Author: DJCA

1. Doubled, isolated and blockaded pawns are weak: avoid them!

1. Without pawns, you must be at least a Rook ahead in order to force mate (exceptions: R+R wins against two minor pieces; four minor pieces win against a Queen)

3 principles (Fine)

* BISHOP: like the Rook, also needs open lines. The long diagonals a1-h8 and h1-a8 are useful, but often it is more important to point them at your opponent’s King’s-side , for example, by putting them on c4 and e3. Two bishops side by side can be very powerful in attacking from a distance, for example on b2 and c2.

(Hort) 9. A weakening of your own pawns may be accepted only if it is compensated by a more active placement of your pieces.

* You mustn’t ignore genuine threats, but don’t be panicked or distracted by them – especially when faced with a King’s-side attack [when you must pursue your own attack with extra vigour.]. Don’t worry needlessly, resulting in panic and retreat – you need to keep active and keep counterplay.

(Fine) 4. Pick the most suitable square for a piece and develop it there once and for all.

1. Get your pieces out into the centre quickly. The opening is a race to see who can get their pieces out first while keeping at least a share of control of the centre. * This is the main point to remember; all the other rules are just footnotes to this one

(Fine) 6. Do not bring your queen out too early.

Good players drop games to lesser lights every year – make sure it’s you that they drop them to.