Training

* Everyone is vulnerable. Play without fear. Play to win from the first move against every opponent. That doesn’t mean, attack like a mad thing from move 1, but each move should be played accurately and seriously.

3. If you are one or two pawns ahead, exchange pieces but not pawns.

* If you have the Bishop pair you must try to open up lines for them, and deny the opposing Knights any central posts.

* Create a plan right away or you may drift. There is always something to do, e.g. improve the position of your worst piece. Appraise the position honestly. Avoid vagueness in assessment – don’t say “maybe I’ll get an attack on the Queen’s-side”, but “in three moves I can get my Knight to c5 and my rook to b1 to attack b7 – can my opponent defend in that time, or create a distraction?”

If your opponent is trying to win a level position, don’t get impatient and rush, and don’t get bored and go on the defensive, don’t be tempted into exchanges that give a little ground. Stay calm. Give the impression of great patience, that you aren’t going to blunder no matter how long they spin it out. And keep trying to play good and active moves, even if you think it’s only a draw.

Quiet positions demand patience. They are not to be abandoned as a draw or played carelessly – you must learn to concentrate and outplay your opponent in these positions as well as when it’s very tactical.

The best way to get a draw is to play as well and actively as possible, just the same as if you were trying to win!

3. Be wary of sacrificing pawns for development: only in Rook+Pawn endings is an active piece worth material.

* Neither be over-impressed by your own threats. An attack by one piece on another is meaningless in itself – it may distract an important defender. Equally, don’t assume that a stock combination or sacrifice works for you in the position you have today – small differences can make it fail. Don’t hope vainly – analyse and find out.

8. Keep your queen safe