Puzzles XX

Yay, already 20th collection of exercises!! It obliges to continue to 100 and 1000! just kidding 😂

Game plan

Acting according to a plan in chess is the key to success. Lack of a plan often leads to defeat. Let's consider a bad example. You started attack the opponent`s King on the kingside, but suddenly notice that on the queenside you can take an open line. Why not, you think. And move heavy pieces there. The line is taken, what should I do next? And again you begin to advance on the kingside. As a result, you lost time with no purpose and not only win slipped out of your hands, but you can no longer resist opponent`s successful plan. "Go there - not knowing where, do that - not knowing what!" - You can't play chess like that!

The game plan in chess - the planned order of moves. It is, as a guiding thread by which one player can find a way out in an endless labyrinth of options.

The plan must flow from the position and be based on its assessment. From how correctly and deeply a chess player assesses the situation that has arisen, it largely determines the strength of his game.

Each stage of a chess game has its own plan. In the opening, one should strive for the development of pieces. In the middle game - organizing an attack on the king, creating weaknesses in opponent's camp. In the endgame - the implementation of benefits what has been achieved.

It is not always possible to stick to a single plan for the entire game. During the game, due to the actions of the opponent, you have to modify the plan.

When planning, it can be of great help by knowing typical strategic and tactical positions.

To draw up a correct plan, it is necessary to correctly assess the given position.

The main criteria for evaluating a position:
1) the material balance of forces, as well as an advantage in development and space;
2) location of kings, their safety;
3) ownership of the initiative;
4) the presence of weak and strong squares on both sides;
5) possession of open lines;
6) the presence of threats, the degree of their significance.

Consider examples.

In the case when a position arises on the board with a characteristic the arrangement of pieces and pawns, i.e. a typical position, finding a game plan is much easier.

Smyslov - Denker (1946)

The plan to increase the advantage in the best position is not always obvious and requires deep insight into the position.

Rubinstein - Nimzowitsch (1928)

An incorrect assessment of the position and, as a result, the implementation of an erroneous plan often lead to defeat.

Black's position is worse. The only way to hold the game was to go on the defensive, but Black decided play actively.

Alekhine - Maroczy (1923)

Black paid for winning a pawn with a cramped position and the exclusion of the dark-squared bishop from the game.

Balashov - Romanishin (1976)

When carrying out a plan, it is important not to stray from the right path.

From the opening White planned to weaken the opponent's black squares. But at the decisive moment they did not find a better continuation.

Szabo - Geller (1953)

The next game demonstrates the plan for realizing positional superiority in the endgame. White has "bad" bishop, since it is forced to defend his pawns. Black has a “good” bishop and, moreover, an active position of the king. Their victorious actions are as follows:

1) advance the queenside pawns;

2) attack the weakened pawn on d5 and win it;

3) create a passed pawn and queen it.

Tsvetkov - Smyslov (1947)

The world champion Capablanca had a unique ability to think in diagrams, i.e. in position considered not specific moves, but immediately saw the optimal location of pieces. Consider an instructive ending.

Here is what Capablanca wrote about this position: "White's plan is to prevent the movement of the c-pawn (after which b-pawn could become weak) and in controlling the entire board up to the 5th rank. This is achieved by moving the king to e3, placing the rook on c3, the knight on d4, pawns on b4 and f4. After such a position is reached, White will try to advance the queenside pawns."

Capablanca - Ragozin (1936)

And now - try by Yourself:

1. Find a plan for team White:

2. Analyse the plan for team White:

3. Analyse the plan for team White:

4. Analyse the plan for team White:

5. Analyse the plan for team White:

6. Where should White move the king for a draw?