Questions tagged [strategy]
Questions relating to reasoning behind a move, plan, or idea
590
questions
7
votes
1
answer
694
views
With regards to the safety of the king when castling kingside
Basically, I want to keep my king safe after a kingside castle.
I want to avoid this:
8/8/8/8/8/8/5PPP/2r3K1 w - - 0 1
The configuration is such that none of my pieces can access the f1 square. I ...
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How do you deal with Black's light-squared bishop when it's out of the pawn chain and not exchanged in the London?
I usually have problems with the light-squared bishop when Black takes it out of the pawn chain and doesn't exchange it, but instead either protects it with the e-pawn:
rn1qkb1r/ppp2ppp/4pn2/3p1b2/...
- 599
3
votes
2
answers
321
views
Imagine your (stronger) opponent plays this Botez Gambit. How to strategise?
My experiment is inspired by Hikaru Nakamura's "Botez Gambit Speedrun". The term "Botez Gambit" refers jocularly to the act of blundering your queen.
Let's say you had the black ...
- 795
2
votes
4
answers
176
views
What strategic principles contribute to black's advantage in this position?
I calculated to the following position during a game:
[FEN "r1r3k1/5pbp/p2qpnp1/3p4/3P4/2N1PB1P/P5P1/2R1QRK1 w - - 1 22"]
At the time I believed black would have a slight positional edge ...
- 21
0
votes
2
answers
296
views
How do I evaluate the value of every piece in Mathematical Chess?
This is Vietnamese Mathematical Chess—
http://cotoan.vnvista.com/rules-en.html
The board contains 11 ranks and 9 files. Each side has ten pieces, numbered from 0 to 9. The board initial layout is as ...
user32381
2
votes
1
answer
337
views
Does opening preparation contribute a lot in winning games?
It is often said that Opening preparation is considered one of the most vital things a chess player needs to learn when they start getting better(above 2000 elo). Many chess players are known for ...
- 1,485
13
votes
8
answers
6k
views
What fundamental mistakes were made in my game that slowly turned in to a loss?
I have trouble seeing what fundamental mistakes I made during this FIDE rated game I played today. I played as white. The game was analyzed without an engine with people at the tournament were we ...
- 249
5
votes
2
answers
789
views
How to understand black's advantage in this line of the Polerio defense?
In the following line of the Polerio defense, black has an advantage close to -2 according to the engine:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb3 Nxb3 7. axb3 ...
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0
votes
1
answer
158
views
Is there a strategy to win chess960 games? [duplicate]
Chess960, a variant where the backrank pieces are all randomized subject to a few constraints, is a variant of chess where you cannot really memorize openings. Is there a strategy in chess960 so it is ...
- 1,123
4
votes
1
answer
166
views
Is attacking the kingside with White when Black kind-of plays the King Indian's defense setup a valid gameplan?
So recently I played an online blitz game with White (you can find the game here and the analysis here)
[White "LetMeWinPls45"]
[Black "Nord1970"]
[FEN ""]
1. d4 g6 2. ...
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why is Black much better here?
The material is equal in the position below:
I don't see any isolated pawns, or doubled pawns that could be a problem. Both players have their Bishop pair. Playing a few engine moves doesn't really ...
3
votes
2
answers
560
views
King's Indian Attack (KIA) purpose?
The King's Indian Attack usually starts with the following below
[FEN ""]
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3
However, I do not fully understand what this opening is trying to do. I understand that White might ...
- 1,123
14
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Are resignations by expert players naive?
During recent online chat with gamers, I asserted that 'go' (and possibly othello) had a larger decision space than chess.
After reading Wikipedia, I realized I failed to account for othello and go '...
0
votes
1
answer
111
views
What is the best way to play the middlegame? [closed]
Many times, I can play the opening correctly and find myself in a favorable position. This is because the opening has clear principles that I can follow (i.e. develop minor pieces, control the center, ...
- 499
0
votes
1
answer
65
views
Rook move and back rank after kingside castling in the queens gambit accepted
I'm about 1500 on Lichess, and as white I almost always play the queens gambit accepted (if reached).
After some moves I often, almost naturally, play at some point Rfe1 and h3.
The first one is to ...
- 109
1
vote
1
answer
282
views
Did Lichess Level 8 truly lose this game?
Jonathan Scrantz played this game against Lichess Level 8:
[Title "Jonathan Scrantz VS Stockfish Level 8 (3000) after 9. Kh1"]
[FEN ""]
[Startply "17"]
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 ...
- 2,779
0
votes
1
answer
336
views
Is there a sequence to force a draw in crazyhouse?
I have heard that there is something like a 9 move sequence to force a draw in crazyhouse. Is there such a sequence?
- 1,123
4
votes
4
answers
751
views
What are the strategic ideas behind Bf4?
rnb2rk1/ppq2pbp/2pppnp1/8/2PPP3/2N2N1P/PP2BPP1/R1BQK2R w KQ - 0 9
1. Bf4 Nh5 2. Bh2 e5
In the game, I played Be3; but the engine seems to like the line above. Why is Bf4 better (in a strategic way) ...
- 151
2
votes
1
answer
153
views
Adapt play style when playing against stronger / weaker opponents? [duplicate]
Is it a good idea to change one's style of play when facing stronger opponents?
If so, what would be the better approach:
Play very solidly / dull (e.g. Exchange French / Caro-Kann as White), ...
- 6,010
3
votes
1
answer
579
views
Why does Stockfish evaluate Nd4 as an inaccuracy in this particular game?
Here is the position:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qe6 4. Be2 Nf6 5. Nf3 Ne4 6. Nd4 Qd5 7. nxd5
I have two knights here. One knight is being attacked by the knight at e4. My ...
user26887
5
votes
2
answers
163
views
Coming up with a plan at beginning of middlegame
I very often encounter the situation that I don't know how to come up with a plan after the opening. See this position, playing as Black, black to move:
[FEN "r3r1k1/1pp1qpp1/pb1p1n1p/4p3/1P2P3/...
- 599
4
votes
2
answers
303
views
Why is Nd5 a blunder in this game?
I am surprised when Stockfish engine told me that nd5 is a blunder while suggests me to use my knight at f3 and take the pawn at e5. But, there is a black knight at c6 and if I do that, then, he will ...
user26887
7
votes
1
answer
316
views
Middlegame plan for this position
I'm playing a game against a chess computer as white, my move:
I'm struggling to work out what I should try to do. I am up a pawn. I've managed to force the black king to move so it couldn't castle ...
- 285
-4
votes
1
answer
140
views
What should be my move as white and what kind endgame should i target?
I played this game with an AI. I played brilliantly till this position presented itself.
- 29
6
votes
1
answer
149
views
What is the point of 6...Ne8 in the f3 Nimzo?
4...O-O followed by 6...Ne8!? is a popular line in the f3 Nimzo at master level, but I'm still struggling to understand why it's played.
[FEN ""]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 O-O 5.a3 ...
- 1,967
7
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Is endangering the king a good strategy in some positions?
According to Wikipedia, "any chess piece except the king may be sacrificed". However, I am wondering,if in some rare situations, whether endangering the king can also be a good strategy. ...
- 8,819
3
votes
1
answer
320
views
How is c4 the best move in this position?
[FEN "rn2r1k1/pp2qpp1/3b1nbp/2pp4/6PP/1B1PBP2/PPPQNK2/RN2R3 b KQkq - 0 14"]
14... c4 15. dxc4 Nxg4+
I set up the above position in Stockfish and the initial analysis was that c4 was the ...
- 807
10
votes
3
answers
1k
views
If the back row of white pieces is moved to be in front of the pawns, which side should I play?
I remember this starting position played many times by my grandfathers. But I am too young to recollect the results of their games. If I have to choose, which side should I play? (White moves 1st)
- 325
3
votes
4
answers
793
views
Timed Games and improving play?
I'm more of a chess hobbyist, but I'm trying to learn more about the game. I've been working on playing some basic openings. I usually play on chess.com.
What's a better timed game to learn from? I ...
- 367
3
votes
2
answers
319
views
Challenges of becoming a good chess player
Chess is a deterministic game. Hence in principle we can have a perfect strategy for chess, a strategy that prevents a player losing a single game (given that no mistake has been made). All chess ...
- 139
4
votes
4
answers
313
views
Why exchange the knight for the bad light-squared bishop?
Here is a recent game in the King's Indian I had as Black:
[Event "Rated Rapid game"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/za0zcaTi"]
[Date "2021.08.23"]
[White "tomx2"]
[...
- 1,967
9
votes
3
answers
503
views
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 ...
- 93
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Understanding when it's OK / not OK to trade off the fianchettoed bishop
In this position:
[FEN ""]
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.Bc4 d6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.O-O b5 7.Bb3 b4 8.e5 bxc3 9.exf6 Bxf6 10.bxc3 O-O 11.Bh6
According to the lichess database, the most common move ...
- 1,967
1
vote
1
answer
143
views
Ideas to keep in mind before a tournament
Tomorrow I'm playing in my third OTB tournament. I have tried coming up with really long chess "acronyms" to try and remember all the different things I need to consider before my move but ...
15
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What is a pawn hook?
On my question (Why is 11. .. h6 such a bad move?) someone commented that I should read about the concepts of hooks. One definition that I found was:
A hook is an advanced pawn which can be exploited ...
- 675
5
votes
1
answer
342
views
Trouble with Opening ideas for 3. g3 in the Vienna game, Falkbeer Variation
I have been trying to practice my ability to strategize in positions and form long-term ideas, and this position has stumped me for a little bit.
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3
...
- 153
6
votes
2
answers
769
views
What do the c5 and e5 breaks do in the Caro-Kann / Scandi pawn structures?
Here's what I understand about the point of c5 in the French / Advance Caro-Kann pawn structures: if White takes you are very happy, because his e-pawn becomes weak and you get to develop your bishop ...
- 1,967
8
votes
2
answers
321
views
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 ...
- 1,967
4
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What is a good strategy for blocking your opponent from checkmating you even though they always win? [closed]
I like to play chess against my Dad. He is almost a professional player. He always finds ways to checkmate my king. Every game I try new blocking strategies, but none of them work.
- 97
4
votes
1
answer
120
views
Lasker (?) on strategy and tactics
Many years ago I read (in a Russian book) a saying
Strategy is creating true values; tactics is refuting the false ones.
which the book attributed to Emmanuel Lasker.
Does anybody know where Lasker (...
- 1,577
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to attack in Scandinavian Defense
After 10 moves as Black, I often end up in a position very close to this, where I still have left my options open about castling.
[FEN "r3k2r/ppqn1ppp/2pbpn2/5bB1/2B5/P1NP1N1P/1PP2PP1/R2Q1RK1 w ...
- 3,057
8
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Why is g3 a bad move here?
Why is the last move by white, g3 on the board below, considered a bad move? It was in a game that I played recently and my idea was to protect the bishop in f4 and give the other bishop more space to ...
- 191
1
vote
1
answer
169
views
When should you trade off a piece that's defended by two pawns?
In some openings, i.e. the Stonewall Attack / Maroczy Bind, the opponent gets an iron grip over a particular square (e5 / d5) by controlling it with two pawns, and they can stick a knight there. ...
- 1,967
5
votes
1
answer
386
views
When to play h5 (or h4 with white) in fianchettoed position for black
Imagine that we have this game
[FEN " "]
1.e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 bxa3 4. Bxa3 Nc6 5. Nf3 g6 6. d4 Bg7 7. h4
Do you play with Black in this case h5 or not? In my opinion, I rarely like to ...
- 1,200
7
votes
1
answer
540
views
Intuitive play vs learning strategies
When I first 'learned' chess, it was just the moves of each piece and then I started playing. I had no plan at all other than just moving pieces and trying to take from my opponent and protecting ...
- 81
11
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Up to which rating is my strategy in the opening is applicable?
I don't want to waste time on opening preparation. By this, I mean that I don't want to have to understand/memorize the moves or the typical plans in the middlegame. I just want to develop my pieces, ...
- 2,525
4
votes
5
answers
2k
views
How to avoid falling into unfamiliar traps in the opening stage?
I will be playing with a player in a few days and his level (1400ish) is slightly lower than mine (1500ish). However, he is very familiar with dubious gambits and opening traps and I can easily lose ...
- 8,819
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Does the King's Indian Attack need the e5 pawn push to attack on the kingside?
So from what I understand, a kingside attack can be started as long as the centre is closed.
I very recently started looking into the King's Indian Attack as an opening for white against the French ...
- 992
-1
votes
1
answer
106
views
White's 'aggressive' attack after Sic. defense opening [closed]
Searching for the Mackenzie(?) or Mcallister (?) attack: White King’s pawn opening led to good center control with Bishop and both Rooks at d1 and e1.
Can’t the replay on Chess.com because I wasn’t ...
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
99
views
Playing with Ranks Advantage
[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
I was planning to play white against the computer, starting with the positional advantage as shown above. I don't know how to ...
- 325