Questions tagged [strategy]
Questions relating to reasoning behind a move, plan, or idea
552
questions
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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 ...
- 147
2
votes
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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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 ...
1
vote
1
answer
114
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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,...
- 427
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votes
1
answer
79
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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 ...
- 29
1
vote
2
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126
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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 ...
- 111
0
votes
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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votes
1
answer
107
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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 ...
- 599
5
votes
1
answer
766
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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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1
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1
answer
94
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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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1
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1
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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 ...
- 159
1
vote
4
answers
144
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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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votes
1
answer
89
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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)
2
votes
1
answer
128
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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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1
vote
1
answer
73
views
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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2
votes
1
answer
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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11
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3
answers
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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 ...
- 3,057
4
votes
1
answer
128
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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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6
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2
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708
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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 ...
- 2,328
4
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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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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6
votes
1
answer
535
views
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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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 ...
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1
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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 ...
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3
votes
2
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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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0
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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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0
answers
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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 ...
16
votes
4
answers
7k
views
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 ...
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4
votes
1
answer
247
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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 ...
- 1,200
1
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3
answers
287
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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 ...
- 504
3
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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201
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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 ...
- 1,963
1
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0
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44
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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
3
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 ...
- 1,200
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0
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92
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Who would be more likely to win a match, an AI that pick an random move, or an AI that picks an random piece/pawn and then a legal move from it? [closed]
Who would be more likely to win a match, an AI that pick an random legal move, or an AI that picks an random piece/pawn with legal moves and then a legal move from it?
The second AI, consider castling ...
- 49
7
votes
1
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2k
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Can you use the copycat strategy in correspondence chess?
The copycat strategy is a rather silly one that guarantees a 50% score. Basically, you play White in one game and Black in the other game. You copy moves from one game to the other. So for example, if ...
- 26.1k
5
votes
1
answer
144
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why f4 for white in this position
I was playing a rapid game with the white pieces the other day and I reached this position
[FEN ""]
1. b3 d6 2. Bb2 e5 3. e3 Nc6 4. c4 f5 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. Nc3 Bd7 8. Nge2 O-O 9. d3 ...
- 1,200
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2
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174
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What are the White plans in this "copycat" line in the Jobava London?
In the last round of last month's 4th EJCOA IM Norm tournament this interesting game was played. White plays the Jobava London and Black plays the "copycat" line with 4...Bf5. Black then ...
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votes
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 ...
- 2,328
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2
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198
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Chess middle game puzzle online for free
Recently, I was looking for a website where I can find only middle game puzzles. I found the website, I had solved most of the puzzles in less than a minute (If I get enough time, I can solve any ...
- 504
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votes
2
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1k
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When is it okay to break a pin using kingside pawns?
In the following position, Stockfish recommends h3 followed by g4. I can understand feeling okay to move your kingside pawns in a closed position or an endgame, but I don't know if this position would ...
- 111
0
votes
2
answers
156
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Best human plan vs best computer plan
Suppose that in a given strategic position, every grandmaster agrees that plan A is better than plan B, and for the first few minutes the strongest computer engines calculate that A is best and B is ...
- 427
1
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1
answer
117
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What is the best Chess Engine to practice latter Middlegame and Early Endgame
I have taken a break from chess for while now, and I am hoping to make a comeback soon. I want to brush up on my latter Middlegame and Early Endgame.
I want to start by analyzing recent GM games. What ...
- 459
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2
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300
views
Do chess have deterministic win strategy like tic tac toe? I.e. would God always win knowing the whole tree of combinations? [duplicate]
Chess is a totally deterministic game.
Although we do not have computing power to pre-compute all the possible moves, all possible outcomes are determined.
So assuming God had unlimited computing ...
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38
votes
5
answers
10k
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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 ...
- 687
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1
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502
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What is the idea behind the Nd7 Nb6 by black maneuver in the King's Indian Defence?
I have seen this idea often and want to know the idea behind it.
White can create a doubled pawn weakness on b7 and b6 by doing Bxb6, but then would black have control over f4 and also c5? (unless ...
- 2,328
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can White win this middle game?
I played a game that ended with a draw and this is the end position:
[FEN ""]
[startply "119"]
1. e4 f6 2. d4 d6 3. c4 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. f4 Nd7 6. Nf3 c5 7. d5 Qc7 8. Bd3 a6 9. a3 ...
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6
votes
2
answers
195
views
Why should White give up the bishop (pair) in this example?
Stockfish evaluates this as advantageous for White (+0.6 at depth 22), with Bxe4 being the only move retaining the advantage.
Why is this so good for White?
We give up the bishop pair
We're left with ...
- 6,010
4
votes
1
answer
117
views
Why exchanging light-squared bishops is an inaccuracy here?
In the following position, Stockfish 14 says the move 1...Be6 is weak, with the score going from -0.4 to +0.7.
[Title "Black to move"]
[FEN "r1b1kb1r/p4ppp/2p5/1p2P3/8/1BP5/P4PPP/R1BK3R ...
- 599
15
votes
1
answer
2k
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Why is sacrificing an extra pawn good for White in the Goring gambit but bad in the Smith-Morra gambit?
In both the Smith-Morra (accepted) and Goring gambit lines, white offers a pawn on c3. If Black takes the pawn on c3, White can play Bc4, offering a second pawn in exchange for rapid development with ...
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