Only Chess
16 Dec 08
19 Dec 08
Originally posted by streetfighterYes, it sure did. 🙂 Thanks for your extensive reply ! From your post I can see that I lack some strategic ideas/understanding of the openings I am playing. So, when I finish my development I am often just throwing a bunch of approximatively selected moves.
The first thing you have to consider is how the central pawn tension will be resolved; this will indicate where the pieces will best be developed.
So, if white plays cxd5 and black recaptures exd5, then we can see that if white plays dxc5 at some point black is left with an isolated d-pawn. (Isolated Queen's Pawn=IQP)
This structure will form th ...[text shortened]... employed to play them well and where the pieces belong within them.
Hope this helps : )
I don't have problem with tempo gaining, agressive openings like Dragon (as white) or KG, plans are pretty transparent there but I often can't read what the position behind a quiet opening calls for. Some strategic concepts could help and maybe more patience with reading of the positions (files, squares, pawn structure, minor pieces interplay etc.)
19 Dec 08
Originally posted by gaychessplayerI guess that should help enormously, it's just that all of us often forget to ask themselves that valuable questions. (especially in OTB rush)
In his excellent book New Ideas in Chess, GM Larry Evans identified four elementary elements to any position:
[b]Force: Who has more stuff? Usually the player who is ahead in material is better, and usually winning.
Space: Which army controls the most terrain?
Time: Who can mobilize their forces the quickest to mo ...[text shortened]... does his or her last move allow me to do?
Just a few thoughts from the Peanut Gallery. 🙂[/b]
19 Dec 08
Originally posted by ivan2908If I followed my own advice once in a while I'd probably be reted about 200 points higher than I am now. 🙂
I guess that should help enormously, it's just that all of us often forget to ask themselves that valuable questions. (especially in OTB rush)
19 Dec 08
1 edit
There are dozen of fantastic mental shortcuts that can help you to systematically verify the position. Blunder check before move is very helpful too. I wonder if there are players who can play that carefully all the time or is that utopia ? I simply forget to do that, my hand is faster then my brain.