Author: DJCA

* An attack on the wing is best met by play in the centre.

10. In open positions the two bishops are murder: in most other positions they are a real advantage.

(Hort) 8. Do not be eager for material gain. The fight for time is much more important than the fight for material, especially in open positions.

(Hort) 10. With the help of your pawns, try to get an advantage in space and weaken your opponent’s pawn position.

(Nimzowitsch) 7. There is no time for pawn hunting in the opening, except for centre pawns.

(Fine) 1. In the initial position White, because of the extra move, has a slight advantage. Consequently…

15. Rooks belong behind passed pawns, of your own or the opponent.

* Knights need to be near the centre and forward; they thrive on outposts (whether absolute = can’t be dislodged by a Pawn, or relative, like on f5, when a pawn move (…g6) would weaken the opponent’s position).

10. What to do if there is a lead in development: * If you are ahead in development, start something going and open up lines for your better pieces * If you are behind in development, don’t start anything and keep things closed until you have caught up

(Nimzowitsch) 3. To be ahead in development is the ideal to be aimed for.