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Get better at closed positions?

#1

I'm much much better at open positions than closed ones. Normally I try to steer the game towards open tactical positions. But recently I had a game where I sensed I could create a very advantageous closed position. Had a big space advantage. Some maneuvering later and I was up quite a bit of material. But then my weakness in closed positions reared its head. Even as my advantage on the board kept increasing the clock situation got worse and worse. I started having to play quick sloppy moves, but even that was not enough, and I ended up flagging.

So yeah I have decided that I want to finally stop running from the closed positions and learn how to handle them so I can take the opportunities when they present themselves.

I'm much much better at open positions than closed ones. Normally I try to steer the game towards open tactical positions. But recently I had a game where I sensed I could create a very advantageous closed position. Had a big space advantage. Some maneuvering later and I was up quite a bit of material. But then my weakness in closed positions reared its head. Even as my advantage on the board kept increasing the clock situation got worse and worse. I started having to play quick sloppy moves, but even that was not enough, and I ended up flagging. So yeah I have decided that I want to finally stop running from the closed positions and learn how to handle them so I can take the opportunities when they present themselves.
#2

@norla said in #1:

... recently I had a game where I sensed I could create a very advantageous closed position. Had a big space advantage. Some maneuvering later and I was up quite a bit of material. But then my weakness in closed positions reared its head. ...
Was this the game?

https://lichess.org/cKVLwkLF

If so, I am inclined to doubt that the issue was your "weakness in closed positions" rearing its head after you were up material. The machine says that, if Maksimj had played 14...Nf4 (instead of 14...g5), your closed position would have been over 2 points of an advantage for Maksimj. Your material advantage was apparently a result of choices (by Maksimj) of moves like 21...Bd7 instead of 21...Kf6.
I would suggest that you listen to this sort of advice:
"... You should play the simpler and more adventurous openings, from which you will learn how to use the pieces. Much later on you can go on to the more difficult openings - if you play them now you won't understand what you are doing ... Play the openings beginning [1 e4 e5]. ... if you haven't learnt how to play the open game you won't be able to use positional advantage even if you are able to get it. ..." - C. H. O'D. Alexander and T. J. Beach (1963)
If you want to know more about closed positions, there is something of an introduction to that sort of thing in some of the games discussed in the Batsford edition of the Chernev book, Logical Chess.
https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/assorted-recent-books
https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Chess-Every-Explained-Algebraic/dp/0713484640?asin=0713484640&revisi&format=4&depth=1
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1036182

@norla said in #1: > ... recently I had a game where I sensed I could create a very advantageous closed position. Had a big space advantage. Some maneuvering later and I was up quite a bit of material. But then my weakness in closed positions reared its head. ... Was this the game? https://lichess.org/cKVLwkLF If so, I am inclined to doubt that the issue was your "weakness in closed positions" rearing its head after you were up material. The machine says that, if Maksimj had played 14...Nf4 (instead of 14...g5), your closed position would have been over 2 points of an advantage for Maksimj. Your material advantage was apparently a result of choices (by Maksimj) of moves like 21...Bd7 instead of 21...Kf6. I would suggest that you listen to this sort of advice: "... You should play the simpler and more adventurous openings, from which you will learn how to use the pieces. Much later on you can go on to the more difficult openings - if you play them now you won't understand what you are doing ... Play the openings beginning [1 e4 e5]. ... if you haven't learnt how to play the open game you won't be able to use positional advantage even if you are able to get it. ..." - C. H. O'D. Alexander and T. J. Beach (1963) If you want to know more about closed positions, there is something of an introduction to that sort of thing in some of the games discussed in the Batsford edition of the Chernev book, Logical Chess. https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/assorted-recent-books https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Chess-Every-Explained-Algebraic/dp/0713484640?asin=0713484640&revisi&format=4&depth=1 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1036182
#3

@kindaspongey said in #2:

Was this the game? lichess.org/cKVLwkLF

No it was not that game. Thanks for the book rec though!

@kindaspongey said in #2: > Was this the game? lichess.org/cKVLwkLF No it was not that game. Thanks for the book rec though!
#4

Mednis' book, Strategic Chess: Mastering the Closed Game (Dover Chess)
is what comes to my mind.
I dont have it, but have a number of his endgame books and they are all excellent for sub-Dvoretsky-level players. He explains with words and ideas not computer variations.

Plus, it's inexpensive so if not appropriate yet, it's a small mistake.
Bill

Mednis' book, Strategic Chess: Mastering the Closed Game (Dover Chess) is what comes to my mind. I dont have it, but have a number of his endgame books and they are all excellent for sub-Dvoretsky-level players. He explains with words and ideas not computer variations. Plus, it's inexpensive so if not appropriate yet, it's a small mistake. Bill

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