Theory is the erudite study and the philosophy behind the moves in chess.
9
votes
3answers
253 views
What are white's plans in this position?
I'll skip the long explanation, but it's not uncommon for me to reach the following position as White out of the opening:
[FEN ""]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bb4+ 5.c3 dxc3 6.O-O cxb2 Bxb2
...
7
votes
3answers
99 views
At what point does the opening end, and middle game begin?
Just curious if there's a set of guidelines to determine when a player can call the opening pretty much done, and move into the middle game. I know some rules of the opening that would apply are
...
5
votes
3answers
143 views
If there is a winning strategy, is it for White?
We do not know, given two perfect players White and Black, whether the game would necessarily end in a draw, or necessarily end in a win (for either Black or White).
However, can we prove that if ...
6
votes
2answers
136 views
Sacrifices, initial loss and a volte-face?
What is the most famous example where player was losing heavily (down on material) in the beginning with lots of sacrifices but came back strongly to beat or "pwn" opponent?
I am not asking for ...
4
votes
2answers
93 views
What are the common themes in the Catalan?
I have looked over some of the main lines of the Catalan in MCO-15 and feel pretty lost as to what's going on in them. What are some of the key positions and goals for either side? Or is the opening ...
4
votes
1answer
60 views
How does strategy change in the infinite variant of chess?
I've recently become interested in infinite chess (this presentation talks a bit about it and some of the interesting mathematical questions). You can find another discussion of the mathematical ...
6
votes
4answers
247 views
Does white have an advantage?
It is often debated that white has an advantage over black. Some even say that with perfect play on both sides, black simply cannot win. Is there any research that backs up this claim, or is it mere ...
10
votes
6answers
232 views
Is learning opening theory necessary?
I have never studied opening theory. The closest I've gotten was briefly reading about several openings in books, but never memorizing or using any. While I haven't ever played in tournaments I have ...
8
votes
1answer
110 views
Mate in N. What is the largest N known?
What known position has one side with a forced mate in N moves, with N the largest? I came across one with 517 moves using only 7 pieces, so there should be much be larger. (Ignoring the 50-move ...
7
votes
1answer
82 views
Which sites offer good tutorials for novices to improve?
Can anyone recommend sites that they have personally had experience with to be good for learning by novices? I play chess regularly, but I have never studied theory and while I am doing fairly well ...
10
votes
4answers
331 views
Systematic approach to learning opening/endgame theory?
Some relevant information: I've been playing chess for 4 years, and for 3 in tournaments, although I've only played in about 10 tournaments so far (3 big ones, like the Pan Ams and Chicago Open). My ...
10
votes
1answer
135 views
What influenced the development of the King's Indian Defense?
The King's Indian Defense is characterized by the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6. (As opposed to 2. . .e6, with the intention of developing the Bishop to the Queen-side.) Black aims for a strong King-side ...
7
votes
1answer
181 views
Is it possible to get a professional degree in chess?
I am a software engineer by profession, and a chess enthusiast (around 1600 rated).
I would like to know is there any professional university certified course like Masters etc. in chess?
Can someone ...
6
votes
1answer
133 views
When and why should I move the pawns in front of a castled/non-castled King?
I have always struggled with this and I believe there is some rule that someone defined at some point, but I am not sure who (Maybe it was Steinitz).
When and why should I move my pawns in front of ...
11
votes
4answers
236 views
Does the first-move advantage for White have real meaning apart from the highest levels of play?
Most games that involve taking turns, with one player going first by lot or agreement, have some sort of advantage to going first. Tic-tac-toe, for instance, is a guaranteed draw for player 1, ...
9
votes
3answers
156 views
Theoretical relationship between Caro-Kann exchange and Queen's Gambit exchange
Is there a book, or an article, which examines the relationship between these two openings? The Caro-Kann exchange (non-Panov) is 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5, and the Queen's Gambit exchange is 1.d4 ...
12
votes
4answers
300 views
Chess games that advanced endgame theory
Single games of chess can routinely have a significant impact on opening theory, of course, but it should be quite uncommon for a single game to significantly advance endgame theory, since that's a ...
1
vote
2answers
134 views
Statistics on how a rating or winning percentage corresponds to the (opening, middle, end) game?
Have their been any statistics on how your knowledge on part of the game (opening, middle, end) corresponds to your rating or winning percentage? For example, I have found that if I play opening ...
7
votes
2answers
155 views
Practical study for a former player?
I played quite often in the mid 80's to mid 90's. My highest rating OTB was low 1300's (Edited, I had thought I reached 1415, but not according to USCF site-although that doesn't include my high ...
8
votes
1answer
246 views
What is the theoretical consensus on the Roscher Gambit?
Edit: My mind played a trick on me after the fact. As Akavall notes in a comment, the Chadaev-Carlsen blitz game that I mention below actually proceeded 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3, a different gambit ...
10
votes
3answers
612 views
Playing the French Defense Exchange Variation
In the French Defense Advance Variation, 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 ..., there are some clear game plans for both sides, areas where you want a pawn break, where you want to attack, etc.
However, in the ...
5
votes
1answer
184 views
Improving the endgame: Principles
I find I am weakest in the endgame, which is arguably the most important part of chess. Usually when I reach the endgame I have an advantage, often a pawn or a "winning" pawn formation, but I am not ...
4
votes
5answers
242 views
Basic endgame: K + Q vs K + R
What's the technique behind the moves of the stronger side in order to win?
Are there situations where the side with K+R can force a draw against K+Q?
I've read plenty of examples of K+Q vs K+R, but ...
9
votes
3answers
280 views
Is it a draw by insufficient material if the board is K vs K, N & N?
It isn't possible to force checkmate with King vs. King, Knight & Knight. A checkmate position, however, is still possible to achieve, so does that mean the 50 move rule applies, or does ...
8
votes
3answers
411 views
How can one become a very good chess player without studying chess or openings?
I heard that Capablanca never liked to bother with openings, would never study chess or read books. Despite all this, he became world champion. Is this an exception to the rule? Have times changed ...
5
votes
1answer
88 views
How should one continue development against an unorthodox move by an opponent?
Let's say you have been practicing a certain opening such as the Ruy Lopez and you have all the main lines down and suddenly your opponent makes some unorthodox move that you did not encounter while ...
8
votes
4answers
417 views
Why is the light-squared bishop considered White's best bishop?
The same question applies to Black where the dark-squared bishop is considered Black's best bishop.
This was from the book "Logical Chess Move by Move" by Irving Chernev where he quotes Siegbert ...
12
votes
3answers
167 views
What is the theory behind center control?
Center control is an important aspect of playing chess, most openings are built around controlling the center, but why? Is center control really that important for winning a game?
17
votes
3answers
268 views
When does the middlegame end and the endgame begin?
Is there any specific point where the middle-game ends and end-game begins? E.g. after x number of pieces are exchanged, or say 40 moves, etc.
