So I've decided to create a thread to try and pass on some of the knowledge of the game I've picked up over the years, in hopes of improving the chess of anyone willing to read the short articles and play through the example game(s) I'll include.

I'll benefit as well, as one path to improvement is through the analysis and annotation of your games. As I've never cared for annotations that are mostly variations, the sample games I post will contain mostly verbal comments and explanations.

First, I'm going to list and define a well established (if not the only) short list of chess terms that are key components of chess strategy. They are:

1. Force: force is simply the material each player has - or the army each side possesses. I consider the relative values of the pieces as follows:

- a bishop or knight is worth 3 pawns (or points) each;

- a rook is worth 5 pawns;

- the queen is worth 9 pawns.

So using this scale of relative values, two minor pieces (say a bishop and knight) are worth a rook a pawn; a queen is worth 3 minor pieces, and less than two rooks; etc.

2. Space: this is the amount of territory that your pieces occupy and control. A simple method to determine exactly how much space each player possesses, is to count the squares that each can move to, and the square each piece stands on.

As a simple example, picture a N on the square a1. It stands on one square and can hop to two more (b3 and c2), so it controls a space of 3 squares; a B on its starting square controls a single square, but on a1 (if the board is empty) it controls 8 squares.

This is a useful tool for evaluating a position, as, just like force, the player who controls more space has an advantage. Note that there is an important difference between a space advantage and a force advantage: a force advantage is permanent (if you exchange pieces, those pieces aren't going to magically reappear on the board later on) while a space advantage is not.

You may very well create a lasting space advantage, but by its nature, because of the constant movement and exchange of material, a space advantage is considered a temporary advantage.

3. Time: this refers to any tempi (the plural of tempo) you gain over your opponent. For instance, if you develop a piece to the square you desire to place it on, and in doing so put the enemy king in check so that its compelled to retreat to a less favourable square, then you have gained a tempo on your opponent.

Tempi can add up over the course of a game, such that you've accomplished in say 7 moves development that takes your opponent 10 moves to accomplish. If you achieve such an advantage, then you've achieved a gain (or advantage) of time.

4. Pawn structure: the structure of the pawns plays a role an important role in shaping the course of the game. This is a term that I don't want to spend too much time on here, as its easier to explain through illustration in annotated games that will follow.

If you don't fully understand everything I just wrote, don't sweat it: it will become increasingly clear as you see these concepts referred to in annotated games I will post. For now its enough to introduce you to them, as these are the classic elements of chess strategy.

Today's game is a miniature that is meant to point out some typical mistakes that are made in the opening, and how they can sow the seeds of an early disaster.

Galactic Empire - Palpatine's New Order

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