“White”

If White, instead of playing (2) P-d4 as assumed in the above examples, advances his f-Pawn against Black’s center, Black has ample time to make all preparations necessary to maintain his center-Pawn, for White does not threaten Pxe5 as long as he is not protected against Q-h4+, followed by Qxe4. Black’s best move is apparently B-c5, so that he may be able to reply P-d6 to (3) Kt-f3 without blocking the way of the Bishop. On c5 Black’s Bishop is very disagreeable for White as he prevents his castling. The natural development of this opening would be about this:

(2) P-f4 B-c5 (3) Kt-f3 P-d6 (4) B-c4 Kt-f6

Although this move blocks the diagonal for Black’s Queen, making impossible a check on h4, it does not enable White to win a Pawn on e5, because (5) Pxe5, Pxe5; (6) Ktxe5 would be answered by Q- d4.

(5) P-d3 Kt-c6 (6) Kt-c3 B-g4

Black has one more piece developed than White on account of the Pawn move P-f4 which is a wasted move from the point of view of development, especially as White cannot very well castle on the King’s side and make use of the open f-file for his Rooks.

Read more…

Technorati Tags: Ample Time, C3, C6, D3, D6, E5, E6, F3, First Moves, G4, H4, Kt, Move Blocks, Pawn Move, Pawn Moves, Pawn Openings, Point Of View, Rooks, S Center, Temptation, White

“King’s Pawn”

In trying to open a file for the Rooks it will be advisable–just as in the King’s Pawn openings–to aim at the same time at the clearing away of the opponent’s center-Pawn, and this can only be done by the advance of the c-Pawn. Therefore, it would mean loss of time if the Queen’s Knight were developed into the c-file before the c-Pawn has moved; the Knight would have to be moved away again in order to enable the opening of the c-file. This consideration furnishes the key for the understanding of the most popular Queen’s Pawn opening, which is

(1) P-d4 P-d5 (2) Kt-f3 Kt-f6 (3) P-c4

White offers a Pawn to induce Black to give up his center-Pawn, hence the name “Queen’s Gambit.” If Black could actually hold the Pawn he would be justified in accepting the Gambit unless it can be demonstrated that White’s advantage in development yields a winning attack. However, White can easily regain the Gambit-Pawn, and so there is absolutely no reason why Black should give up his Pawn-center.

The way in which White regains his Pawn in the accepted Gambit is this: (3) …, Pxc4; (4) P-e3, P-b5; (5) P-a4, P-c6 (if Black takes the Pawn a4, White captures the Pawn c4 and then regains the a-Pawn. (5) …, P-a6, cannot be played on account of Pxb5, opening the a-file for White’s Rook so that Black cannot retake the Pawn). (6) P-b3, Pxb3; (7) Pxb5, Pxb5; (8) Bxb5+ and Qxb3.

Read more…

Technorati Tags: A4, A6, Aim, B5, Black White, C File, C3, C4, C6, D4, E6, F3, King's Pawn, Latter Case, Opponent, Pawn Opening, Pawn Openings, Queen S Gambit, Rook, Rooks, S Center

“Exchange Of A Pawn”

This can only be done by the exchange of a Pawn and as the only Pawn within easy reach is the Pawn e5 the files which are liable to be opened first are the d-file and the f-file. In the position of the Diagram it is not easy to find a way of opening either file mentioned without elaborate preparation. P-d4 cannot be played before the square d4 is three times controlled by White and if White tries to accomplish this by (8) Kt-e2, Black spoils White’s plan by Bxc4 without being bothered by the threat Kt-d5 which existed as long as the Knight was posted on c3.

If, on the other hand, White exchanges the Bishop first on e6 he helps Black’s development by opening the f-file for his Rook. To avoid these alternatives White could withdraw the Bishop c4 to b3 and then play Kt-e2 followed by P-c3 and P-d4. But this maneuver involves two moves with pieces which are already developed and it is therefore preferable to place the Rook a1, who has to be developed, right away in the Queen’s file and then to proceed as suggested above. In other words, White does probably best to play (8) Q-d2 and (9) Ra1-d1.

Read more…

Technorati Tags: 43 Things, C3, C6, Checkers, Chess, Chess Pawn, D1, D4, D5, E6, E7, Exchange Of A Pawn, G7, Kt, Maneuver, Middle Game, Objection, Pawns, Rook, Rooks, Spoils

“Develop The Bishop”

White is not forced to develop the Bishop on the second move by any means. He could either play (2) Kt-f3 or (2) Kt-c3 or (2) P- d4.

The objection to the latter move, however, is that after (2) …., Pxd4; (3) Qxd4 the white Queen is exposed to the attack of the Knight b8, which means loss of time. Kt-f3 or Kt-c3 are probably preferable to B-c4 on the second move, because it is certain that the Knights will not find any better squares on their initial move. The Bishop, however, may have an occasion to be used on b5 instead of on c4, and it is a good thing, generally speaking, to keep the option of moving a piece to different squares as long as it is compatible with the other requirements of the position.

That the Bishop may be used to advantage on b5 will be seen from the following variation. Supposing White plays (2) Kt-f3.

Then the Pawn e5 is attacked. The only sensible protection is (2) …, Kt-c6; for P-f6 does not come into consideration, as it is a Pawn move which does not add anything to the development of the pieces; P-d6 blocks the Bishop f8; B-d6 obstructs the Queen’s Pawn and Q-f6 or Q-e7 hinders the development of the Knight or the Bishop respectively.

Now, it can readily be seen that after (2) …, Kt-c6 White may want to place his King’s Bishop on b5, for with this move he repeats indirectly his attack on the King’s Pawn through the threat to remove the protecting Knight.

Read more…

Technorati Tags: B5, B8, Bishop White, C4, C6, D3, D6, Develop The Bishop, E5, E7, F3, F6, F8, Initial Move, Knights, Kt, Objection, Pawn Move, Play 2, Squares, White Queen

“Pieces Development”

The beginner who makes this great principle of development quite clear to himself has made the most difficult step on the way to mastership. The grasp of the far reaching influence of the mobility of the pieces in the opening upon the further development of the whole game is really what distinguishes the master from the average player.

Of course, it would be too difficult for the beginner to find out for himself what squares are the most favorable for the different pieces; at any rate, it would take him a long time to gain that knowledge by experience. Fortunately, the experience of the masters of several generations is accessible to us and so it is possible to expedite considerably the process by which the mind of the student is adapted to the tactics required in every game of Chess to carry out the principle of speedy development.

To a great extent these tactics, too, can be simply explained from the point of view of giving the pieces their utmost mobility so that they will be readily understood by the reader who has followed the arguments given in the foregoing pages.

There is a considerable difference in the constellation of the pieces depending on whether the game is opened with (1) P-e4, P- e5 or (1) P-d4, P-d5. These two openings shall therefore be treated separately. All other openings are related to one of the above main branches and need little additional discussion.

Read more…

Technorati Tags: C3, C6, Chess, Constellation, E5, Extent, Further Development, Game Of Chess, Generations, Grasp, Long Time, Masters, Pawn Openings, Pieces Development, Point Of View, Principle, Queen, Speedy Development, Squares