Combinational Motifs

X Ray Obstruction (Blockade)

Overprotection
Pin / Reverse Pin (Skewer) Annihilation of Defense Prophylaxis Threat Prevention
Double Attack Attraction / Decoy (Deflection)
Discovered attack Weakening by constriction (Zugzwang)
Overload Demolition of pawn structure
Clearance Interference * Positional Sacrifices Pawn sacrifice (Gambit)
Minor piece sacrifice
Exchange sacrifice
Queen sacrifice
Tactics Checkmate Patterns

Types of “Pawn Islands”

Convergent Middlegame Patterns
Strategic Concept
Pawn chains
Dynamic Direction  Overloading the opponent’s defensive pieces
Pawn majorities  Restriction of the opponent’s forces
Hanging pawns Opposite Castlings  Exploiting the inharmonious placement of a piece
Isolated pawn Simetrical Castlings  Attacking the most vulnerable weakness
Backward pawn Uncastled King  Attacking the strongpoint: interference themes *
Doubled pawn
Passed pawn Elements of Chess
Strategy

Creative Positional Nuances

 The King as an attacking piece

Pawn Structure Central Squares
 Voluntarily giving-up castling
Color Complexes
 Optimizing one or various pieces
Flanks
Static Files
 Infiltrating into the opponent’s position
 Establishing a wedge or 'outpost' in the opponent's position
Ranks
 Voluntarily placing a piece in an inferior position
Diagonals
Defines Position Type:  Attacking retreat
 Early rook activation
Closed – Relative Piece  The pawns defending the King play the role of attackers
Value Chessboard Geometry  Placing a piece withing the enemy’s firing range
Semi-closed (Semi-open)  Removal of your own piece, etc. (e.g. The Queen as a
Open – Absolute Piece Value blockading piece, artistic endgame knowledge)