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INTRODUCTION
The goal of this very practical book is to show you how to play the middlegame
correctly. We do this by acquainting you with the basis of chess strategy, and by
demonstrating the laws of positional play with both classical and modern
examples.
Whether you prefer “ quiet” positions or wild, tactical melees, the methods you’ll
learn from this book can become the very foundation of your future success in
chess.
Importantly, the strategy examined and explained in this book is applicable to all
phases of chess—opening, middle game, and endgame. (Given today’s emphasis
on “ specialty” books of all kinds, we could claim to give you “ three books in one” !)
Regardless of the fashions of opening sequences or the transient evaluations of
specific, “ hot” positions, the knowledge in this book can successfully guide your
play for a lifetime. It distills centuries of the most important and practical strategic
chess knowledge into twelve chapters.
The basis of modern positional, or strategic, play is the theory of the first World
Chess Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz. His ideas have been further developed by
Tarrasch, Nimzovich, Capablanca, Alekhine, Euwe, Botvinnik, Fischer, Karpov,
Kasparov, and many others.
Before going any further, let’s define a few terms. These definitions aren’t
absolutely rigid—but they’re useful generalizations, and by themselves introduce
important strategic concepts.
All operations should be undertaken with a certain goal, the object of attack, in
mind. To swim without a goal is strategic confusion. — Grandmaster Aron
Nimzovich
A plan is a visualized series of steps that make it possible to achieve a goal.
Learning to plan is absolutely essential for every player who wishes to improve.
Indeed, one of the attractions of chess is the way in which it teaches foresight and
planning.
Strategy is the art of forming an overall plan. Frequently the fact that correct
strategic planning dictates the choice of objectives is understated. Strategy is the
“ grand scheme” for a game. In a sense, strategy is the opposite of tactics, which
are the application of a short series of forced moves to achieve an immediate
improvement. The words positional and strategic are frequently used
interchangeably.
The very first step in composing an appropriate strategy is to evaluate the position
correctly. All of us at first see the challenge of such a comprehensive evaluation as
daunting and confusing. This book is planned, however, to take the mystery out of
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such positional analysis. Here we are lucky to have the benefit of the great
masters to show us how to evaluate positions logically and methodically.
The method for evaluating a position was initially developed by Steinitz in the 19th
century. He first divided the position into elements. Next he compared the
elements of White’s and Black’s positions, and only then formed an opinion,
determined a plan, and, finally, looked for a specific move. Based on the
accomplishments of his predecessors and contemporaries, as well as his own
experience, Steinitz formulated the following positional elements:
1.
Development
2.
Mobility
3.
Control of the center
4.
The positions of the kings
5.
Weak and strong squares in both camps
6.
Pawn structure
7.
Queenside pawn majority
8.
Open files
9.
Two bishops against bishop and knight or against two knights
The above elements still form the strategic basis for tournament players.
Understanding these elements will enrich and broaden your strategic ideas, and
will provide a foundation for a deeper understanding of the laws and principles of
chess.
Based on these elements, a chess player can evaluate a position and develop a
strategic plan. The evaluation must be confirmed by a concrete calculation of
variations, the range of which depends on the character of the position. The merits
and demerits of one side can be balanced by pluses and minuses of the opposite
side, and in such a case we might say that the game is equal. But if a player’s
position does not have enough pluses to compensate, for example, for the
opponent’s control of an open file, then we would conclude that his opponent
stands better.
When a player has enough broad concepts at his fingertips and understands their
relative importance, he can correctly evaluate the position and create a strategic
plan. We hope to persuade our readers that the true “ picture” of the position is
determined by the pawns, that their location can suggest a plan of action, that
moves are often made not just to create or banish a threat, but also to strengthen
the position.
Our study of strategy is divided into 12 chapters, covering most of Steinitz’s
original elements, albeit in a different order. We do not discuss “ development” and
“ the positions of the kings.” These subjects were covered in volume 4 of our
Comprehensive Chess Course series, The King In Jeopardy.
Steinitz’s Four Rules of Strategy
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1.
The right to attack belongs to the side that has a positional advantage, and
that side not only has the right to attack but also the obligation to do so, or
else his advantage may evaporate. The attack should be concentrated on the
weakest square in the opponent’s position.
2.
If in an inferior position, the defender should be ready to defend and make
compromises, or take other measures, such as a desperate counterattack.
3.
In an equal position, the opponents should maneuver, trying to achieve a
position in which they have an advantage. If both sides play correctly, an
equal position will remain equal.
4.
The advantage may be a big, indivisible one (for example, a rook on the
seventh rank), or it may be a whole series of small advantages. The goal of
the stronger side is to store up the advantages, and to convert temporary
advantages into permanent ones.
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— CHAPTER 1 —
Good and Bad Bishops
The activity of the bishop greatly depends on the location of the pawns. A bishop
that is not blocked by its own pawns is called a good bishop, while a bad bishop is
one whose mobility is limited by its own pawns (and sometimes the opponent’s
pawns too). The following principle of interaction between the pawns and the
bishop was formulated by former World Champion Jose Raul Capablanca:
When your opponent has a bishop, you should place your pawns on the same color
squares as the bishop. However, if you have a bishop yourself, then you should try
to keep the pawns on different colored squares than your bishop, no matter if your
opponent has a bishop or not.
Of course, the general correctness of these principles does not mean that we
should follow them dogmatically. We will demonstrate later how these principles
are malleable, depending on the need of the position.
Game 1
Alatortsev — Levenfish
Leningrad, 1937
Diagram 1 Black to move
In Diagram 1, all but one of the Black pawns are located on dark squares, while
most of the White pawns and the bishops of both sides are located on light
squares.
There is a noticeable difference in the activity of the bishops: the Black bishop on
d7 is definitely a good bishop. Its movement is not obstructed by its own pawns
and it protects the light squares from enemy invaders. This bishop and its own
pawns complement each other in controlling both light and dark squares. In
particular, Black controls e5, an important central square that cannot be attacked
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