Weak Square & Outpost - Principles of Chess Middle games

"The middlegame I repeat is chess itself, chess with all its possibilities, its attacks, defences, sacrifices, etc."

-Eugene Znosko-Borovsky

Hi chessbros, Today in the series of chess middle game principles, we are about to discuss some important topics such as,

- Understanding weak squares. 
- Creating an outpost.
- Calculations.

It is vital to understand this concept since The differentiating factor between a Higher level and a lower or mid-level player is Weak player will think about not losing material or saving material. Whereas, A high-level player will look for pawn breaks, Clearance sacrifices, outposts and squares with potential energy. 

Let's begin the study with the below analysis,

Bishop And Opposite Colour weakness-

Pawn structure and bishop play an important role in a long-term game. You need to be aware of when and which piece to trade. These are the most common questions and I will answer them now.

As we see above study, It's black to move, and you have been offered a bishop trade. Would you accept this trade by bxf4?

Yes!!! You mentioned it above in a closed position, We have to keep knights. So I can trade my bishop. 
Here you need to understand what I said in the above answers is a general understanding. The position given above is what you will see in most of your games. So we have to blend general understanding into a physical approach. 

Physical approach-

Step 1-
Start questioning. Why is my opponent offering me this trade? The answer to this is to look at your own structure you have a "Light Squared Structure" so trading it will be like showing your opponent in a physical fight, "See, I have a broken rib here". He will attack you there, Here it means your dark square is weak. So the opponent will place most of his attacking pieces on dark squares.

Step 2-
Again question yourself if I trade, will this result in any of his weaknesses in the position? The answer is again the same look at his position every pawn is on a dark square. So he is trading his weak bishop for our strong bishop. Smart move by my opponent.

Step 3-
Now you will have the answer to your question. Play a move according to it.

So will you trade your bishop here? Answer this in the comment section.

Identifying Weak Squares-

This concept is facile to understand if you listen or read this carefully.
What makes a square weak or strong?
If you look at the position, you have an imaginary idea. I wish my knight would be here. Also, "Oh, I wish my bishop would be here". Such sweet ideas are the first step in identifying weak squares. 
Now in chess terms, we say, 'If, on a square, there is no other option for the opponent than to trade or a square, where if our piece is placed it will create a multiple threat. Such squares are called weak squares.'

To make it easier we have a study to see,

Here above marked red squares is a weakness. d6 is a weakness for black, and d5 is a weakness for white.
I will show you one example of how to approach the position, and the next puzzle will be to identify the weak square.
So 
Step 1- 
My mind wants my knight to be on d6. This will result in what we say is an "octopus Knight" 
Octopus Knight-
A knight at the centre of the board, which covers 8 Different squares and is an outpost, is called an Octopus knight. 
( We will discuss the outpost concept next) 

This is what an octopus knight looks like. See the control and dominance of a Knight. Usually, the knight is worth 3 points but this knight is worth more than a Rook. 

Step 2-
I question further, Is there any problem in the way for that move?
Yes, if I play Ne4 and then Nd6 straight away, He will trade his bishop for my knight. Then my dream to promise land is going to be broken. So I have to first take control of the square and then get the knight there.

Step 3-
let's access the square first by playing Ne4.
There is still a question to be answered in this position. The question is, What is the most annoying move opponent will play?
He knows I want to trade bishop and my only next move will be bg5. So he will stop it with h6. Now I can't trade the bishop.

Step 4-
Look like I have to find another way. What are the possible moves I can play to dominate the square?
I have an idea but it will take two moves. Here is what i see,

Step 5- 
Let's act on this plan and the obvious continuation is this.

Qg6 attacked my knight. So I have to move f3 first. Rcd8 adds the defender of the square.

Step 6-
It Looks like I have reached my promised land. But wait my opponent plays  Nb5 again adding a defender. So what? I will add more attackers since all his pieces are utilized, I still have two rooks.
Rcd1 - kh8
Rdd3- kg8
Rfd1- Kh8
Here if you ask why is he moving only king? 
His pieces are in Zugzwang. Any move will reduce the defender of the weak square.

Here, I have stopped the analysis since the puzzle was this much only after this position every move is weakening for black.

First-

Identify the weak square. Follow the steps and play a move.

The Answer is,

Third-

This is the toughest one, and even I failed while trying this.

Hint- Sometimes weaknesses are not seen. They have to be created.

Here you have to play a move that creates weakness.

The Answer is,

I think now the concept of understanding and identifying the weak squares is successfully done here and we move on to the next part. which is,

Outposts 

An outpost square is a square that cannot be attacked by the opponent’s pawn, As it is protected by a pawn, usually on the 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th rank. Outpost is also a square that players can launch attacks from, predominantly using a knight. ( In perspective of white ) 

Generally, the opponent finds it difficult to trade or chase away a piece that is positioned on an outpost square. The opponent can try to trade a piece for the square but usually, this trade is a bad trade or the opponent sacrifices a piece for this square.

Outposts are not necessarily only for knights, since knights are short-range pieces, they are stronger when placed on an outpost. 

An outpost restricts the opponent’s move options and promotes the formation of weaknesses. The most important use of an outpost is to use it as a base to develop attacks, much like an outpost used by a military. An outpost square can also be used to transfer pieces to another part of the board.

Here the Knight on c4 is an outpost.

Aron Nimzovich introduced this concept to the world in his book ‘My System’ where he said that a strategically important point should have more defenders than attackers. He also wrote that overprotecting of a squares and pieces strengthens the position and makes the square more valuable.

Outpost exerts permanent pressure on your opponent’s territory that is very difficult to get rid off. This also helps to block the opponents open files and allows the controller of the outpost to dominate the position. The concept is slightly complicated to teach and study but as the concept gets cleared, the creation of an outpost proves to be extremely useful in game play to attain better positions.

Calculations

We have arrived at our final destination, where we will understand the concepts of calculation,

Now I will not show you the example of how to calculate since it is more of an intuition and self-analysis part.

Moreover, I will tell you the crucial parameters involved in the calculation.

1- The general value of pieces are

• Knight = 3
• Bishop = 3
• Rook = 5
• Queen = 9
• King = Infinity

2- Above values are general. In physical application, it changes with respect to position.

3-When it comes to a Knight on 'Outpost', its value is not three or worth a rook. It can sometimes be more than that.

4- Dont get panic at one move threat and try to find line litter deeper

5- Try to recall what your piece used to do before trading.

6- Consider the most forcing line first.

7- Follow the rule of " Check, capture and threat."

I hope you love this content guys and do share your views below in the comment section.
Till then,
Let us all grow at chess. 

... The End ...