Chess Strategy

GM Nikolai Krogius wrote a short (50 pages) book “Endgame Laws” and, with limitation in space, he tried to introduce his method of endings classification. First, he says that all tipycal positions can be divided in two groups: exact and problem endings. Exact endings (we can also say “basic”) are deeply analysed and we can learn best methods to achieve expected results (for example, Lucena method).

Problem endings, the larger group, are more common in practice. Because chess is exponential, it is impossible to learn them like openings and exact endings. Therefore, our task would be to bring those positions in within exact endings, or at least the ednings we are familiar with. GM Krogius suggests that there are three methods for doing so: create zugzwang, use the power of passed pawns and/or use the position (activity) of the king(s). Of course, this sounds simplified and the large field requires further exploration.

GM Nikolai Krogius also wrote the masterpiece “Psychology in Chess”.

All methods suggested by GM Krogius will be topics in extended lessons I promised for registered users in February. For now, a short example from Fischer’s game.

Fischer - Finegold
New York, 1963

Let’s look at the position before we decide how to proceed. This is an same-colored bishops ending with equal material. White has one weakness to defend - d5 pawn, black has two - e4 and h7 pawns. We can notice difference in pieces activity. Black king is attacking white’s weakness, while white king is protecting d5 pawn and, at the same time, attacking black’s weakness on e4. Black bishop is tied for e4-pawn defence and its mobility is limited to f5-g6 only. White bishop is free to wander. Since black king is also covering entry squares c5 and e5, an idea presents itself - bring black into zugzwang. Direct attack 1. Bb1 with idea to capture e4 pawn is not working, you should find why and discuss in comments.

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Thank you for taking your time to register with Chess Strategy. Starting in about two weeks from now, I will be providing extended lessons for registered users only. Everything is free, of course. Each of them will be focused on particular strategical theme. “The usual lessons”, in shorter format that was already seen, will be available for all visitors.

Video lessons are being planned, more about this in February.

Your feedback is appreciated as always.

Mikhail Yudovich - Grigory Levenfish
Leningrad, 1935

The pawn structure is giving White space advantage on the King’s flank. This kind of blocked center (White d4-e5, Black d5-e6) is designated for White’s attack on Kingside, while Black is seeking for counterplay on Queenside.

Let’s evaluate how pieces are placed. All of the White’s pieces are either well positioned or they have nice perspective. Nf3, Bd2 and Qd1 (after N move) are ready for operations against Black King. Black is late with “the usual counterplay” over the c-file and against d4 pawn. His only well placed piece is Be7, preventing the crushing Bxh7 sacrifice and participating in Kingside defence. Bb7 and Nb6 are far from the main scene (Kingside), and they also don’t have perspective of joining the battle soon. Black should spend more then couple of moves (tempis) to improve the potential of these two pieces, so we can say they are bad in long term. Natural square for Black Knight is c6, where he is pressing the base of White’s pawn chain - d4 pawn.

How should White continue? Before starting with activities on the Kingside, White should improve his only inactive piece Bf1, and place it on the diagonal for direct attack against Black King.

This is good moment to share the advice I received from FIDE trainer IM Mihajlo Stojanovic. He said: “When you don’t know what to play and you can’t come up with satisfying plan - start with moving your pieces to better positions, the worst placed piece goes first”. This very useful advice is not really designed for the given position, because White has clear plan of attacking the opponent’s King, but it is good to have it in mind for general usage. Bd3 might fall in this category, White is improving his worst placed piece.

22. Bd3 Rfc8

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