O 1200

A Coaching Manual
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Ron Cummins
Contents
Preface
Lesson one
The Board. Naming the pieces. King&Rook
Lesson Two
Pawns
Lesson Three
The knights
Lesson Four
The Queen & Bishops
Lesson Five
The Three Parts of The game
Lesson i!
Tactics and trategies
Lesson even
"raws
Lesson #ight
Time pace & Force
Lesson Nine
$na%&sis

Lesson Ten
'penings
Lesson #%even
Tricks & Traps
Lesson Twe%ve
Pro(%em o%ving
Bi(%iograph&
0-1200
A Chess Coaching Course
Beginners - Improvers
Preface
This (ook is designed to he%p an&one get from a rating of )ero *(eing una(%e to p%a&+
to a rating of ,-.. *(eing e%igi(%e to p%a& in most /a0ors+.
1t wi%% a%so give new coaches or teachers2 a framework to use2 and (e a guide for
teaching chess.
3p to %esson five it is a coaching manua% and assumes that the coach 4 teacher knows
how to p%a& themse%ves2 otherwise the& wou%dn5t (e teaching.
1t a%so presumes that most of &our students wi%% (e primar& schoo% age2 though this
course can (e used to teach a%most an&one of a%most an& age.
Lessons 67,- are aimed2 and written for the p%a&er who wants to go further and p%a&
competitive chess in c%u( or weekend tournaments.
The (ig mi%estones2 (eing a(%e to p%a&2 getting a rating of ,...2 and getting a rating of
,-..2 are a%% o(taina(%e using this (ook.
1n m& twe%ve &ears of coaching 1 have managed to get man& p%a&ers to ,-.. and the&2
with serious stud& and good coaching from others2 have gone a %ot further.
/ost of m& remarks and comments *chapters ,78+ are aimed at the coach2 though
much cou%d (e used ver(atim to students2 or modu%ated to &our own teaching st&%e.
'ne thing to remem(er is &ou don5t have to (e a great p%a&er to (e a great teacher.
1 once took a 9ungarian p%a&er who has a Fide Rating around -:.. * 1 won5t mention
his name+ to one of m& (eginners c%asses. 9e gave up after a(out ten minutes. 1t was
nothing 1 was doing %et me assure &ou. 9e 0ust got frustrated tr&ing to e!p%ain wh& the
horse& cou%d 0ump over ever&thing2 (ut the ;ast%es cou%dn5t2 wh& the Queen was
stronger than the King and <wh& can5t the pawns go (ackward=>.
$t his %eve%2 teaching ,6..? p%a&ers was eas&2 (ut tr&ing to contro% twent&2 @7,- &ear
o%ds was much too hard.
o remem(er it5s not a(out chess know%edge2 its a(out communications.
Aour students ma& (e part of a sma%% c%ass2 a %arge group or a chess c%u(2 its a%% the
same.
;ommunicate &our points c%ear%& and reinforce them constant%&.
#ssentia% eBuipment for &ourse%f *(esides this (ook+ is a standard si)e taunton chess
set and (oard num(ered and %ettered. ometimes a disp%a& (oard wi%% come in hand&
to e!p%ain things to a %arger c%ass.
"iscourage students from using specia% sets %ike g%ass or Lord of the rings2 impsons2
etc. 1t won5t he%p them understand space or recogni)e patterns.
$%wa&s remem(er that &ou are teaching a game and %ike a%% games2 it must (e fun to
%earn and fun to p%a&.
1n genera% if &our students are chi%dren2 don5t e!pect them to sit in enraptured si%ence
%istening to &our words of wisdom. Aou wi%% have to engage them in the game.
Aou ma& find at times &ou are coach2 entertainer and (a(&7sitter a%% in one go.
1 tr& to teach in one hour (%ocks2 this &ou ma& find is 0ust enough time to get across
&our points whi%e sti%% keeping &our audience5s attention2 and &our sanit&.
$fter chapter five, the time spent on the %esson wi%% (e up to the student. Reading
ever&thing once through wi%% not (e enough. Aou must understand what is (eing
taught not 0ust read it.
The (est wa& of doing this is practice. Read the %essons2 get out a (oard go through the
diagrams step (& step 2 memorise where &ou can (ut don5t e!pect to understand it a%%
at once. Repetition is the ke&2 come (ack to the (ook especia%%& %essons 67,-2 severa%
times and &ou wi%% notice that &ou are understanding more and more as &ou do and put
it into practice. P%a& for the endings &ou have %earnt2 p%a& for the positions that are
(ecoming fami%iar and p%a& the openings that &ou are comforta(%e with2 the ones that
suit &our st&%e.
1f &ou are coming to this (ook a%read& a(%e to p%a&2 1 wou%d sti%% suggest that &ou at
%east read through the first five chapters. There wi%% (e pointers in them that &ou ma&
not have seen (efore and %essons that can (e %earnt or reinforced and e!ercises that
wi%% on%& improve &our game.
"on5t (e a chess sno(C Be prepared to %earn from an&one of an& %eve%.
Each %esson wi%% fo%%ow on from the %ast2 teaching sa%ient points and reinforcing
points a%read& %earnt. 1t comes a(out after finding man& (ooks too comp%e! or not
%eve% friend%& enough for m& pupi%s2 and as the popu%arit& of chess in schoo%s and
&outh c%u(s increases2 more peop%e are (eing thrust into the ro%e of coach.
Fo%%owing this (ook &ou wi%%2 1 hope 2 fee% that &ou as coach have covered ever&thing
that is needed to a%%ow &our students to wa%k awa& (eing a(%e to p%a& and en0o& a
decent game of chess. $nd as a student &ou wi%% fee% &ou are getting c%oser to &our
mi%estones.
,-.. is not the end (ut it is the end of the (eginning and 1 hope &ou go further and
%ook (ack fond%& on this (ook as ma&(e &our starting point on &our chess 0ourne&.
Beginners
Lesson One
The Boar, !aming the pieces,
The "ing The #oo$
The origins of the game of ;hess are %ost in the mists of time. 1ts creation had (een
c%aimed (& the ;hinese2 the 1ndians2 and the #uropeans. But a%% agree its a game of
war.
The (oard is the (att%efie%d on which the war is fought.
/ost modern (oards are num(ered and %ettered for easier notation with A to % at the
(ottom from %eft to right *the #an$+ and num(ered from 1 to & from (ottom to top2
*the 'i(e).
o ever& sBuare has a designated num(er and %etter with a1 (eing the first sBuare on
the (ottom %eft hand side.
Lets start (& putting the two Kings in the centre one sBuare gap awa& from each other .
This is known as opposition. how a%% the sBuares that either King can move to.
1 sometimes e!p%ain that the King has a force7fie%d around him that won5t a%%ow him to
come c%oser to the other King2 so there must a%wa&s (e one sBuare (etween them. $
King can never capture a King2 so if there is on%& two Kings %eft on the (oard at the
end of the game it is a ra*+ Not enough materia% to win No winner no %oser.
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*"iag.,+
Put the King in its starting position note that its on a sBuare of its opposite co%our.
Put white two Rooks on the (oard in their starting position .*ee diagram , a(ove+
1 %ike to use Rooks first (ecause the& work (est on an empt& (oard2 needing ranks and
fi%es to show off their power. 1ndicate a%% the sBuares the Rooks can move to and show
how much space the& cover.
Bring one Rook to the eighth rank2 show that the (%ack King is now in Chec$.
#!p%ain (eing <In check> means that &ou must do something2 either capture the
piece that is threatening &ou2 (%ock the piece that is threatening &ou or move awa& to a
sBuare that is not contro%%ed (& &our opponent. The King cannot move to a sBuare that
is (eing attacked as he wou%d (e moving into check and this is considered an i%%ega%
move.
/ove the (%ack King forward one sBuare out of check.
Now move the second Rook up to check the King2 note that the King cannot move
(ackwards as the first Rook contro%s the &
th
rank and the King wou%d (e moving >
into check> so he must move forward.
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*diag. -+
/ove the King forward one sBuare.
Now move the first Rook down and put the King into check again2 the King must
move forward.
Repeat this <ro%%er> unti% the King reaches the :
rd
row. Now when the Rook moves
down to check the King it *the (%ack King+ cannot move (ack2 cannot sta& on the row
and (ecause of the white King in opposition and contro%%ing the sBuares direct%&
opposite it2 the (%ack King cannot move forward either.
This is Chec$mate ie. ,the King is (eing attacked (ut has no %ega% moves+ the game
is over.
1ndicate that the King never gets taken2 &ou win the move (efore that wou%d happen.
Reset the origina% position *Kings on origina% sBuares two white Rooks on origina%
sBuares+ and %et &our students tr& to achieve the same win. ome wi%% get it straight
awa& (ut some wi%% not. Dhen white wins %et them swap co%ours unti% ever&one has
understood the concept.
Now ask them to count how man& moves it took *6+ and ask can the& (eat that score
give them a(out five minutes of tr&ing.
how that after the first move ever&(od& knew that the (%ack King was going to move
forward. o if &ou can predict2 or can force &our opponent to move somewhere &our
own moves (ecome easier.
/ove either Rook to the seventh rank2 we know where the (%ack King is moving
*sidewa&s+ and the second Rook goes to the eighth rank chec$ing and mating *-
moves+. Let them tr& this out for themse%ves.
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*diag.:+
Now (ack to the starting position. Now move the (%ack King to e- and see who can
mate in the %east amount of moves *E+. 'f course B%ack ma& not (e so he%pfu% and it
shou%d take %onger.
Keep an e&e out for i%%ega% moves and demonstrate that that King can take the Rook if
it is unguarded.
'nce the& get the hang of this2 reset and remove one Rook ask them to tr& to get
checkmate now.
Near%& a%wa&s the Rook ends up chasing the King a%% over the (oard. 1f someone does
manage to checkmate their opponent in nine p%ease take note of them2 the& are
pro(a(%& the ne!t Bo../ 'ischer+ ,a chi%d prodig& who was a Frandmaster at fifteen
&ears o%d and went on to (ecome wor%d champion+
Reset the (oard. The Buestion to ask is <Dhat did &ou do when &ou had two Rooks2
and wh&.=>
/ove the Rook to the seventh rank then start to move the white King forwards.
#!p%ain the King is a weapon too2 Dhen the King is in opposition where it contro%s
three forward sBuares doing the 0o( of the Rook2 the Rook is free to move to the
eighth rank and checkmate.
Let them tr& this for themse%ves swapping co%ours on a win or a %oss.
Ne!t show the ke& positionG Dhite King a knight move awa& from the (%ack King
with the Rook on the Kings side. This wi%% not make much sense &et 2 (ut &ou are
putting a ke& idea into their heads.
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*diag. E+
;heck &our watch2 where has that hour goneC
0hat *as taught H
,. The Boar starting position2
-. The idea of !otation using num(ered and %ettered sBuares2
:. tarting position of "ing
E. 1tarting positon of #oo$s+
8. Kings moves2 the King as a weapon2
6. Opposition of Kings2
I. Rook moves 2 Rook endings the Roo$ ro((er,
@. 1ntroduced the idea of 2ra*s, Chec$ and Chec$mate2
J. I((ega( moves2
,..The three wa&s out of check in order of preference2
,,.Pieces working together2
,-. contro% of space and sBuares2
,:. anticipating &our opponents moves2 forcing moves
,E.1ta(emate, *ra* ./ insufficient materia(+
,8. the students a%so got to win games and %ose games.
Lesson 2
Pa*ns
$fter the e!citement and perhaps (ewi%dering amount of information of %esson one2
%esson two on%& dea%s with one piece2 the Pa*n
Reiterate what the students have %earnt at the (eginning of each %esson2 this wi%%
reinforce the main ideas and %et them know that a%though the& ma& fee% a %itt%e
confused and overwhe%med2 the& are gaining know%edge.
et the (oard up with 0ust the Pawns on (oth sides *diag.8+
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These are the foot so%diers of the arm&.
Their main 0o( is to protect the King.
Their second 0o( is to tr& to get to the enem& (ase at the eighth rank2 where2 %ike a%%
good so%diers2 the& get a promotion.
1magine that each Pawn4so%dier is carr&ing a %arge shie%d. 9e wa%ks forward unti% he
(umps into someone2 then he must stop. But if an&one comes into his %ine of sight
diagona%%& to %eft or right2 he can thrust his sword into it and take over that sBuare.
That is his wa& through the enem& ranks.
Let the students have a go at tr&ing to get their Pawns through to the enem& (ase.
Aou ma& (e surprised at the amount of Pawns that actua%%& make it.
Now te%% them to use their King as we%% *the King is a weapon+2 who ever gets
through gets a Rook for his Pawn. Te%% them to tr& to get checkmate. 1f two Pawns
make it the& get two Rooks if three2 three Rooks etc.
Pawns are the %owest pieces so have a va%ue of one+ #ver&thing e%se is measured (&
how much more the& are worth than the pawn. o the #oo$ is worth five Pawns .
Fet them to tr& to 0ustif& this for themse%ves.
Put a King and five Pawns on the (%ack side and a King and one Rook on the white
side2 %et them tr& to win. ;hange co%ours ever& few minutes so ever&one gets a chance.
Things to know a(out PawnsG
Pawns move one sBuare at a time forward2 the& can never retreat and never go
(ackwards. The& take diagona%%& and earn promotion when the& reach the eighth rank.
The& have a specia% first move which a%%ows them to get straight into the action2
moving Buick%& from their starting sBuare on the second row the& can rush ahead to
the fourth row2 providing there is nothing in their wa&. #ach Pawn can do this once in
the game.
Now set the (oard up as in the ne!t diagram two Kings on their starting sBuares and
white has a Pawn on e2+
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*diag.6+
$sk white to tr& to get his %one Pawn to the end earn promotion to a Rook and get
checkmate.
The first round most kids wi%% forget their King and on%& march their Pawn forward to
have it taken on move five. Then the& wi%% rea%ise the& need their King and it wi%%
fo%%ow the pawn up the (oard unti% it puts (%ack in a sta%emate position. "iag.I
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#!p%ain a(out i%%ega% moves again and draws.
This is a good resu%t for (%ack (ut not for white.
et up ne!t diagramH *diag.@+
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#!p%ain the 3ueening s4uare, wich is the sBuare that the Pawn wants to get on to
to (ecome a Queen *or Rook or Knight or Bishop+. 1n this position2 with (%ack to
move2 it is a%wa&s a win for white.
This is (ecause whichever wa& the (%ack King moves2 the white King moves in the
opposite direction2 for instance if (%ack King to & then white King to f5 contro%%ing
the Queening sBuare so that the (%ack King cannot get (ack to it2 then white simp%&
wa%ks the Pawn forwards to the sBuare2 promotes to a Rook *for the purpose of this
%esson+and then gets checkmate as the& %earnt in %esson one.
how that it matters not at a%% if the (%ack King moved to f& as the white King wou%d
move to 5 with the same resu%t.
Now reset to diag.@ and get the students to tr& to get to diag.6 and win.
This ma& take some time.
0hat *as taught H
,. tarting position of Pa*n, Pawn moves and Pawn promotion+
-. !umerica( va(ue of #oo$ *- pawns+
:. Reinforced King and Rook verse King enings+
E. 3ueening s4uare,
8. King and Pawn verse King enings,
6. "raws (& sta(emate, *no %ega% moves+
Lesson 6
"nights
The $nights are pro(a(%& the hardest for (eginners to master as the& move a %itt%e
different%& from the others .
The main point to remem(er is that the& move in an L shape 0umping from a dark
sBuare to a %ight sBuare2 and a %ight sBuare to a dark.
Kumping is the operative word here as the& on%& attack things *sBuares or peop%e+ that
the& %and on.
The Knight is given a nomina% starting va%ue of three PawnsH
The reason we give va%ues for the pieces is that %ater2 when the students are p%a&ing
for rea% there wi%% (e times when the& have a chance to e!change pieces off. 1t is
important to know whether it is good va%ue to e!change one particu%ar piece for
another2 one wa& of 0udging this is their starting va%ue.
o if &ou know that a Knight is worth three Pawns and a Rook is worth five Pawns
and &ou e!change Knight for Rook in genera% we wou%d sa& &ou have won the
e!change.
$s &ou get (etter2 other things wi%% (e taken into consideration2 not 0ust the starting
va%ue. Things %ike pace2 Tempi2 *(eing a move ahead+ or mating chances2 wi%% a%%
p%a& a part in &our va%uing of the e!change2 (ut we have to start somewhere.
1f we set up the four Knights on the (oard in their starting opposition and count the
num(er of sBuares the& can reach2 we wi%% find that each Knight can reach three
sBuares2 the& have the a(i%it& to 0ump over their own *or their opponents+ pieces to get
to the sBuares . Now move a Knight to the centre sBuares and ask how man& sBuares it
can reach2 point out that the& can now reach eight sBuares2 more than twice the
origina% num(er.
This puts the idea of centra% contro% into the students head.
et up the ne!t diagram2 *diag.J+
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Fet the students to move their Knight from the sBuare a1 to .1 using on%& %ega%
Knight moves2 with the proviso that the& cannot take the Pawns nor can the& move
into a position that the Pawns cou%d take them.
$%%ow the students to practice this unti% the& can do it with ease.
Now get them to tr& from .1-c1+ This is a (it harder2 indeed man& ma& not (e a(%e to
do it. Remind them the& are %ooking for an L shape2 (ut this shape can (e reversed or
sidewa&s and that the& are moving from a (%ack sBuare to a white2 then a white to a
(%ack. The %esson continues tr&ing to get to the ne!t sBuare then the ne!t unti% the&
reach h1 if an& manage to do this %et them tr& from a2-c2-f2-h2+
De wi%% return to this diagram in Improvers one where the o(0ect is to get from a1 to
h& timed. Dith practice the& ma& (e a(%e to do this in under ten minutes2 F/ %eve% is
three minutes with strong c%u( %eve% under si!.
This ma& seem %ike a short %esson (ut it is vita%.
0hat *as taught7
,. tarting position of $night, knight moves. static va%ue of knight
-. The (eginnings of com.inations and ca(cu(ations
:. ;ontro% of space and contro% of the centre,
E. The idea of time (eing important
Lesson 8
The 3ueen 9 The Bishop
The Queen is the most powerfu% piece on the (oard2with a starting va%ue of nine
pawns. Aou (egin the game with one of them2 &et it is theoretica%%& possi(%e to have
nine of them.
But (efore we get to her2 %ets %ook at the Bishop. The Bishop2 %ike the Knight has a
starting va%ue of three pawns.
P%ace the Bishops on their starting sBuares and note that one is on a white sBuare and
one is on a (%ack sBuare. The& a%wa&s sta& on the co%oured sBuare the& started on2 the
on%& wa& to do this is for them to move diagona%%&.
/ove the Bishop to the centre sBuares and note a%% the sBuares it can reach2 going
from corner to corner one can reach from a1 to h& another from a& to h1 these are
ca%%ed the %ong diagona%s. The Bishop can move a%ong these diagona%s unti% the&
reach another piece * either their own or their opponents+ where upon the& can either
stop on the sBuare or take their opponents piece.
The Bishops are considered more powerfu% in an <open> game where the& have
contro% over sBuares from a distance and are particu%ar%& strong when there are sti%%
two of them and %ots of space *as opposed to the Knights who %ike cramped positions
in which their moves are harder to see+.
Now put the Queen on the centre sBuare and show a%% the sBuares that are contro%%ed
(& it. The Queen moves %ike a Bishop 2 diagona%%& and %ike a Rook up and down 2 %eft
and right2 as man& sBuares as she %ikes . This is what makes her so powerfu%.

1n genera% it is the piece that pawns want to (e promoted to2 (ut not a%wa&s.
ometimes it wou%d (e a mistake to promote to a Queen. The Queen a%wa&s starts on
its own co%our and the King on its opposite co%our. P%ace them on the (oard2 now add
the Rooks2 the Knights and the Bishops. Last%& add the Pawns and the (oard shou%d
%ook %ike the ne!t diagram *diag.,,+X
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Now 0ust (ecause &our students know where a%% the pieces start2 how the& move and
even the va%ue of each piece 2this doesn5t mean the& know how to p%a& &et.
Aou must emphasise that each piece has a ro%e to p%a&2 each piece has strengths and
weaknesses. ome pieces %ike a c%uttered (oard2 so the& can hop in and out of
enem& %ines. ome %ike to attack from afar. ome %ike to ro%% %ike tanks and some ma&
have to (e sacrificed to get another piece to the enem& king.
Both sides start off eBua%2 (ut if it sta&ed %ike this for %ong it wou%d (e a (oring game
indeed.
Dhite with the first move gets to start his attack and (%ack must2 at %east in the
(eginning2 tr& to keep up. the opening is a dangerous p%ace fu%% of traps and tricks on
(oth sides. But (efore we get there2 we must %earn a coup%e of specia% moves.
The first is ca%%ed :en passant;- a French term meaning in passing+
Lets %ook at this.
Dhen one of our Pawns moves forward2 it contro%s sBuares to its %eft and right
diagona%%&. Dhen we get to the fifth rank2 we are contro%%ing sBuares on the si!th rank
near our enem& and attacking his defensive Pawns. Aour opponent ma& not wish to
take this pawn (ecause it might open him up to (igger guns %ike the (ishop or rooks.
Aet if he decides to 0ump past2 as he is entit%ed to do on his first move2 he
unfortunate%& has to pass through a sBuare that &our pawn contro%s and <in passing> he
can (e ki%%ed. Then &our pawn moves over as if the defender had stopped for a
moment. This is the attackers choice2 he ma& take it or not as he p%eases (ut on%& on
his ne!t move.
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diagram 12 a(ove shows the position with (%ack to move.
1f he moves either the Pawn on f5 to f-2 or 5 to - the white Pawn ma& take it and
move to f< or <. 'r indeed2 he ma& decide to sta& there %ike a thorn in his opponent5s
side.
The other specia% move is ca%%ed Cast(ing.
;ast%ing is written as O-O or O-O-O depending on which side it is performed.
1n the fo%%owing diagram white has cast%ed Kingside *O-O+ and (%ack has cast%ed
Queenside *O-O-O).
XABCDEFGHY
8 +ktr vlntr(
7zppzp wqpzpp'
6 +nzp + +&
5+ + zp + %
+*+%+l+!
"+ + +)+ #
$%z%%z% z%%z%&
't()v*++(,- .
/012345678
*diag.,:+
To ;ast%e &ou pick up &our King and 0ump it over one sBuare ie. /ove it two
sBuares2to the right or %eft *depending on which side &our cast%ing+ then move &our
Rook around &our King and put it on the sBuare (eside it.
Aou ma& on%& cast%e once in the game to either side and on%& if &ou have neither
moved &our King nor the Rook on the side &ou wish to cast%e.
$%so &ou ma& not cast%e into or through check. 'r when &ou are in check.
This ma& sound ver& comp%e! (ut in an actua% game2 it is a good ha(it to get into.
$s can (e seen from diag.,: the King ends up (ehind a wa%% of Pawns fair%& safe from
attack.
These specia% moves were introduced to speed the game up not make it harder and
once the students get the hang of them the& wi%% improve their game.
$s 15ve a%read& said two Bishops are considered to (e Buite strong in the end game
as the& can contro% (oth co%ored sBuares2 one contro%%ing white one contro%%ing (%ack.
The Bishop and Queen com(inations are a%so ver& powerfu% as the Queen (acked up
(& a Bishop can achieve what a Queen wou%d find hard to do on its own.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + wq ,k +(
7+ + +++ '
6 + + + +&
5+ + + + %
+ + + +!
"+*+ + + #
$ + + + +&
'+ + +-+ .
/012345678
*diag ,E+
The diagram a(ove shows Queen and Bishop working together to achieve checkmate.
Note that the King cannot move awa& to a safe sBuare2 cannot (%ock the Queen2 and
%ast%& cannot take the Queen (ecause he wou%d (e moving into check from the Bishop.
0hat *as taught7
,. tarting position of 3ueen and Bishop+
-. tarting va%ue of Queen and Bishop . /oves for Queen and Bishops2
:. ;heck mate using 3ueen an Bishop Com.ination 2
E. pecia% moves en passant, Cast(ing+
8. Reinforced notation2
6. Reinforced ideas of contro% of space2 contro% of opponents sBuares
I. $ttacking weak sBuares.
Lesson -
The Three Parts of the =ame
The game of chess is (roken down into three partsH The Opening2 The >i(e game
and The En =ame+ Dh&= Because each part of the game has its own idios&ncrasies2
some things &ou do make sense in the opening (ut wou%d not (e appropriate in the end
game2 and things &ou do in the midd%e wi%% %ead to a (etter ending *or worse+.
Remem(er &ou have an arm& of different men for different 0o(s (ut on%& one goa%G to
capture the enem& king.
9ow &ou do this is up to &ou. Aou ma& tr& to take as man& pieces off &our enem& as
&ou can2 there(& weakening his defences. Aou ma& tr& to make him weaken his
position so &ou can sneak in and get the King. 'r &ou ma& 0ust pound on his door *a
weak sBuare+ unti% he co%%apses.
$s with a%% games there are certain ru%es and regu%ations that must (e fo%%owed to
make it a fair competition. 'ne such ru%e in chess is the <Touch an >ove < ru%e.
Dhich (asica%%& sa&s that if &ou touch a piece2 there(& indicating that &ou intend to
move it2 &ou must move itC. 'f course2 as wi%% happen a %ot in the (eginning2 &ou wi%%
sudden%& see that the sBuare that &ou thought was so good is not that great after a%% and
&ou don5t want to move there rea%%&. Aou can5t 0ust put &our piece down and move
something e%se instead. Aou must move the origina% piece2 thought not necessari%& to
the origina%%& p%anned sBuare2 &ou ma& move it to an& sBuare that is %ega%.
'ne e!ception to this is if &our piece is not sitting on its sBuare correct%& or to &our
%iking2 &ou ma& fi! it. But (efore &ou touch it &ou must inform &our opponent that a%%
&ou are doing is fi!ing it. o &ou must te%% him <K5adu(e> or in #ng%ish <$d0usting>.
o to the opening the start of the campaign. what do we do=.
First have a p(an+ 1t doesn5t have to (e a great p%an2 it can (e a p%an of on%& two
moves2 or a genera% idea.
Things to Remem(er in the opening2 "on5t move an& piece without a reason2 tr& not
to move an& piece twice. "eve%op &our pieces *Knights & Bishops+ to the (est sBuares
at once2 then get &our King safe *cast%ed+.
Fames can (e won and %ost in the opening. Lets have an e!amp%e. This is ca%%ed
<1cho(ars mate> and versions of it have caught out man& a (eginner.
Before we can do this we must %ook at how we know where to move.
Dhen a game2 or moves2 are written down we use specia% notation to %et ever&(od&
know what is going where. 1f we remem(er from %esson one how the (oard is set up
with num(ers and %etters te%%ing us which sBuare is which2 a%% we need now is to know
which piece is moving. o modern notation uses a capita% %etter of the name of the
piece2 for e!amp%e the Bishop is B the King K the Rook R2 (ut the Knight is N *so as
not to confuse it with the King+ and the Pawns don5t get a %etter2 0ust where the& are
going. o if we see 1+e8 e-.
De know that a Pawn was moved on the first go from the sBuare e2 to the sBuare e8
and that (%ack a%so made his first move 2 moving a pawn from e5 to e-+
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvlntr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6 + + + +&
5+ + zp + %
+ +%+ +!
"+ + + + #
$%z%%z% z%%z%&
't()v*+,-*s)(.
/012345678
*"iag ,8+
Lets see it work with 1cho(ars mate. $nd at the same time we wi%% e!p%ain wh& we5re
moving each piece.
1+e8 .... white5s first move gets a Pawn into the game attacking two sBuares in the
enem& camp . 1t a%%ows white to get his Bishop into the game and his
Queen can get into the game. This is a good move .
, e-+ B%ack5s move stops the white Pawn from going an& further2 attacks two
sBuares in his enemies camp a%%ows his Bishop and Queen to get in the
game2 this is a%so a good move.
2+B-c8 ..... white5s second move2 he (rings out *eve(ops) his Bishop and moves it
to the sBuare c8 where it attack through the centre and aims at a weak
white sBuare *f5)
*#!amine each of the sBuares the Bishop cou%d have gone to and see wh&
this is the strongest.+ This is a good move.
-......B-c- (%ack5s second move a%so (rings out *eve(ops+ his Bishop2 puts it on a
good sBuare attacking through the centre aiming at white5s weakest
sBuare*f2). L'2 and f5 are considered weak (ecause the& on%& have one
piece defending them2 and this is the KingM B%acks second move is not
as good as white5s2 it is not a good idea to cop& &our opponents moves
especia%%& if &ou are (%ack as white wi%% a%wa&s (e one move ahead of
&ou.
6+3-h- white5s third move deve%ops his Queen into the game and attacks a
weak sBuare *f5+ this %eads us to the diagram ,6. (e%owH
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqk+ntr(
7zppzpp+ppp'
6 + + + +&
5+ vl zp ++%
+*+%+ +!
"+ + + + #
$%z%%z% z%%z%&
't()v* ,- s)(.
/012345678
*"iag ,6+
Note that (%ack cannot now cop& whites %ast move as he wou%d %ose the Queen.
1n genera% it is a (ad idea to (ring out &our heav& pieces %ike &our Queen or Rooks
ear%&. Because the& are worth so much2 &our opponent wi%% chase them with his
weaker pieces tr&ing to catch them.
Lets %ook at some moves (%ack can make and what wi%% happen if he does2 this is
ca%%ed p%anning.
6+!-f< moving the Knight out2 deve%oping a piece and attacking the white
Queen2 might %ook good (ut white is moving the Queen an&wa&. 1n fact
he is going to p%a&
8+3?f5@ + This means that the Queen has taken something*A+ a Pawn2 on the
sBuare f5 and p%aced the King in check. Now its up to (%ack to get out of
check. De%% he cannot move as the Queen contro%s the two sBuares the
King cou%d move to. 9e cannot .(oc$ the Queen (ecause its right (eside
him and he cannot ta$e the Queen as it is protected (& the Bishop and
the King cannot move into check.
This is chec$mate and the end of the game.
o is there an&thing e%se (%ack cou%d have done on move three=2
Lets %ook at H
6++++g<, moving the Pawn forward one sBuare to attack the Queen. This time the
Queen cannot get to the f5 sBuare it cannot take the g< pawn as it wou%d
(e taken (& the pawn on either side2 so he p%a&s
8+3?e-@ taking the Pawn in the center giving check (ut not mate.

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqk+ntr(
7zppzpp+p+p'
6 + + +p+&
5+ vl w+ + %
+*+%+ +!
"+ + + + #
$%z%%z% z%%z%&
't()v* ,- s)(.
/012345678

*diag ,I+
Now (%ack has a choice of moves he can move his Bishop which is (eing attacked
(ack in front of the King (%ocking the check 2 he can move his Queen in front of the
King (%ocking the check or he can move his King awa& to f& and forfeit the right to
cast%e and %ose his Bishop.
Lets %ook at 8++++ Be5. Bringing his Bishop (ack.
9e is no %onger in check what does white p%a&= Take a minute to tr& to figure it out.
Remem(er that the Queen moves %ike a Rook (ut a%so %ike a Bishop. ome students
wi%% have seen -+3?h&, gaining a Rook and threatening to take the Knight. 1f (%ack
tries to defend the Knight * -+++++$-f&) white wi%% take the h Pawn and attack the f5 sB.
again. Remem(er that a%though &ou are gaining pieces the o(0ect of the game is to
capture the King so ever&thing white is doing is a(out attacking the weak sB. f5 and
getting checkmate.
This ma& at first seem ver& difficu%t2 tr&ing to guess what &our opponent is doing
whi%e tr&ing to figure out what &our doing. But %ets %ook at the who%e checkmate again
in rea%it& it on%& took four moves. Dhite had a p(an to deve%op his Bishop and Queen
and to attack the weakest sBuare. #ver& move he made was with this in mind2 if it
works he gets checkmate in four moves2 if (%ack figures out the p%an and makes
efforts to stop it2 he must (e carefu% not to %ose too much of his arm&.
From (%acks point of view he must a%so p%a& the opening with a p%an. 9e must do
things his own wa& and not what white wants him to do
ti%% using <1cho(ars mate; as an e!amp%e what shou%d (%ack do after 2,B-c8 +
De%% the first thing is to get out of the ha(it of cop&ing &our opponent.
"eve%opment is important2 and for (eginners2 ;oaches wou%d a%wa&s sa& Knights
(efore Bishops2 so (%acks second move shou%d (e either of the Knights.
Let5s %ook at one variation2 after that &ou can start thinking things up for &ourse%ves.
2++++++!-c<+ "eve%ops the Knight to a good sBuare defends the Pawn on e8.
o now if white continues his attack with :+3-h-. (%ack can now p%a& 6+++++g<
attacking the Queen and it no %onger has the resource of taking the centra% pawn with
check and must retreat. *remem(er as (%ack2 if we get white to go (ackwards he is
%osing the time advantage he started with the Tempi + o where does the white Queen
go=
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvlntr(
7zppzpp+p+p'
6 +n+ +p+&
5+ + zp ++%
+*+%+ +!
"+ + + + #
$%z%%z% z%%z%&
't()v* ,- s)(.
/012345678
*diag ,@+
Take the time to %ook at a%% the sBuares avai%a(%e. "on5t treat &our Queen %ike a (ig
Rook and forget that it moves diagona%%&. For instance if white moves (ackwards
8+3 - h6, it is for the moment perfect%& safe2 (ut now (%ack has the move advantage
8+++++-B
This move is %ike a magicians trick. 1t makes &ou %ook one wa& when the trick is going
on in another direction. First%& white wi%% %ook at his Pawn and Bishop which now
are (eing attacked. 9e ma& correct%& assume that he can easi%& take (%acks Pawn with
either his Pawn or Bishop and this piece wou%d (e safe as the& protect each other and
%et me assure &ou man& a (eginner has done this2 taking the Pawn with his Bishop2
thinking he is keeping the attack going on f5 on%& to notice the (ig grin on (%acks face
as he p%a&s -++++B ? 3+B $nd even if white spots this move and moves his Queen on
move five then the Pawn on - takes the Bishop2 *-++++?c8)
Dhat &ou shou%d remem(er is that there is a%wa&s chances to attack and counter
attack in the opening.
1f &ou are white2 tr& to keep that tempo going. /ake ever& move count whether it is
in deve%oping or attacking2 "on5t a%wa&s p%a& the o(vious move2 or the one that &our
opponent is e!pecting. "o &our own deve%oping and attacking.
ometimes in the opening2 (%ack has to (e a (it patient waiting for white to show his
hand as it were. Knowing what &our opponent is tr&ing to do2 makes &our 0o(2 either
defending or counter7attacking2 easier.

Now get the students to practice this opening tr&ing to work out each com(ination
tr&ing different moves to get out of scho(ars mateC
Top ten tips for .eginners7
17 2onDt touch /our pieces unti( /ou are sure of *here /ouDre moving them+
27 A(*a/s (oo$ at /our opponents (ast move .efore moving /ourse(f+
67 As$ /ourse(f :0hat *i(( the/ o ne?tE;
87 "no* the va(ue of each of the pieces
-7 2eve(op /our pieces 4uic$(/
<7 =et Four $ing safe
57 Contro( the centre
&7 Ta$e /our Time
G7 #emem.er ever/.o/ ma$es mista$es+ But onDt ma$e the same mista$e
t*ice+
107 #e(a? an enHo/ the gameB
0hat *as taughtC
,. !otation,
2+ 2eve(opment+
6+ The openingC 1cho(ars >ate +
E. Reinforced2 weak sBuares2
8. Forward p%anning2 ;a%cu%ation 2 Tempi+
<+ Touch 9 move ru(e
1mprovers
Lesson <
TacticsI1trateg/
Lets start ./ changing our focus, the ne!t few %essons are aimed at the tudent
rather than the coaches.
1f the coach is sti%% teaching this2 then he ma& use what he thinks is appropriate to the
conditions and var&ing a(i%ities of his students.
For students who are now getting past the (eginners stage2 the de%ineation (etween
opening and midd%e is pro(a(%& the hardest to make.
The en game is eas& enough to guess at. $s soon as &ou get down to on%& a few
pieces or Pawns on the (oard &ou can safe%& assume &our in the end game and start
thinking appropriate%&.
1n genera%2 1 wou%d sa& that the 'pening ends *for most at this %eve%+ after a(out ten
moves . The position wou%d (e considered comp%e! enough to switch &our thinking
onto midd%e game strategies and tactics.
Dhich %eads us to 0hat are >i(e =ame 1trategies an tacticsE
First %ets %ook at Tactics *use%ess factH Tactics are named after the Roman genera%
Tacticus who was supposed%& the first to use them in warfare+ Tactics are short goa%s2
capturing a piece2 weakening a sBuare2 making &our opponent move awa&.
The purpose of these tactics are to gain an immediate advantage or even to get
;heckmate.
ome p%a&ers are pure tacticians2 whose who%e game consists of com(inations of
tactics pi%ed on top of each other unti% the& win.
1trateg/ is more the p%anning of %ong term advantages or goa%s.
Like contro% over space2 open %ines or the centre2 aiming not to win in short sharp
(ursts (ut to get an advantage that wi%% see &ou through to the end game.
1f our goa% in the 'pening is 2eve(opment * to get out (oth Bishops2 (oth Knights and
get our King safe+ then the midd%e game is a(out finding a target to attack2 either
finding a weakness or making one in our enem&5s camp.
The position on the ne!t page is a good e!amp%e.
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ + trk+(
7zppzp wqpzpp'
6 +nzp sn +&
5+ + zp v* %
vl*+%+l+!
"+ s)%+)+ #
$%z%%w+ z%%z%&
't( + +(,- .
/012345678
*diag ,J+
This particu%ar opening cou%d (e said to (e over.
Dhoever attacks first wi%% pro(a(%& get a %ead or an advantage2 it is time for some
tactics.
1t wou%d appear at first g%ance that things are comp%ete%& eBua% Both sides have
deve%oped their pieces2 nothing has (een taken &et2 white is getting read& to attack .
9e wou%d %ike to p%a& his Knight to - attacking the (%ack Queen2 (ut the pin on his
Knight at c6 wou%d seem to (e stopping this.
9e ma& (e a(%e to ca%cu%ate a tactica% com(ination such asG
,.!- B?2.
2+!?e5@ !?e5
6+!?2 h<
8+B?f< g?f<
$nd white has a strategic advantage of the open g fi%e.

This ma& (e asking too much 2 so %ets %ook at a simp%er tactica% move
1+a6 this Pawn move attacks the Bishop that has the Knight pinned down2 asking the
Buestion of (%ack <what do &ou want to do=>
9e can move it awa& on%& to (e attacked again with .8 or he can attack white first
with G
1+++B?c6. Now white has a choice to take (ack with pawn or Queen.
2+.?c6 is genera%%& considered s%ight%& weak strategica%%& as it ou.(es the pawns on
the c fi%e2 meaning that the (ackward pawn cannot move without his (rother in front
moving first2 so he is a%wa&s a target. But
2+3?c6 B?f6
6+g?f ,force)
and it is (%ack who has a strategica% p%us2 an open fi%e to attack.
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ wq trk+(
7zppzp +pzpp'
6 +nzp sn +&
5+ + zp v* %
+*+%+ +!
"z% w+%+%+ #
$ z%%+ z% z%&
't( + +(,- .
/012345678
*diag -.+
Remem(er the purpose of cast%ing is to get &ou King safe (ehind a wa%% of so%diers (ut
if that wa%% is opened the King is not as safe as it cou%d (e.
1n the opening2 assuming &our tr&ing to deve%op a%% &our pieces2 &ou shou%d a%so have
a target in mind2 a strateg&.
For instance white cou%d (e aiming for the weak sBuare f5 and (%ack aiming for f2+
$fter cast%ing these sBuares are not so weak *see iag+16) as the& are now protected
(& a Rook and King at %east.
But other sBuares are weaker so our focus shou%d change.
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ wq trk+(
7+pzp vlpzpp'
6p+nzp sn +&
5+*+ zp + %
+ z%%+l+!
"+ s) v*)+ #
$%z%%++z%%z%&
'+ ,-(+ +(.
/012345678
The a(ove diagram *-,+ hows a different opening.
$gain2 we are now into the midd%e game and our focus shou%d (e where to attack and
how to get an advantage.
Take a few minutes to stud& the position and %ook for weaknesses or potentia%
weaknesses.
$s we said previous%&2 with the kings cast%ed the focus of attack changes2 so white
shou%d (e aiming for the weak sBuares g5, h5,-, <2 and the Queen on & .
Notice the& are not ver& weak at the moment2 (ut the king is hiding (ehind them.
B%acks targets are a2,.2 c2,2, Bueen on e2 and the rook on e12 again white can
defend these sBuares easi%& at the moment2 (ut these are our strategic targets.
/ore immediate tactica% targets are for white and the Knight on c<, the Pawn on e-,
and the sBuare -+ B%ack shou%d (e %ooking at G the Bishop on .- the Knight on f6 the2
Pawn on 8+
1ts white to move. There is a %ot to take in and this is what makes the midd%e game so
dangerous and so fu%% of pitfa%%s. 1ts eas& to make a mistake here tr&ing to (e too
c%ever or fa%%ing for eas& traps. 1f &ou can com(ine tactics and strateg& in &our
thinking it wi%% make it easier. First%& s%ow down. "o &ou have a p%an= Lets %ook
from one side at a time.
0hite7 Dants to start attacking the kingside2 getting that (%ack Bishop to go awa& 2
push his Pawns forward and get his Queen and Rooks attacking the weak sBuares2 (ut
(efore he can do that he must dea% with the tactica% threats of (%ack. 9e cou%d 0ust take
the Knight a three for three points swap. But where does (%ack want to (e going and if
&ou take the Knight does it he%p or hinder (%acks p%an.=
1t wou%d he%p (%ack as it opens the . fi%e for an attack . o we *white + must move the
Bishop (ut where= $8, c8, 6,-, each of these wi%% have their own tactica% pro(%ems.
But think strategica%%&2 Dhere do &ou want &our Bishop to end up and wh&.
Remem(er &ou initia% eva%uation. so Bishop to a8 then to .6 where its attacking
through the center at - and defending a2 and c2. Fiving &ou a chance to move &our
Knight to -. $nd start &our attack on the Bishop on g8 (& Pawn to h6+
B(ac$7 so we are attacking his Bishop (ut he5s going to move it and a we have seen in
the a(ove ana%&sis it wi%% pro(a(%& end up on .62 that is after we p%a& .8, then what do
we do. De shou%d keep our attack going we don5t want to give white time to get his
attack f%owing. o tactica%%& we cou%d p%a& 2++++!-a-+ $ttacking his Bishop again.
Dou%d we need to worr& immediate%& if white p%a&s 6+h6 . Dhat tactics wou%d &ou
emp%o&=
B%ack can p%a& 6+!?.6@+ Remem(ering that check supersedes a%% other considerations
white must get out of check. 1f either a ? . or c ? . (%ack can move his Bishop to 5
and escape having opened up whites position.
This ma& not (e a winning attack there is sti%% %ots of p%a& in the position with (oth
sides having chances.
Lets go further into a game and %ook at the en game+
There are man& times where tactics have taken &ou to a winning position2 &ou 0ust
have to %earn to recognise it as such.
uch positions are ca%%ed a <*on =ame; (ut as someone pointed out <a 0on =ame
is often the hardest to win.>
1f we go (ack to %esson one2 where a King and Rook versus a King *2iag+ 2+ is shown.
#ven average p%a&ers wou%d consider this a won game2 as no matter where the pieces
start off2 it is on%& a matter of time and techniBue (efore white wins.
Lets %ook at some other positions. in the fo%%owing diagram.
XABCDEFGHY
8(+ + + +(
7z% + ,k + '
6 + + + +&
5+ + + + %
+ + + +!
"+ + + + #
$ + + +-+&
'tr + + + .
/012345678
8*diag --+
Dhites Rook is (%ocking him from getting his Pawn to the Queening sBuare.
1t seems that if he moves it (%ack wi%% take the pawn and wi%% get a draw fair%& easi%&.
But what if white p%a&s 1+#-h& + This is a waiting move. The o(vious 1++++#?a5 %oses
to 2+ #-h5@ skewering the King and Rook so that when the (%ack King moves white
wi%% take the (%ack Rook and end up in a winning position.
$ %ot of energ& is spent on ca%cu%ation in the end game. Knowing how man& moves it
wi%% take &ou to get to the end of the (oard and on what sBuare2 ma& make a%% the
difference to &ou winning or %osing.
1n the ne!t position &ou must ca%cu%ate what the outcome wi%% (e
* win2 %ose or draw+.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + + + ,k(
7+ + + + '
6 + + +-+&
5+ + + + %
+ + + +!
"+ + + + #
$ + + + z%&
'+ + + + .
/012345678
"iag -:+
"oes it make an& difference if it is (%acks move or whites *tempo+=
The answer isG !o it wi%% a%wa&s (e a draw B%ack can a%wa&s get to the Bueening
sBuare and ho%d it.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + +k+ +(
7+ + + + '
6 + + + +&
5+ + + + %
+ + + +!
"+ + + + #
$ + + +%+&
'+ + ,- + .
/012345678
*diag.-E+
But what a(out the a(ove diagram
This time remem(er (ack to %esson 2 *diag.8+.
o this wi%%2 with proper p%a&2 a%wa&s (e a win for white. $s he can force (%ack off the
Bueening sBuare and get his Pawn onto it.
;onsidering tempo ,the use of move orer) %ook at the ne!t diagram and decide
what move to p%a& ne!t.
$%so take into consideration the fo%%owingG
1t is white to move.
Dhat shou%d &ou (e %ooking for=
First%& &ou have a one Pawn advantage.
Aou can5t stop the (%ack Pawn from Bueening.
Aou have check &our ne!t move.
B%ack is contro%%ing &ou Bueening sBuare.
Aou are fair%& sure of (%acks ne!t move.
1t wi%% take (%ack two moves to get a Queen.
;ontro%%ing the Queening sBuare is important.
1$e*ers are good tactics.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + ,k + +(
7+ + + + '
6 + z%%+ +&
5+ + +-+ %
+ + + +!
"+ +p+ + #
$ + + + +&
'+ + + + .
/012345678

*diag-8+
The ans*er is 1+e5@
(ets see *h/.
Aou have two potentia% Bueening sBuares $fter 1+e5@ (%ack cou%d p%a& 1++++"e&
(%ocking one of them (ut then 2+"e< forces him to move his Pawn2 then white p%a&s
Pawn to 5J is mate.
1f 1+++"5 2+"f< *contro%%ing sBuares+ 2 6+"-f5 "?< 8+e&K3 1K3 -+3-&@
kewering the Queen and winning.
0hat *as taught7
1+ Tactics, 1trateg/+
2+ Com.inations, P(anning+
6+ 0ea$ s4uares contro(+
8+ Tempi+
-+ En game contro( of the 3ueening s4uare+
<+ 1$e*ers+ pins
Lesson 5
2ra*s

If Fou Cannot 0in Tr/ !ot To (oose+
There are man& wa&s to get a draw. De have %ooked a some a%read&.
Insufficient materia% *not having enough pieces on the (oard to get checkmate+
1ta(emate+ * King having no %ega% moves2 (ut not in check+
Threefo( #epetition * there are different wa&s of getting this. Aou can repeat check
again and again. Repeat a move again and again or a comp%ete position +
2ra* ./ agreement *if &ou and &our opponent (oth want a draw+
-0 move ru(e *where fift& moves have (een made without a HPawn move or a check+.
Dhat5s the point.=
1n competition &ou get one point *,7.+ for a win nothing for a %oss *.7,+ and ha%f a
point for a draw * N O N+ . $%so if it is a draw2 rating points are received if &our
opponent is rated higher than &ou are. Remem(er Rating points are the reason &ou5re
p%a&ing competitions. The goa% of this (ook is to get &ou up to ,-... rating points are
the s&stem that is used to grade &ou as a p%a&er2 something that shows &ou *and the
rest of the chess wor%d+ 0ust how good &ou are . The more &ou win the more points
&ou get the higher &our rating goes so ever& draw counts.
the ne!t diag *-6+ shows a pro(%em.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + + +q,k(
7+ + + +q'
6 + + + +&
5+ + + + %
+ + + +!
",- + + + #
$ + + + +&
'+ +++ + .
/012345678
1t is white to move2 consider &our options.
B%ack has two Queens to &our one. o if he gets the chance he wi%% swap off one of
his and then win.
o what is the (est resu%t &ou can hope for.=
A ra*+
Dhite can p%a& 1+3-8@ (%ack must get out of check. 9e can p%a& either of the Queens
to (%ock white (ut then white can check him again and again unti% the position is
repeated. Tr& it for &ourse%f.
This ne!t position*"iag.-I+ is a%so a draw wh&=
XABCDEFGHY
8 + + + +(
7+ + +%+ '
6 + +-+ +&
5+ + + + %
+ + + +!
"vl + + + #
$ + + + +&
'+ + + +k.
/012345678
Insufficient materia(C
$%though white has a Pawn and the a(i%it& to make a Queen2 the Bishop is covering
the Queening sBuare and he wi%% take the Queen as soon as its made giving up his
Bishop in the process and getting a draw.
Dhite can never catch the Bishop as he can move a%ong the a6 -f& diagona%
Dith (eginners this t&pe of draw and sta(emate are the two most common and wi%%
(e seen a %ot2 the student shou%d fami%iarise themse%ves with such ideas.
Though the ne!t diagram*-@+ is a %itt%e %ess %ike%& to happen the idea (ehind it shou%d
(ecome fami%iar.
XABCDEFGHY
8k+ + + +(
7+(+ + + '
6 z%-+ z%%+&
5+ + + + %
+ + + +!
"+ + + + #
$ + + wq +&
'+r+ + tr .
/012345678
1ts white to move2 what shou%d he do=
Aour first consideration shou%d (e that &ou *white+ are serious%& (ehind in materia%.
1f it was (%acks move &ou wou%d (e dead in minutes.
1f &ou had two moves &ou cou%d p%a& $-c5 then #-.&@ /$T#.
But B%ack wou%d never %et &ou p%a& that2 so &ou must find a forcing move2 that is a
move that forces &our opponent to go where &ou want.
The answer H #-a5@+ 'nce &ou see this the ne!t 2< moves are eas&.
"raw (& repetition in the end. , #-.5, #-c5+ #-5 etc++.
1n tournament p%a& at a%% %eve%s2 draws are Buite common and can (e agreed upon for
man& reasons. $t Frandmaster %eve% its usua%%& (ecause the position2 either now2 or in
severa% moves2 wi%% (e drawn. That is neither p%a&er wi%% (e a(%e to make his opponent
make a mistake.
$t %ower %eve%s draws are agreed for such things as2 if neither p%a&er can see a wa&
through and doesn5t want to risk %osing. 1f &ou fee% &ou5re in a %osing position &ou
can a%wa&s offer a draw and hope that the (etter p%a&er sees something in the position
that &ou can5t and agrees with &ou. $t the ver& %east he wi%% have to take time to
eva%uate the position as a win for him 2 and then prove it.
ometimes a draw wou%d make no difference to &ou or &our opponent5s fina%
standings in a competition and a draw ma& (e agreed to save &ou having to p%a&
another three hours.
/& own opinion is that &ou shou%d a%wa&s fight on2 right to the ver& %ast move.
/ake &our opponent earn the win off &ou.
$t this stage of &our chess deve%opment it is more important that &ou %earn (& doing.
#ver& mistake ever& (att%e wi%% on%& make &ou stronger as a p%a&er.
$t the ver& %east &ou wi%% %earn a(out endgame techniBue.
0hat *as taught7
,. The importance of 2ra*s+ B/ insufficient materia(, sta(emate, repetition, ./
agreement
-. . Reinforced2 ca(cu(ation, anticipation
Lesson &
Time, 1pace 9 'orce+
The student who is using these %essons shou%d stud& the diagrams and take note of
the themes and specific positions that come up.
These wi%% on%& improve &our game.
De have said a%read& that the game is (roken down into three parts2 Opening, >i(e
and Engame2 But there are other considerations that must (e made in our eva%uation
of the game and these are Time, 1pace 9 'orce+
Lets %ook at each one in turn.
'orce7 1s pro(a(%& the easiest to understand as it re%ates to who has the most
materia% on the (oard at an& time. But the correct use of the forces avai%a(%e is a %itt%e
harder to Buantif&. De have seen in ear%ier chapters that each piece is given a
numerica% va%ue in terms of Pawns and that this va%ue can (e changed (& the situation
of space ie the two Bishops5 (eing s%ight%& more va%ua(%e in the ending where there is
an open (oard. But other things come into consideration when contemp%ating
e!changes. in the fo%%owing diagram 'ischer to p%a& as white against =(igorich
*,J8J+ finds a start%ing move .
XABCDEFGHY
8 +r+ +k+(
7zpp+l+p+ '
6 wq zpp+p+&
5+ tr + z%n%
+ +%+ +!
"+*s) +++ #
$%z%%+ + +&
'+-+(+ +(.
/012345678
*diag-J+
ee can &ou find itH
Dith 2<+# ? h- 'ischer opens up an attacking %ine on the (%ack King and wins si!
moves %ater. 2<+++g?h- 25+3?h- Be& 2&+3h< #?c6 2G+.?c6 #?c6 60+g<
f?g< 61+#h1 38 62+3h5@ #esigns
$s he sa&s himse%f G>15ve made this sacrifice so often2 1 fee% %ike app%&ing for a
patentC>
/ost p%a&ers under ,-.. pro(a(%& wou%dn5t p%a& such a move (ecause we have (een
to%d to count the va%ue of the pieces2 (ut space and time can (e 0ust as va%ua(%e as
force. Fischer was a%so ver& fond of sacrificing his Queen for two Rooks figuring that
in the end game two Rooks were more of a threat. This is not universa%%& accepted and
depends a %ot on p%a&ing st&%e and a(i%it&. 'orce is rea%%& potentia%. The potentia% to
crash into and damage &our opponent and get checkmates. 1t is genera%%& accepted that
getting rid of *e!changing+ Queens and Rooks ear%& wi%% most times2 %ead to a drawn
game if (oth p%a&ers p%a& eBua%%& and don5t (%under.
Time7 $s has (een said Dhite starts off with the first move and is therefore ahead
in time or as its known in the chess wor%d a tempi2 De wou%d consider three tempi to
(e worth a Pawn. this first tempi at %ower %eve%s is not much of a hindrance (ut if it is
%eft to accumu%ate it can make the difference (etween having that winning move or
not.
B%acks 0o( is to tr& to get that tempi off the (oard and indeed get a tempi of his own.
9e can do this (& making white go (ackwards2 (& making white move the same piece
twice2 or have him make a defensive move he hadn5t p%anned on.
$nother term associated with time is LugM*ang .
$ person in Pun)wang doesn5t want to move (ecause an& move he wou%d make wi%%
worsen his position.
Lets %ook at a diagram*:.+ that e!p%ains this (etter.
XABCDEFGHY
8 +r+ sn +(
7+(z% + ,k '
6 + + + zp&
5+ + zp zp %
%+ + +%+!
"+*+ +%+ #
$ + + + +&
'+ + + ,- .
/012345678
1n the a(ove diagram. 1t is (%ack to move (ut in this game *Fisher 7 Rossetto ,J8J+ no
matter what (%ack p%a&s he wi%% %ose.
1 know this wi%% (e hard to see for a (eginner2 (ut if &our approaching a rating of ,...
&ou shou%d (e tr& to see wh&.
Think2 if 1 was (%ack what wou%d 1 do=
To he%p with &our ana%&sis we wi%% %ook at B%acks triesH
on :I...Kf6 :@.R(@. Dins a piece. 'n :I...Ng6 :@.Be6 wins. 'n an& Rook move
:@.c@QQ?
o Rossetto resigned not having an& move that wou%d improve his game or %ead to a
win or draw.
XABCDEFGHY
8 ,- + + +(
7+lz% + + '
6 ,k + + +&
5+%+ + + %
+ + + +!
"+ + + + #
$ + + + +&
'+ + + + .
/012345678
*diag:,+
1n the a(ove position what is the outcome 7 with white to move and then with (%ack
to move.
1tsG with Dhite to move G A ra*. $nd with (%ack to move G A (oss+
If it is white5s move he can on%& p%a& his Pawn to c& getting a Q on indeed an& other
piece and (%ack wi%% take it2 then after white has recaptured B%ack5s king wi%% go((%e
up the %ast Pawn and a draw (& insufficient materia% occurs.
But if it is (%acks move he can either p%a& his King which wi%% move awa& from its
protection of the Bishop a%%owing white to capture it and Queen his Pawn with
impunit&. 'r 9e can move his Bishop. But if he re%inBuishes his ho%d of the c& sBuare
Dhite wi%% Queen and he shou%d (e a(%e to (eat a Bishop with a Queen.

XABCDEFGHY
8 + + + ,k(
7+ + + +%'
6 + + + ,-&
5+ + + +%%
+ + + +!
"+ + + + #
$ + + +p+&
'+ + + + .
/012345678
$gain2 in this position.*"iag:-+
Dork out the outcome for (oth p%a&ers if its their move.
Ans*erC 0hite to move is H A (oss+ B(ac$ to move is H a ra*+
P%a& it out with (oth sides to prove it.
o what is the point of knowing a(out LugM*angE De%% to see that such potentia% is
on he (oard wi%% make &ou (e aware of it and perhaps %ook out for it. o &ou ma& at
%east get a draw and not force a (ad move on &ourse%f where (eing too aggressive
wou%d %ose &ou the game.
Pug)wang positions can5t readi%& (e memorised (ut the idea (ehind them shou%d.
$nother use of Time is of course the c(oc$+
1n a%% competition p%a& c%ocks are invaria(%& used and man& a game has (een %ost (&
not pa&ing attention to &our or &our opponents c%ock.
The three main time contro%s are 87,.mn *speed chess+ ,87-.mn *rapid p%a&+
, N 7 , :4Ehrs *%ong p%a&+2 an&thing more than this &ou don5t need this (ook as &our
pro(a(%& p%a&ing a Frandmaster.
1n each of these t&pe of games good use of time is important. Knowing when to spend
time ca%cu%ation and when to move rapid%& cou%d make a%% the difference (etween
having an eas& or pressurised game.
o how do we save time. 1n Long p(a/7 'ne wa& is to know &our opening we%%
enough to p%a& it fast2 if &ou get to move ,.7,- and are fifteen minutes up on &our
opponent it gives &ou a %itt%e more time to ca%cu%ate tactica% positions %ater on. But
0ust knowing the first twe%ve moves of an opening is not enough &ou must $no* the
opening. That is2 wh& are the pieces going to the sBuares in this opening. what is the
strategica% p%an what are the things to %ook out for (oth as (%ack and white2 if &our
opponent moves :out of .oo$ < *a term that means a move not standard or norma%%&
p%a&ed in that position.+ does this make &our position (etter or worse2 and can &ou
capita%i)e on it.
$s &our game progresses &ou wi%% have to get practice on not ca%cu%ating. This ma&
seem strange (ut there are positions when the move is o(vious and pro(a(%& the first
thing &ou saw. But &ou then wasted ten minutes %ooking into variations that went
nowhere2 then p%a&ed the origina% move. This is 0ust fear getting a grip of &ou2 &our
not p%a&ing &our own game2 &ou5re (eing intimidated (& &our opponent.
;heck for (%unders2 check for a trap2 then p%a& &our move. ave the time for when
there rea%%& are severa% variations or moves that cou%d (e p%a&ed and use &our time
there.
Learn the endgame patterns2 how to win with the Rook2 the Queen2 Rook?Knight.
Queen ?Knight2 two Bishops. and the sing%e Pawn. Then when &ou get there &ou wi%%
not waste time ca%cu%ating ever& move2 &ou wi%% know where &ou need to go and how.

#api P(a/7 'pening theor& is even more crucia% and an odd2 unusua% opening with a
good p%an can win &ou the game. &ou ma& even get awa& with a mistake or two.
Knowing &our mating patterns wi%% (e of great use here . Knowing where &ou are
tr&ing to go and with what pieces2 knowing what to give up to open the position.
Later we wi%% %ook at a coup%e of main7 %ine openings and see what we shou%d (e
%ooking for.
Rea%%& good rapid p%a&ers re%& a %ot on knowing the positions. the& dont spend much
time ca%cu%ating each move2 (ut in genera% fee% their wa& a%ong waiting for a (%under
or an opening.
1pee chess7 1 fee% is 0ust p%a&ed for fun. 'h it can (e taken ver& serious%& (& the
p%a&ers (ut in the great scheme of tr&ing to improve &our overa%% rating or even &our
game 1 dont think it wi%% make a great difference. That is not to sa& &ou shou%dn5t p%a&
speed chess as 1 said its fun2 its a game of (%unders and mistakes2 of instant%&
ca%cu%ating the ne!t move2 it is a%so good practice in case &ou do have to get into a
time scram(%e in a %ong game. Being a(%e to move rapid%& without ca%cu%ation can (e
an asset. The (est use of time here depends in who is the stronger p%a&er. 1f &ou have
more time and &ou serious%& want to win2 p%a& an opening that is c(ose as opposed to
an open game against a stronger p%a&er and win on time as he strugg%es to get at &ou.
;onverse%& &ou want an open game if &ou5re white and are the stronger p%a&er.
1pace7 $t ,... some things a(out space wi%% (e confusing and hard to see the
point of. /ost p%a&ers at this %eve% want to attack and go for the win as soon as the&
can. But remem(er &ou ma& (e p%a&ing someone a hundred or two hundred points
ahead of &ou2 who ma& want to take their time and grind out a win2 not re%&ing on
f%ash tactics (ut sound strategies.
The term 1pace means the amount of sBuares &ou contro% or that is contro%%ed (& &our
opponent. ;ontro%%ing the sBuares and of course the potentia% to use these sBuares for
&ou own advantage is what makes space important.
There is no set time when space is more important than another. $s compared with
force2 which in the endgame can (e much more decisive. pace is 0ust as important in
the opening 2 the midd%e as the endgame.
$s &our game improves &ou wi%% see the va%ue of space more and more and it ma&
(ecome the under%&ing theme of &our game. 1n the chapter on openings we wi%% see
how the fight to contro% space is the paramount ideas (ehind most openings.
1n the midd%e game it often decides who wi%% get the attack going and where2 or who
is cramped and frustrated.
1n the endgame it ma& (e the deciding factor on whether to ho%d onto &our Bishop
pair or re%& on &our Knights for victor&.
But some space is more important than others.
The centre is the ke&. 9e who contro%s the centre contro%s the game.
$s 1 said a(out the previous diagram2 0ust sitting on a sBuare doesn5t mean &ou contro%
it. Aou ma& have a pawn on d8 (ut the contro% of that sBuare cou%d (e in &our
opponents hands as he can take &our pawn with impunit&.
Now for a test of what &ou have %earnt a(out the pieces and how the& can contro%
space
Before &ou %ook at the ne!t diagram2*::+ set up a (%ank (oard . Now tr& to arrange the
Dhite pieces2 minus the pawns2 so that &ou contro( as man& sBuares as possi(%e.
Remem(er &ou don5t necessari%& contro% a sBuare &our sitting on.
1f &our right2 there wi%% (e one sBuare that the B%ack king can go to2 (ut no more.
Time &ourse%f to add a %itt%e pressure and on%& give &ourse%f five minutes.
XABCDEFGHY
8 t( + + +(
7t( + + + '
6 + + + +&
5+ + +-+ %
+ v**+ +!
"+ + s))+ #
$ + + + w+&
'+ ,k + + .
/012345678
*"ia::+
Tr& this test again in a(out a month and see how fast &ou can remem(er the position.
Notice that the four <minor> pieces are c%ose to the centre where the& contro% as much
space as possi(%e2 the Knights contro% @ sBuares each the Bishops ,: sBuares each the
Rooks ,E sBuares each the Queen -. and the King @ a tota% of J@ *o(vious%& with on%&
6E sBuares on the (oard some are covered more than once+. 1n rea%it& 6: sBuares are
covered.
Tr& this ne!t test the o(0ect of which is to move the Knight from a1-g& stopping at a%%
the sBuares it can %ega%%& visit that is .1,c1,e1,f1,h1 etc. time &ourse%f then tr& to cut
&our time down on su(seBuent tries.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + + + ,+(
7+ + + + '
6 + + + +&
5+ + + + %
+ wq + +!
"+ + + + #
$ + + + +&
's) + + +.
/012345678
diag :E
Lesson G
Ana(/sis
=ame ana(/sis is an important part on &our road to improvement. 1t he%ps &ou find
&our mistakes2 spot &our weaknesses and discover &our st&%e.
o how do we do it =
The first thing is o(vious%& to write &our games down2 and especia%%& after each
tournament go through each game and mark it as &ou see it.
1n most (ooks on ana%&sis &ou wi%% find that the on%& games that gets ana%&sed are
Frandmaster games. This is a%% we%% and good2 the theor& (ehind it is if &ou ana%&se
the (est p%a&ers it wi%% he%p &ou get (etter. But (etween @.. and ,-.. &ou a(i%it& to
ana%&sis is so much weaker than sa& a -8..? p%a&er2 that there is no wa& that &ou
cou%d possi(%& understand the pro(%ems (eing set for another -8..? p%a&er . The ideas
and comp%ications are so far ahead of &ou in chess terms2 that if &ou were to find even
one move it wi%% pro(a(%& (e the most o(vious (ut not necessari%& for the right reason.
This ma& seem a %itt%e controversia% (ut %ets %ook at it %ogica%%&.
Dhen &ou first start to ana%&se &our games it is the o(vious (%unders that wi%%
pro(a(%& 0ump out at &ou. 1n fact during the game &ou ma& have had reservations
a(out making the move in the first p%ace. o &our first ana%&sis of the game shou%d (e
simp%e. "o a (%under check. Then &ou shou%d go over the game with &our coach or a
(etter p%a&er2 (ut not someone so far ahead of &ou as to make the ana%&sis use%ess.
Aour *or their+ ana%&sis shou%d (e constructive and honest2 it shou%d dea% with the
game in its parts and as a who%e.
tart (& %ooking at the opening . Dhen did &ou go out of (ook and wh&=2 1s it (ecause
&ou didn5t know the ne!t move or did &our opponent p%a& something that %ed &ou this
wa&. The reason that <(ook> is important is that peop%e a %ot (etter than &ou have
spent the time finding the (est moves2 game after game and the reasons wh&2 so &ou
dont have to.
But chess is not a(out 0ust memorising %ots of opening moves. 1ts a(out understanding
wh& &ou move here or there. o in the opening did &ou have a p%an= 9ow far did &ou
get with &our p%an and wh& did it change. Ne!t2 the midd%e of the game. Tr& to spot
the good and (ad moves 2 not 0ust of &ourse%f (ut of &our opponent too. This wi%% he%p
ne!t time &ou p%a& this opening so &ou wi%% have a (etter idea of what to e!pect &our
opponents to aim for.
Then the endgame when did &ou rea%ise &ou were %osing4winning. Tr& to find wa&s
out of the pro(%em position now that &ou have more time. This is a %ot of work (oth
for &ou and possi(%& &our coach2 (ut it doesn5t end here2 keep &our game with a%% the
notes and ana%&sis2 then in three month periods go over the same game and ana%&se it
afresh. Aou ma& (e surprised at what &ou see now that &ou didn5t then. This is (ecause
as &ou get (etter so does &ou understanding of the game and of course &our ana%&sis
gets (etter2 so &our game gets (etter2 its a vicious circ%e.
To he%p reinforce this point 1 have inc%uded a coup%e of games annotated (& the
p%a&ers. These games were p%a&ed when the& were at a %ower rating and then ana%&sed
%ater. $%% p%a&ers were 2 or are under ,E.. so the& are not so far ahead of &ou that &ou
wi%% not understand what the& thought.

0hite 7 Nohn %ea(/ ,168-)
B(ac$ 7 1teven 2i?on ,121-)
#esu(t 7 1-0
The fo%%owing is annotated a%most who%%& (& Kohn %ea(/ %ooking (ack to ,JJJ his
rating at the time of the annotation is 1500+
The opening is The Caro- "han
1+e8 c<
2+8 -
6+!c6 ? e8
8+!?e8 Bf-
<+!g6 Bg<
5+ !f6 ,o far we5ve fo%%owed opening theor&. This is the c%assica% main %ine+
*"iag :8+
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn wqkvlntr(
7zpp+ zppzpp'
6 +p+ +l+&
5+ + + + %
+ z% + +!
"+ + +)s) #
$%z%%+ z%%z%&
't( v*+,-*+(.
X012345678
<+++++!f< *this isn5t great as B%ack %oses contro% of the e8 sBuare. The main %ine runsG
6...NdI I.hE h6 @.h8 BhI J.Bd: B!d: ,..Q!d: QcI. to prevent
BfE where the Bishop wou%d contro% that diagona%2 ,,.'7'7' e6
,:.cE '7'7' ,E.Bc:G Dhite has %ots of space and has the dE Pawn we%%
protected. B%ack for his part has no weaknesses and wi%% p%a& a restraining
game +
5+ !e- !.5
&+f8 ...... *$n a%ternative is @+!?g< h?g<+
&++++++ !?e- *B%ack can5t rea%%& afford to %et that strong Knight sta& put+
G+ f?e- *the o%d ru%e of thum( is take towards the centre. Besides going the
other wa& %ets him e!change off Queens+
G ++++++ !e8 *15m not sure a(out this move. Fenera% princip%es sa& that B%ack
shou%d tr& to swap off some pieces here (ecause it frees up room
and (ecause its harder for Dhite to attack with %ess pieces .
1n this case though with a s%ight%& cramped position B%ack shou%d
pro(a(%& keep his Knight (ecause it5s good in tight spaces+
10+!?e8 B?e8
11+ Be6 ++++++ *15d %ike to p%a& Bd:2 (u need to reinforce dE first+
11+++++ e<
12+ 32 ...... *1 have to cover the g- pawn to p%a& Bd:+
12+++++ Be5
16+ O-O-O O-O *1 don5t %ike this move. ;ast%ing %ong wou%d have put an e!tra Rook
defending the important d8 sBuare and more important%& B%ack5s
pieces are not we%% p%aced to come to their monarchs aid shou%d he
get into trou(%e2 whi%e Dhite has %ots of nice %ines to attack the
kingside a%ong+
18+ c8 *in his earlier analysis John says: This takes the d8 sBuare awa&
from the (%ack Bishop2 making it easier to trade off. $%so it ma&
support a d8 (reak at somme stage. Then in later analysis:
3nfortunate%& genera%isations %ike this come crashing down with
concrete ana%&sis. 7 c8 is an error as it a%%ows .- a move that (reaks
open the Bueenside to B%acks5 advantage. Pro(a(%& (est is ,E. Bd:
B!d: ,8. Q!d:+
,E ...... 35
1-+ B6 B?6
1<+ 3?6 #ac& *,6....(8 is sti%% the (est move+
17. Bf8 ...... *%ets m& Queen over onto the Kingside+
15+++++ #f&

1&+3g6 ++++++++
XABCDEFGHY
8 +rtr +k+(
7zpp+qvlpzpp'
6 +p+p+ +&
5+ + z% + %
+%z% v* +!
"+ + + w+ #
$%z% + +%z%&
'+ ,-(+ +(.
X012345678
*diag.:6+
...... Bf@ *ifH ,@... (8 ,J.Bh6 Bf@ -.. Bg82 is sti%% the (est that (%ack can
do2 (ut its a %itt%e %ate now O Dhite is in contro%+
1G+ h8 *,J.Bg8 Re@. L'r ,J....BeI -.. Bf6 B!f6 -, e!f6 g6 --. Qg8M
-..Rhf, (8 -,. c8 Qd8 --.K(, with advantage to
B%ack +
1G++++ #c5
20+Bg- #e&
21+ h- g< *making a weakness2 it5s good practice to avoid moving
the pawns in front of &our King2 un%ess &ou have to .+
22+ Bf< Be5 *John now gives several variations of moves he has analysed
after the game; if --....c8 -:.h!g6 h!g6 -E. Rh@ mate 2 or
-:....f!g6 -ERhE c!dE -8.Rd!dE QfI. L -8.Rdh, R!cE?
-6.k(, Rec@ -I. Q!g6? h!g6 -@. Rh@? KfI -J.R,hI? Ke@
:..R!f@? K!f@ :,. Rh@? KfI :-. RhI? is a draw (&
perpetua%M
23.h?g< f?g<
28+ #?h5 resigns ,in vie* of 28+++++"?h5 2-+ #h1 "g& 2<+ 3?g<@
"f& 253g& mate )
1-0
The ana%&sis ma& not (e perfect2 (ut is a good indicator of progressive thinking. 1n
other words %earning from &our mistakes and app%&ing the new know%edge to &our
game. Kohn has given us his thoughts at the time and his eva%uation of the positions as
he p%a&ed them This is ver& instructive for other p%a&er who ma& get (ogged down in
genera%isations when app%&ing new information.
Notice how most of his origina% variations are towards the endgame where the
ca%cu%ations need to (e done2 (ut his opening is a%most un7eva%uated2 unti% the first
move out of (ook. This shows *at even ,:E8+ that a good know%edge of opening
theor& is a must.
"epending on &our %eve%2 &ou ma& have seen a%% the variations2 some2 or none. 1t
doesn5t matter what 1 am tr&ing to get &ou to do is get used to ana%&sis (& seing other
peop%e do it at rough%& &our %eve%. 'n%& to indicate some things &ou cou%d (e thinking
a(out. Aou wi%% get (etter at it as &ou go through &our own games.

The ne!t game shows a dE opening with the white p%a&er hane Fe%% doing most of the
annotating. ome of the eva%uations are mine added to hanes to give &ou a different
perspective of the game.
0hite7 1hane 'e(( ,106G)
B(ac$7 0i((iam =i(( , 16GG)
#esu(t7 1-0
1 8 !f<
2 !f6 e<
6Bg- -
8 c8 B.8@
- !c6 ?c8,E) *B%ack can gain a tempo (& de%a&ing this capture unti% Dhite
p%a&s e: and Bd:. B& taking now Dhite ends up with the perfect
sBuare for the Bishop on recapture.+
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqk+ tr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6 + + sn +&
5+ + + v* %
vlpz% + +!
"+ s) +)+ #
$%z%%+%z%%z%&
't( ++,-*+(.
/012345678
,2iag+65)
<e6 c- L6.e4 is probably better;Ron}
5 B?f<E *1 decided to take the Knight now2 as 1 fe%t that the B%ack Queen
wou%d come to a8 2 the Knight %anding on eE with pressure on c:+
5++++ 3?f<
&B?c8 O-O
G O-O B?c6 *B%ack evens up the Bishop for Knight score. 1 fe%t that 1 was ahead
in deve%opment at this stage and 1 strove to e!p%oit this.+
10 .?c6 !c<
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+ trk+(
7zpp+ +pzpp'
6 +n+pwq +&
5+ zp + + %
+*z% + +!
"+ z% z%)+ #
$%+ + z%%z%&
't( +++(,- .
/012345678
*"iag:@+
11+ B6 #& *9ere 1 fe%t that (6 with a view to deve%oping the (ishop was
(etter+
L,, ...+ e5 is almost equal; Ron M
12+3c2 h< * $ s%ight weakening of the Kingside pawns=+
{Yet h6 is the best of a bad lot; Ron}
13. #f1 c?8
18+ c?8 B5
1-+ a6 #ac&
1<+ 3.2 +...... *1 fe%t 1 had to get the Queen out of the firing %ine as N!dE %ooked
uncomforta(%e+
1<+ .<
15 #ac1 !e5
1&+#?c& #?c& * 1 was happ& to e!change as 1 fe%t m& pieces were (etter p%aced+
1G+!e- Be& *ma&(e RcI was (etter here for B%ack2 tempting Dhite to e!change
a good Knight for a passive Bishop =+ L I don't thin so! "hite
has too many options and "ouldn't s"ap off ;RonO
-0+ #c1 #?c1,##+
21.Qx1 g6 *(%ack has (ecome tang%ed up. Now ma&(e BaE (8 and a6 ma&
preserve B%acks Queenside pawns+
22+3c5 "g5,E)
26+3?a5 !-
-8+B?g< *B%ack o(vious%& over%ooked the pin when he moved the Knight+
28+ !c6
2-+Bh- 3f- *This is the move 1 shou%d have (een %ooking out for2 it threatens
mate on (, and wi%% protect the ( pawn +
2<+Bg< *$ strange %ooking move (ut 1 cou%dn5t find an&thing e%se+
$%t is the best mo&e; Ron}
26. Qf6
25+3.& !1 *now 1 was starting to get nervous and tang%ed up m&se%f+
-@.f: QeI
2G+h6EE * $ (%under. 1 forgot that m& piece was now en prise+
L a term meanin' that the pie(e (an be taen for nothin') Ron}
2G + f?g< ,- @) *9ere m& heart sank as 1 fe%t up to this 1 was winning. 1n
retrospect this <sac> opened up B%acks position+
60+!g8 *1 decided not to pick off the potentia%%& dangerous ( pawn as this
wou%d a%%ow Q!a: and perhaps Q!e:. 1t a%so prepares m&
fo%%owing move +
60+ h-
61+ 3e- "f5,EE) P *la( (ould ha&e played )31 +', 3- .h6/ +f, 33 .0f,
10f, "hi(h is about equal )Ron}
62+ !h<@ resigns *in %ight of Kf@ :: Qh@ >ate)
1-0
XABCDEFGHY
8 w+ +l+ +(
7+ + wq ,k '
6 zp +p+p+&
5+ + + +p%
+ z% +)+!
"z% + z%%+%#
$ + + +%+&
'+ +n+ ,- .
/012345678
,iag 6G)

1>m sure hane won5t mind me sa&ing2 its not his (est game ever.
1t is rep%ete with mistakes and severa% (%unders on (oth sides. /isreading of the
position and strategica% mistakes a(ound. But it is fun.
1t is eBua% for most of the opening with white having a s%ight advantage2 (%ack makes
a mistake and hane fai%s to capita%i)e on it. Dhite then makes severa% weak moves
giving the advantage to (%ack. But he in turns (%unders at the death and hands the
game (ack to Dhite.
1f we were to eva%uate the position in the a(ove diagram knowing that Dhite is going
to p%a& 3e-@ I wou%d sti%% sa& it was eBua%.
Neither p%a&er is %ooking to the endgame (ut is tr&ing to get checkmate now. 1f B%ack
cou%d on%& swap off the Queens and Bishop for Knight he wou%d have the advantage
in the endgame. But through panicking 2Perhaps through time pressure2 or 0ust the
good tactica% pressure hane was putting him under2 he made the fina% mistake and
%ost.
This is what chess is a(out at this %eve%.
No one is going to get through a who%e game without making an& errors2 and 9e who
makes the %ast error %oses.
1n this modern da& of technica% wi)ardr& it is eas& to 0ust put &our game into an engine
%ike Frit) and read off the (est moves. But 9onest%& what did &ou %earn.
B& tr&ing to work out the positions &ourse%f &ou are reinforcing good practice.
omeone te%%ing &ou that -++++a< is a great move in the ici%ian2 is not the same as &ou
not p%a&ing it and getting into trou(%e2 then ana%&sing &our game and seeing that this
wou%d have saved &ou.
Aou5%% never make that mistake again.
Aou wi%% have got (etterC.

That is not to sa& that getting the (est ana%&sis of &our game is not good. 'f course it
is and when &ou use Frit)2 tr& to see wh& the move is (etter than &ou own *$ssuming
it is+ what %ine was the computer suggesting and wou%d &ou have (een a(%e to fo%%ow it
in a game.
$s some one once said <1m %osing games2 (ut 15m winning the ana%&sis>.
Lesson 10
Openings
$nd so we come to the openings.
Dh& have we %eft it to %ast &ou ma& we%% ask=
$ Russian Frandmaster once said >1f &ou %earn openings &ou wi%% know openings2 (ut
if &ou %earn endings &ou wi%% know ;hess> and indeed he ma& (e right. 1f &ou want to
(e a Frandmaster &ou wi%% never get there un%ess &ou have a sound understanding of
the endings2 (ut for the c%u( p%a&er under ,:.. knowing &our openings wi%% get &ou a
%ot further. The chance to catch &our opponent unawares with a we%% practiced
opening is ver& rea% at this %eve%. To get &ourse%f into a%% kinds of cramped positions
and %ost games is a%so there2 (ecause &ou fo%%owed what &ou assumed was the (est
*most o(vious+ move. 'ne of m& students came to me after winning in a weekender
competition. omeone had p%a&ed a particu%ar opening against him and for a coup%e
of minutes he was stuck2 unti% he remem(ered that 1 had shown him this ver& opening
and had suggested what the continuation shou%d (e. 9e p%a&ed the (est move with
confidence2 getting himse%f into a (etter position and eventua%%& won. Frandmaster
games wou%d never (e that eas&.
The scope of this (ook is such that 1 cannot go into ever& opening in minute detai%2 (ut
0ust give &ou a f%avour of some openings with the hope that one or two might interest
&ou and get &ou to %ook further at a (ook specia%ising in it.
o what openings shou%d &ou %earn and wh&=
There are more (ooks on ;hess openings than an& other sport in the wor%d. Dhich
shou%d go some wa& in te%%ing &ou of the comp%e!it& of what &ou5re stud&ing. But
man& of these are too comp%e! for (eginners and as 1 have said2 &ou need to
understand an opening2 not 0ust memorise the moves. $ssuming &our getting c%ose to
the ,... mark2 &ou wi%% a%read& have some opening know%edge. This ma& (e g%eaned
pure%& from p%a&ing the same moves as Dhite over and over again or getting the same
moves p%a&ed against &ou when B%ack. Aou ma& not even think &ou know an&
openings at a%% (ut &ou pro(a(%& do. 'penings are (ased on p%a&ing the (est moves in
a given situation and even if &ou don5t know what its ca%%ed &ou5re pro(a(%& p%a&ing
something.
1f &ou %ook at a %arge (ook on openings %ike the #;' or Batsford /odern ;hess
'penings2 it ma& at first (e (ewi%dering in its comp%e!it& and diversit&. o how do
&ou pick one.= $sk &ourse%f what st&%e of p%a&er am 1.= "o &ou %ike fast open games
(ased on tactics or do &ou %ike to wait for &our opponent to make mistakes (ui%ding up
s%ow%& with comp%e! positions.= "o &ou p%a& aggressive or defensive chess.= 1f &ou
don5t know2 don5t worr& a(out it. The ver& (est p%a&ers are neither one or the otherH
the& are a com(ination of (oth. Peop%e who can switch their game2 depending on
what is p%a&ed in front of them . 1f &ou are going to p%a& in competitions then &ou
need a rRpertoire.
1n most weekenders &ou wi%% p%a& three games as Dhite and three games as B%ack 2 so
&ou need to (e a(%e to p%a& (oth sides of an opening. This is where understanding the
opening is much (etter than 0ust knowing the moves2 if &ou p%a& the same opening as
(%ack2 then when &our opponent makes a move that is weak or downright wrong &ou
wi%% (e in a positon to see this and capita%ise on it.
1 norma%%& recommend that (eginners stick with 1+e8 as their main opening thrust2
(ut shou%d know a 8 opening as (ack up and to prepare them to (e a(%e to p%a&
against it.
o as 0hite have one eE opening *we wi%% give &ou a few choices %ater in the
chapter+2 &ou are going to p%a& this three times against three different opponents in a
sing%e competition *so its un%ike%& &ou wi%% get the e!act same game each time+. Then
depending on &our resu%ts2 &ou might want to p%a& &our second prepared opening at
the ne!t competition unti% &ou find the one that works (est for &ou. But 0ust knowing
one opening as eE might not (e enough &ou have to take into consideration what &our
opponent is going to p%a& (ack at &ou. o &ou shou%d have &our favourite opening
p%anned2 (ut (e read& for a%% the different things that he can p%a& (ack at &ou %ikeG e-
or c-, c<, e< and even -. These are the first moves in the 1ici(ian, Caro-"han, The
'rench, and the Centre counter gam.it. 1 am not suggesting that &ou know these to
the nth degree (ut at %east know the first si! to ten moves. Remem(er the point of the
opening is to get &ou to a comforta(%e midd%e game where &ou have a s%ight
advantage2 either of time force or space. Aou are not tr&ing to win it here *(ut &ou 0ust
might+.
$s B(ac$, &ou need to (e a(%e to p%a& against eE or dE as these are the two most
common opening moves2 (ut as B%ack2 &ou in some wa&s get to dictate the opening2
knowing that &our opponent has his opening prepared *as &ou wou%d have+ it is up to
&ou to disrupt him in some wa&. Aou can never guarantee that he doesn5t know the
opening &ou wi%% throw at him and indeed the higher up &ou go the %ess chance of him
(eing ver& (ad%& prepared occurs. ome peop%e go to e!traordinar& %engths to surprise
their opponent2 p%a&ing nove%ties %ike the 'rangutang2 or Latvian gam(it (ut if &our
re%&ing on tricks &ou5%% never get (etter. Dhen dea%ing with a comp%ete nove%t& 0ust
p%a& stead& good chess and wait for &our opportunit&.
P%a&ing B%ack against e8, &ou can p%a& e- and wait to see what he has in store. *#u/
(opeM, =iuoco piano, 1cotch, Qienna+ or &ou can p%a& c- ,The 1ici(ian) the most
common rep%& to e- in ma0or competition. The on%& other rep%& 1 wou%d recommend at
this %eve% is the 'rench, (ecause its eas& to remem(er2 is fair%& safe and gives good
opportunit& to counter attack. 1n friend%& games or practice games p%a& (oth sides of
the openings and %ook out for ke& moves.
Lets %ook at some ver& common openings and see what the& are tr&ing to achieve. B&
common 1 don5t mean weak2 0ust (ecause a %ot of peop%e use an opening doesn5t make
it (ad. 1n fact it5s pro(a(%& the opposite and that5s wh& peop%e are using it. 1n the
Batsford /odern ;hess 'penings one opening stands out a(ove a%% the rest
The #u/ LopeM. "espite (eing an o%d opening dating from the ,8..5s is sti%% fresh
and modern in its a(i%it& to surprise. The reason for its popu%arit& is it does what it
sa&s on the tin. 1t em(odies the ma!ims of chess opening theor&. "eve%opment and
attacking p%a& on (oth sides2 (ut converse%& this %eads a%so to (%unders and tactica%
mistakes. 1t a%so %eads to (oth p%a&ers knowing a %ot of moves2 *when doing m&
research for this 1 %ooked at FischersG> /& 6. memora(%e games> and the first two 1
checked were e!act%& the same up to move --+.
T9# R3A L'P#P
1+ e8 e-
2+ !f6 !f<
6+ B.-
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvlntr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6 +n+ + +&
5+*+ zp + %
+ +%+ +!
"+ + +)+ #
$%z%%z% z%%z%&
't()v*+,- +(.
/012345678
*"iag.E.+
$s can (e seen from the diagram2 Dhite5s third move keeps with the idea of
deve%opment and attack2 he has the option of e!changing the Knight for Bishop or 0ust
disrupting the Queenside and getting to a good sBuare .6 with his Bishop.
6+ +++++a<
8+Ba8 !f<
-+O-O Be5
<+#e1 .-
5+B.6 <
&+c6 O-O
G+h6
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq trk+(
7+ zp vlpzpp'
6p+nzp sn +&
5+p+ zp + %
+ +%+ +!
"+*z% +)+%#
$%z% z% z%%+&
't()v*+t( ,- .
/012345678
*"iag.E,+
Dhite5s %ast two moves ma& seem strange2 especia%%& if &ou have (een to%d not to
make unnecessar& Pawn moves2 the& don5t appear to he%p in deve%opment and are not
attacking an&thing. These are proph&%actic moves2 anticipating &ou opponent5s moves
(efore he makes them. B%ack wou%d %ike to swap off that we%% p%aced Bishop for his
Knight and a%so (ring down his other Knight to g82 or his Bishop to g8 at some stage.
Dhites moves ease these pro(%ems (efore the& start.
G+ !a-
10+Bc2 c-
11+8 3c5
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+ trk+(
7+ wq vlpzpp'
6p+ zp sn +&
5snpzp zp + %
+ z%%+ +!
"+ z% +)+%#
$%z%*+ z%%+&
't()v*+t( ,- .
/012345678
*"iag.E-+ we need not go an& further in the opening to e!p%ain what5s happening
$s &ou can see B%ack is e!panding on the Queenside and Dhite is near%& read& to
attack the Kingside. Both p%a&ers have targets2 strategies and upcoming tactica%
f%urries wi%% ensue. This2 remem(er2 is on%& one variation of the we%% known opening.
$fter 6+B.-, neither p%a&er is compe%%ed to p%a& the ne!t set of moves and as white
&ou have to %ook out for other moves such as 6+++Bc-+ 6+++<+ 6+++g< and even if the&
p%a& 6++++a< the& ma& p%a& 8+++.- 8+++Be5 8+++!f<. 'f course &ou are not o(%iged to
move &our Bishop awa& and cou%d p%a& 8 B?c< then pick up that Pawn on e- (ut that
ma& (e risk&.
But in practice games &ou need to tr& ever&thing2 for on%& (& making mistakes do &ou
%earn.
Back in the chapter when we %ooked at cho%ars mate2 we saw that after 1+e8 if we
wanted to move the Bishop2 there were rea%%& on%& two sBuares that were an& good 7
B.- and the other was Bc8 so there must (e an opening using that. There is and it5s G
The =iuoco Piano or 1ta%ian game. =iuoco piano means %itera%%& the Buiet game in
1ta%ian. But this doesn5t have to (e Buiet in an& rea% sense of the word. 1t was used to
mean Buiet as opposed to something %ike the "ings =am.it+
1t can %ead to c%osed games or open and tactica% games depending on the white p%a&ers
temperament.

The =iuoco Piano
1+e8 e-
2+!f6 !c<
6+Bc8 Bc-
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+ntr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6 +n+ + +&
5+ vl zp + %
+*+%+ +!
"+ + +)+ #
$%z%%z% z%%z%&
't()v*+,- +(.
/012345678
*"iag.E:+ $s &ou can see (oth sides are attacking the centre2 (oth sides are deve%oping
and attacking weak sBuares *f2,f5+. Dhat happens ne!t is a(out who is the most
aggressive. Dhite cou%d p%a& G
8!c6 !f<
-6 2<
<Bg- Bg8
5O-O O-O
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ wq trk+(
7zppzp +pzpp'
6 +nzp sn +&
5+ vl zp v* %
+*+%+l+!
"+ s)%+)+ #
$%z%%+ z%%z%&
't( +++(,- .
/012345678
*"iag.EE+ This is the Pianissimo *the ver& Quiet game+ and is not a ver& e!citing
game. Aes (oth p%a&ers have deve%oped a%% their pieces2 the& have cast%ed2 (ut there is
nowhere to attack. #ither side ma& strugg%e to get going. 15m sure &ou %ooked at
&+!- (ut B%ack can p%a& &+++!8 and after the e!changes and (ackward moves2 its
eBua% again.
'n the positive side2 it5s fair%& safe2 &ou won5t get ki%%ed ear%& and &ou can wait it out
unti% B%ack *or Dhite+ makes a mistake.
'r &ou cou%d tr& something %ike the EvanDs gam(it.
8 .8+ This gam(it trades off the c Pawn for a centra% attack and Buick deve%opment.
1t can go %ike thisG
EvanDs gam.it+
1 e8 e-
2 !f6 !c<
6 Bc8 Bc-
8 .8 B?.8
- c6 Ba-
< O-O <
58 ++++
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+ntr(
7zppzp +pzpp'
6 +nzp + +&
5vl + zp + %
+*z%%+ +!
"+ z% +)+ #
$%+ + z%%z%&
't()v*++(,- .
/012345678
*"iag.E8+ Dhich %eads to a more open game and attacking chances for (oth sides.
Dhite5s space advantage is compensation for the pawn.
$nother opening that white shou%d have in his rRpertoire if on%& for it5s com(ative
nature is the $ings =am.it. 1t is not now p%a&ed in top competition as much as some
the others (ut there was a time it was the most p%a&ed opening of a%%2 when gam(its
were a%% the rage and gent%emen never refused a gam(it. Knowing the Kings gam(it
wi%% give &ou an understanding of aggressive no ho%ds (arred chess where sacrifices
a(ound. From this opening it is on%& a short step to the Sienna or the cotch .
The $ings gam.it ,accepte)

1+ e8 e-
2+ f8 e?f8
6+ !f6 g8
8+ Bc8 g-
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvlntr(
7zppzpp+p+p'
6 + + + +&
5+ + + + %
+*+%zpp+!
"+ + +)+ #
$%z%%z% +%z%&
't()v*+,- +(.
/012345678
*"iag.E6+ $s &ou can (e see from the a(ove position2 white has given up a Pawn (ut
has deve%oped two pieces. B%ack is attacking in the hope of making Dhite go
(ackwards %osing tempo and giving (%ack a chance to catch up in deve%opment.
*1 wou%d not recommend this t&pe of p%a& in %ong serious games where rating points
are at stake2 (ut in rapid p%a& wh& not.=+.
- B?f5@ "?f5
< !e-@ "e<
5 3g8@ "?e-
& 3f-@ "8EE
,iag+85)
An *ith *hite to move *hat *ou( /ou p(a/E
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwq vlntr(
7zppzpp+ +p'
6 + + + +&
5+ + +++ %
+ ,k%zp +!
"+ + + + #
$%z%%z% +%z%&
't()v* ,- +(.
/012345678

&+3-J
of course (%ack cou%d pro%ong the agon& (& p%a&ing
&++++++ "<
G+8 Bg5
10+ B?f8@ "e5
11+ Bg-@ Bf<
12+e- .?g-
16+3?g-@ "e&
18+3h-@ "e5
1-+O-O 3e&
1<3g-@
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+q+ntr(
7zppzpp,k +p'
6 + + + +&
5+ + z% w+ %
+ z% + +!
"+ + + + #
$%z%%+ +%z%&
't()+ +(,- .
/012345678
,iag 8&)
1< "e<
15 #f<@ !?f<
1& 3?f<@ "-
1G!c6@ "?8
203f8@ "c-
21.8@ "c<
223c8 ".<
26+!a8J
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+q+ tr(
7zppzpp+ +p'
6 ,k + + +&
5+ + z% + %
)z%++ + +!
"+ + + + #
$%+%+ +%z%&
't( + + ,- .
/012345678
*diag EJ+
$t %ast the King can retire.
This variation is ca%%ed2 fitting%& <;hase the "ing> Dhat5s interesting a(out this
opening is that Dhite never stops for (reath. 9e attacks from the off and continues on
to the end2 sacrificing pieces at wi%% to get the King to go where he wants. 1t is an
e!amp%e of ver& tactica% p%a& from white2 with no %ong term goa%s2 e!cept to mate. The
down side of this t&pe of p%a&2 is that if &ou miss ca%cu%ate &ou5re in (ig trou(%e. The
up side of this attack is that if &ou have gone through this opening severa% times and
can see what was happening a%% the time2 then when &ou p%a& it at speed2 &our
opponent wi%% have to do a %ot of ca%cu%ating2 tactica%%& working out man& variations
for each move.
1 am not rea%%& suggesting that &ou memorise a%% -: moves in this attack2 (ut rather
&ou see some of the themes of it. The Bishop sacrifice for instance2 is used in severa%
openings2 the Knight check2 opening up %ines for the Queen to get out2 is another.
Tr& to see how a%% of the white pieces were used to either open %ines2 or get the B%ack
King to go where white wanted him to go.
Now for an opening using ,+8 as &our starting point.
$s 1 have said (efore 1 wou%d not recommend 1+8 for an&one under a ,... rating.
The main reason (eingH it is (etter to understand the ke& areas of time2 force and space
2 deve%opment and tactics2 which are more readi%& noticed in the e8 openings2 (efore
going onto Queenside p%a&2 which can (e more a(out strategica% advantages.
But this is not written in stone2 %ots of things have to (e considered. 1 (e%ieve that if
&ou5re p%a&ing competitions2 then &ou wi%% need to know at %east one 8 opening if
on%& to know how to p%a& against it as B%ack. For an&one over a ,... knowing some
8 openings wi%% (ecome essentia% to &our improvement.
#ven if &ou never p%a& them &ou shou%d have a (asic know%edge of their ideas and
themes.
The Queens openings strike at the centre (ut this time attacking the e8 sBuare.
$ %ot of times the centra% attack is de%a&ed unti% white has deve%oped his pieces or
cramped (%acks position enough.
The opening we wi%% %ook at first is the Torre2 it is c%assed under the %a(e% <Bg-
attac$; and there are severa% wa&s to reach this or simi%ar positions with the same
theme in mind.
The Torre Attac$
1+8 -
2 +!f6 !f<
6+Bg- e<
8+e6 Be5
-+c6 c-
<+!.2 !c<
5+B.- O-O
&+ O-O B5
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ wq trk+(
7zpp+lvlpzpp'
6 +n+psn +&
5+*zpp+ v* %
+ z% + +!
"+ z% z%)+ #
$%z% s) z%%z%&
't( +++(,- .
/012345678
*diag 8.+
Dith good attacking chances for (oth sides.
$ %ot of times white wi%% de%a& his cast%ing to see where B%ack has gone and then
cast%e %ong. 3sua%%& with B6 (eing p%a&ed. This s&stem is versati%e and has the
added (onus of (eing eas& to remem(er without much chance of an&thing going too
(ad%& wrong in the opening. This shou%d give &ou a chance to get into the midd%e
game with a (it of confidence.
Pro(a(%& more agressive and certain%& more wide%& used is our ne!t Queenside
opening the 3ueens =am.it+
$s with a%% Fam(its one p%a&er sacrifices a Pawn for (etter2 or faster deve%opment. 1n
this instance white pushes his c Pawn on move two2 a%%owing B%ack to capture it.
Remem(er we are tr&ing to %earn openings here2 so one piece of advice 1 wou%d
encourage &ou with isH if someone offers &ou a gam(it2 the (est wa& to refute it is to
take the Pawn and make them prove the opening is sound.
Dhen &ou have more e!perience of p%a&ing these opening man& times &ou wi%% have
a (etter idea of when to accept and when to refuse. 'n the positive side for (%ack2 &ou
are a Pawn up.
Lets see what Dhite is up to
.
The 3ueens =am.it Accepte
18 -
2c8
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvlntr(
7zppzp zppzpp'
6 + + + +&
5+ +p+ + %
+%z% + +!
"+ + + + #
$%z% +%z%%z%&
't()v*+,-*s)(.
/012345678
*diag 8,+
++++++ ?c8
6+!f6 !f<
8+e6 e<
-+B?c8 c-
<+O-O a<
5+3e2
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvl tr(
7+p+ +pzpp'
6p+ +psn +&
5+ zp + + %
+*z% + +!
"+ + z%)+ #
$%z% ++z%%z%&
't()v* +(,- .
/012345678
*diag 8-+
what happened so far=
For B%ack5s part he has gotten a Pawn2 deve%oped his Knight and made another attack
on the centre with his c Pawn. Dhite has ;ast%ed2 deve%oped his Knight and Bishop2
recovered his Pawn2 got his Queen out of danger and onto a good sBuare indirect%&
attacking the King.
Both B%ack and Dhite have good attacking chances.
Aet in practice it is white who norma%%& comes out in front with this opening. The
ne!t diag is a indication of white5s formation idea (ehind this opening
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvlntr(
7zppzppzppzpp'
6 + + + +&
5+ + + + %
+*z%%z% +!
"+%s) +)+ #
$%v* +++%z%&
'+ + t((+-.
/012345678
*diag 8:+
This is of course imaginar&2 (ut 1 show it to &ou to give an indication of what &ou
cou%d (e aiming for. Note the a%ignment of the pieces. Pawns contro%%ing sBuares in
the centre Knights contro%%ing sBuares in the centre and getting read& to %eap into
action2 Bishops shooting through the centre and aiming at weak sBuares. For &ou to
get this position &our opponent wou%d have to (e ver& o(%iging (ut it can happen and
wi%% on%& happen if &ou tr& for it.
B(ac$ openings7
The difference with the (%ack pieces is that &ou are a tempo (ehind and initia%%& must
wait and see what &our opponent is p%anning. But &ou don5t have to go a%ong with his
p%ansC Far from it &ou can dictate what happens in the opening as much2 1f not more
than white. 1t5s a matter of attitude. $ %ot of (eginners fear (eing B%ack (ecause of
whites initia% ons%aught. But %ets %ook at it different%&. Dhen white dec%ares his hand
(& p%a&ing either e8 or 8 *or indeed an& other move+ he te%%s &ou *B%ack+ what he is
tr&ing to do. 1f &ou think &ou know the opening (etter than he does then &ou can p%a&
a%ong with him unti% he makes a mistake *goes out of (ook+ or &ou can disrupt him
from the start (& p%a&ing a variation that &ou think he ma& not know. 'r &ou can
immediate%& take the opening into one that &ou know we%%.
Lets %ook at some options. The first thing to know is the opening from white5s
perspective. o that if he p%a&s an& of the openings we have covered *the most
common+ then we wi%% know how to meet it. This is of course assuming that &ou
haven5t 0ust %earnt this one variation from me. /& 0o( is not to show &ou ever&
variation possi(%e2 (ut to indicate what is out there for &ou to %ook at. No one shou%d
re%& on one (ook to get them through the ver& difficu%t wor%d of chess. Aour own
notation and ana%&sis2 p%us this (ook and others on openings that &ou %ike2 is the ke&.
$gain the first thing &ou wi%% come across is *as B%ack + 1+e8+
Now &ou have an a%most empt& (oard (ut white has made his first fora& into &our
territor&. 9ow &ou dea% with it wi%% determine how the game goes. Ps&cho%og& p%a&s
an important part in chess openings. 9ow &ou fee% a(out an opening wi%% determine
it5s use and &our success with it. '(vious%& &ou can p%a& the (%ack side of an& of the
opening we have discussed as white. $%% are p%a&a(%e and ma& meet with success
indeed a%% shou%d (e p%a&ed at one time or another2 0ust to get &ou used to what (%ack
cou%d do. But &ou have a%ternatives and we are going to %ook at some of them . 1 don5t
mean to suggest that these are the (est on%& that the& are options that &ou shou%d
have at &our disposa%. The more know%edge &ou have2 the more understanding &ou
wi%% have2 the more en0o&ment &ou wi%% get out of the game2 (ecause &ou are getting a
(etter game of it.
'ur first so0ourn into the murk& wor%d of (%ack is 1+++c-
The 1ici(ians
1e8 c-
Dh& on earth wou%d &ou p%a& c-= Dhat does it do that e- doesn5t. 9ow can &ou get
an advantage from this f%ank attack.=
Near%& ever& (eginner5s (ook2 mine inc%uded2 wi%% te%% &ou that &ou must contro% and
attack the centre to have an& chance of a %asting advantage into the midd%e game.
Dith 1++++ C- we attack the centre sBuare 8 with the idea of giving up the c Pawn
for a Pawn2 there(& weakening the fi%e for Dhite. o that we can attack it and
have an avenue to the white King. The ici%ian5s are possi(%& the most ana%&sed
openings in the who%e Batsford /odern chess 'penings (ook. 1n the ma0ors
competition it is easi%& the most p%a&ed opening for B%ack. 1ts popu%arit& is (ased on
a high percentage of wins for the second p%a&er. 1ts disruptive nature and winning
chances make it a must for an& aggressive p%a&ers out there. 1f an&thing the fact that it
is so we%% ana%&sed ma& make it difficu%t as a surprise weapon2 (ut on the other hand it
has so man& variations that the chances of an&one at &our %eve% knowing a%% the
variations is ne!t to ni%. $n&wa& it is so good a weapon that 0ust knowing the
;%assica% and the "ragon ma& possi(%& (e enough to see &ou through for Buite a whi%e.
The 1ici(ian ,c(assica()
1+e8 c-
2+!f6 <
6+8 c?8
8+!?8 !f<
-+!c6 !c<
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl tr(
7zpp+ zppzpp'
6 +nzp sn +&
5+ + + + %
+ s)%+ +!
"+ s) + + #
$%z%%+ z%%z%&
't( v*+,-*+(.
/012345678
*diag.8E+
This is ca%%ed the ;%assica% (ecause (%ack deve%ops his Knights in a c%assica% fashion
as opposed to other %ines where he p%a&s -+++g5 "ragon -++++a< Na0dorf -+++e<
cheveningen.
For Dhite the ne!t move wi%% determine what variation he wants to p%a&. The most
common are
<+ Bg- <+Bc8 <+Be2 <+g6 <+f6 <+f8+
A%% have their adherents and champions.
But the great 0o& of the ici%ian is that &ou don5t have to (e afraid of an& of them2 if
&ou p%a& steadi%& and wait for &our chance to counter attack it is difficu%t for white to
get at &ou. The freedom to transpose from one %ine to another is another ke& factor in
p%a&ing the ici%ians. 1t is Buite eas& to move into the dragon against most of the
a(ove moves. 'r &our Queen can go to .< with pressure a%ong the diagona% and on
.2+ The Bishop can go to 5 or .5 again (ui%ding up pressure.
The 2ragon
1+e8 c-
2+!f6 <
6+8 c?8
8+!?8 !f<
-+!c6 g<

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvl tr(
7zpp+ zpp+p'
6 + zp snp+&
5+ + + + %
+ s)%+ +!
"+ s) + + #
$%z%%+ z%%z%&
't( v*+,-*+(.
/012345678
*diag.88+
'ne of the main continuations is
<+Be2 Bg5
5+Be6 !c<
Dith (oth side deve%oping apace2 (oth are a(%e to cast%e and have attacking
opportunities. This is a great opening not 0ust for B%ack (ut it gives white man&
chances too and that5s the fun of the game.
Remem(er there is no one opening that is so superior either as white or (%ack that it
cannot (e defended against.
The ideas (ehind a%% good openings is deve%opment and attacking chances. ome
h&per7modern openings depend on waiting %onger than others (efore attacking (ut
the& a%%2 in the end2 have to start going after the king or run into inertia.
$s we go further in the (ook and %ook at positions m& eva%uations ma& (e > good for
(oth side> 2 or > a(out eBua% chances>. This ma& seem strange to a (eginner who
might think <De%% whats the point of %earning this if 15m not getting an advantage>
ome times 0ust getting even is as good as it gets. But sometimes &our understanding
of the opening is improved and &ou know wh& it is eBua%. Dhich means &ou can
notice when it5s not eBua% and &ou have an advantage.
Lets continue and %ook at The French.
The 'rench
The opening moves of the French ma& at first seem a %itt%e strange.
B%ack concedes space de%a&ing his attack unti% he sees what Dhite is doing. 1f &ou
p%a& the the c%assica% French &ou must (e prepared to give &ourse%f cramped positons
and hide for awhi%e. Though some variations %ike our first2 the /c5;utchins take
counter7attacking serious%&.
The >cDCutchins
1+e8 e<
2+8 -
6+!c6 !f<
8+Bg- B.8
-+e- h<
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqk+ tr(
7zppzp +pzp '
6 + +psn zp&
5+ +pz% v* %
vl z% + +!
"+ s) + + #
$%z%%+ z%%z%&
't( ++,-*s)(.
/012345678
*diag.86+
B%ack5s %ast move is one of ca%m and coo%ness. 9e is sa&ing 55go ahead 1 don5t mind
opening up the kingside. /& attack wi%% work .55
For afterH
<+e?f< B?c6@
5.?c6 h?g-
&f?g5 #g&
G3f8 3f<
B%ack has no pro(%ems. 9e can cast%e Queenside and continue his attack Kingside.
Fenera%%& though Dhite wou%d p%a&
<+B2 or <+Be6 and B%ack can sti%% take the Knight on c6 with the idea of getting his
own Knight onto e8+
The Caro "han is another opening that attacks the centre s%ight%& different%&.
B%ack is hoping to get a space advantage in the midd%e game.
1t starts.G
Caro "han
1+e8 c<
2+8 -
6+!c6 ?e8
8+!?e8 Bf-
-+!g6 Bg<
<+h8 h<
5+!f6
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn wqkvlntr(
7zpp+ zppzp '
6 +p+ +lzp&
5+ + + + %
+ z% + z%!
"+ + +)s) #
$%z%%+ z%%+&
't( v*+,-*+(.
/012345678
*diag.8I+ This is on%& one variation2 there are %ots of different wa&s for B%ack to p%a&
this opening. 9ere white is tr&ing to swap off the active (%ack Bishop gaining time
and space. But ;aro Khan p%a&ers genera%%& don5t mind this kind of p%a& as the& don5t
fee% there is an& rush. $s %ong as the& watch out for some traps the& wi%% get a good
midd%e game that %eads to a (etter strategica% ending.
The !imMo-Inian+
1s not rea%%& an 1ndian at a%%2 in that it doesn5t fianchetto the Bishop. But it is a opening
that (%ack p%a&ers who want to p%a& for a win shou%d know.
1t is an attacking aggressive opening against 8 that at the %east aims to get
weaknesses in the white camp that have a strategica% point (ut it is a%so a ver& tactica%
weapon and ma& suit a tactica% p%a&er.
The !imMo-Inian+
1+8 !f<
2+c8 e<
6+!c6 B.8
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqk+ tr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6 + +psn +&
5+ + + + %
vl%z% + +!
"+ s) + + #
$%z% +%z%%z%&
't( v*+,-*s)(.
/012345678
*diag 8@+
Dhite must p%a& carefu%%& here.
B%ack5s first idea is simp%& to dou(%e up the c pawns (& taking the Knight on c6+
"ou(%ed pawns are considered a weakness as 15ve said (efore. The second threat is
that Knight coming to e8.
8+3c2 O-O
-+ e8 -
<+ e- !e8
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwq trk+(
7zppzp +pzpp'
6 + +p+ +&
5+ +pz% + %
vl%z%n+ +!
"+ s) + + #
$%z%++ z%%z%&
't( v* ,-*s)(.
/012345678
*diag.8J+
Dhite5s most common moves ne!t are either a6 or B6+
The centre is a(out to get ripped apart2 (ut that does not %ead to B%ack having it a%% is
own wa&. Dhite has man& moves at his disposa% after the initia% e!changes. But 1
prefer B%ack5s position2 with the idea of c-, 3a- or f<, 3?f<+
Food opening p%a& is the mainsta& of aspiring chess greats.
/odern masters %ike F/ $%e!ander Bar(urin are we%% known for their know%edge of
opening theor& and this makes it difficu%t for peop%e to adeBuate%& prepare to p%a&
them. Aou wi%% never surprise them in the opening and can on%& hope to get an
advantage in the midd%e or endgame. 1 am not suggesting that &ou have to know &our
openings that we%%. Dhat 1 am suggesting is2 that &ou know some openings we%%
enough to make &ou comforta(%e p%a&ing them.
$ happ& chess p%a&er is a (etter chess p%a&er.
The tress of competition p%a& cannot (e underestimated and the fear that &ou are
(eing outp%a&ed from the start wi%% permeate into &our midd%e game2 making &ou
dou(t &our own a(i%ities2 &our strategies and tactics.
But knowing that &our opening is sound wi%% go a%ong wa& to getting &ou p%a&ing &our
(est chess.
The openings in this chapter are on%& a samp%e of what5s avai%a(%e to &ou. 1 wou%d
suggest that &ou %ook at the 1cotch, the Qienna+ The 3ueens gam.it+ $%so for peop%e
who %ike to wait and see2 the ;(ose 1ici(ian2 The C(ose 'rench+ $nd $ings Inian+
As &ou progress a%ong &our chess path &ou ma& discard some2 or indeed a%% of these2
finding new ones that suit &ou (etter. This is good2 for ever& chess p%a&er is an
individua% and must u%timate%& find his or her own wa&.
Lesson 11
Tric$s an Traps
Dhat5s the point of %earning tricks and traps in the opening=
De%% for one thing2 if &ou know the&5re there it won5t come as a (ig surprise when &our
opponent tries to pu%% one over on &ou. $nother reason for %earning them is that the&
show potentia% weak spots in the opening that &ou ma& e!p%oit. Not necessari%& going
straight for the trap2 (ut variations of them. There is a certain en0o&ment gained from
seeing one of &our pet traps working.
1 dou(t these are ever tried at Frandmaster %eve% (ut we5re not at Frandmaster %eve% so
we don5t care.
The (est wa& to see these is to set up a (oard and fo%%ow each move.
Lega(Ds mate+
Perhaps the most famous of our traps and variations of it crop up in a%% sorts of
openings.
1+e8 e-
2+!f6 !f<
6+Bc8 h<
8+8 <
-+!c6 Bg8
<+?e- !?e- B%ack p%a&s this thinking &ou can5t possi(%& take (ack
5+!?e-B B?1 and he greedi%& scoops up &our Queen
&+B?f5@ "e5
XABCDEFGHY
8r+ wq vlntr(
7zppzp ,k*zp '
6 + zp + zp&
5+ + s) + %
+ +%+ +!
"+ s) + + #
$%z%%+ z%%z%&
't( v*l,- +(.
/012345678
,iag <0)
G+ !-J

Trap in theC

#u/ LopeM
,+e8 e-
2+!f6 !c<
6+B.- Bc-
8+c6 f- The reasoning (ehind this move is to (reak open the midd%e from the side
-+8 f?e8
<+!g- Be5
5+?e- !?e-
&+!e<
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+ntr(
7zppzppvl zpp'
6 + +)+ +&
5+*+ sn + %
+ +p+ +!
"+ z% + + #
$%z% + z%%z%&
't()v*+,- +(.
/012345678
*diag 6,+
$nd its good7(&e to the Queen.
$nother trap inH
The #u/ LopeM
1+e8 e-
2+!f6 !c<
6+B.- !f<
8+6 !e5
-+!?e- c<
<+!c8
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl tr(
7zpp+psnpzpp'
6 +p+ sn +&
5+*+ + + %
+)+%+ +!
"+ +%+ + #
$%z%%+ z%%z%&
't()v*+,- +(.
X012345678

,iag <2)
<++c?.- 5+!<J
mothered mate.
Aou shou%d a%wa&s (e war& of &our opponent gifting &ou a piece. "on5t assume the&
have 0ust made a mistake a%wa&s (e prepared for a trap.
The Oh >/ =o
,supposed%& what the first person to have this used against them said+
,+e8 e-
2!f6 !c<
6+Bc8 !8 * that Knight was doing a 0o(2 protecting the e Pawn +
8+!?e- 3g- *B%ack moves from the potentia% fork on f5 to another one+
-+!?f5 3?g2
<+#f1 3?e8@
5+Be2
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+kvlntr(
7zppzpp+)zpp'
6 + + + +&
5+ + + + %
+ snq+ +!
"+ + + + #
$%z%%z%*z% z%&
't()v*+,-(+ .
/012345678
,iag <6)
+5++++++ !f6J
$nother smothered mate.
The "ings gam.it
1+e8 e-
2+f8 e?f
6+!f6 <
8+Bc8 !c<
-+8 !f<
<+!c6 !h- B%ack starts a promising attack
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl tr(
7zppzp +pzpp'
6 +nzp + +&
5+ + + +n%
+*z%%zp +!
"+ s) +)+ #
$%z%%+ +%z%&
't( v*+,- +(.
/012345678
,iag <8)
5+g6 g-
&+h8 g8
G+!g- !?g6
10+B?f5 "e5
11+!-@ "5
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwq vl tr(
7zppzpk+*+p'
6 +nzp + +&
5+ +)+ s) %
+ +%zppz%!
"+ + + sn #
$%z%%z% + +&
't( v*+,- +(.
/012345678
*diag 68+
De have seen this t&pe of position (efore so the ne!t moves shou%d come natura%%&.
12+3?g8 !f-
16+3?f-J
Reminiscent of Lega%s mate.
The Qienna gam.it
*is a %itt%e %ike the kings gam(it+
,+e8 e-
2+!c6 !f<
6+f8 e?f8
8+e-B This a%wa&s comes as a surprise. Now what to do=. 1t goes against the
natura% instinct to (ring the knight (ack home.
8+++++++ 3e5
-+3e2 now the Knight has no choice
-+++++++ !g&
<+!f6 <
5+!- 35 to protect the c5 sBuare
&+!?c5@B 3?c5
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvlntr(
7zppwq + zpp'
6 + zp + +&
5+ + z% + %
+ + zp +!
"+ + +)+ #
$%z%%z%++%z%&
't( v* ,-*+(.
/012345678
*diag 66+
G+e?<@
And good7(&e to the Queen.
The Qienna game
1+e8 e-
2+!c6 !c<
6+Bc8 !a-E *This is not a great idea+
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvlntr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6 + + + +&
5sn + zp + %
+*+%+ +!
"+ s) + + #
$%z%%z% z%%z%&
't( v*+,- s)(.
/012345678
,iag <5)
8+B?f5@ "?f5
-+3h-@ g<
<+3?e- Bg5 *or he %oses the Rook+
5+3?a- .<E
&+3-@ "e&
G+3?a& ,and &ou emerge a Rook ahead)

Now for some 8 openings
The B(ac$mar -2eimar
1+8 -
2+e8 ?e8 *The point of this opening is to disrupt &our opponents p%ans from
the start+
6+!c6 !f<
8+f6 e?f6
-+3?f6 3?8
<+!.- 3& *this is p%a&ed to stop Dhite getting that cI pawn)
5+Bf8 !a<
&+#1 !5
G+3e6 .<
10B?c5 !?c5
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl tr(
7zp snnzppzpp'
6 zp + + +&
5+)+ + + %
+ + + +!
"+ + w+ + #
$%z%%+ +%z%&
'+ +(,-*s)(.
/012345678
,iag <&)
11+!<J
Another smothered mate.
Notice how the same themes keep getting repeated in different openings and
attacking p%ans.
9ere5s another with the same opening.
B(ac$mar-2eimar
1+8 -
2+e8 e?8
6+!c6 c-
8+Bf8 3?8
-+!- 3?1@
<+#?1 e<
5+!c5 "e5
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+ vlntr(
7zpps) ,kpzpp'
6 + +p+ +&
5+ zp + + %
+ +pv* +!
"+ + + + #
$%z%%+ z%%z%&
'+ +(,-*s)(.
/012345678
*diag 6J+
$nd Dhite has numerous wa&s to win.
9e can simp%& 0ust take the Rook2 he cou%d use his Bishop to check the King get the
B%ack Bishop then the Pawn on gI then the other Rook.
poi%t for choice.
The ne!t t&pe of <Trick> happens regu%ar%& in the Queens Fam(it opening so &ou
shou%d %ook out for it.
3ueens =am.it 2ec(ine
1+8 -
2+c8 e<
6+!c6 !f<
8+Bg- !.5
-+e6 c<
<+!f6 3a- *The rea% start of the attack+
5+B6 !e8 *forcing white to defend again+
&+3c2 !?g-
G+!?g- ?c8B
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+kvl tr(
7zpp+n+pzpp'
6 +p+p+ +&
5wq + + s) %
+pz% + +!
"+ s)*z% + #
$%z%++ z%%z%&
't( + ,- +(.
/012345678
*"iag I.+
$nd now no matter what Dhite moves he %oses a piece.
ometimes that5s a%% that is needed to win2 getting one piece ahead. 'f course it5s not
won &et2 &ou sti%% have to p%a& on.
Lets %ook at anotherH
3ueens =am.it 2ec(ine
1+8 -
2+c8 e<
6+!c6 !f<
8+Bg8 !.5 *so far so good 2 (ut now white sees the chance to get a pawn and
perhaps more+
-+c?- e?-
<+!?- !?- *1 keep sa&ing (eware Tro0an horses+
5+B?& B.8@
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lv*k+ tr(
7zppzpn+pzpp'
6 + + + +&
5+ +n+ + %
vl z% + +!
"+ + + + #
$%z% +%z%%z%&
't( ++,-*s)(.
/012345678
,iag 51)
&+32 B?2@
G+"?2 "?&
Now the dust has c%eared and we count up our %osses. udden%& (%ack 1s a Bishop
ahead.
ometimes not doing the o(vious and actua%%& thinking through each move can (e a
great (enefit. 1o it is with out ne!t trap B%ack gam(its a Pawn and Dhite strugg%es to
keep it on%& to find he has wa%ked into something nast&.
The Eng(un gam.it
1+8 e-
2+?e- !c<
6+!f6 3e5
E+Bf8 3.8@ *This comes as a nast& surprise2 a check and attacking the Bishop+
-+B2 3?.2
<+Bc6 B.E *$ sneak& pin. Dhites ne!t move seems %ike the (est idea+
5+32 B?c6
&+3?c6 ,Dhite is hoping to trade off Queens then he won5t (e so (ad+
ABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+ntr(
7zppzpp+pzpp'
6 +n+ + +&
5+ + z% + %
+ + + +!
"+ w+ +)+ #
$%wq%+%z%%z%&
't()+ ,-*+(.
X012345678
*diag I-+
@.... 3c1J


<+!c6 *of course Dhite cou%d have p%a&ed . But then B%ack can p%a&+
........ ! .8
I. #.1 !?c2?
&+3?c2 3?c2
$nd B%ack is a Queen up.
Lest *e forget peop(e *ho p(a/ other openings+
The Caro "han
1+e8 c<
2+8 -
6+!c6 ?e
E+!?e8 !f<
-+36 e-
<+?e- *Dhite has to have nerves of stee%2 or (e wi%%ing to swap Queens+
.... 3a-@
5+B2 3?e-
&+O-O-O *%ooks %ike white is tr&ing to hide+
...... !?e8
G+3&@ "?&
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl,k vl tr(
7zpp+ +pzpp'
6 +p+ + +&
5+ + wq + %
+ +n+ +!
"+ + + + #
$%z%%v* z%%z%&
'+ ,-(+*s)(.
/012345678
*diag I:+
10+Bg-J
a wonderfu% use of space and discovered checkmate.
Putting the Bishop on a sBuare attacked (& two of &our enemies pieces and knowing
that it is invu%nera(%e.
The 1ici(ian
*acce(erate 2ragon)
The idea of the acce%erated "ragon is that it gives (%ack an immediate2 attack wasting
no time in getting going. But &ou sti%% have to watch &our opponents moves.
1e- c-
2+!f6 !c<
6+8 c?
8+!?8 g<
!c6 Bg5
<+Be6 !f<
5+Bc8 O-O
&+B.6 !a-
G+e- !e&
10+B?f5@ #?f5
11+!e<
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqn+k+(
7zpp+pzprvlp'
6 + +)+p+&
5sn + z% + %
+ + + +!
"+ s) v* + #
$%z%%+ z%%z%&
't( ++,- +(.
/012345678
*diag IE +
of course if (%ack spots this on move ten and tries to save his Bueen (& taking with his
King2 the ne!t seBuence of moves are forced %ike soG
10+B?f5 "?f5
11+!e< "?e<
12+3-@ "f-
16+g8@ "?g8
18+#g1 "h8
1-+Bg-@ "h-
1<+31@ #f6
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqn+ +(
7zpp+pzp vlp'
6 + + +p+&
5sn + z% v*k%
+ + + +!
"+ s) +r+ #
$%z%%+ z% z%&
't( ++,- t( .
/012345678
,iag 5-)
15+3?f6J
a good e!amp%e of attacking (efore &our read& and what can happen.
Aet sometimes &ou can %eave it to %ate. P%a&ing the opening on automatic .
Like this ne!t 1ici(ian
1+e8 c-
2+!f6 <
6+Bc8 Bg8
8+!c6 a<
-+e- ?e-
<+!?e- *This position shou%d give &ou pause2 did &ou opponent 0ust make a
mistake =+
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn wqkvlntr(
7+p+ zppzpp'
6p+ + + +&
5+ zp s) + %
+*+ +l+!
"+ s) + + #
$%z%%z% z%%z%&
't( v*+,- +(.
/012345678
,iag 5<)
<+++++++B?1
5+B?f5J *Fuess notC+
This is not rea%%& good p%a& (& white 0ust (ad p%a& from (%ack.
But these are things that &our opponent at around ,... wi%% do2 so its worth &our
whi%e knowing there are positiona% traps in each of the openings that &ou can tr& to
e!p%oit.
1f &ou %ike this sort of thing2 there are a few good (ooks a(out (%unders and Buick
victories on the market that &ou shou%d get.
Lesson 12
Pro.(em so(ving
The reason (ehind doing pro(%em so%ving2 (eside the sheer fun of it2 is that it
encourages our (rain to see and remem(er positions or ideas that wi%% occur in actua%
chess games. B& repeating the positions here2 we don5t have to spend time ana%&sing
use%ess com(inations that end nowhere in a game. Aou wi%% instinctive%& fee% that
there is2 or shou%d (e a winning com(ination in front of &ou.
1t might (e something as simp%e as gaining that e!tra tempo2 or e!tra piece in the
endgame. 'r it might (e that there is a checkmate to (e found. 1f &ou5re $pproaching
these pro(%ems for the first time the& ma& seem ver& hard2 (ut rea%%& the&5re not. 1n
ever& pro(%em &ou shou%d %ook for ke&2 forcing moves. $ forcing move is one where
&our opponent has no choice (ut to do something. The simp%est t&pe wou%d (e check.
Aour opponent is forced to get out of check (efore he can do an&thing e%se. o %ook
for the forcing moves. Ne!t %ook at a%% the sBuares that the opponents King can move
to. This genera%%& wi%% (e a good indicator of weaknesses. $nticipate &our opponents
moves2 %ook for the (est moves he can make and a%wa&s assume &our opponent wi%%
make the (est move. 1n a game this is vita%2 0ust (ecause he has made a terri(%e move
don5t e!pect him to make another one.
The fo%%owing pro(%ems dea% with man& of the things that &ou have %earnt up to now2
such as pins forks skewers2 space checkmate positions and won games. o severa%
pro(%ems wi%% not end in checkmate (ut a winning position. Aou wou%d sti%% have to
fight on and win2 (ut this wou%d (e an eas& task provided &ou p%a&ed norma%%&
*without mistakes+. To train &our (rain don5t move the piece around2 figure out each
pro(%em in &our head then when &ou are sure2 make &our moves.
1 wi%% e!p%ain a %itt%e a(out each pro(%em as we go a%ong. To point &ou in the right
direction2 hopefu%%&.
XABCDEFGHY
8q+ + + +(
7+ + + + '
6 + + + +&
5+ + + + %
+ + t( +!
"+ + ,k + #
$ + + + t(&
'+ + ,- + .
/012345678
*diag II+
'ur first pro(%em a(ove dea%s with s$e*ers. 1f it was (%ack to move it wou%d (e a%%
over as 15m sure &ou can see 1++++3 a1J. But it is white to move and he2 using a
skewer wi%% get a serious advantage. Remem(er first see the o(vious2 then %ook for the
a%ternatives (efore &ou move.
The ans*er is 1+#a8 3?a8 2+#h6@ " moves 6+ #?a8 with a won game as per
%esson one. But did &ou %ook for a%ternative Queen moves= Dhat if the Queen doesn5t
take= sa& she moves to c@ anticipating &our ne!t move2 Knowing an& other sBuare %ets
&ou p%a& #h6J &ou sti%% p%a& 2+#h6@ 3?h6 6+#a6@ " moves 8+#?h6 with a won
position.
The ne!t pro(%em dea%s with doing the o(vious and its conseBuences.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + + + +(
7zp++q+ zpk'
6 + +p+ zp&
5+ +r+p+ %
+ z% + +!
"+ + z% + #
$%z% + z%%z%&
'+ t( + ,- .
/012345678
*diag I@+
1n the a(ove diagram what is wrong with p%a&ing #c5E
$t first g%ance it seems to give white an overwhe%ming attack on the weak g5 Pawn
with mate in 6+ But what do &ou think B%ack wi%% p%a& =
o the pro(%em isH &ou are B%ack and Dhite has now p%a&ed ,.RcI2 what do &ou do=
"id &ou find a forcing move2 did &ou %ook at the sBuares that the Dhite King can go
to. "id &ou findH
Ans*er+1+#c5 #c-B
$t first g%ance this ma& seem %ike suicide2 can5t the Rook 0ust take &ou Queen=.
But %ook again2 if it did it wou%d a%%ow # c1J and of course #?c- a%%ows 3?.5. 'r
even if Dhite p%a&s ?c- then &our Queen p%a&s 31J+
ometimes &ou can get carried awa& with &ou own attack and forget &our opponent is
tr&ing to attack as we%%.
The (est time to attack is when &our opponent e!pects &ou to defend.
'n this theme hangs the ne!t pro(%em.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + trkvl tr(
7zp +lzpp+p'
6 +*+ +p+&
5+ zp + + %
++ +%+ +!
"+ wq + + #
$%+ +-z%%z%&
'+(v* + s)(.
/012345678
*diag IJ+
Dhite wou%d appear to have an overwhe%ming position with mate in - so &ou as B%ack
must find a wa& to save &ourse%f. "rastic measures are ca%%ed for. Think a(out forcing
moves.
$nswer 1+++36@ 2+"?6 B?c<@ 6+" moves B?a8
&ou get a Q ? B for a Queen and &ou %ive to fight on.
1n the endgame perhaps the most underrated piece is the Knight2 it is automatica%%&
supposed that the Bishop is superior2 especia%%& in an open game. o %ets %ook at the
power of the Knight.
1n the ne!t position (%ack must (e fair%& confident of a draw he can get the Pawn on
c5 and can (%ock the Pawn on the a fi%e. Aou are white to move what do &ou p%a&=.
XABCDEFGHY
8 +k+ + vl(
7+ z% + + '
6 + + + +&
5+ + + s) %
+ + + +!
"z% + + + #
$ +-+ + +&
'+ + + + .
/012345678
*diag @.+
The theme here is forks and forcing moves. 1f &ou get that Bishop &our Knight wi%%
he%p the a pawn to Queen.
Ans*erC After 1+!f< the (ishop has on%& one sBuare that is safe to go to *tr& a%% the
others with the fork move in mind+ Ba1 2+".1 B6 6+!<@ "?c5 8+!.-? forks
the King and Bishop Tr& putting the Bishop on each of the sBuares on the %ong
diagona% and finding the fork.
'ur ne!t few pro(%ems are a(out Over(oaing and 2ef(ection+
That is giving the defender too much to do2 or making him move awa& from the
sBuare he is defending.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + +r+k+(
7+ + +pzpp'
6r+q+ sn +&
5zp zp)sn++ %
%zp%+%+ +!
"+%+ + t( #
$ +*+ +%z%&
'+ +(+ ,- .
/012345678
*diag @,+
$s &ou can te%% from the ne!t diagram a(ove we can5t possi(%& p%a& !?f<@ (ecause the
su(seBuent e!changes wi%% favour B%ack as he doesn5t have to worr& a(out the pin on
the g5 pawn.
o &ou are 0hite to move G Find the forcing moves2 open %ines and def%ect &our
opponent.
Ans*erC1+!e5@ *this forcing move puts B%ack into check2 attacks the Queen and
opens up the fi%e+ 1+++++#?e5 2+3?f< 3?f< 6+#&@ #e& 8+#?e&J
De have spoken a(out force and the numerica% va%ue of pieces. 'ur ne!t pro(%em
shows how the& can inf%uence our thinking.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + + +k+(
7tr + +r+p'
6p+ s)*+ +&
5snpzp%+ wq %
+%+ + +!
"+%+ s) + #
$%w+ + + z%&
'+ + + +-.
/012345678
*diag @-+
The a(ove pro(%em initia%%& %ooks (ad for white. 1f we count up the va%ue of pieces
B%ack is up two Rooks for a Knight 2Bishop and pawn. But if white cou%d e!change
ever&thing his passed pawn wou%d (e the decisive factor. 1n other words he wou%d
have a (etter endgame.
Aou are 0hite to move2 remem(er forcing moves2 and %ook for a second move that is
not so o(vious.
Ans*er 7 1+B?f5@ #?f5 2+ 3h&@ *this is a %itt%e hard to see2 the King is forced to
take and in so doing move to h&+ "?h& 6+!?f5@B "g5 8+!?g-
and now its 0ust a matter of p%a&ing out the endgame with a passed Pawn.
The adage goes <if &ou5re ahead in pieces swap Pawns2 if ahead in Pawns swap
pieces>. The ideas (eing &ou wi%% have an advantage in the endgame where either &our
e!tra Pawns or pieces wi%% te%% the difference.
$dages are a%% we%% and good2 (ut the& shou%d not (e %earnt at the e!c%usion of actua%
over the (oard thinking.
Look at the diagram (e%ow. De **hite to move+ are (ehind (& a who%e piece2 we
know where we wou%d %ike to go (ut B%ack is covering ever&thing.
De are going to have to def%ect him.
XABCDEFGHY
8k+n+r+ +(
7zp +(+ vll'
6 +p+ wqpzp&
5+ + zpp+ %
+%+ + +!
"+ v* w+ z% #
$%z% + z%*z%&
'+ + + ,- .
/012345678
*diag @:+
Find the tactica% continuation
Ans*er71+B?e-B #?e- 2+3?e-B 3?e- ,an no* the point) 6+B?c<@ ".5
8+#.5@ "a& -+#?g5@ $.& <+#.5@ "a& 5+#?h5@ ".5 &+#.5@ "a& G+#e5@
".5 10#?e-+
0ith a ecisive avantage+

'ur ne!t pro(%em is a good e!amp%e of over(oaing.
Aou are B(ac$ to move+
To he%p2 first figure out wh& the Rook can5t move then wh& the Queen can5t move.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + +rtrk+(
7+lzp +pzpp'
6p+ + + +&
5+p+q+ + %
+ z% v* +!
"+ z% + z% #
$ z% + + ,-&
't()+++ t( .
/012345678
*diag @E+
15m sure &ou found the ke& moveH
ans*erC 1++++#e1 whereupon the Queen must move awa& from its protection of the h-
sBuare or the Rook moves off the protection of the g2 sBuare.
'f course &ou ma& have found 2+3g8 (ut this 0ust de%a&s the inevita(%e as #?g1 with
3g2 mate to fo%%ow.
Now a coup%e of pro(%ems to do with tactics.
Knowing where to go can (e ha%f the (att%e2 the other ha%f if figuring out how to get
there. $ cast%ed King is fair%& safe2 after a%% that is wh& we cast%e in the first p%ace. But
it is a%so a static target that can (e (reached. 1n the fo%%owing diagram *hite to move
must use drastic measures to get at the King.
012345678
8r+l+ trk+(
7zp + +pzpp'
6 zp w+p+ +&
5+ + z% +)%
z% + + +!
"+ + + + #
$%+ +qz%%z%&
'+ +(+(,- .
/012345678
*diag @8+
This takes a (it of ca%cu%ating
Ans*erC 1+!f<@ *a forcing move. The King cannot move (ecause of 3?#J so+ g?f<
2+e?f< *and this Pawn (ecomes so powerfu% it wins the game+ on 3g8
6+3?f&@ "?f& 8+ #&J
Now that &ou have see how this works tr& the ne!t one.
This %ooks %ike a fair%& standard midd%e game where tactics a(ound.
First find the weak sBuare2 c%ear off a few pieces in &our mind then find a mating
position with the Rook .
Remem(er forcing moves and pins.
0hite to move
XABCDEFGHY
8 +rwq trk+(
7zpp+ vlpzpp'
6 +n+ sn +&
5+ + s)(v* %
+ z% + +!
"z%*+ + ++#
$ z% + +%z%&
'+ +(+ ,- .
/012345678
*diag @6+
This is ps&cho%ogica%%& a %itte harder to see (ecause it invo%ves a a Queen sacrifices2
(ut remem(er the Queen is on%& a piece and it wi%% Buite happi%& throw itse%f on its
sword to get checkmate.
The sBuare to (e attacking is h5, (ut it is protected (& the Knight. 'ur own Bishop is
(%ocking our Rook from getting over to the h fi%e and we have a pin on f5. This shou%d
%ead &ou toH
Ans*erC
1+B?f< B?f<
2+3?h5@ "?h5
6+#h-@ "g&
8+!g<B++++*ith -+#h&J to fo((o*+
Aou might a%so have seen
1+B?f< g?f<
2+!5 #e&
6+3h- 3?5
8+3?f5@ "h&
-+#h- *ith mate to fo((o*.
1n the ne!t diagram (%ack is not too worried a(out his position as he knows he can
swap off the Rook and get the Pawn. 9e might even fee% he can win this game2 (ut
white has a def%ection move in his armour& and that (%ack King doesn5t safe to me.
0hite to move
/our first thoughts shou%d (e a(out that Pawn on the 5
th
its a%most a Queen.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + tr + ,k(
7+ +%+pzpp'
6p+ +q+ +&
5+pt( z% + %
+p+ + +!
"w+ + + z%%#
$%+ + z% ,-&
'+ + + + .
/012345678
,iag &5)
Ans*er7 1+#c& #?c& 2+3e5B
This surprising move wins.* Not the o(vious 2+?c&++ $s now if the Rook moves &ou
Queen on & and if the Queen takes2 &ou Queen on c& with check.
B& now &ou shou%d (e grasping the idea of def%ection. 15m going on a(out it a %ot
(ecause it is a ma0or part of tactica% p%a& and wi%% get &ou to think a(out attacking
whi%e defending.
1n our ne!t pro(%em white5s first move ma& seem o(vious as indeed wi%% (e (%acks (ut
it is the continuation2 with the def%ection that is hard to see.
$fter the first move and its rep%& think a(out where &ou wou%d %ike to (e.
Now make (%ack get out of &our wa&.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + + +k+(
7zp + +pzpp'
6 zp + wqn+&
5+ + +)w+ %
+p+ + +!
"+ + + + #
$%+ + z%%z%&
'+ + t( ,- .
/012345678
*diag @@+
The ans*er7
1+#e&@ !f& 2+!h<@B 3?h< 6+#?f&@ "?f& 8+3&J
'ur ne!t pro(%em*0hite to move+ rea%%& takes def%ection to heart.
Remem(er &ou don5t need a %ot of pieces to get checkmate &ou 0ust need &our
opponents King in the right p%ace.
De have no time for su(t%et& here it5s attack2 attack2 sac2 sac2 ki%%.
XABCDEFGHY
8 +k+q+ +(
7zp +r+p+ '
6%+ + + +&
5w+ + + +*%
+ + + +!
",-p+ tr + #
$ + + + +&
'+ + + t( .
/012345678
*diag @J+
1 particu%ar%& %ike this pro(%em (ecause 1 can see this in a game where &ou have a%most
given up in despair. Aou can virtua%%& fee% (%ack g%oating2 unti% in desperation &ou
p%a&.
,.#c1@ ".& 2+3.8B@ "a& *righ2t got him where 1 want him+ 6+Bf6@ #?f6
8+3e8@ 3?e8 -+#c&J+
The ne!t pro(%em changes the emphasis s%ight%& and is more a(out space and contro%.
De are a%wa&s to%d to activate the King in the endgame and get our Bishops in front of
our Pawns. Dhite has done this (ut is he getting too greed&. 9e has 0ust p%a&ed "-
stopping the (%ack King from getting an& space. B%ack has a <(ad5 Bishop and cou%d
drop another Pawn.
1t is B(ac$ to move+
XABCDEFGHY
8 +l+ + +(
7+p+k+ zpp'
6p+ +nzp +&
5+ +-+ + %
v* +*+%+!
"z% + + + #
$ z%%+ + z%&
'+ + + + .
/012345678
*diag J.+
Keep ca%m. 1f &ou have time on the c%ock in a game2 now is the p%ace to use it.
ometimes its not a%% a(out sacrifices and def%ection.
Ans*er7 1++++.- now no matter what Dhite p%a&s (%ack p%a&s
2+++++B.5J
sometimes &ou can over7e!tend &ourse%f getting carried awa& with &ou attack and
miss moves %ike this.
$s we have said the end game is where &ou rea%%& need to do the ca%cu%ating. 1t can
make the difference (etween &ou knowing &ou can win or knowing &ou have %ost.
King and Pawn endings especia%%& are a(out counting the moves and knowing &our
sBuare of the King.
1n our %ast pro(%em &ou have to ca%cu%ate severa% possi(i%ities. ;an we capture (oth
of (%acks Pawns (efore he gets one to Queen and wins=.
;an we get our own Pawn to Queen=.
'r is a draw our (est option.=
XABCDEFGHY
8 + +-+ +(
7+ + + + '
6 + zp z% +&
5+ + + +k%
+)+ + +!
"+ + + + #
$ zp + + +&
'+ vl + + .
/012345678
*diag J,+
Take &our time. This is pro(a(%& the hardest test. "on5t give in too easi%&
&ou have a %ot of things to work out
1 won5t give a%% the possi(i%ities (ut %ets %ook at one fa%se trai%.
,+f5 .1K3
2+f&K3 3.-@
6+"f5 3?c8@ and that shou%d (e sufficient for (%ack to win.
o the ans*er is 7 A ra*. Dhich &ou can get (& e!p%oiting a tempo.
1+!?.2 B?.2
2+"5 -
6+"c< 8
8+f5 Ba6
-+".- 6 ,now white attacks the Bishop to gain a tempo)
<+"a8 Bf&
5+".6 Bg5
&+f&K3 B?f&
G+"c6 +++++++++ and (%ack cannot stop &ou from taking the pawn %eading to a draw
(& insufficient materia%.
Aou can get man& good (ooks on pro(%ems from checkmates in one2 to ver& comp%e!
positiona% tests. These are hand& to have. Aou wi%% (e surprised how man& times
variations of the pro(%ems &ou have 0ust done come up. /a&(e not the e!act position
(ut ones that an ana%ogous with it.
To finish %et me give an e!amp%e.
Tr& to so%ve the fo%%owing two positions.
XABCDEFGHY
8 + + trk+(
7+ + + zp '
6 + + zp%+&
5+ + + + %
+ + + +!
"+ + + + #
$ + + + +&
'+ + ,- ++.
/012345678
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqntrk+(
7zppzppvl zp '
6 + + zp%+&
5+ + + + %
*+ z% + +!
"s)%+ z%)+ #
$%v*%+ z% +&
'+ ,-+t( +(.
/012345678
The first one &ou pro(a(%& found in seconds2 its a standard checkmating pattern.
But did the second one cause &ou an& pro(%ems.
Kust (ecause there are more pieces on the (oard and &ou have to make 8 moves
instead on one2 &ou shou%d not have (een daunted. 1ts the same mating pattern and a%%
moves are forced.
1+#h&@ "?h&
2+#h1@ "g&
6+#h&@ "?h&
8+3h1@ "g&
-+3h5J
'nce &ou know where &ou have to go it (ecomes re%ative%& eas&.
$fter a whi%e &ou (egin to see the patterns.
Now that &ou have come to the end of the (ook if &ou are not &et ,-..? don5t (e too
disappointed. 1t wi%% take time and most of a%%2 work. Practice as much as &ou can 2
what &ou have %earned from me and others. P%a& as man& good games as &ou can fit in
. 1f &ou5re not in a c%u(2 find &our nearest and go a%ong. "on5t fee% intimidated. ;hess
is pro(a(%& the most ega%itarian of a%% sports. De do not care a(out race2 creed2 age2
si)e2 co%our2 or gender. $s %ong as &ou can p%a& the game2 &ou wi%% find someone of
eBua% or (etter strength wi%%ing to p%a& &ou.
$ friend of mine2 on winning his %oca% c%u( tournament said <1n some of the games 1
was rea%%& %uck& to win.>
But as the Frandmaster #d Lasker said <The more I practice the (uc$ier I get+;
Ron Cummins
2009
Bibliography
Batsford Modern Chess openings Ed: Nick De Firmian Batsford 2000
My sixty memorable games Bobby Fischer Batsford 200
!eni"s in Chess #onathan $e%itt Batsford &''(
Easy g"ide to the Classical )icilian #o"ni *r+ola E%eryman 2000
,ltimate Dragon %ol2 !"feld-)tetsko Batsford 200&
.he Mechanics of the Mind /fleger-.reppner Cro0ood ,J@I
The midd%e game in ;hess Kohn Litt%ewood Batsford -...
#ngame secrets ;hristopher Lut) Batsford ,JJJ
"angerous Deapons #mms2 Dard #ver&man -..6
The Nim)o71ndian Pa%%iser

$ ;oaching & P%a&ers /anua%
Ron ;ummins