Analyze with KIMPLODES! L = Lines
KIMPLODES! is an acronym to guide you through the process of analyzing a chess game.
L = Lines. Files, ranks, diagonals...are they open and who controls them? Can that control be retained or contested? Are there penetration points or is it just a vein of fool's gold; bright and shiny, but not worth a tinker's damn. Or have you got IM Silman's "hogs rooting on the 7th"--HOOAH!!
As chess devotees we appreciate the intrinsic power of controlling Lines. One of the more intriguing instances of this is the ability to create a River, which the enemy King, like Bram Stoker's Count, cannot cross (or in the dual sense of the word cross--despite the symbol atop the King's headgear).
Cry Me a River - Bishops cutting the board in half.
The Middle Game
Alekhine, Alexander - Bogoljubow, Efimm, World-ch14 +8-3=15, 1934.04.18
A spectacular example of the complexity involved in the middle game at the World Championship level. Me, I'm a simple-minded guy. I just look at the fact White controls more Lines pointed at the enemy King and conclude that Black needs to be very careful.
Now let's look at a typical opposite side castling middle game. One where both sides are attempting to open Lines to attack the enemy King. Although this one quickly became a very one-sided affair.
Divya Deshmukh (2420) - Roebers, Eline (2381), Puzzle Challengers, 2024.01.21
This is from a recent game that demonstrated an IM's keen grasp of the value of opening Lines. White won quite quickly; the puzzle only covers the first two moves of the exciting finish that followed.
Here is a very difficult puzzle with which to test your grasp of the value of opening Lines. HINT: There are two excellent moves. But one of those two moves is outstanding!! And I think it is the harder of the two moves to pick out initially. And I consider it harder to pick out because the first move is such a standard idea. So, if your first choice feels like a standard solution, take some time to look for an alternative. G'luck.
The Endgame
Speaking of hogs on the 7th (and then the 6th)
Two Rooks are often worth more than a Queen if they are active and have targets. The diagrams below (taken from the annotated game provided below the diagrams) clearly illustrate the potential power of controlling critical lines. Note that in the second diagram the Rooks are powerful in both Attack (the weak g6 pawn) and Defense (protecting the f2 pawn.)
Trifunovic, Petar - Rellstab, Ludwig Sr, Olympiad-11 Final A, 1954.09.23
