Positional And Move Patterns In Chess |
The patterns that appear in the opening are controllable to some degree by the players themselves. Do you want to play an open or closed game? Which specific opening, defense, system or variation do you want to play? From the opening comes the middle game. By studying openings and the games where the specific openings you are interested in have been played, you will then have an idea about what patterns will appear in the game and thus you will be able to prepare yourself in advance to play the patterns that come up. Finally the endgame unfolds. Here we see that the specific endgame patterns that emerge are related to the openings and to the middle game play.
If you want to gain mastery of the game of chess, you will need to understand the concepts behind all of these patterns, how they arise and when. And the techniques for playing them. That is what this website is all about.
The idea of the positional player is to gain either one big advantage or many small advantages, which can then be used to crush the enemy, tactically. Keep in mind that tactical possibilities are associated with each positional theme, for instance a Rook on the seventh rank locks in the enemy King and makes him vulnerable to mate, especially if you bring additional pieces into threatening positions.
Tactics constitute 90% of chess, if a strategic player knows only positional and strategic play and he is playing against a good tactical player who knows little or no strategy, he is likely to lose. In order to undersand tactics one must understand the pieces. We assume you already know how the pieces move, if not you wouldn't be here, you would be at a site where the basics are taught. Besides that the pieces have value based on the way they move, the number of squares they command and their various characteristics. To understand this better, click to this article: Relative Value of Chess Pieces
Seeds of Tactical Destruction--What is the best way to learn tactical play? We are advocating in this website the study of diagrams, thousands upon thousands of diagrams over a period of time in order to become familiar with the patterns that arise in chess. You need to study diagrams that show positional advantage, endgame advantage and tactical advantage. That is why we include pgn books in this site that contain those diagrams. But the problem with diagrams is that we already know that something is afoot, that the diagram is pregnant with possibilities. So we must play games as much as possible. Here too we have placed a valuable resource at your disposal, the addresses of websites that allow you to play one on one chess with others online, either free or at low cost. We suggest you play those whose ratings are no more than 200 points above your own so that you can understand and learn the techniques they are using and to also play those whose ratings are no more that 200 points below your own so that you gain practice in beating those who are weaker than you. Chess is a great game for Sado-Machochists such as myself, it enables me to beat up those who are weaker than myself and it punishes me by allowing those stronger than me to beat me up. Once we start playing others we need to know how to tell if tactical possibilities exist in the position. Here's a list of weaknesses that enable tactical exploitation. Keep your eyes open for them.
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1. Loose (unguarded) Pieces – “Loose Pieces Drop Off” = LPDO.
2. Pieces that can easily be attacked by enemy pieces of less value.
3. One or More Pieces than Can be Attacked via a "Discovered" Attack."
4. Weak Back Rank.
5. Pinned or “skewerable” Pieces along the same rank, file, or diagonal.
6. Overworked Pieces (Pieces guarding more than one piece or square).
7. Inadequately Guarded Pieces.
8. Falling Way Behind in Development (overwhelming opponent forces).
9. Opponent’s pawns nearing promotion.
10. King uncastled or without adequate pawn protection with Queens on the board.
11. Open enemy lines for Rooks, Queens, and Bishops to attack King.
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12. Pieces that have little mobility and might easily be trapped if attacked.
13. Backward Pawn.
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Player Strength |
This website has been designed for players of all strengths who want to learn to play chess. We have made an effort not to dumb the site down but to design it so that it will retain the interest of reasonably intelligent adults who have some knowledge of chess to begin with. If you are having problems understanding this site, if you are a child or if you are an adult who doesn't know some of the basic ideas of chess I suggest the following websites that might interest you:
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1. Kidchess.com
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Where To Play |
The best way to really learn how to play is to play! My greatest pleasure in life is to go to the park on a nice day and sit down and play a game of chess. Unfortunately we do not have nice weather every day here in Brooklyn NY where I live nor am I always free to go to the park due to one reason or another. As an alternative to the park we have hundreds of websites on the internet on which we can play chess. Keep in mind that there are several different types of sites. On some sites you play against the computer only, on other sites--the vast majority--you play against other human player--assuming of course you are human! Many sites are free, some charge a small amount of money. Some sites award cash and there are even sites that allow you to play for money against players. I find that those sites that charge a few dollars usually have the best players but I realize that not everyone can afford to pay even a minimal amount. This list contains some of every kind of site so you can pick and choose and decide what is best for you! Readers are invited to send in their choices and tell us why they like or dislike the site they are submitting. Some online play sites require a separate program, some will provide that program others require that you download Winboard or Xboard.
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Online Opening Databases |
The best way to learn the openings is to study games in which those openings were played by masters and observing the moves and move patterns. Here's a list of online chess databases. If you know of other such databases please let me know and I will publish them here. Also you comments regarding these databases are always welcome.
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Knight's Tour |
This is an exercise that helps you gain proficiency in handling the Knight. Since clever Knight play makes up a good percentage of tactics, working out with this exercise should improve your gain more than somewhat. The idea is to move the Knight so as to make it land only once on each square. Can you do it? Its not as easy as it looks nor as difficult as you think!
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Moves: 0 |
Thoughts Have Wings!This is an interactive website and a work in progress. We are seeking your ideas, comments, brickbats and bouquets. If you have a new idea, diagram, technique or anything at all that you think would be of interest to me just click the above dove of love to send an email. Also if you would like to make a cash contribution let me know. I, personally am spending my own time and money to make this site possible and if you would like to share with me in any way, money or ideas please do not hesitate to do so. If you are the prime source of a chess related product and would be interested in allowing me to sell this item for you from banners on this site please do contact me. Also if you would like to improve your own chess game while helping others you can become a volunteer analyst. Just send your name, elo and email address and I will make a little list and put you on it. I promise not to let the Lord High Executioner see it. If you have a chess related website let's exchange links. |
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