Analyze with KIMPLODES! S = Space/Squares

KIMPLODES! is an acronym to guide you through the process of analyzing a chess game.

S = Space/Squares. S-squared, so to speak...at least, mathematically speaking. I could have proposed KIMPLODESS, but that struck me as a bit Slytherin-ish (Harry Potter reference for the benighted who have somehow not encountered the multi-billion dollar industry that was begotten by J.K. Rowling's novels). Besides, space and squares tend to be inextricably linked, so why not blend them into a single spot, just as photons exhibit the properties of both a particle and a wave. Oversimplified, as pawns advance, they gain a spatial advantage, but frequently leave behind holes the other side will try to exploit. For wonderful exposition on this topic, I can offer little better for under 2000 FIDE rated players than IM Jeremy Silman's classic How to Reassess your Chess: 4th Edition.

As an aside that may seem meaningless until you've tried it a time or 100, I read a comment from a super-trainer who suggested that if all else fails in evaluating a position, just count the number of squares your pieces have contact with, and then compare that to the number of squares your opponent's pieces contact. If your pieces are influencing more squares, then you may have an advantage. Well, maybe the GM was kidding, but it kind of makes sense, though I am sure GM Suba would point out that such assessments can never be a full and sufficient proxy for understanding the art of the possible when dealing with a position full of dynamic possibilities. Then again, I suspect the other GM got that. Rules of thumb and when to break them are one feature that separates GMs from the rest of us.

Basic building blocks

As pawns advance, they leave holes behind them, but they gain a spatial advantage, potentially limiting the number of moves available to the enemy forces. On the other hand, they may become more vulnerable as they advance, moving further from protecting pieces. Additionally, if the pawns were in front of their King, they may leave him barren and alone, drifting under the cold gaze of enemy forces unhindered by pawns in the way.

Numerous authors have written about the importance of key squares, and there are common attacking themes that look at the f2/f7, h2/h7 and even g2/g7 squares, respectively for each side. In numerous Sicilian lines there are common sacrificial themes on the e5, e6 and c3 squares, so players must be constantly aware of the state of those squares. Another famous type of square is the blockade square directly in front of a passed pawn, behind which a Knight often radiates significant power because no major pieces can attack it along the file behind the passed pawn.

In general, extensive study of Space and Squares is a more advanced topic, and one that can be neglected to a certain extent (though not completely) by players rated less than 1600. At that level it is more important to learn the simpler concepts of Development and Lines, and stop making simple tactical mistakes, than to worry about Space or Squares. But beyond that 1600 threshold, approximately, the factor of Space exerts an ever-increasing influence. Keying in on Squares probably falls at the 1800 or above threshold.

The Opening

The battle for control of Space and Squares commences with the first move, barring resignation or a forfeiture by failing to arrive in the tournament hall on time. Even an innocuous move like 1.a3 stakes out a claim to the b4 Square, though for reasons too nebulous to be more than smoke and mirrors at that point in the game. We'll glance very briefly at some illustrative opening material to set the stage for the rest of the material.

Space: Alekhine's Defense 4-Pawns

 There are openings in which one side attempts to dominate space on one side or the other. In Alekhine's Defense (1 e4, Nf6) the Four Pawn's Attack was an early attempt to refute the hypermodern child of Alekhine's imagination.

Space: KID Bayonet

In other openings, both sides attempt to grab space on opposite wings. For example, the Kings's Indian Defense, Bayonet version below sees White grabbing space on the Q-side and Black on the K-side...naturally their attacks will occur on those respective sides.

Squares: An example where Squares should have been even more of an opening focal point

I recently had one of many opportunities to play against the Dutch Defense. But my esteemed adversary played a most unusual move order. I took advantage of that and managed to obtain sufficient advantage that even after some inaccuracies I managed to bluff my way to victory with a scary passed pawn on move 32.

But that's not what I am presenting here. Instead, I am going to offer some of the analysis my coach, IM Attila Turzo, and I conducted as a post-mortem looking for the BEST way have achieved maximal results as early as move seven. I think this will suffice to make the point that one should always be looking at not just Space, but Squares. In this instance the focus is on the dark Squares on Black's Queenside and the e5 Square. Though Black's light Squares on the Kingside also deserved consideration in the actual game.

I think that makes a solid case for considering the impact of not just one Square, but a color complex of Squares, early in the opening. If the opponent is so obliging. In retrospect my approach worked. And was relatively straightforward. But the above analysis certainly presents a more compelling picture of a massive Initiative based on leveraging those weak Squares. Rather than what was seen in the actual game continuation when I settled for routine Development.

As one might infer from the above notes regarding the opening, Space and Squares often become a prime focus of the middle game. I will offer a limited set of example games to illuminate a few ideas. But there are far, far more concepts than one could provide in a single blog.

White Exploits the e5 Square

This is a beautiful game played by Vasily Smyslov against Jaan Ehlvest, in which Smyslov's entire energies are focused around the e5 square. Beautiful play, a pleasure to watch.

Black Exploits the d3 Square

A more famous example is game 16 between Karpov-Kasparov in their WCh match in 1985. Kasparov introduced a gambit with 8 ... d5!? during this match, and in this game a very significant portion of the play is focused around the d3 square, with the closest enemy or friendly pawns at least 2 squares away in any direction. By controlling the d3 Square and then planting a Knight there Black was able to dominate the game. Pay particular attention to the key Squares the Knight controls once located on d3. Particularly the c1 and f1 Squares, preventing White from contesting Black's control of those files with Rooks. Fascinating stuff.

Black Exploits the e3 Square

This is a snippet at the end of a game fully explored in KIMPLODES! E = Energy. But it clearly links to the topic at hand. Thus, the inclusion here. In this instance Black uses the e3 Square for both Knights and Bishops...only one at a time, mind you . And, as a result, is able to swiftly wrap up a seminal game.

Super-GM Crushed by Space

Keymer Aronian text

Space allows attacks across the breadth of the board and can reduce an opponent to passivity

A game played by my coach, IM Attila Turzo, when he was a youthful FM. Quite the tour de force in terms of controlling Space. I've analyzed this game twice. Once with him in an interactive session. And now on my own using KIMPLODES! to provide guidelines and distinct terminology. And learned a lot during both analyses!!

What Have We Learned

Oversimplified, as pawns advance, they gain a spatial advantage, but frequently leave behind holes the other side will try to exploit. I once read a comment from a super-trainer who suggested that if all else fails in evaluating a position, just count the number of squares your pieces have contact with, and then compare that to the number of squares your opponent's pieces contact. If your pieces are influencing more squares, then you may have an advantage. But sometimes an entire game revolves around one Square, not just a color complex. Space is looking at the same coin from a different perspective. To wit, if your pieces have more room to maneuver, safe squares effectively, then you may have an advantage. But please remember that the prior blog on Energy offers a partial refutation of the statement just made about extra space necessarily providing an advantage.

Next Blog: KIMPLODES: Summary of an Explosive Analysis Tool Scheduled for release: 5 Apr 2024