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@venda saidI couldn't agree more.
It's really not necessary to learn all the variations of the common openings unless you want to become a GM and have a really good memory!
My posts at RHP often stress the value of understanding the pawn structure: backward pawns, space advantage, pawn majority, etc. A player who considers these concepts during the game can usually formulate a reasonable plan even if the position is totally unfamiliar.
The moves considered best in an opening are those that will result in a playable middlegame. A big part of "playable middlegame" is that there's a part of the board where the player in question has a space advantage, and that player's pieces can readily be brought over there. That way, if pawns get traded and the two sides' pieces have open lines at each other, the player who had the space advantage will have more pieces there than the opponent will and is therefore more likely to prevail.
My articles at this forum (listed at http://www.davidlevinchess.com/chess/RHP_my_threads.htm) often discuss how to interpret the pawn structure. There are also a few articles on the subject at my website.
I believe it's useful to be aware of the pawn structure starting at move 1. I feel so strongly about this that I created a page at my website (called "How to Play through a Game's Pawn Structures" ) where one can paste the moves of a game and then click a button that displays every pawn structure that arises in that game.
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@fmdavidhlevin saidFine post. Never a truer statement was made: "Pawns are the soul of chess."
I couldn't agree more.
My posts at RHP often stress the value of understanding the pawn structure: backward pawns, space advantage, pawn majority, etc. A player who considers these concepts during the game can usually formulate a reasonable plan even if the position is totally unfamiliar.
The moves considered best in an opening are those that will result in a play ...[text shortened]... moves of a game and then click a button that displays every pawn structure that arises in that game.
May I just add this as a footnote for Martin:
Pawns, unlike every other piece, never move backwards. This means, first, that you had better be very very sure you want to move one before you commit. I noticed in your game (which GP kindly annotated) that you made some pawn moves which looked like you just didn't know what else to do, so you pushed a pawn (a common thing for unskilled players to do). A pawn moves slowly and looks small, so unskilled players often make the mistake of thinking that moving one is small commitment. Wrong. Every pawn move should be deliberated twice, because you can't move them back later.
Second, every pawn move moves a weakness; so look at not only what the pawn in its proposed new location controls, but also at what it will no longer control, before you commit.
And thirdly, pawns are devastatingly strong attackers, because no threat makes them retreat.
Finally, don't waste your time on software. You won't learn anything (except possibly how to accept frustration). Better: find a stronger player to help you analyse your games, and get a good book on strategy (there are plenty available).
Good luck. Your goal in chess is to be defeated by stronger and stronger players.
😀
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I agree with moonbus
I suggest putting a request on the help forum for a strong player to challenge you to 2 games(white and black) and talk you through the games pointing out where you've gone wrong, and what he/she says you should have done.
If you get no response,try an open invite and ask any strong player who responds to do the same.
You can select "unrated" for the games
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@moonbus saidWhile pawn are the soul of chess, how do you unlock positions such as this one? Guess the next move here
Fine post. Never a truer statement was made: "Pawns are the soul of chess."
May I just add this as a footnote for Martin:
Pawns, unlike every other piece, never move backwards. This means, first, that you had better be very very sure you want to move one before you commit. I noticed in your game (which GP kindly annotated) that you made some pawn moves which looked like ...[text shortened]... ailable).
Good luck. Your goal in chess is to be defeated by stronger and stronger players.
😀
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- 20 Sep 01
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@congruent saidBlack or White to move?
While pawn are the soul of chess, how do you unlock positions such as this one? Guess the next move here
[fen]3qr1k1/pbr2pp1/1p2pn1p/8/3PP3/1B2RN1P/P3QPP1/3R2K1 w - - 4 1[/fen]
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1 edit
@congruent saidGood question. I try to think in terms of plans, rather than next moves. Just at a glance, I would say that since White has a K-side majority, I would work to advance the f-pawn (which means getting the N to better square where it doesn't hinder the f-pawn). Still thinking ...
While pawn are the soul of chess, how do you unlock positions such as this one? Guess the next move here
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@congruent
Thanks for posting the game. 21. Rd4 I missed, but I got that the Black isolani must be blockaded.