure or King position, or both, eliminate all pieces and simplify into a winning King-and-pawn endgame, even sacrificing slight material if necessary. Pure King-and-pawn endgames are the easiest to win — with no enemy pieces to complicate matters, endgame goals are clarified and —67Win at Chess! play is generally quite straightforward. The side ahead in pawns or position, theretore, will seek to simplify — exchange remaining pieces — to make his win simpler and more certain. Exchanging pieces will also reduce the opponent’s chances for counterplay and surprise tactics. In Diagram 33, for example, what is Black’s best move? Diagram 33-Black to move Black has an extra pawn, but White’s pawn structure is sound. With the powerful white Queen on the board, Black’s win is problematic. Prospects of checkmate or further win of material are not imminent, so Black seeks a more favorable endgame. To establish a more certain win, Black seized the opportunity to simplify and disrupt White’s Kingside pawn structure by trading Queens with 1... Qxf3! After 2. gxf3, White had an isolated h-pawn and isolated and doubled f-pawns. The white Kingside pawns cannot defend each other, and must look to the white King for protection. This crippled pawn structure proved no match for Black’s healthy Kingside pawn majority and incursive King: 2... Kg7 3. Kg2 Kf6 4. £4 Kf5 5. Kg3 e5 6. fxe5 Kxe5 7. £44 Ke4 8. h4 h5 9. b4 £5 10. Kg2 Kxf4 11. Kh3 Kf3 12. Kh2 Ke4 13. Resigns. Black's simplifying J... Qxf3! achieved winning positional (Whirte’s weak Kingside pawns) and material (Black’s extra pawn) advantages in the resulting King-and-pawn endgame. Another example is illustrated in Diagram 34: 68—The Middlegame YER Diagram 34—White to move White is the Exchange and two pawns ahead, but almost certainly will be unable to checkmate Black without a new Queen. White has a potential new Queen in his outside passed a3-pawn. So White simpli- fied into a winning endgame: 1. Bxd5! (removing the black Bishop defending a8, the white a-pawn’s promotion square) exd5 2. Rb7 (pinning and immobilizing the remaining black B/g7) Kg8 3. Rxg7*! (removing the last Black defending piece) Kxg7 4. a4 Kf7 5.a5 and the white pawn will queen, winning the game. Simple and effective, trading pieces when ahead can quickly produce a won game. Extensive simplifying to achieve a winning endgame is shown in Diagram 35: Diagram 35-White to move In this middlegame position, White is two pawns ahead and hasa 3:1 Queenside pawn majority, a winning endgame advantage. But with so many black pieces remaining on the board, White’s task of exploiting —69Win at Chess! his Queenside pawn majority is difficult. Therefore, White simplified into a winning endgame by exchanging several pieces: 1. Nxf5! (threatening 2. Ne7+, forking the black King and Rook) exf5 2. Rxd8t Rxd8 3. Qxa6 bxa6 4. Bxg7 Kxg7. White retains his two-pawn surplus and Queenside pawn majority, and now has a passed c-pawn. Next, 5. b4 Rb8 6. c4 mobilized White’s Queenside pawn majority and, after White transferred his King to the Queenside to assist his pawns’ progress against the black Rook and King, White later queened a Queenside pawn and won. Another exemplary illustration is shown in Diagram 36: Whe LZ Diagram 36-White to move White is a Rook and pawn ahead, but Black has an active O/e4 and pesky N/g6 to generate counterplay and complicate matters. To sim- plify, White played 1. Qxc4t Kxe4 2. Nxe5t Nxe5 3. Rxe5 Kd4 4. Rd8 Resigns. In this simplified endgame position, White has an easy win by advancing his Kingside pawns. Note how quickly White trans- formed a somewhat complicated middlegame position into a straight- forward endgame win by simplifying. For a final convincing example of efficient simplifying, examine Diagram 37:The Middlegame Diagram 37-Black to move Black is 5 points ahead in material (Queen for Bishop and pawn), but White has a dangerous advanced passed d6-pawn. White’s B/d2 is en prise to the black R/b2, but the black Q/bl is atracked by the white R/fl. Whar is Black’s most certain route to victory? Black simplified with 1... Qxf1T! After 2. Kxf1 Rxd2 3. Kel Rxd6 (removing White's last threat) White resigned, as the black R/d6 barricades the white King from the d-file, and Black’s passed c-pawn will queen. Black’s timely simplification forced a simple and certain endgame win. Strong chessplayers play for the certain win, even if more lengthy. They seldom take risks when ahead, and they seek the surest route to victory. Simplifying when ahead is often a brutally effective winning technique. As the end of the middlegame approaches with no checkmate imminent, both sides should project the type of endgame which may ensue as material is further reduced. To evaluate your potential endgame prospects, imagine all pieces off the board (except any surplus) and examine the relative pawn structures and King positions. With an advantage in pawn formation or King position, or both, you may wish to simplify to reach a winning endgame by trading pieces, although your material advantage is slight or nonexistent. Under certain circum- stances — such as a superior pawn structure and highly favorable King position —a sacrifice to eliminate all pieces can be an effective and sate winning procedure. Conversely, the side facing a losing endgame should avoid trades, and keep the play in the middlegame. —71Win at Chess! You now have a formidable array of methods and techniques at your disposal with which to conduct an aggressive and dangerous middle- game. One essential area of expertise remains to be explored, however — detense. Without it, you may not survive the middlegame. This critical topic is at least as important as the rest, and will be examined before we move on to the attacking techniques covered in the following chapters. Defense Chess is not Solitaire — to win a chess game, you must first avoid losing it! Defense is an integral part of every game, and opponents’ plans, moves, and threats must be respected. Even weaker players typically make several major, and numerous minor, threats during a game. Four cardinal principles of effective defenses are: J. Defend only as required (save moves for offense) 2. Defend economically (with minimum force) 3. Defend actively, rather than passively 4. Detend against short-term threats with moves that promote your long-term goals To minimize defense — the goal — defend only against present or potential direct threats. The key to effective defense is to defend simply, economically, and actively. Meer short-term threats with moves that promote your long-term goals. When defending, try to disturb your active pieces the least. A pawn is the cheapest defender, and should be considered first. Any defensive pieces should not be pinned, unstable (easily driven away), overworked, or too valuable. Take special care when defending with your King, because of the King’s vulnerability. Diagram 38 illustrates using active-versus-passive defense and de- fending with moves that promote your long-term goals: 72—