Questions tagged [strategy]
Questions relating to reasoning behind a move, plan, or idea
590
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Game vs. Stockfish, not sure what I did wrong
[FEN ""]
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. Be2 Nc6 5. Nf3 e5 6. d4 Nxd4 7. Nxd4 Qxd4 8. Qxd4 exd4 9. Nb5 Bd6 10. Nxd6+ cxd6 11. Bf4 Bf5 12. O-O-O Rc8 13. c3 dxc3 14. Bb5+ Kf8 15. Bxd6+ Ne7 ...
0
votes
5
answers
313
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Can't understand where is my fault in this game
I played with white. I suspect that not having control in the center might be the problem. Is that true or is there something else?
The game GIF: https://lichess1.org/game/export/gif/qtKvS9zz.gif
The ...
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2
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2
answers
227
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Rook endgame book that goes through the strategy of such positions
Consider this position:
[FEN "8/R4p2/P4kp1/7p/7P/4K1P1/r4P2/8 w - - 0 1"]
1. Kd4 Rxf2 2. Rc7 Ra2 3. a7 Kf5 4. Kc4 Kg4 ( 4... Ra1 5. Kb5 Rb1+ 6. Kc6 Ra1 7.
Kb7 f6 8. a8=Q Rxa8 9. Kxa8 Kg4 ...
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3
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Chess calculation when there's more than 10 best moves
I have seen quite few positions where opponent has more than 10 good moves if I play a specific move. Even at that time, I have seen people calculate for so long. Is it that they are looking at all ...
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1
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1
answer
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Today's engines changing what was considered the best plan
So when I peruse the many strategy books I have, I have found many positions where there is a clear best plan, that seems clearly much better than all other plans. The variations given by the experts,...
- 3,401
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10
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How do I learn to understand the middlegame?
I am trying to train tactics as well as my general understanding of the beginning/middlegame. I spent a good bit of time understanding endgames, per chessmaster recommendations and those I can ...
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10
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3
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How do I trap the queen once it pins my rook?
I am playing as Black in this game, and after 10. Qg4, I realize that White wanted my rook. I knew I could trap the queen once it went for the rook (11. Qxg7), but I forgot how. I went on to win the ...
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-1
votes
1
answer
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Nimzowitsch and the defensive theory of open lines
I have read from Nimzowitsch over and over again how one could use a file as the basis of a restraining operation. All those who know his work know what I speak of, but good players at all levels ...
- 94.5k
9
votes
3
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503
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How do I play against the Queen's Gambit Declined Tartakower structure?
I play the Exchange Variation against the QGD, but I'm really struggling against the Tartakower style setup in the QGD, when black plays b6 and c5. As White, I just don't really know what I'm supposed ...
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2
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Trying to improve
I have a question hopefully someone can help me out.
3 days ago I won a tournament (25+5) semi-rapid section under 1450 OTB. I scored 5/5 beating some high rated players.
My rating OTB semi-rapid ...
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1
answer
101
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Why is d5 better than dxe5 in this position?
I tried looking at a few lines with the engine but still couldn't quite understand how white managed to obtain a better position in some of the lines. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
[Title &...
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-1
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1
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Why is 11...Qg6 the best move in this line of the italian?
In the following position:
2kr3r/ppp1bppp/2nq4/1N2pb2/8/3PBN2/PPP2PPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 4 11
The engine (Stockfish 14) suggests 11...Qg6 as the best move for black. It evaluates 11...Qg6 -3.4 compared to ...
- 15.8k
5
votes
1
answer
766
views
Which openings have a 0-0-0 long castle as white and as black?
Long castling is not very common. Are there any statistics as to how many games have long castle? And how many of them are won?
Which openings can one typically play where there is a long castle, as ...
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Why is Nf6 a blunder here?
With Nf6, I'm trying to bring my Knight out. If the Bishop takes it, I can take the Bishop with by g7 pawn. Why is this a blunder?
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Why is Nh6 a mistake here? Why is Nf6 the best move?
I'm analyzing this game between me and Stockfish Level 1 on lichess.org: https://lichess.org/0SvUBEu0/black#4
With Nh6 I was trying to counter a possible Bxf7+. Without Nh6, the King would have to ...
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1
answer
130
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What is the easiest way to win this endgame in a blitz game?
Say you're in a blitz game and you and your opponent both have 45 seconds left.
[Title "White to move"]
[fen "6k1/3p2pp/p7/1pPq4/1P6/P5RP/6PK/8 w - - 0 45"]
My question is how ...
- 94.5k
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1
answer
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The difference between 2. Nc3 and 2. Bc4 after 1. e4 e5
After 1.e4 e5 what are the ideas behind 2.Nc3 versus 2.Bc4?
[fen ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 (2. Bc4)
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1
answer
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Modern Benoni strategy question
Imagine that I have this position with White when playing against the Benoni defense
[FEN ""]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. Bd3 Bg7 8. h3 O-O 9.
Nf3 a6 10. ...
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votes
8
answers
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Which are the ideas in the Van't Kruijs Opening?
In a game with a friend, he made a really unexpected move, e3:
[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/4P3/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"]
Afterwards, when analysing the game I found its name is Van't Kruijs ...
- 94.5k
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1
answer
73
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Can electronic music really have a positive effect on online chess? [closed]
I ask this question because of the public figures I have seen playing electronic music in the background, among them the runner-up Ian Nepomniachtchi. I cannot rely on my experiences, as they may be ...
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1
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Strange modern defense
I was playing with the white pieces yesterday and faced this opening frequently!
[FEN ""]
1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 e6 4. e4 Ne7 5.Nf3 d5
This opening annoyed me because during the whole ...
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11
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Is chess a solved game?
Chess is a zero-sum game of limited decisions. The number of possible moves at any given point, and the number of possible states of the board, are all finite.
Tic-Tac-Toe, is one of the easiest ...
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1
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79
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How to determine the right plan in a Carlsbad structure on the queenside for examples similar to this one
Let's say that I'm play from the Black side this position:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. f4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 e6 8. c3 Nc6 9. Bd3 Be7 10. Be3 a6 11. Nd2 b5 12. ...
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3
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Why exchange bishop for knight in this endgame?
In this position, Stockfish gives black (me) -8.1 and recommends BxN.
8/5p2/4pkpp/p1n5/Pp6/1Bb1PP2/2PNK2P/8 b - - 7 28
Instead I played Kf5 and the evaluation plummets to -2.1.
My understanding was ...
CommunityBot
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votes
5
answers
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What do modern chess players understand about the game that previous generations did not?
In an interview, Garry Kasparow stated that each generation of chess players knows more about the game than the previous one. He applies this thought concretely to the question of who is better - him ...
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2
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Why is the f6 pawn break in Advanced French so important for black?
I am new to the French (so forgive me if the question seems elementary).
I've just come across the pawn break ...f6 for black in the French advance variation, and I find the pawn break quite dubious ...
- 3,695
4
votes
1
answer
128
views
London system plan against Qxb6 when white has time to go a3 and Rc1 getting out of pin
In the London system where white doesn't develop the b1 knight early the Qxb6 followed by a3 is considered a mistake due to the following sequence
[FEN ""]
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. ...
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2
answers
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QGD is 3... Be7 better than 3...Nf6
3...Be7 a.k.a the Alatortsev Variation is a possible response as black for QGD players
When I checked with the database 3...Nf6 is the most played move instead of 3...Be7.
When black plays Nf6 they ...
- 163
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votes
3
answers
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What is a logical move?
I'm not sure as to what constitutes as a logical move. Sometimes I hear that chess is a discussion using statements, arguments, questions and answers.
Can someone explain to me what a logical move ...
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votes
4
answers
381
views
Is 2. c3 the best response against the Caro-Kann?
On chess.com, I was playing as White and my opponent played the Caro-Kann. I personally like the accelerated Panov Attack, 2. c4, but my mouse slipped and I played 2. c3. I was very mad when I did ...
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votes
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What color squares should pawns be on with one bishop left?
This slightly confuses me. If I have one bishop left - let's say it is the light-squared bishop - ss it better for my pawns to be on the light squares or dark squares? Let's assume also that my ...
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4
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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?
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1
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237
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Walkover -- what is this?
I've never seen this before. I was playing a game on ChessArena.com, and I ended up getting something called a "Walkover".
My rating on ChessArena for that game was 1090, and my opponent's ...
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4
votes
2
answers
251
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A question about the time to evacuate a queen in a master game
I am studying a book about chess strategy, and in the chapter concerning the d4,e4 center I have this game:
(PACHMAN, VESELY, Pragues, 1953)
r1b2rk1/pp1nqppp/2pb1n2/4p3/2PP4/2N1PN2/P1Q1BPPP/R1B1R1K1 b ...
- 3,695
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1
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110
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what are some good resources for QGD exchanged where black plays Nh5 and later Nb6 Be6 and 0-0-0
Here is a different approach of playing the QGD as black. A general idea after Qxe7 is to play Nb6, Be6 followed by 0-0-0. I don't know if this variation has a name but Nh5 seems to be popular and has ...
- 16.3k
6
votes
1
answer
535
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How do you attack a king castled behind an open g file?
In a recent game, I got to this position as black:
r2qk2r/4bppp/p1n1pn2/1p1p2B1/3P4/1BNQ1P2/PPP2P1P/R4RK1 b kq - 0 12
I wasn't really sure how to proceed. The black king looks vulnerable. Are there ...
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1
answer
246
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What are the ideas and plans in the Boor Attack in the Exchange Slav?
In Friday morning's round (31st March 2023) in the Reyjkavik Open Simon Williams played the Boor Attack in the Exchange Slav, characterized by 5. f3 [Ben Finegold: "Never play f3"], as white ...
- 94.5k
5
votes
1
answer
101
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Strategic plans in the openings
I premise that I have an Elo score of 800. I'm reading a 7-book series by Garry Kasparov that seems quite comprehensive: it initially covers the general principles of an opening, then goes on to study ...
- 3,695
3
votes
2
answers
166
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Is better to lose a knight or a bishop when taking a queen/rook
I don't completely understand how knights and bishops (according to chess.com) have the same "piece value." If I were to be taking a queen (or rook), should I give up my knight or bishop? So ...
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2
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226
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I accidentally lost my queen and I resign is that a bad thing to do?
If it's bad what should I do? And I why resigning after I lost my queen is bad?
I have no way to win, and I and I have to resign because I am going to lose anyway.
So is it bad?
[Event "...
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2
answers
321
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Strategic plans for Black in Fianchetto Variation of KID
As an intermediate-level KID player, I'm starting to face Catalan-style setups with d4 / c4 / g3 more often:
[FEN ""]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O 5.Nf3 d6 6.O-O Nbd7 7.Nc3 e5
I ...
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3
answers
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Why does Black want to trade off their King's Bishop in many d4 lines?
I feel that in many lines starting with d4, such as the Queen's Gambit Declined, or especially the Nimzo-Indian, Black is more than happy to trade their King's Bishop for White's knight on c3. For ...
- 16.3k
3
votes
1
answer
201
views
How to effectively use the queen in chess opening strategy?
The queen is the most powerful piece in chess, with the ability to move in any direction and threaten a wide range of squares. However, it can be challenging to effectively use the queen in the ...
- 94.5k
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0
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53
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Please advise which books are about strategy with explanations [duplicate]
I have many books that show openings, endplays, tactics, different puzzle to find best moves, databases with games, articles...
All this stuff shows specific moves, which I have to find by myself.
I ...
- 24.8k
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votes
4
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7k
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How to play as adult attacking Chess player against young chess prodigies
I'm an expert-level chess player, who enjoys playing dynamic chess, but I am struggling against young chess players (ages between 8-16), who have lower ratings. How can I improve my score against this ...
CommunityBot
- 1
13
votes
1
answer
991
views
Pawn confrontations: capture, push past, or leave the tension?
When your opponent moves a pawn to a position where it can be captured by one of your pawns, how should you determine whether to capture it, push past it or leave the tension on the board and make a ...
- 507
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votes
2
answers
106
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What to trade when there's one superior/inferior minor piece in the position?
Consider this position:
[FEN ""]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 Nbd7 7.Nf3 Ne5 8.Nxe5 dxe5 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Bxd7+ Qxd7 11. O-O c4 12. Bg5 Be7 13. Qe2 b5 14. Rfd1 O-O 15....
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0
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How to effectively use pawn structures in chess strategy? [closed]
Pawn structures play a crucial role in chess strategy, as they can influence the placement and mobility of the pieces. However, it can be difficult for chess players to understand how to effectively ...
- 1,963
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votes
9
answers
5k
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Is pawns supporting pawns a good opening strategy?
For my opening strategy in most chess games I play, I usually move my pawns forward two, then one in an alternating strategy, until I have a sort of WWW shape with my pawns. That way, if anyone takes ...
- 504
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votes
1
answer
106
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Opposite side castling, pawn storm vs piece play
I used to play Sicilian Najdorf a couple of years ago and I used to get positions like this one:
[FEN ""]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f3 Be7 9.Qd2 ...
- 5,096