Chess Strategy Explained (2)

"These strategic manuals by two experienced trainers are a must for any instructor! I recommend using them for students with USCF ratings ranging from 1300 to 2500.

I have read many instructional books since my junior years but never have I come across such an easy-to-digest way of presenting examples—only a few moves with simple, clear verbal explanations of the ideas from the players themselves! The examples used vary in level of difficulty and going through all of them will only solidify one’s strategic understanding. The exercise chapters (Chapter 3 for Vol 1 and Chapter 7 for Vol 2) add more instructive value as it can be used either as in-class group exercises or individual homework.
Any club leader, camp instructor or chess coach will be able to find the topical chapters useful when preparing for their regular lessons. And I won’t be surprised if they improve their strategic intuition as well in the process!”
GM Julio Sadorra

Weakening the opponent’s position

1.1. Restricting the opponent’s pieces

The strength of pieces changes, depending on the position. Pieces that can’t spread their wings are obviously weaker than those that can do it. We must, therefore, strive to cut the wings of the opponent’s pieces.

1.2. Weakening the pawn structure

Weaknesses are an important element influencing the evaluation of the position. Pawn weaknesses can constitute a bigger problem than piece weaknesses. Pieces can easier be moved around, while pawns can’t move backwards. However, counting that the opponent will create the weaknesses by himself can finish like awaiting Godot. That’s why it is good to be a good Samaritan and help the opponent in this task.

1.3. The shuttle

Maneuver that aims to force our opponent to weaken his pawn structure and worsen the position of his pieces. The concept of the maneuver is that a piece moves to a square from which it comes back to the original square after fulfilling the task. The maneuver is similar to “the disappearing move”, with the difference being that the piece doesn’t come back to a new square. In chess composition, the maneuver is often referred to as “the switchback”. Less formally, it is known as “The Hobbit or There and Back Again”.

1.4. The disappearing move

The concept of the maneuver is that a piece forces the weakening of the opponents’ pawn structure or worsening his placement of pieces, before it lands on the square it really aims for. Usually, the maneuver is performed by a bishop, for example Bc1-g5-e3. The maneuver is similar to “the shuttle”, with the difference being that the piece doesn’t back to the original square.