If your strategy includes a a pawn sacrifice, don't do it in the opening. That means the first six or eight moves -- although I've been told the number should go to eleven. The reason I can speak on it is due to the pain I've felt from making the mistake. I recently gave up a pawn for position in an opening against a young Russian GM on line. True he gave up a chance to castle, but I still feel like he has a better position. In addition I just lost to another highly rated player under the same circumstances. Can anyone refute this argument and give me an example of making up this ground and gaining an advantage from an early pawn sacrifice?
Amazing! Thanks for the display. Leave it to Fisher to say, "here, have a few pawns and then a few moments say, "how do you like me now."
I used to play the Benko Gambit in blitz with success but never was ale to get the same pressure in a slow game.
I agree with the 1st post, losing a pawn in the opening, either intentional or not, always, for me anyway, creates a psychological situation in which the player with the extra pawn is emboldend to be more agressive to capitalize.
Checkmate means never having to give the pawn back.
I gain positional advantages by using the smith morra, not even minding the traps. In the endgame this will get me much more than just a pawn back. I think development is the first concern in the initial phase, with a good head start you can easily take your advantage from it. At least that goes for me, Smith-morra is one of my favorite openings.
ps. I hardly ever lose by one pawn in the endgame, it's mostly position if the material is close. But this takes us to another discussion...
Not being a student of chess theory (In between working 70 hours a week and studying other things I just don't have the time at the moment) I can't be certain this is true of chess but I find it true in other things.
The only absolute rules that should be followed are the actual rules of the game... (provided there is no wiggle room of course) all other rules - don't move the same piece twice, don't bring out the queen too early, don't lose a pawn in the opening, are really all just guidelines. They should not be prefaced with you should never. On that note these nuggets of wisdom are adherred to for good reason. It is,however, in finding the exception to the rule that creative genius really starts to shine.
Hypermodern system by Nimzowitsch is a good example of giving up a pawn for position.
re: Aron Nimzowitsch vs. Arthur Hakansson.
unfrickinbelievable. nimzowitsch totally handed it to that hakansson guy. i think the annotation said it best: "the queen finds herself in a position she would only be consigned in a problem." quite an understatement.
(seriously! go back and look at move 25... Nxd4. it might as well say "white to move. mate in three")
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