Chess Fundamentals quotes

The fact is that the Hypermodern Theory is merely the application, during the opening stages generally, of the same old principles through the medium of somewhat new tactics. There has been no change in the fundamentals.

The change has been only a change of form, and not always for the best at that.

In chess the tactics may change but the strategic fundamental principles are always the same, so that Chess Fundamentals is as good now as it was thirteen years ago. It will be as good a hundred years from now;

There has been no change in the fundamentals. The change has been only a change of form, and not always for the best at that.

In chess the tactics may change but the strategic fundamental principles are always the same, so that Chess Fundamentals is as good now as it was thirteen years ago.

It will be as good a hundred years from now; as long in fact as the laws and rules of the game remain what they are at present.

11 R - R 1 mate. It has taken eleven moves to mate, and, under any conditions, I believe it should be done in under twenty.

While it may be monotonous, it is worth while for the beginner to practice such things, as it will teach him the proper handling of his pieces.

Example 3.—Now we come to two Bishops and King against King.

These are the three elementary endings and in all of these the principle is the same. In each case the co-operation of the King is needed. In order to force a mate without the aid of the King, at least two Rooks are required.

The gain of a Pawn is the smallest material advantage that can be obtained in a game; and it often is sufficient to win, even when the Pawn is the only remaining unit, apart from the Kings.

It is essential, speaking generally, that

Two Rooks are slightly stronger than a Queen. They are slightly weaker than two Knights and a Bishop, and a little more so than two Bishops and a Knight.

The power of the Knight decreases as the pieces are changed off. The power of the Rook, on the contrary, increases.

The King, a purely defensive piece throughout the middle-game, becomes an offensive piece once all the pieces are off the board, and sometimes even when there are one or two minor pieces left.

They are slightly weaker than two Knights and a Bishop, and a little more so than two Bishops and a Knight. The power of the Knight decreases as the pieces are changed off. The power of the Rook, on the contrary, increases.

The King, a purely defensive piece throughout the middle-game, becomes an offensive piece once all the pieces are off the board, and sometimes even when there are one or two minor pieces left.

The handling of the King becomes of paramount importance once the end-game stage is reached.

Third, White by the exchange brings up a Pawn to control the square Q 4, puts Black on the defensive, as experience will show, and thus keeps the initiative, an unquestionable advantage.[1]

The strategical principles expounded above are the same for all the openings, only their tactical application varies according to the circumstances.

Before proceeding further I wish to lay stress on the following point which the student should bear in mind.

Before proceeding further I wish to lay stress on the following point which the student should bear in mind.

Before development has been completed no piece should be moved more than once, unless it is essential in order to obtain either material advantage or to secure freedom of action.

The beginner would do well to remember this, as well as what has already been stated: viz., bring out the Knights before bringing out the Bishops.

A timid move. Black assumes a defensive attitude at once. On principle the move is wrong.

In the openings, whenever possible, pieces should be moved in preference to Pawns.

3. P - Q 4

Advance of the King to the centre of the board or towards the passed Pawns, or Pawns that are susceptible of being attacked, and rapid advance of the passed Pawn or Pawns as far as is consistent with their safety.

To give a fixed line of play would be folly.

Each ending is different, and requires different handling, according to what the adversary proposes to do. Calculation by visualising the future positions is what will count.

To give a fixed line of play would be folly. Each ending is different, and requires different handling, according to what the adversary proposes to do.

Calculation by visualising the future positions is what will count.

15. HOW TO MATE WITH A KNIGHT AND A BISHOP

We have so far given positions where the attacks were of a violent nature and directed against the King's position. Very often, however, in the middle-game attacks are made against a position or against pieces, or even Pawns.

The winning of a Pawn among good players of even strength often means the winning of the game.

Hence the study of such positions is of great importance. We give below two positions in which the attack aims at the gain of a mere Pawn as a means of ultimately winning the game.

In the first case the attack must be carried on with sufficient force to guarantee its success.

Under no consideration must a direct attack against the King be carried on à outrance unless there is absolute certainty in one's own mind that it will succeed, since failure in such cases means disaster.

Example 50.—A good example of a successful direct attack against the King is shown in the following diagram:

It demonstrates the principle already stated:

Direct and violent attacks against the King must be carried en masse, with full force, to ensure their success.

The opposition must be overcome at all cost; the attack cannot be broken off, since in all such cases that means defeat.

Failing an opportunity, in the second case, for direct attack, one must attempt to increase whatever weakness there may be in the opponent's position; or, if there is none, one or more must be created.

It is always an advantage to threaten something, but such threats must be carried into effect only if something is to be gained immediately.

For, holding the threat in hand, forces the opponent to provide against its execution and to keep material in readiness to meet it. Thus he may more easily overlook, or be unable to parry, a thrust at another point.

Commenting on White's play in this game, Dr. E. Lasker said at the time that if White's play were properly analysed it might be found that there was no way to improve upon it.

These apparently simple games are often of the most difficult nature.

Perfection in such cases is much more difficult to obtain than in those positions calling for a brilliant direct attack against the King, involving sacrifices of pieces.

To force White to play P - Q B 4, and thus create a hole at Q 5 for his Knight.[7]

Such grand tactics show the hand of a master.

16. P - Q B 4

This ending shows how easy it is to make weak moves, and how often, even in master-play, mistakes are made and opportunities are lost.

It shows that, so long as there is no great advantage of material, even with a good position, a player, no matter how strong, cannot afford to relax his attention even for one move.

27. THE DANGER OF A SAFE POSITION

It is Black's move, and no doubt thinking that drawing such a position (that was all Black played for) would be easy, he contented himself with a waiting policy. Such conduct must always be criticised. It often leads to disaster.

The best way to defend such positions is to assume the initiative and keep the opponent on the defensive.

Q R - K 1

This is a general principle which can be equally applied to any part of the game. It means in general terms—

Keep freedom of manœuvre while hampering your opponent.

There is one more thing of great importance, and that is that the winning side has always had a general strategical plan capable of being carried out with the means at his disposal, while often the losing side had no plan at all, but simply …

… Pawn is either very weak or very strong, and that its weakness or strength, whichever happens to be in the case to be considered, increases as it advances, and is at the same time in direct relation to the number of pieces on the board.

In this last respect it might be generally said that a passed Pawn increases in strength as the number of pieces on the board diminishes.

Having all this clear in mind we will now revert to the openings and middle-game. We will analyse games carefully from beginning to end according to general principles.

42. R - R 6 ch

As an end game, this is rather a sad exhibition for two masters.

The redeeming feature of the game is Rubinstein's fine combination in the middle game, beginning with 14 B × Kt.

After missing this chance White has it all his own way, and finishes the game most accurately, and Black becomes more helpless with each move. The game needs no further comment, excepting that my play throughout was of an altogether irresolute character.

When a plan is made, it must be carried out if at all possible.

Regarding the play of White, I consider his 10th and 12th moves were very weak; he played well after that up to the 27th move, which was bad, as well as his 28th move. The rest of his play was good, probably perfect.

B × P would also win, which shows that White's game is altogether gone.

In these cases, however, it is not the prettiest move that should be played, but the most effective one, the move that will make your opponent resign soonest.

42. R - Q B 2

18. P - B 4

The White Knight is now a tower of strength.

Behind it White will be able to prepare an attack, which will begin with P - Q 4, to drive away the Black Queen and thus leave himself free to play P - B 5.

It might have continued thus: 13. Q - B 4, B - Kt 2; 14. Q × B P, B × P; 15. Kt × B, Q × Kt; 16. O - O - O with considerable advantage of position for White.

The text move might be considered a mild form of suicide.

14. Q - K B 4

24. R - K 1

White cannot stand the slow death any longer.

He sees danger everywhere, and wants to avert it by giving up his Queen's side Pawns, expecting to regain his fortunes later on by taking the initiative on the King's side.