Planning Exercise #9

When trying to evaluate a position we need to look at a chess position like it is a crime scene.We need to find the clues that will help us find the "killer"(plan).But what are these clues and how we find them?

We will try to slowly determine these clues.Important is to always try to improve our pieces and achieve the best possible cooperation.To do that we have to determine which piece is the strong one and which piece is misplaced and needs to be improved.The best case scenario is not just improving a bad piece but also create a good cooperation among your pieces increasing that way their value and of course their strength.But finding the bad piece and finding a way to improve it is not enough.We have to also prevent your opponent from finding counterplay.That means that all the important strategic elements of the position should be taken under consideration.

   So in this exercise you have to find the following:

1)Which is/are white's good piece(s)?

2)Which is /are white's bad piece(s)?

3)Find a possible new position  for one or  more white pieces and a way to achieve it/them?

4)Which is the position's key strategic feature?

One of the questions provides important help.Another hint I can give you is that it is not possible  for a side to reposition all his/hers  pieces because in most of the cases there is no time.Opponent also plays and the more time we spend improving our pieces the more time he has building and planning his defense(or his counter-attack).Determining  and understanding which are the key pieces and the key plans in a position is vitally important.

    Once you spot a bad piece try to see with your imagination  it's best possible position.This is tricky because imagination and realism should "walk"  hand by hand. The plan must be inspired but must also be realistic.I will repeat that not all pieces are possible to improve and not all pieces need to be improved.Determining which piece can and which piece can't improve is very important.

Good luck!!!