Quality chess advice!

[Blockhead]

When I first began playing chess I'd seek out those players (and later authors) with chessic wisdom, those who could encapsulate quality ideas in just a sentence.

At the time I found this far more valuable than detailed game annotation which had to be worked through, often without grasping the essentials of the 'why' and 'how'. I wanted to understand the very foundations of the 'why' and 'how'.

Pragmatic chess maxims, such as those I will be quoting, can help with general thinking; and general thinking (time, space, material etc) is what most serious chess players start with, no matter the position. [See General Thinking in 'The Chess Mind' by Gerald Abrahams ... a quality chess thesis!]

So I'll try to add a couple of chess maxims here every day. I will acknowledge my primary sources when making my last entry.

If they wish, those who want to add their 2 pennyworth can, but I'd ask for some restraint. It would be so easy to, 'wander off the track', and I don't think any convoluted discussion (especially those challenging the given maxim!) will benefit the beginner/intermediate player. I think for the most part, they are looking for clarity, not complexity.

I suggest those who feel strongly about a particular chessic maxim (or all of them!) and want to articulate their concerns to, and with others, should start another thread.


So, after that preamble, I'll begin:

1. Be aggressive, but play soundly. Don't take unnecessary chances.

2. Make sure every move has a purpose.


To be continued ...

[Johnny5]

Hi Blockhead

Great thread. I look forward to hearing more of your single sentance tips and advice

[Blockhead]

And ...

3. If you know your opponent's style, take advantage of it. But, in the final analysis, play the board, not the player.
4. Don't ever ignore your opponent's moves.

[Diet_Coke is better than chess]

Don't play with blinkers.
There's a genius born ever generation wheras idiots are born every second.

[The Ancient Brit]

This is not a chess quotation but since chess is a war game, it does have relevance particularly where development is concerned.

"Get there firstest with the mostest."

Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest (1821-1877) describing one of the basic principles of war

[Blockhead]

5. Don't give needless checks. Check only when it makes sense.

[though Tal quoted as saying, 'Don't miss giving check ... it might be mate!']

6. Answer all threats. Try to do so by improving your position and/or posing a counter-threat.

'Don't panic!' :}

[Blockhead]

7. Play for the initiative. If you already have it, maintain it. If you don't have it, seize it.

[Steinitz said those who have the initiative, 'must' attack!]

8. When exchanging, try to get at least as much as you give up.

[Blockhead]

9. Take with the man of least value, unless there is a definite reason for doing otherwise.

10. Cut your losses. If you must lose material, lose as little as possible.

[Blockhead]

10. Cut your losses. If you must lose material, lose as little as possible.


It's said that Tal would sometimes 'sacrifice' so much material there would be insufficient left on the board to win!

11. If you blunder, don't give up fighting. After getting the advantage, your opponent may relax and let you escape.


“The hardest game to win is a won game” (Emanuel Lasker)

[Blockhead]

12. Never play a risky move hoping your opponent will overlook your threat … unless you have a losing position. In that case, you have nothing to lose.


13. Rely on your own powers. If you can't see the point of your opponent's move, assume there isn't any.

[Gritty]

The simplest and most useful piece of advice I've ever had is to try and gain space and scope, and limits that of my opponents.

Beyond that I don't really have much of a strategy. i tend to win games by having more space and scope for my pieces and that gives me more options, and makes defending harder for my opponent.

[Blockhead]

14. Don't sacrifice without good reason.

15. When you can't determine whether to accept or decline a sacrifice, accept it.

[Blockhead]

16. Attack in number. Don't rely on just one or two pieces.

Follow TAB quote: "Get there firstest with the mostest!"

17. Look for double attacks.

“Even the laziest King flees wildly in the face of a double check!” (Nimzowitch)

[perseus]

I think a GM said roughly (lost with time, my memory and translation).

You need to know the openings by rote, the middle game to be a magician and the end game a calculating machine.

Roughtly translated this means

1) if they have a higher rating they are going to get the edge or a winning game from the opening

2) a higher rating might have a better strategy going into the middle game, but generally the younger person has the grasp if not the experience to get the edge in the middle

3) if I have survived to the end game, experience must count, and stamina. Against anybody good, I need more than a pawn though. Time control counts as well. If I have struggled through the unknown openings, I might be worn out by the end.

[Blockhead]

18. Play for the centre: guard it, occupy it, influence it.

19. Fight for the centre with pawns.


Or, rather than occupying the centre with pawns [aka Steinitz, Tarrasch, and others], try to 'control' the centre with pieces [aka Reti, Nimzowitch, and other 'Hyper moderns']