Understanding Chess terminology/concepts

Hi

Hmm I'm not sure what happened with my original post. I wanted to ask a question about "equalising as black". What exactly does it mean and how do I know if I have achieved it?

Equalizing is the equivalent to having a drawn position with best play by both sides, or a position that Fritz or any other engine would put as 0.00.

The reason people talk about Black equalizing and not White is that Black starts off at a disadvantage.  White goes first.  Think of it like as if the United States was nothing but fine-cut grass.  You and I hit a Golf Ball off a Tee in the East Direction from San Francisco.  First person to get their ball in the Atlantic Ocean wins.  You alternate shots, where I go first.  So I hit the ball, then you hit your ball, then I hit my ball, then you hit your ball, etc.  Who has the advantage?  I do because I go first.  It's almost like I get an extra shot on the ball.

Same thing with chess.  Because White goes first, he has an advantage from the get-go.  This is why at the beginning, the idea is for White to try to win, Black to try to equalize, or draw.

If Black can achieve the first step, only then should Black start thinking about winning.

Thanks for your reply thriller. So, if I start somewhat dictating whites moves by forcing him to make defensive moves in response to my own moves, have I equalised or have I gained the advantage?

As Boris Spassky is reputed to have answered when asked whether he preferred chess or sex:" It depends on the position".

Not necessarily. "The advantage" is not the same thing as "the initiative". You might give up a Pawn, or weaken your position, in order to dictate the course of the game for the next several moves. That means that you have gained the initiative. Do you also have the advantage? That depends on whether you get enough play to fully compensate for the pawn that you gave up. If your initiative peters out, you will be a pawn down for nothing.

It's entirely possible for one player to have the initiative, but his opponent retains the advantage (with correct defensive play, of course).