Author: DJCA

(Lasker) 3. Bring out your knights before developing your bishops, especially the Queen’s Bishop.

Don’t play a move with a one-move threat that can be easily stopped.

One key idea: the passed pawn. 1. Endgames, and some middlegames, are all about creating and advancing a passed pawn. Either the pawn queens, or your opponent gets so tied up in knots trying to stop it that they lose something else.

* Take your opponent seriously if they are lower-rated, but don’t be overawed if they outgrade you. [Don’t look at your opponent’s rating if it takes the edge off your attitude.]

Many players when pitted against a stronger opponent try and swap everything off and get a draw in the endgame. They then get a worse game, and are ground steadily down by their opponent’s superior technique who is pleased to get a win without danger of losing. Every exchange made is going to be better for one side or the other, and every passive move makes your position less promising.

Don’t play a quick move because you can’t really decide what is going on, or because you suddenly see a good-looking idea. Take the time to find a good move. I think 15-20 minutes to decide if a Pawn grab is safe is not unreasonable.

* A space advantage is meaningless without a potential breakthrough, or some other way to get behind enemy lines.

* Ignore your opponent’s time pressure. Take your own time to find the best moves as you normally would. Don’t try and rush your opponent – they are probably more used to playing quickly than you are and may outplay you, or set you a trap!

* Danger signs – General things to watch out for:

1. leaving the king without sufficient support from other pieces