Chess Strategy

We have mentioned zugzwang as one of three methods for winning problem endings (according to GM Nikolai Krogius). Let’s see some examples.

Flohr - Loevenfish

In Bishop vs Knight endings, Bishop can be used for both protecting our own weaknesses and support King’s breach by controlling large number of key squares. The diagram sees pawns on both flanks, which usually favors Bishop. One of the important advantages in this position is that Black King or Knight will be tied for f6 pawn. Straightforward elimination of the weakness with 1. Ke3 f5 2. Kd4 Kd6 3. Bb4 is letting White King in.

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Chess for Zebras: Thinking Differently about Black and White by GM Jonathan Rowson

Zebra Clan is the name of the unofficial “Chess For Zebras” fan club, consisting of my friends whom I have persuaded to buy this book. After seeing the reviews, some will be quoted bellow, I decided to “see what’s this all about”. While still in the reading, my friend GM-elect Mihajlo Stojanovic visited me for training session and we discussed the book. Mihajlo actually played Jonathan Rowson few months earlier at Verona Open (and won), and I was happy to hear some first-hand impressions about my already-favorite author. We have agreed in the conclusion that Jonathan offers new and refreshing (I added “shocking” too, but Mihajlo is already too strong to feel that way) ideas for average player’s improvement.

For me, this is not just a chess book; it is a literature that I enjoy reading, repeatedly going back through the pages and giving a lot of thought on what I have seen. I don’t know how to write an review, so I will quote smarter people bellow.

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This is a thread for readers to post questions, feedback and suggestions. Don’t be shy, ask about anything you want and I will try to answer as soon as possible.

Please be advised that comment moderation is “on” for the first time posters. There is couple of spamming bots around trying to leave messages you really wouldn’t like to see. I will approve all human comments, thank you for understanding.

Happy Holidays,

Goran

Rubinstein - Miezis

Black’s last move was 14… Qe7. He has clear plan of attacking against e4 pawn while White pieces are still undeveloped. The problem is that Black underestimates importance of “time” as factor. Rubinstein will not only complete the development while Black is busy taking that pawn, but he will also gain other positional advantages.

15. Nc3 Nh5

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To keep the continuity with the 2nd video lesson and More on Flexibility, we will examine another game of Anatoly Karpov. This time he started fight for open a-file and then suddenly struck on the other flank to win the game.

Anatoly Karpov - Wolfgang Unziker

After the Ruy Lopez was played in the opening, both players are fighting for the open a-file. For now, Nb7 and Bc2 are bad pieces being blocked by their own pawns, but Black has bigger problem. Nb7 is obstructing Black from doubling/tripling heavy pieces on the a-file. On the other hand, White can simply move Bd3 and proceed with Qd2-Ra1-Rea1.

19. Qd2 Rfc8

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In the 2nd video lesson we have seen Bobby Fischer skillfully transferring the advantage from one shape into another. Now example by his successor Anatoly Karpov.

White has space advantage and the only real weakness to press against is c5 pawn. To get more from this position, Karpov has to regroup his pieces and provide them greater mobility.

Anatoly Karpov - Svetozar Gligoric

42. Qg1!

Here is how Karpov elaborated his plan:
- Black’s only weakness is c5 and White should press against it in order to tie in defence as many units as possible.
- Best place for King is f3. Checks are not possible, Bg4 is being over-protected, g1-a7 diagonal is cleared for pressing on c5 and 2nd rank is available for fast Rooks’ transfer.
- White has to fight for h-file and kingside initiative. H-file cannot be taken after Black regroups his pieces to oppose the threat, but then White will suddenly strike on queenside using excellent mobility of pieces.

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Welcome to the second video lesson. Featured game is Addison-Fischer.

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Typical positions with Karlsbad pawn structure involve the following arrangement of pawns: white - a2, b2, d4, e3, f2, g2, h2, and black - a7, b7, c6, d5, f7, g7, h7. The variation got its name from the Karlsbad Tournament in 1923, where some of the participants wanted to avoid the sharper Cambridge-Springs opening. If we examine the arrangement of pawns, we see that a symmetrical pawn balance in the center does not exist. The pawn structure is dynamic and can develop into positions with isolated pawns or into positions with hanging pawns. Karlsbad pawn structures occur mainly from Queen’s Gambits, but they can also arise from Nimzo-Indian, Gruenfeld and Caro-Kan as well.1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5

After 4…Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 white obtains a full center, which is typical for the Half-Tarrasch Defense.

5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3

6.Nxd5 isn’t good, because of 6.Nxd5 Nxd5 7.Bxd8 Bb4+ 8.Qd2 Bxd2+ 9.Kxd2 Kxd8 and black has an extra piece.

6…Be7 7.Bd3 c6 8.Qc2 0-0 9.Nf3

One of the greatest chess players of all time, Mikhail Botvinnik, used to play this line with 9.Nge2 and, after 9…Re8 10.0-0 Nf8 11.f3, white tries to create a position in which he opens the center, with e4. There are many positions with pawn structures other than the Karlsbad which fit in with Botvinnik’s line. Many modern chess players play 9.Nge2 with much success. Such players as Gary Kasparov and Evgeny Bareev have had successful results with it. We will elaborate on 9.Nge2 variations later.

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How to Reassess Your Chess: The Complete Chess-Mastery Course - This is my favorite book that I have read to date out of many. Silman not only helps the beginner, but also re-teaches the importance of certain aspects of the game to the advanced player. Such things as learning the best squares for the knight, and keeping them there (otherwise known as outpost) . The difference between light square and dark square bishops is also covered. It really teaches the importance of middlegame and how to have long term advantages. I highly recommend this book for beginners and advanced players .

Any of Yasser Seirawan’s books by Microsoft. Yasser has been the easiest master I have had understanding as I advanced in chess. I recommend any book out of his collection!

Play Winning Chess - An introduction to chess and some basic strategies

Winning Chess Tactics - An introduction to tactics with puzzles

Winning Chess Strategies - A book on how to use small advantages and use strategies to make them

Winning Chess Openings - Gives a brief description on hundreds of the most popular openings, as well as opening strategies

Winning Chess Endings - Introduction to the endgame

Winning Chess Brilliancies - Notable games in chess that are analyzed by the author.

Winning Chess Combinations - Teaches players how to recognize the main combination patterns; somewhat of a follow up to Winning Chess Tactics

by Lance Johnson

This item is named after one chapter in the fantastic Mikhail Shereshevsky’s book Endgame Strategy.

I believe the proper usage of this principle is one of the main distinctions between strong masters and rest of the players. Strong masters have this “instinct” to always take the most from the position and also a certain feeling of caution to prevent surprises.

“Do not hurry” principle can be used in positions with small but permanent advantage and when opponent has no active counterplay. The main features are causing further weaknesses in opponent’s camp, masking our own plans and strong psychological pressure.

This psychological pressure consists of weakening opponent’s attention by “putting him to sleep” before the final action. “Sleepy” opponent will miss the best defence or possible counterplay, with great probability. Inpatient “hyperactive” opponent could force things on his own damage. An entire chapter can be written only on the subject of sleep, so we will skip it and focus on other aspects, but you can look at some “boring” Petrosian’s or Karpov’s games.

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