What if opponent didn't move as the books say

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Ziggy_Zugzwang

Dec 20, 2021

#21

opkkv wrote:

I don't understand, why do courses like to say "White moves A, and Black would moves E, whenever it happens, white could move B.."

what if your opponent doesn't move that way?

White moves e4, black moves other piece.

theory is theory, but your opponent does not have to move that piece.

I think that's an excellent question...

By analogy, let's assume you have received instruction from a new friend how to get to their home. The instructions tell you what turns to take and roads to follow. On the way there you get knocked over by a car. And you protest to your friend that they never said anything about looking both ways when crossing the street.

So, by and large chess books especially on opening assume an equivalent degree of chess "common sense". If you haven't got it yet, that's fine. Most alternatives to a book given move will be seen as not worth considering by a maturing chess mind. On the other hand, even more experienced players might scratch their heads as to why certain moves aren't considered.