Chess thinking : [the visual dictionary of chess moves, rules, strategies, and concepts] 9780671795023, 0671795023

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TDINUIN(;

THE VISUAL DICTIONARY OF OVER 1,000 MOVES,RULES, STRATEGIES,AND CONCEPTS

ALSO BY BRUCE PANDOLFINI:

Chess Target Practice Pandolfini's Chess Complete Beginning Chess Chessercizes More Chessercizes: Checkmate! Chess Openings: Traps and Zaps More Chess Openings: Traps and Zaps 2 Bobby Fischer's Outrageous Chess Moves Square One Principles of the New Chess Pandolfini's Endgame Course T he ABC's of Chess One-Move Chess by the Champions Weapons of Chess Russian Chess Kasparov's Winning Chess Tactics

BRUCE PANDOLFINI

A FIRESIDE BOOK Published by Simon & Schuster NEW YORK

LONDON

TORONTO

SYDNEY

TOKYO

SINGAPORE

FIRESIDE

Rockefel ler Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10020 Copyright © 1995 by Bruce Pandolfini All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form whatsoever. FI RESIDE and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster Inc. Designed by Stanley S. Orate/Folio G raphics Co. I nc. Manufactured in the United States of America 10

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Pu blication Data Pandolfini, Bruce. Chess thinking I Bruce Pandolfini. p. cm. NA Fireside book." 1. Chess-Dictionaries. I. Title. GV1314.5.P36 1995 794.1 '03-dc20

ISBN: 0-671-79502-3

94-36737 CIP

For Harry Fajans and Raymond Weinstein

ACKNOW L E DGM E N TS •

My thanks to Larry Tamarki n fo r prod u c i n g the d i agrams with Chess Base, and to J udy S h i pman and I nte rnational Maste r Walte r S h i pman fo r thei r research and i n si ghts on the openi ngs i ndex. I wou l d also l i ke to than k B ru ce Alberston , Carol Ann Caro n i a , Dei rdre H a r e , R o b H e n d e rso n , Bu rt Hochberg, and I d e l l e Pandolfi n i fo r the i r i nval uable contri butio ns t o t h e man u script, a n d m y ed ito r Kara Leverte fo r ove rsee i n g t h e enti re p roject.

CONTENTS •

Introduction 11

Algebraic Notation 13

Other Symbols 15

The Glossary with Diagrams 19

Appendices A-L 273

INTRODUCTION •

Chess Thinking i s not an encycloped i a . You won't fi nd i n it b i ograph ies

of Alek h i ne , Botvi n n i k , o r Capablanca. Nor i s Chess Thinking a problem book , b u t somehow more than a h u nd red p roblems have s l i pped i n . I t ' s not even a book pu rely of i n structio n , though certai n ly my i ntent i s to s h ow and teach . I p refe r to th i n k of it as m o re of a d i ctionary. Concepts are arranged alphabetical ly for ease of u se , with a b u n dant cross- refe rences . Te rms are defi ned and compared to oth e r pe rti nent word s . But l i ke a q u iz book , some are d i ag ram med with posed q u estio n s , the an swe rs to wh ich a re right u nderneath or on the ve ry n ext page . Fi nal ly, there's plenty of explanation and advice, j u st l i ke a book of i n struction . What k i n d s of entries a re there? A l l the standard chess words I cou ld th i n k of, b u t a l so i n c l u ded are slang, chess variants, recu rri ng expres­ sions and p h rases, and h e l pfu l max i m s and principles. There's also a smatte r i n g of items about com p u ters, game theo ry, ed u catio n , and gen e ral th i n ki n g w h i c h , though not rea l ly chess terms , are u sed q u ite often by chess teachers, writers , and playe rs . Any chessplaye r can tap i nto Chess Thinking. Whether you start at the begi n n i ng and read th rough , or r u n checks on parti c u l a r wo rd s , I bel i eve you ' l l fi nd a wealth of i nformation to e n h ance yo u r enjoyment of the game . However you expe rience chess-playi ng, read i ng, or th i n ki n g-you can expect to enco u n ter semantic road blocks to u nderstand i n g . I offe r Chess Thinking as a too l to clear the way.

11

ALGEBRAIC N OTATION •

You can get more fro m t h i s book if you u nderstand algeb raic notatio n , w h i c h i s a way t o reco rd moves u s i n g l etters a n d n u m bers . To sta rt with , view the c hessboard as an eight-by-eight gri d . Eve ry squ are on the grid has its own name, de rived from the con n ecti ng files and ran k s . Files, the l i nes of sq u ares goi ng u p and down , are lette red a t h rough h. Ran ks, the l i nes of s q u a res goi ng across , are n u m bered 1 th rough 8 . Squares a r e designated b y com b i n i n g lette rs a n d n u m bers ; t h e lette r i s lowe rcase and appears fi rst . T h u s , i n the starti ng position , White's q u een occu pies d1 and B l ack's q ueen occupies d8. A l l squ ares i n the algeb raic system are named from Wh ite's side. The algebraic grid given below i n d icates the names of all the sq uares . You might fi nd it h e l pfu l to p hotocopy the grid and use it as a bookmark, so it's always there for review.

The algebraic grid. Every square has a unique name.

13

OTHER S YMBO L S •

You wi l l fi nd it u sefu l to learn the fol l owi ng sym bol s : SYMBOL

MEA NING

K

king

Q

q u een

R

roo k

B

b i s hop

N

k n i ght moves to

x

captu res

+

check

+ +

checkmate

0-0

castles ki ngside

0-0-0

castles q ueenside

Note that pawns are not identified by a sym bol . If no i nd icati on of the movi ng u n it is give n , it m u st be a pawn .

15

THINKING

A

Absolute Pin

A p i n of a u n it to its k i n g . I n t h i s situation the

p i n ned u n it can n ot legal ly move . See

Absolute Seventh Rank

See

PIN

and

RELATIVE PI N .

S EVENTH RANK ABSOLUTE.

Accumulation of Advantages

The strategy of b u i l d i n g a po­

sition by g rad ual ly accu m u l ati ng advantages , especial ly s m a l l o r i ntan­ gible ones . The concept was origi nal ly stated by Wi l h e l m Stei n i tz (1 836-1 900), the fi rst wo rld champion . He argued that, though none of these " s l ight" p l u ses are necessarily i m portant in themselves, thei r com­ bi ned weight cou l d l ead to a wi n n i ng positio n . They m i ght not seem l i ke m uc h i ndividual ly, b u t havi ng j u st a l ittle bette r mob i l ity, space, k i n g safety, flex i b i l ity, dynam i s m , and pawn structu re often t ran s l ates i nto a tremendo u s ove ral l s u perio rity. See 19

POSITION PLAY.

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•

BRUCE

Activate

PA N D O L FI N I

To develop, i m p rove the position of, mob i l ize, o r make

m o re agg ressive .

QUESTION :

W: Ke2 Ra1 P s a2 b 2 d 4 e 3 f2 g2 h2

(9)

B:

(9)

Kg8 Ra8 Ps a7 b7 dS e6 f7 g7 h7

What is W h i te's best move ?

Pieces can be activated by transfe rri ng them to bette r squares or by moving someth i n g , u s u al ly a pawn , out of thei r way. Kn ights, b i s hops, and q u eens are mai n ly activated by movi ng them off the home ran k toward t h e opponent. Roo ks, on t h e other hand , become effective along the home ran k when s h i fted to open or half-open fi les in order to attack the enemy positi o n . ANSWER:

W h i te gets the u pper hand by activati n g the roo k on a1 to the

open fi le, 1 . Rc1 .

CH ESS

Active

TH I N KI NG

•

21

Aggress ive, as i n active move, piece , variatio n , defense, or

placement.

QUESTION :

W: Kg2 Rf1 Bb3 Ps a2 b2 e2 f2 g3

(8)

B:

(8)

Ke8 Ra8 BhS Ps a6 b7 c7 e6 f7

How s h o u l d W h i te defe n d the e-pawn ?

An active piece i s one that attack s . It asserts itself, as opposed to a passive p i ece, wh ich m e rely defends o r marks t i m e . S i m i larly, an active defense deals with an e nemy th reat by com b i n i n g p rotection with cou nterattack o r by p resenti ng a more i m med iate, seri o u s , o r rele­ vant th reat . ANSWER:

B l ack's b i shop menaces Wh ite's e-pawn , which can be saved

in a n u mbe r of ways . The most active is not to guard the e-pawn b u t t o h it b a c k w i t h 1 . Rh1 ! . The b i s h op i s then l o s t , fo r if it captu res on e2 o r moves to safety, Wh ite's roo k checks on h8, skewe r i n g Black's king and roo k .

Active Defense Active Rook ROOK

O n e that com b i nes defense with cou nte rattack .

A rook pos itioned t o attack , a s opposed t o a

that i s tied to defen se; one that has the

CHECKING DISTANCE.

PASSIVE

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PA N D 0 L F I N I

BRUCE

Actual Play

The real m oves of a game, i n contrast to poss i b l e

variatio n s .

Adjourn

To b reak off a g a m e i nte n d i n g t o conti n u e it late r.

Adjou rned Position is sealed . See

The position on the board befo re a move

ADJ O U R N M ENT.

Adjou rnment

A suspension of play u nt i l a late r t i m e .

I n most tou rnaments and matches, a game may b e adjou rned after a specified n u mber of m oves and a certai n amount of time has elapsed . The p l ayer to move writes down his next move and seals it i n an envelope , wh ich i s not opened u nt i l the resu m ption of play. The seal i n g and s u bseq uent open i ng of the envelope m u st be done i n acco rdance with the official rules o f chess . To fi nd out more about the official ru les, contact the U . S. Chess Fede ratio n , 1 86 Route 9W, New Windsor, N .Y. , 1 2550 (or cal l 91 4-562-8350) .

Adjudicate

To decide the resu lt of a game when c i rcu mstances

prevent it from be i n g concl u ded by actual play. T h i s i s done either by the tou rnament d i recto r o r playe r designated by h i m .

Adjudication

The act of deci d i ng the resu lt of a game without

playi n g it o u t to a concl u s i o n .

Adjust

To center a piece or pawn p recisely on its square . Befo re

d o i n g so o n e says " I adj u st, " "j'ad o u be , " or someth i n g else clearly mean i n g the same th i n g . See

Advance

TO UCH-MOVE .

To m ove toward the enemy with a si ngle pi ece or pawn

or with seve ral u n its in a gen e ral assa u l t in a defi n ite area of t h e board , as i n " q u ee n s i d e advance, " mean i n g q u ee n s i d e attack .

CHESS

Adva nced Pawn

TH I N KI NG

•

23

One that has reached its fifth ran k o r farther,

an d t h u s has crossed the frontier l i n e i nto enemy territo ry.

W:

Ke1 Qd1 Ra1 Rh1 Bc1 Bf1 N b1 Nd4 Ps a2 b2 c2 eS f2 g2 h2

(1 S)

B:

Ke8 Qd8 Ra8 Rh8 Bc8 Bf8 N b8 Nf6 Ps a7 b7 d7 e6 f7 g7 h7

(1 S)

QUESTION:

H ow s h o u l d Black save the attacked k n i g h t ?

An advan ced pawn confers a spatial advantage along the fi le it occu­ pies . Fo r exa m p l e , if t h e re i s a B l ac k pawn on c3 , Wh ite typically has access to the two s q u a res i n fro n t of it (c1 and c2), wh i l e be i n g able to assai l a th i rd (c3 ) . Black meanwh i l e cou l d uti l ize the five squares beh i n d the pawn (c4, cs , c6, c7, and c8), eventually capital i z i n g on t h i s c-fi le mobi l ity edge . An advanced pawn i s d i sadvantageou s , howeve r, when it's been p u s hed too far o r without sufficient preparation . I n such cases , the pawn , closer to the enemy and f ur th er from its l i nes of su pport, is ove rexte nded and prone to assai l i ng forces and exploiting tactic s . See OVEREXTE N S I O N . ANSWER:

I n t h e d i ag ram , reac hed afte r the moves 1 . e4 cs 2 . Nf3 e6 3 . d 4 cx d4 4. N xd4 Nf6 S . es , B lack doesn't have t o move t h e endange red

kn i g ht to save it. I n stead Black can e l i m i nate the attac k i n g u n i t . Wh ite's p re m atu rely advanced e-pawn i s vict i m ized by a fo rk, S . . . . QaS + , fol l owed by 6 . . . . QxeS + .

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BRUCE

Advantage

PA N D O L F I N I

Any k i n d of s u periority, specific or overal l .

The te rm especially app l ies, i n d ividually o r i n combi nati o n , to the elements of

S PACE, T I M E , MATE RIAL, PAWN STRU CTURE,

and

K I N G SAFETY.

By hav­

i n g the fi rst move , Wh ite begi n s with a s l ight advantage i n time, which he wi l l try to convert i nto someth i ng more tan g i b l e .

Agreed Draw

A prearranged d raw i n wh ich the players fo l l ow a

choreographed game or d o n 't even bothe r to play. The p ractice i s u s u a l ly i l legal a n d i s always agai nst t h e spi rit o f t r u e com petitio n . An

AGREED DRAW

i s not t h e same th i n g a s a

DRAW B Y AG REEMENT.

I n the

former, the p l aye rs con s p i re before the game i s played . In the latte r, they decide to d raw d u ri ng the cou rse of play.

Ahead

I n chess, h avi n g an advantage i n material , position , or t i m e .

Aim less Development

Development fo r development's sake,

not as part of an ove ral l plan .

Algebraic Notation

A method of reco rd i n g chess moves i n

which t h e board i s viewed a s a coord i nate gri d . A square i n alge b raic n otation i s designated b y com b i n i n g the lette r of its fi l e (a th ro u g h h ) with the n u m ber of its i n tersecting ran k (1 th rough 8). A m o re com p l ete exp lanation of the system , also known as standard notation or

COORDI NATE NOTAT I O N ,

can be fou n d on page 1 3 .

C u ri o u s ly, the term algebraic n otation i s a m i snomer, fo r i t has noth i ng to do with algebra . See

Aligned B ishops

DESCR I PTIVE NOTATI O N .

Two friendly b i s h ops on adjacent d i agonals at­

tac k i n g in u n i so n , often toward a parti c u l a r secto r, such as the ki ng­ side . See

Allies

TWO-B I S H O P SACRI F I C E .

Two o r m o re players wo rking as a team , either con s u lti ng on

each move o r playi ng moves alternately. If they have the white pieces they are the "wh i te a l l ies" and if t h e blac k pieces the "black al lies . "

CHESS

Alternation

TH I NKI NG

•

25

Relyi n g on a spatial edge to s h i ft attacks between two

different enemy weak n esses u nt i l the defender m u st make a conces­ sion . A te rm u sed by Aron N i mzovi ch (1 886-1 935), a great player and i n fl uential theorist.

Amateu r

A chessplaye r who does not make a l ivi ng from chess.

Anyone who plays j u st fo r fu n . See

Amaurosis Schacchistica

PRO FESS I O NAL .

Tarrasch's h u moro u s expression fo r

the " d i sease" of b l u nderi ng repeatedly. Literally translated , it means "chess b l i nd ness . " S i egbert Tarrasch (1 862-1 934), a great playe r early i n t h i s centu ry, was a p ract i c i n g physician . Al so, the s u ccession of wh i te and black m oves .

Ambush

A term u sed i n chess com positio n . It refe rs to a situation

i n which a p i ece m oves beh i n d a second piece, wh ich when movi ng allows the fi rst p iece to come i nto play. Problem i sts cal l t h i s a

BATTERY

if both pieces are the same col o r.

Analogue

A com parabl e position or situation . A problem whose

solution can be h e l pfu l in solvi n g a related o n e .

Analysis

The p rocess of dete rm i n i ng t h rough carefu l exami nation

the best m oves i n a variation o r positio n . The easiest s ituatio n s t o analyze are forced seq u ences , where the enemy has o n ly one legal o r reasonable move at each turn . In most positions you r opponent has a n u m ber of decent responses, and if you try to look too far ahead you r analys i s becomes c u m bersome, confused , t i m e con s u m i ng, and even cou nterprod uctive . The trick i s t o start b y m a k i n g a m ental l ist o f

CAN D I DATE MOVES

befo re analyz i n g

any o n e m ove i n depth . T h e a r t o f it i s decid i n g w h i c h moves are relevant e n o u g h to be i nc l u ded on t h i s l i st .

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BRUCE

Analyst fic i e n cy. A

PA N D 0 L F I N I

O n e who analyzes chess pos i t i o n s , parti c u larly with pro­ THEORETICIAN .

Analytic Method

A tech n i q u e fo r d ete rm i n i ng the best cou rse

of action by as k i n g oneself pe rtinent q uesti o n s . A method fo r p l an n i ng .

Analyze

To i n vesti gate a position i n deta i l t o fi nd t h e best conti n u ­

ati o n s a n d t o get a t t h e truth .

Anastasia's Mate

A parti c u l a r mati ng patte rn relyi ng on a rook

and k n i g h t and typically req u i ri n g a set u p q u een sacrifice.

QU ESTION :

W: Kb1 Qd3 Re1 Nd5 Ps a3 b2 c4 f3 g2

(9)

B:

(9)

Kg8 Qa5 Rf8 Ba6 Ps a4 c5 f7 g7 h7

Can Wh ite fo rce mate ?

The name i s taken from the 1 803 novel Anastasia und das Schach­ spiel, by W i l h e l m H e i n se , b u t the mate refe rred to in the book (W :

Kc7 B b7 Pb6 B: Ka7) is not the one com m o n ly s i g n i fied as the patte r n . · ANSWER:

W h i te c a n fo rce Anastasia's Mate i n th ree moves: 1. Ne7 +

CH ESS

TH I N KI NG

•

27

Kh8 2 . Qxh7 + Kxh7 3 . Rh1 #. The k n ight i s positioned to guard g8 and g6, the q u een i s sacrificed to open the h-fi le, and the roo k gives the mati ng check-Anastasia's Mate .

Annihi lation

A k i n d of u nd e rm i n i ng tactic whereby s h ie l d i n g de­

fen ses are destroyed o r cleared away, u s u a l ly by d i rect captu re .

W: Kg1 Qg4 Rd1 Rg3 Ne4 P s a2 c3 d 4 f2 g2 h4

(1 1 )

B:

(1 1 )

QUESTION:

Kf7 QdS Rd8 Be7 Nf8 Ps a7 b7 c6 e6 g7 h6

H ow does White force mate ?

An n i h i lation has another mean i n g i n problem com position . There it refe rs to a theme by wh i c h a piece movi ng on a parti c u l a r l i n e is sacrificed so that anothe r friendly piece may be able to u se the same l i ne . T h i s is al so cal led ANSWER:

CLEARANCE.

In the d i agra m , Wh ite wi n s by den u d i ng the Black king of

necessary cove r : 1 . Qxg7 + Ke8 2. Qxe7 + ! ! Kxe7 3. Rg7 + Ke8 4. Nf6# . By capt u r i n g the g7-pawn and the e7- b i s h op, White an n i h i lates B l ack's control of f6, enab l i n g Wh ite's kn ight to mate on that sq u a re .

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B RU C E

PA N D 0 L F I N I

Annotated Game Annotation

A game with co mmentary. See

ANNOTAT I O N .

An expl a n ati o n , c l arificatio n , note , aside, or s i m p l e

com ment o n a move o r va riatio n .

Announced Mate

A playe r ' s open declaration that mate can be

fo rced in a specified n u m be r of moves . The practice is frowned u po n i n tou rnament play.

Answer

The solution to a problem or the reply to a move o r

va riati on .

Ant

A d i sparag i n g term fo r a playe r who memo rizes open i n g moves

but has no real u nd e rsta n d i n g of them . Diverg i n g from the book moves makes such a playe r fee l lost. See

Anti-Positional Move

FISH

and

F I S HCAKE.

A move that violates the spi rit of a pos i­

tion by fol l owi ng t h e wro n g strategy.

W: Kg1 Qd2 Re1 Bes Ps e3 f2 g2 h3

(8)

Kg8 Qb7 Rf7 NfS Ps dS e4 g7 h6

(8)

B:

CH ESS

QU ESTION:

TH I N KI NG

•

29

S h o u l d Wh ite play 1 . g4 to d rive away the k n i g h t ?

U s u a l ly an anti-positional move i s a pawn move made pu rely fo r i mmediate attack and without regard to l o n gterm con seq uences . Anti­ positional m oves tend to p rod u ce c h ro n i c p roblems, fo r once a pawn moves past a sq uare it can neve r p rotect it agai n . ANSWER:

The advance 1 . g4, though i t attacks the k n i ght, i s anti­

positional because it permanently weakens f3 , which can then be u sed by Blac k as a base of operatio n s . The i nvas ion 1 . . . . N h4 soon gai ns at l east the exchange.

Any

When u sed i n the l i ne sco re of a variation it means "any move , "

i n d i cati n g that it i s i rrel evant. In

KRI EGSP I E L

it's a typ i cal q u estion add ressed to the refe ree , mean i n g

"are there a n y legal captu res ? "

Arabian Mate

A mate given b y a roo k a n d kn ight i n which the

k n i ght su pports the roo k wh i l e also guard i n g a potential escape square .

W: Kh1 Rg7 Nf6

(3)

Kh8 Ra2 Nf3

(3)

B:

30

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BRUCE

QUESTION:

PA N D O L F I N I

How many poss i b i l ities for Arabian Mate do you see?

The name u ndou bted ly comes from the occu rrence of this mati ng patte rn in certai n 13th-century Arabic shatranj problem s .

ANSWER:

There are a total o f th ree Arabian Mates . Wh ite can mate by

either 1. Rg8# or 1. Rh7# ; a n d , if it's Black's move , B lack can give an Arabian Mate by 1 . . . . Rh2 # .

Arbiter

A tou rnament d i recto r or someone em powered t o settle

d i sputes and make dec i s i o n s concern i n g an official event.

Arithmetic Array

Another word fo r

CALCULAT I O N .

The starti ng set u p at the begi n n i ng of a game . Also cal l ed

the ORIGINAL POSITION.

Artificial Castling

See

Associative Memory

cA sTU N G ev HAND.

A memory that stores data in paral l e l , so

that one thought automatically tri ggers another. Chessplayers tend to memorize t h i s way, gro u p i n g i n formation to­ gether in ch u n ks so that one th i n g stands fo r many thi ngs . For exam­ ple, if the situation i s logically based , the placement of certa i n pawns s h o u l d i mply a re l ations h i p to the position i ng of specific pieces with correspo n d i n g tactical possi b i l ities .

Asymmetry

The term u s u a l ly refe rs to an open i ng strategy (play­

i n g for asy m m etry) in which one avoids a l ifeless positio n , where both sides have s i m i lar dep loyments, by playi n g a move or fol l owi ng a plan that can not be cop i ed without d i sadvantage . I t also de notes any gen­ e ral i m balance i n a position that gives it characte r.

CHESS

QUESTION:

•

TH I N KING

W: Kg1 Qd2 Ra1 Rf1 Bd3 Ps a2 c2 f2 g2 h2

(1 0)

B:

(1 0)

Kg8 Qd7 Ra8 Rf8 Bd6 Ps a7 c7 f7 g7 h7

31

S h o u l d Wh ite b reak the sym m etry by Bd3-e4 ?

Typical ways t o d i stu rb sym metry i n c l ude chec k i n g , capt u ri n g, o r merely th reate n i n g , but someti mes it's j u st a matte r o f playi ng a d i ffer­ ent move . I n tryi n g to m a i n tai n sym metry the second player m u st be particu larly carefu l , fo r once mated he doesn't get last l i cks . ANSWER:

I t ' s true that B l ac k shou l d n 't fol low s u i t and play 1 .

.

.

.

Bes ,

for that wou ld expose the q ueen to a free captu re (2 . Qxd7) . But White's move (1. Be4) i s a q u een-los i n g b l u nd e r : 1 . . . . Bxh2 + ! 2. Kxh2 Qxd2 .

•

32

PA N D 0 L F I N I

BRUCE

Attack

A move or series of moves to mate, gai n material , or obtai n

advantage . It a l so means to make or th reaten such moves.

QUESTION:

W: Ke1 Bf1 Nf3 Ps b2 c3 e4 f2

(7)

B:

(7)

Ke7 Bes N c6 Ps b6 c7 e6 f7

Can W h i te wi n material ?

More narrowly, an attack i s the m e re placement of a u n it i n position to captu re anot h e r, not n ecessarily with advantage . You "attack " when positioned to captu re , b u t "th reaten " only if the planned captu re i s des i ra b l e . ANSWER:

I n the d i agram , Wh ite's k n i ght i s attack i n g Black's bishop b u t

doesn 't th reaten it because the b i s hop i s sati sfacto rily defended fo r the moment. Howeve r, with 1. BbS White attacks the c6-kn i ght and th reaten s to remove the eS-b i s hop's s u pport. Even if B lack guards c6 with his k i ng, Wh i te exchanges b i s hop for k n i ght (BbSxc6), and then captu res o n es fo r free . ·1 ._

,

!V

CH ESS

Attack at the Base of the Pawn Chain

TH I N KI NG

•

33

A max i m encaps u ­

l ati n g a strategy fi rst articu l ated b y Aron N i mzovich .

W: Ke1 Qd1 Ra1 Rh1 Bc1 Bf1 N b1 N g1 Ps a2 b2 c2 d4 eS f2 g2

(16)

h2

B:

Ke8 Qd8 Ra8 Rh8 Bc8 Bf8 N b8 N g8 Ps a7 b7 c7 dS e6 f7 g7

(16)

h7

QUESTION:

H ow shou l d B l ack p roceed ?

When a c h a i n of Wh ite pawn s are held i n place by a chai n of Black ones, so that none of them can move, it's u s u a l ly advi sable to attac k the enemy pawns at the base of thei r chai n (the pawn closest to the opponent's home ran k). The poi nt i s to u nderm i ne the chai n by knock­ i n g out its fou ndati o n . For exam ple, i n the Advance Variation of the French Defense (1. e4 e6 2 . d4 dS 3. eS), Wh ite's base i s the pawn at d4, and Black's is the pawn at e6 . The pawn at f7 is tech n i cally not part of the b lack chai n because it can move (no white pawn blocks it). ANSWER:

Black shou l d start the assa u l t aga i n st the base of White's pawn

chai n by p l ayi ng 3 . . . . cs , with the i dea of weake n i n g Wh ite's su pport of es . By the same toke n , White wou l d l i ke to push the pawn on f2 to fS , attack i n g Black's base; but this takes an extra move and is not i m med i ately practical .

34

•

BRUCE

Attraction

PA N D O L F I N I

Forc i n g a u n it to a parti c u l a r square i n o rd e r to exploit

it. Also cal led DRIVING ON.

QUESTION:

W: Ke1 Nf4 Pg2

(3)

B:

(3)

Kc8 Ne3 Ph4

Does Black h ave a wi n n i ng tactic ?

Attractions d raw defend i n g u n its to vu l n e rable poi nts s o that other tactical poss i b i l ities emerge . A com m o n attraction theme i s to force a square to be blocked , as a q u een sacrifice does i n a typical SMOTH­ ERED MATE. ANSWER:

Black wi n s by 1 . . . . Nxg2 + ! , when 2 . Nxg2 is m u rd e red by

2 . . . . h3, l ead i ng to a new q ueen .

B

B

The standard abb reviation fo r b i s h o p .

Back Rank

The ran k occ u p i ed by the eight en emy pieces in the

starti n g positi o n ; a playe r ' s last ran k . Less p recisely, either the fi rst or eighth ran k . Also cal led

BACK Row.

35

36

B RU C E

•

PA N D 0 L F I N I

Back-Rank Mate

A c o R R 1 00R MATE given by a q ueen or rook along

the enemy's home ran k when the losing king i s u nable to escape beca u se i t ' s b l oc ked or trapped . Also cal l ed a

QUESTION:

W: Kh5 Qh1

(2)

B:

(1 )

Kh8

BACK-Row MATE.

H ow can White mate i n two move s ?

Chessplayers often m i s u se t h i s t e r m fo r a n y l i n e-mate by a q ueen or rook along any edge of the board , whether ran k o r fi l e . All q ueen and rook l i n e-mates are co rridor mates, but o n ly those given along outside ran ks are a l so back-ran k mate s . ANSWER:

I n the d i agram , Wh ite c a n force a back- ra n k mate i n two

m oves by 1. Kg6 + Kg8 2 . Qa8# .

Back Rook

When fri e n d l y rooks are dou b l ed on a l i ne, the back

rook i s the seco n d o n e , the one that s u pports the i nvasion of the forward rook . See

Back Row

F R O N T ROOK.

Another name fo r

BACK RANK.

CHESS

TH I N KI N G

•

37

Back- Row Mate

Another name fo r

Backward Pawn

A pawn whose neighbori ng pawns are too fa r

BACK-RA N K MATE.

advan ced to p rotect it.

QUESTION:

W: Kg2 Rb6 Rf1 Nf3 Ps c5 d4 e3 f2 g3 h2

(10)

B:

(1 0)

Kg8 Rb8 Re8 Bg7 Ps b7 c6 d5 f7 g6 h7

Can Wh ite wi n a pawn ?

A backward pawn i s u s u a l ly a weakness, especial ly if it is restra i n ed by enemy p ieces and pawns and i s s u bject to frontal attack by maj o r pieces along the fi l e . The backward pawn's actual o r practical i na b i l ity to move renders it a target and ten d s to p rod u ce a defe n s ive, cram ped position with b l oc ked l i nes and l i m ited scope. ANSWER:

A backward pawn's i n herent weakness may res u l t i n the v u l ­

nerab i l ity of nearby fri e n d l y pawn s . I n the d i agram , Black h a s a back­ ward b-pawn obstructed by a White rook . After 1 . Rfb1 , attack i n g b7 fo r a seco n d t i m e , B l ack m u st lose a pawn . The b-pawn 's only defense 1 . . . . Re7, i s an swered by 2 . Rxc6, when 2 . . . . bxc6 a l l ows 3. Rxb8 + .

38

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B RU C E

Bad B ishop

PA N D O L F I N I

A b i s h o p whose mob i l ity i s red u ced by b l ocked o r

fixed pawns on s q uares t h e same co l o r a s those u sed b y t h e b i s h o p .

QUESTION :

W : KgS N e4 P s a S b 4 c S

(S)

8:

(6)

Kg7 Bc8 Ps a6 bS c6 d7

H ow can Wh ite exp loit the bad b i s h o p ?

A bad b i shop c a n be opposed b y a good bishop or a good k n i ght. In either case, the defe n d e r ' s remedy tends to be an exchange of m i n o r pieces , though t h i s is harder to effect when the pi eces are u n­ al i ke ( b i s h o p vs . k n i ght). ANSWER:

In the d i agram , B l ack's bad bishop i s obstructed by its own

pawns . If the k n ight i nvades (1 . Nd6), the bi shop is lost.

Bad Check

A check that wastes time o r i ncu rs di sadvantage . See

POI NTLESS C H ECK.

Knowi ng when to check i s a fi ne art. As a ru l e , if you don't see that a check res u lts i n ce rtai n advantage , don't give it. Save it for a m o re pivotal t i m e , when you need it or you r opponent has fo rgotten abou t it.

CHESS

Balance

TH I N KI NG

•

39

Eq u i l i b ri u m ; a gene ral eq ual ity, where one side's advan­

tages a re rou g h ly offset by the oppone n t ' s .

Balance of Position

The s ituation o f hav i n g com parable advan­

tages and wea k n esses , so that neither side has a d i st i n ct edge . See EQ U I LI BR I U M .

Balanced Pawn Structu re

A pos ition i n which every white

pawn i s on the same fi l e as a black pawn .

Bare King

A k i n g by itself, without any other same-col o r u n its on

the board . Also cal led a

Barrier

LO N E K I N G .

U s u a l ly a ran k o r fi l e occ u p i ed and control led by either a

q u een o r roo k , p reventi n g the enemy k i n g from escap i n g or partici­ pat i n g . See

CUTOF F .

W: Kg2 Ra1 Rd4 Ps a2 b3 g3 8:

QUESTION:

Kh8 Ra8 Re8 Ps a7 e6 f7

(6) (6)

H ow s h o u l d White snare the b l ack king ?

40

•

B RU C E

PA N D O L F I N I

Actually, any l i n e pi ece can estab l i s h a barrier, s i n ce q u een s and bishops can form them o n d iagonal s . A pa rticu l arly powerful barrie r i s a d o u b l e one c reated b y two friendly b i s hops occu pyi ng consecu­ tive d i agonal s . ANSWER:

B y playi n g 1 . Rg4, Wh ite traps t h e black k i n g on t h e h-fi l e .

Next move Wh ite mates b y checki ng on h1 .

Base of the Pawn Chai n

I n a fixed chai n of i nte rlocked black

and white pawn s , the base i s the pawn , for each side, closest to its own home ran k . See

QUESTION:

PAWN CHAI N

and

AlTACK AT TH E BAS E OF THE PAWN CHA I N .

W: Ke1 Ps d5 e4 f3

(4)

B:

(4)

Ke8 Ps c7 d6 e5

Where i s the base of the pawn chai n ?

A true pawn chai n con s i sts of l i n ked black and white strand s . There are two bases, one fo r Wh ite and one for Black. ANSWER:

In the d i ag ram , Wh ite's base i s at e4 and Black's at d6. Note

that though the pawns at f3 and c7 are con nected to other pawn s , neither i s con s i d e red part o f t h e c h a i n because they can move .

CHESS

Basic Center

TH I N KI N G

•

41

The actual center of the board , con s i sti ng of the

fou r squares d4, dS, eS , a n d e4 .

Basic Mate

Any of fou r eleme ntary checkmates that can be forced

aga i n st a lone k i n g by fou r d i fferent com b i nations of pieces .

QUESTION :

W: Kf7 BgS Ne7

(3)

B:

(1 )

Kh8

H ow can White mate i n th ree moves ?

The fou r standard basic mates are k i n g and q u een vs. k i n g ; k i n g a n d rook vs . k i n g ; k i n g and two b i s hops vs . k i n g ; and k i n g , b i s hop, and kn ight vs . k i n g . ANSWER:

I n t h e d i agram , Wh ite can force a typ ical bishop-and - k n ight

basi c mate in th ree moves : 1 . Ng6 + Kh7 2 . Nf8 + Kh8 3. Bf6# .

Basics

N ecessary i nfo rmation that eve ry chessplaye r s h o u l d know,

i n c l u d i n g the moves and r u l e s , s i m p l e mates and tactics, essential endgames , and u sefu l ope n i n g p r i n c i p l e s . S i m i l a r to

F U N DAMENTALS .

42

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BRUCE

Battery

PA N D 0 L F I N I

I n problem com positi o n , an

AMBUSH

i n which both pieces

are of the same color. In o rd i nary u sage , two o r more pi eces of l i ke power attack i n g s u p portively along the same l i n e .

QUESTION :

W: Kg1 Q b 3 Re2 Ba2 NgS P s f4 g3

(7)

B:

(7)

Kh8 Qd6 Rf8 Bc7 Nd4 Ps g7 h7

How can White mate in two moves ?

Two rooks or a q u een and roo k can fo rm batte ries along ran ks and fi les, and a q u een and bishop can be a batte ry on a diagonal . ANSWER:

White's q ueen-and-bishop batte ry forces mate : 1 . Qg8 + Rxg8

2 . Nf7# .

Bayonet Attack

I n any ope n i n g or va riatio n , the sharp pawn

th rust g2-g4 played to open the g-fi le, to seize control mai n ly of fS , and/or to th reate n to d i s lodge the f6-kn ight, gai n i ng control of dS and

e4. Also, the com parabl e advance fo r Black (g7-g5) with s i m i lar th reats .

BB

Abbreviation fo r b lack b i s h o p .

TH I N KI NG

CHESS

Beauty Prize

43

A p rize someti mes awa rded i n to u rnaments fo r the

most beautifu l o r b ri l l iant game . See

Begi nner

•

B R I LLIANCY PRIZE.

Someone who i s j u st begi n n i n g to l earn about the gam e .

Although a begi n n e r k n ows l ittle a b o u t chess, it's n o t fai r t o describe a n ewcom e r as weak . To be con s i d e red "weak" one m u st have stu d i ed or played seriously fo r years with no vi s i b l e i m p rovement.

Behind a Passed Pawn

A p h rase u s u ally app l i ed to rook end­

i n g s , descri b i n g the most effective placement fo r a roo k with regard to a passed pawn .

QUESTION:

W: Ke3 Ra2 Ps b7 f2 g3 h4

(6)

B:

(5)

Ke7 Rb8 Ps f7 g6 h5

H ow s h o u l d White defe n d the b-pawn ?

When a rook i s stationed beh i n d a passed pawn on the same fi l e , the m o b i l ity o f the rook i n c reases as the pawn advances . T h i s i s t r u e whether the roo k i s attack i n g an e n e m y pawn o r s u pporti ng the ad­ vance of a fri e n d ly o n e . The oppos i te res u lts when a rook is positioned i n front of a pawn . The roo k's mobi l ity along the same fi le dec reases as the pawn advances .

44

•

ANSWER:

B RU C E

PA N D O L F I N I

1 . Rb2 ! freezes Black's roo k i n place . I f it moves, u n less it

can do so with check, Wh ite's b-pawn p romotes with p rotection . So Black's frag i l e defe n se wi l l h i n ge solely on the k i n g-a seve re d i sadvantage .

Best by Test

A fam o u s p h rase u sed by Bobby Fischer i n a 1 964

Chess life article to describe White's fi rst-move choice 1 . e4 .

Riffi ng the B ishop

Attack i n g an aggressively posted bishop that

is attac k i n g one's own k n i ght, attem pti ng to force it either to take the k n i ght o r retreat. See

Bind

PUTII NG THE Q U ESTION T O THE B I SHOP.

A situation in which one side's space i s greatly red u ced by the

opponent's fo rces , especially restra i n i n g pawns, maki ng it difficu lt to rel i eve the cram ped situation by a l i be rati n g advance . I f you h ave you r opponent i n a b i n d , avoid free i n g exchanges . Don't re l ease the cramp u nt i l yo u can convert you r spatial edge i nto some­ th i ng m o re concrete . I f you are in a b i n d , seek to exchange pieces fo r b reath i n g room , especially you r most i neffective u n its . Make s u re to do so, howeve r, without p rec i pitat i n g othe r pro b l e m s .

Bishop

A m i no r piece, o n e o f the six d i ffe re nt types o f c h e s s u n its .

B i shops m ove o n l y on d i agonal s . Each side starts with two, a dark­ square b i s h o p and a l i ght-sq uare b i s h o p . A bishop i s about equal to a k n i ght, wh i c h i s wo rth about th ree pawn s . The standard abbreviation fo r bishop i s s.

Bishop Ending

An e n d i n g characte rized b y b i s h ops and pawn s .

CHESS

Bishop of the Wrong Color

TH I N KI NG

•

45

Also cal l ed wRoNG-cmoR BISHOP

or WRONG BISHOP. A b i s h o p that can't guard a fri e n d ly rook-pawn's p ro­ motion square. See FORTRESS and POSITIONAL

DRAW.

•• •• •• •. • .•. . • • . . .

!! · ·· · · . ·� If!. �.······ ,.�•··.···· !· ·· QUESTION:

W: Ka1 Bd1

(2)

B:

(4)

Kc6 BdS Ps a3 bS

Can White salvage a d raw?

A position i n which o n e side has a bishop and two pawns (one of wh ich i s a rook-pawn whose promotion sq uare can't be protected by its own b i shop) and the oth e r side has a lone m i n o r piece may present an u n usual opportu n ity fo r the weaker s i d e . If ci rc u m stances a l l ow, the playe r witho u t the pawns m ight be able to sacrifice the m i n o r pi ece fo r t h e opposi n g "good pawn , " leavi ng t h e opponent with a rook-pawn whose p romotion square can 't be co ntro l l ed . To d raw, the defe n d i n g king m e rely occu pies the co rner p romotion sq uare, and the attacker i s u nable to fo rce it away without al lowi ng stalemate . ANSWER:

I n the d i agram , Wh ite, though b e h i n d by two pawn s , can fo rce

a d raw by the p i n n i ng 1 . Ba4 ! . H oweve r B l ack respo n d s , h i s b-pawn d i sappears (or becomes an a-pawn by tak i n g the bi shop), and W h i te d raws by keepi n g the k i n g i n contact with a1 , mai ntai n i n g the fo rtres s .

46

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BRUCE

Bishop Pai r

PA N D O L F I N I

The advantage of havi ng two b i shops agai n st the op­

position's b i s h o p and k n i ght o r two kn ights . See

Bishop-Pawn

iwo B I S H O PS .

A pawn on the c-fi le o r the f-fi l e .

Bishops of Opposite Colors

A l s o cal led opposite-co/or bish­

ops . A situati o n , partic u larly germane to the endgame, in which one

p l ayer has a bishop movi ng on l i ght squares and the other playe r has a bishop m ovi n g on dark s q uares .

QUESTION :

W: Ke1 Ba7

(2)

8:

(4)

Kc2 Bc4 Ps d3 e2

Can Wh ite stop the pawn s ?

S i n ce b i shops o f opposite co l o rs can never attack each other d i ­ rectly, end i n gs i n c l u d i n g them often e n d i n blood less d raws , with the defender sett i n g u p b l ockades on squares guarded by its b i s h o p . ANSWER:

I n the d i agram , Wh ite c a n d raw b y 1 . Be3 , stoppi ng the ad­

vance of the d-pawn . Wh ite holds by s u stai n i n g his d o u b l e guard on d2, safely m a rk i n g t i m e with the bishop along the d2-h6 d iagonal . Black's b i s h o p can o n ly watch id ly, u nable to check the wh i te ki ng

.

CHESS

Biting on G ranite

TH I N KI N G

•

47

A way to characte rize a bishop that lacks

scope. A b i shop o n a d iagonal that i s blocked by enemy pawns i s so frustrated that it m ight as wel l be attac k i n g rock . Also u sed to describe a rook on a half-open fi le assai l i ng an enemy pawn sol idly p rotected by one or two other pawns .

BK

The abb reviation fo r b lack k i n g .

Black

The p l aye r who goes second at the start of the game and

who has the dark-co l o red pi eces . The dark-co l o red pi eces are refe rred to as black regard less of thei r actual color. Fo r i n structional pu rposes it h e l ps to d i sti ngu i s h between pi eces and squares . Pieces are white and black, squares are l i ght and dark.

Black-Square B ishop Black Squares

Another name for

Also cal l ed

Black to Play and Win

DARK-SQUARE B I SH O P .

DARK SQUARE S .

Also given as Black to move and win .

A sti p u l ation o r caption i n d i cati n g that B l ack plays a move that forces a wi n n i n g situatio n . T h i s i s seen far less often than the conventional WH ITE T O P LA Y AND W I N

B l indfold Chess

o r White to move and win .

Standard chess where at least one of the co m­

batants plays witho u t sight of the board . A b l i n dfo ld playe r either s its with h i s bac k to the board o r is actually b l i ndfo l ded . In either case the moves are conveyed by chess notation .

48

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BRUCE

B l i nd Side

PA N D O L F I N I

The most v u l n e rable side i n situatio n s i n wh i ch a de­

fen d i n g u n it m u st ward off i nvasi o n s from either of two sides.

QUESTION:

W: Kf5 Ps b6 e7 f6

(4)

B:

(3)

Kd7 Ps b7 f7

H ow s h o u l d White proceed ?

I n pawn e n d i ngs, the stro n ge r k i n g u s u a l ly tries to i nvade on the defender's b l i nd side when such an option exi sts . ANSWER:

I n the d i agram , Wh ite wi n s by i nvad i ng with the k i n g on the

blind side ( h e re , toward the k i n gside), goi ng from fS to gS to h6 to g7 (and even to g8 if White needs to gai n a te mpo).

Bl i ndsided

To be attacked where least expected o r on the side

most d i ffi c u l t to defend .

CHESS

B l ind Swine Mate

TH I N KI NG

•

49

A mate given by a batte ry of two roo ks alo ng

the seventh ran k .

QUESTION:

W: Kh1 Ra7 Rf7

(3)

8:

(3)

Kh8 Ra8 Rf8

H ow can W h i te mate in two moves ?

Two rooks on the seventh ran k are an awesome fo rce even when they can 't b r i n g abo u t i m m ed i ate mate . The rooks s u p port each other and the th reat to mate i s always the re-one rook ready to s h ift to the last ran k , the othe r retai n i ng control of the seventh . ANSWER:

Wh ite has a b l i nd swi ne mate by 1 . Rh7 + KgB 2 . Rag7# .

B l itz

S peed chess . See

B lock

To

O BSTRUCT

RAPI D TRAN S I T C H E S S .

a s q u a re or l i n e . Al so, the obstruction itself.

SO

•

BRUCE

Blockade

PA N D 0 L F I N I

A strategy to p revent the advance of an enemy pawn ,

particu larly a passed o r isolated o n e , by positio n i n g a piece, especially a kn ight, in front of the pawn and guard i ng that square with other pieces and pawns .

QUESTION:

W: Ka6 Rb1 P s a7 eS

(4)

B:

(4)

Kg8 Rf7 Ba8 Pe6

How does Wh ite b reak the b l ockad e ?

An i solated pawn s h o u l d be b lockaded t o p revent i t s advance a n d s u bseq uent exchange for a healthy fri endly pawn. A passed pawn s h o u l d be blockaded to stop it from beco m i ng a th reat to q u een . ANSWER:

Not a l l pieces b lockade wel l . I n the d iagra m , the bishop s u c­

cessfu l ly blockades White's a-pawn . White wi n s by replaci ng the good blockader (the b i shop) with a bad one (the rook) : 1 . Rb8 + Rf8 2 . Rxa8 ! . A l i kely con c l u s i o n i s 2 . . . . Rxa8 3 . Kb7 Rf8 4. a8/Q Rxa8 5 . Kxa8 Kf7 6 . Kb7 Kg6 7. Kc6 KfS 8. Kd6 . Wh ite wi n s Black's pawn and soon makes a new q u een .

Blocked

O bstru cted ; i m mobi l ized by pawn s , Without a clear path .

A l i ne i s especially b l ocked if friendly pawns get i n the way, because you can 't go t h ro u g h you r own pawn s . To u nclog such a l i ne, l oo k to exchange off the pawn i m ped i ments .

CHESS

Blocked Center

TH I N KI NG

•

51

A situation i n w h i c h i nterlocked wh ite and black

pawns p revent access o r m ovement t h rough the cente r.

B locked Pawn

A pawn that can 't move because the squ are i n

front o f it i s occ u p i ed b y an enemy u n it.

Blunder

A seri o u s m i stake o r gross ove rs i ght that either loses or

th rows away a wi n n i ng game .

BN

The abbreviation for b lack k n i ght.

Board

S h o rt fo r cHEsssoARD.

Boden's Mate

A mate , typical ly set u p by a q u een sacrifice, given

by the crisscross action of two b i s h o p s .

W : Kd2 Qf3 Be2 Bf4 N c3 P s b 2 b4 c 2 d 4 f2 g 2 h3

(12)

B:

(13)

QUESTION :

Kc8 Qh1 Rd8 Rh8 N d 7 Ng8 Ps a7 b7 c6 e6 f7 g7 h 7 H ow can W h i te fo rce mate in two moves ?

The name comes from Sam u e l Boden (1826-82) who in 1853 p l ayed an offhand game i n Lo ndon (Schu lde r-Boden) that went 1. e4 es 2.

•

52

BRUCE

PA N D 0 L F I N I

Nf3 d6 3 . c3 f5 4. Bc4 Nf6 5 . d4 fxe4 6. dxe5 exf3 7. exf6 Qxf6 8. gxf3 N c6 9. f4 Bd7 1 0 . Be3 0-0-0 1 1 . Nd2 Re8 1 2 . Qf3 Bf5 1 3 . 0-0-0 d5 1 4 . Bxd5 Qxc3 + 1 5 . bxc3 Ba3 # . ANSWER:

White mates b y 1 . Qxc6 + bxc6 2 . Ba6# . T h e pos ition i s from

the game Canal-Amateu r, B udapest 1 934 .

Book

P u b l i shed theo ry, mai n ly of the open i n g and sometimes the

endgame.

Book Draw Book End i ng in

endgame

A position that endgame books give as d rawn .

A positi o n , u s u a l ly a gen e ral case, that can be fou nd

texts with

approp riate

p roced u res

and

s u ppor tive

variation s .

Book Move

I n a specific ope n i n g variation , the recom mended o r

most u s u a l m ove given i n t h e standard critical man ual s .

Book Player

O n e w h o rel ies m o re on p u b l i s hed analys i s than on

original ideas . General ly, a p red ictable, u n i magi native player who l ets oth e rs do the th i n ki n g .

BP

T h e abb reviation for black pawn . Also t h e abbreviation fo r

b i s hop-pawn (one on the a-fi l e or the f-fi le).

BQ BR

The abb reviation fo r black q ueen .

T h e abb reviation fo r b l ack roo k .

B reak

A free i n g m ove o r mane uver, u s u a l l y a pawn advance .

CHESS

Breaking the Pin

TH I N KI NG

•

53

I n serti ng a fri e n d ly piece on the line of the

pin so that the pin no l o n ge r has any fo rce . Also, d rivi ng away the pi n n i n g piece .

Breakth rough

Typical ly a pawn move (o r moves) to clear l i nes

fo r penetration i nto enemy territo ry, often by mean s of a sacrifice .

QUESTION:

W: Kh1 Ps as bS cs

(4)

8:

(4)

Kh3 Ps a7 b7 c7

Can Wh ite s n eak a pawn th rough to q u een ?

Some b reakth rou g h s are targeted fo r aggressio n , to release at­ tac k i n g forces agai n st the opposi n g k i n g, but many are made to create a passed pawn that wi l l go on to q u een . ANSWER:

The d i agram i l l u strates a com mon b reakth rough com b i nation .

White starts by advanci n g the m i d d l e pawn , 1. b6. If 1 . . . . axb6, then 2 . c6 bxc6 3. a6 wi n s . O r if 1 . . . . cxb6, then 2. a6 bxa6 3. c6 does

th e tri c k .

Br eakthrough Combination

See

BREAKTHRoucH.

54

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BRUCE

Brevity

PA N D 0 L F I N I

A s h o r t game, typically 20 moves or fewer, contai n i n g i nc i ­

sive tactics and u s u a l l y s h owi ng how t o exploit violations o f p r i n c i p l e .

QUESTION:

W : Kc1 Q b3 R d 1 BgS P s a2 b 2 c 2 e 4 f2 g 2 h 2

(1 1 )

B:

(1 0)

Ke8 Qe6 Rh8 Bf8 Nd7 Ps a7 eS f7 g7 h 7

H ow d i d Pau l Morphy mate in two moves ?

Pe rhaps the most fam o u s b revity of a l l time was a game played at the Paris Opera i n 1 8S8 between Pau l Morphy (Wh ite) and a team of two amateu rs ( B lack), Count l souard and the D u ke of Bru n swi c k . I t began 1 . e 4 e S 2 . Nf3 d6 3 . d 4 Bg4 4 . dxeS Bxf3 5 . Qxf3 dxeS 6 . Bc4 Nf6 7. Qb3 Qe7 8. N c3 c6 9. BgS bS 1 0 . NxbS cxbS 1 1 . BxbS + N bd7 1 2 .

0-0-0 Rd8 1 3 . Rxd7 Rxd7 1 4 . Rd1 Qe6 1 5 . Bxd7 + Nxd7 (see d i agram) . ANSWER:

M o rphy won b y sacrifi c i n g h i s q u een to clear t h e d-fi le for h i s

roo k : 1 6. Q b8 + Nxb8 1 7. Rd8# .

Bridge

A block i n g move , u s u a l l y by a rook , to stop enemy checks ,

u s u a l ly fro m a roo k . See

LUCENA'S POSITION

and

B U I LD I N G A B R I D G E .

CH ESS

Bri l l iancy

TH I N KI NG

55

A b ri l l iant com b i nation lead i ng to a q u ick victo ry. Al so,

a short game contai n i ng i nge n i o u s tactics . S i m i l ar to

BREVITY.

W: Kg1 Qf2 Ra1 Rd1 Ba3 N c3 N d4 Ps a2 b3 g3 h2

(1 1 )

B:

(1 1 )

QU ESTION :

•

Kg8 Qh3 Ra8 Re8 Bb7 Bg7 Ps a7 b6 f7 g6 h7 How does B l ack fo rce a wi n ?

An exam p l e of a s h o r t game offering b ri l l iant play i s the contest between Robert Byrne (Wh i te) and Bobby Fischer ( B lack) p l ayed in the U . S . Cham p i o n s h i p, 1 963-64. I t started 1 . d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. N c3 Bg7 7. e3 0-0 8. Nge2 Nc6 9 . 0-0 b6 1 0 . b 3 Ba6 1 1 . Ba3 Re8 1 2 . Qd2 e 5 1 3 . dxe5 Nxe5 1 4 . Rfd1 N d 3 1 5 . Qc2 Nxf2 1 6 . Kxf2 Ng4 + 1 7. Kg1 Nxe3 1 8 . Qd2 Nxg2 1 9 . Kxg2 d4 20. Nxd4 Bb7 + 21 . Kf1 Qd7 and Wh ite resigned (0-1 ) . ANSWER:

T h e d iag ram position wou l d have been reached if t h e game

had conti n ued with the moves 22 . Qf2 Qh3 + 23 . Kg1 . Fischer wo u l d have won b y 2 3 . . . . Re1 + ! ! 24. Rxe1 Bxd4, when t h e p i n ned white queen is u nable to thwart Black's mate at g2 .

Bri l l iancy Prize

An award someti mes given at the end of a to u r­

nament fo r the most i ngen i o u s attac k i n g gam e .

56

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BRUCE

Brute Force

PA N D 0 L F I N I

A term describing the way some computer programs

determine their moves: by sheer calculation of all possibilities. See PARALLEL ARCH ITECTU R E .

Bughouse

Team chess played on two or more boards in which

captured pieces are given to teammates to be used on their own boards when needed. Each putback counts as a move. The first player to mate wins for his team. Also called

DOUBLE BUGHOUSE

and

TANDEM

PUTBACK.

Building a Bridge

In rook endings, a technique to create shelter

for a king and/or passed pawn.

QUESTION:

W: Kb8 Rd1 Pb7

(3)

B:

(2)

Ke7 Ra2

How does White shield the king from checks?

In the diagram, White's king is unable to move from in front of the pawn without being harassed by rook checks. White solves this prob­ lem by deploying the rook so that it can eventual'ly block the checks.

CHESS

ANSWER:

TH I N KI NG

•

57

White first stations the rook on its fourth rank, 1. Rd4!. An

illustrative variation from there is: 1. . . . Ra1 2. Kc7 Rc2 + 3. Kb6 Rb2 + 4. Kc6 Rc2+ 5. KbS! Rb2+ 6. Rb4, and the pawn promotes.

Bust

A refuted opening line or tactic. Also, to show to be unsound

or wrong.

Busted Position Bust U p

A hopeless, resignable situation.

To ruin the enemy's pawn structure, particularly in front

of the castled king, either by capture or sacrifice.

Busted Variation Bye

A refuted line that should be abandoned.

In tournaments, advancing to the next round without playing

because a pairing isn't possible or for some other practical reason approved by the director. Players receiving byes get either a full or half point depending on the rules of the event.

c

Caissa

The muse or goddess of chess, from an 18th-century poem

by Sir William Jones.

Calculation

The process of analyzing and evaluating specific

moves and variations, as opposed to making general judgments and assessments. Sometimes called

ARITHMET I C .

Calculation of Variations Camp

See

cALcu LAT10N .

A player's half of the board; later on, a player's main strong­

hold, especially around the king.

Candidate

See

CANDIDATE MOVE

and

58

CANDIDATE PASSED PAWN.

CHESS

Candidate Move

TH I N KI NG

•

59

A reasonable move, worthy of analysis or con­

sideration. Also called

CAN D I DATE .

Before analyzing a situation in depth, whether during a game or while solving a problem, start by forming a mental list of moves to be considered-the candidate moves. Although the list might be superfi­ cial, it fulfills several functions. You can't analyze every move in a position, so it makes sense to determine the most relevant ones before proceeding. The forming of a list tends to reduce possibilities even further, for some moves may be rejected on immediate comparison. The list can be a reminder. If an initial selection gets nowhere, turn back to the list for other candidates. During clock games the list lets you apportion time better. The list can be a synthesizer, allowing sev­ eral moves to be combined in an overall solution. Finally, forming any kind of list imposes order, which can only be helpful.

Candidate Passed Pawn

In any group of pawns, the one likely

to become passed, that is, with no enemy pawn in front of it on the same file. Also called

QUESTION :

CAN D I DATE .

Which pawn i s the candidate ?

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PA N D O L F I N I

The chief advantage of a candidate passed pawn is that it could be converted into an endgame weapon-a passed pawn, which could then be advanced. The pawn then might be promoted directly or, in its inexorable march, divert enemy forces from other chores. ANSWER:

Black's f-pawn is the candidate. With correct play it has a

chance to emerge as a passed pawn.

Capablanca's Rule

A rule of thumb, attributed to Jose Raul Ca­

pablanca (1 888-1 942), that recommends mobilizing a pawn majority by first advancing the unopposed pawn-the one with no enemy pawn in front of it on the same file.

QUESTION :

W: Ka1 Ps g3 h3

(3)

B:

(2)

Kc1 Pg6

Which pawn should White advance first?

A typical way to create a passed pawn is by applying Capablanca's Rule. Once you have a passed pawn, try to shepherd it toward promo­ tion in a timely yet prudent way. It either becomes a new queen or is used as a

DECOY

to score elsewhere on the board.

CHESS

ANSWER:

•

TH I N KI N G

61

In the diagram, White wins by advancing the h-pawn first (1.

h4), and then the other pawn (2. g4). Starting instead with the g-pawn (1. g4?) allows 1. . . . gS !, and both white pawns are held back.

Capture

The removal of an enemy unit. Also, to take an opposing

piece or pawn.

Castle and

To move the king and rook on the same turn. See

LOST THE RIGHT T O CASTLE.

CASTL I N G

Also, a common but unofficial name for

the rook.

Castle by Hand

To achieve the effect of castling by moving the

king and rook individually over the course of several moves, usually done after the king has

LOST THE R I G HT TO CASTLE .

Also called

ARTI F I C IAL

CASTLI NG .

Castle Early

A maxim advising castling as soon as feasible to in­

sure king safety. Unfortunately, it can't be applied indiscriminately. There are plenty of times when you should delay castling or not castle at all. Probably a better principle would be to prepare to castle-to get the ability to castle-fairly quickly, just in case castling suddenly becomes desirable or necessary.

Castle into Check

A violation of the rules. The king may never

move into check.

Castle Ki ngside

To castle using the king-rook. The move is writ­

ten "0-0 . " Also called

CASTLE S H O RT.

Castle Long

To

CASTLE Q u E E N s 1 0 E .

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PA N D 0 L F I N I

Castle on Opposite Sides

White castles on the queenside

and Black on the kingside, or Black on the queenside and White on the kingside. It's often recommended by teachers to develop attacking skills. Stu­ dents castle on opposite sides and advance pawns against the enemy king to create tactical opportunities.

Castle out of Check

A violation of the rules.

A king in check must get out of check without castling. If the king doesn't move, it may be able to castle later.

Castle Queenside

To castle using the queen-rook. The move is

written "0-0-0 . " Also called

Castle Short

To

CASTLE LONG.

cAsTLE K 1 N c s 1 m .

Castle Through Check

In the act of castling, to move the king

over a square guarded by the enemy, a violation of the rules even though the king doesn't stop on this attacked square.

Castling

Playing the king and rook on the same move, which is

the only time two pieces can be moved on the same turn. Castling is possible on either the kingside or the queenside. It is achieved by transferring the king two squares toward the rook (to the g-file if cas­ tling kingside, to the c-file if castling queenside) and then putting the rook on the square next to the king on its other side. Castling is permitted only if certain conditions are met. The in­ tervening squares between the king and castling rook must be unoccu­ pied. Both the king and the rook must not have moved in the game. You can't castle if you're in check (it is legal, however, to castle on a subsequent move if the king hasn't moved) or if the king must pass through check (over a square guarded by the opponent), or if the king is in check after completing castl ing.

CH ESS

Casual Game

TH I N KI NG

•

63

An offhand or friendly game played for entertain­

ment. See

SKITILES.

Ce nter

The four squares in the very middle of the board, namely

d4, dS, es, and e4. Also the region containing this block of four as well as the twelve squares surrounding it: c3, c4, cs, c6, d6, e6, f6, fS, f4, f3, e3, and d3.

Central

Of the center ; concerning the middle of the board.

Central ization

In the opening and middlegame, a principle rec­

ommending the development of pieces toward the center for general readiness. In the endgame, the process of bringing the king and other pieces back to the center before commencing certain plans or campaigns.

Central ize

To move toward the center, usually to prepare for criti­

cal or final stages.

Central Zone to c3. Also called

The area contained within the square c6 to f6 to f3 E N LARGED CENTER.

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PA N D O L F I N I

Centurini's Position

A famous ending of king, bishop, and

knight-pawn vs. king and bishop, in which an elaborate bishop maneu­ ver gains a

QUESTION :

TEMPO

and wins.

W: Kc8 Bg3 Pb7

(3)

8:

(2)

Kc6 Ba7

What tactic enables White to promote his pawn?

Centurini's actual starting position (W : Kc8 Bd8 Pb7 B : Kc6 Bh2)

leads to the diagram after 1. Bh4 Kb6 2. Bf2+ Kai 3. Bes Bg3 4. Be7 Kb6 5 . Bd8+ Kc6 6. Bh4! Bh2 7. Bf2 Bf4 8. Ba7 Bh2 9 . Bb8 Bg1 1 0. Bg3 Ba7. ANSWER:

White wins by a deflection, 1 1 . Bf2. If Black takes White's

bishop, the pawn queens. Otherwise, White simply captures Black's bishop and promotes after that.

Chaturanga

The earliest known forerunner of chess, which ap­

pears to have originated in the fifth century A. D. in the Indus Valley.

Chain

Short for

PAWN CHAI N .

CH ESS

Ch eapo

TH I N KI NG

•

65

Slang for an on obvious trap or one-move setup . See

SU CKER PUNCH.

Check

A direct attack or threat to the king.

When one of your units checks the opposing king, you are in posi­ tion to capture the king on the next move (though the rules actually prevent a king from being captured). A king "in check" must get "out of check" immediately.

Checking Distance

The minimum distance a rook needs to at­

tack without being in danger of counterattack from the approaching enemy king.

QU ESTION:

W: Kd8 Rc2 Pd7

(3)

B:

(2)

Kb7 Rh2

Can Black play to draw?

In most cases the rook has the checking distance if it's at least four squares from its target along the line of attack . The target is either the enemy king, a passed pawn, or the complex of both. If the rook is only three squares away, the opposing king may be able to chase the rook without endangering the pawn, which can then proceed to­ ward promotion.

66

•

ANSWER:

BRUCE

PA N D O L F I N I

Black's rook has the checking distance from the flank,

allowing it to pester the White king into a draw. A reasonable variation is 1 . . .

.

Rh8 + 2 . Ke7 Rh7 + 3 . Ke6 Rh6 + 4. Kf7 Rh7 + , forcing the

king back to the pawn's defense. Worse is 4. Kf5, when 4. . .

.

Rd6

wins the pawn.

Checkmate

A situation in which an attacked king has no legal way

to get out of check. The game ends at this point, before the check­ mated king is actually captured. (If the rules permitted it, the king would be taken on the next turn. )

Chessboard

The playing surface, which is a square board consist­

ing of 64 smaller squares, 32 light and 32 dark, arranged in an alternat­ ing pattern. At the start the board is placed with a light square in the corner to each player's right.

Chess by Mai l Chess C lock

See

CORRESPO N DENCE c H E s s .

A timing device with two clocks, one for White and

one for Black. When it's your move, your time runs and your opponent's doesn't. After completing your move, you can stop your clock and start your opponent's. Then it's your opponent's turn to move and, after mov­ ing, he stops his clock and starts yours.

Chessmaster Chessmen

See

NATI ONAL MASTER .

Pieces and pawns considered as a group. See

Chess Problem

See

PROBLEM.

U N ITS .

CHESS

Circuit

TH I N KI NG

•

67

In certain knight endings, a ci rcu lar path of four squares

connected by knight moves.

QUESTION :

W: Kg6 Ph6

(2)

B:

(2)

Ka1 NgS

Can Black move and draw?

If the defending knight can get on the circuit it can stop the pawn from safely advancing. In the diagram the circuit consists of the squares h7, f8, e6, and gs. Although the knight must move, it can stay on the circuit and draw. ANSWER:

The position is held by 1. . . . Ne6!, when 2. h7 encounters 2.

. . . Nf8+ 3 . Kg7 Nxh7 4. Kxh7, and the game is drawn due to

1 NSUFFl­

c1 ENT MAT I N G MATERIAL.

Classical

Pertaining to a style favoring straightforward play, includ­

ing direct occupation of the center, especially with pawns; rapid devel­ opment; early castling; and adherence to standard principles. Also, the style itself.

Classical Pawn Center

A l i gned center pawns on a playe r 's

fo u rth rank. For Wh ite, pawn s on d4 and e4 ; fo r B lack, pawn s on dS

and es.

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BRUCE

PA N D O L F I N I

This is called a classical pawn center because such a formation was the aim of the early generations of good players in the 17th and 18th centuries. They laid down the "classical principles" in their games and analyses.

Classic Bishop Sacrifice Clean Mate

See

G RECO's sAcR 1 F 1 cE .

A problem composition term. A mate in which unoc­

cupied squares near the mated king are each guarded only once, none of the units in the pattern have unnecessary functions, and the mating move is not a double check. Also called

Clear

PURE MATE.

See

MODEL MATE.

Unblocked, as a clear line. Also, definite, as a clear

advantage.

Clearance

A tactic by which a square or line is evacuated, typically

by a compelling sacrifice, so that a friendly unit can occupy the same square or line. See

QUESTION:

AN N I H I LAT I O N .

W: Ka1 Qa6 Bb1 Pa2

(4)

B:

(4)

Kh8 Rb5 Ba7 Nd4

H ow can B l ac k mate in two moves ?

CH ESS

TH I N KI NG

•

69

Annihilation is a form of clearance. But whereas clearance is the unblocking of either a square or line, annihilation refers specifically to a line. ANSWER:

Black mates by the sacrifice 1. . . . Nc2 + . After 2. Bxc2, Black's

bishop mates on d4, the square just cleared by the knight.

Clearance Sacrifice Clock

See

See

CLEARANC E .

C H E ss cLocK.

Clock Game

A game using a chess clock to make sure the players

complete a certain number of moves in a specified period. A player failing to make the

T I M E CONTROL

Closed Center

forfeits the game.

A center blocked by chains of black and white

pawns. Loosely, any center through which movement is hindered by pawns. A typical closed center has white pawns at dS and e4 interlocked with black pawns at d6 and eS; or white pawns at d4 and es versus black pawns at dS and e6. When the middle of the board is obstructed by pawns, play tends to take place behind the lines, around the pe­ rimeter of the center, or on the flanks. The action is correspondingly slower, since it's harder to transfer pieces through the central barri­ cade, and intricate maneuvers are common. It's not unusual to see knights, with their ability to pirouette, get the better of bishops. Fi­ nally, the blocked center often enables the kings to remain uncastled into the early middlegame and even beyond in preparation for transi­ tion to the endgame. See CHAI N , CLOSED GAME ,

Closed File

and

PAWN CHAI N , ATTACK AT THE BASE OF THE PAWN

FIXED PAW N S .

A file occupied by both white and black pawns, so

that rooks and queens cannot move along it completely. See and

HALF-OPEN F I L E .

Close Game

Another name fo r

cLosED GAM E .

OPEN F I LE

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PA N D 0 L F I N I

Closed Game

One with a

CLOSED CENTER

(obstructed by white and

black pawns), in which few, if any, exchanges have taken place. Also called

CLOSE GAME

or

CLOSED POS I TI O N .

Closed Open ing 1. c4. Also called

A game that begins with 1. d4, or sometimes

CLOSE OPE N I NG .

Queen-pawn openings, in contrast to those beginning with the king­ pawn, are more likely to produce closed games if played automatically. But they are conducted so actively these days, and with such vigor and creativity, that the distinction has become more a convenience of classification than a reliable rule of thumb.

Closed Position

See

Coffeehouse Chess

cLo s E D GAME.

A type of chess typical of coffeehouses,

characterized by risky unsound play that in those circumstances (noisy, smoky, confused) can be difficult to refute.

Color Weakness

A difficulty in adequately guarding, occupying,

or influencing squares of one color.

W: Kd1 BdS Ps b3 d3 fS h6 B:

Kf8 Bb6 Ps b4 d6 eS f6

(6) (6)

CH ESS

QUESTION:

TH I N KI NG

•

71

Can White force a win?

A color weakness tends to be pronounced when one's pawns are fixed on squares of the other color and one's minor pieces are power­ less to help. A balancing act occurs with opposite-color bishops, when both players may be weak and strong on different color squares. It all depends on circumstances. ANSWER:

Black can't stop a white king trek to g6 (Kd1-e2-f3-g4-h5-g6)

and the subsequent pawn advance h6-h7.

Column

Another name for

Combination

FILE.

A sequence of forced moves, usually involving sac­

rifice, always leading to an improvement of one's situation.

QUESTION :

W: Kg1 Qa6 Bg2 Ng6 Ps f2 g3

(6)

B:

(8)

Kg8 Qa8 Bd6 Nh7 Ps a7 c7 dS g7

Does White have a winning combination?

The word "combination" implies a synthesis of several tactical themes. T h e usual aims are checkmate or gain of materia l . A t rue co m bi n ation req uires sacrifice , but of a pa rtic u l a r kind . Com binative

sacrifices wo rk by fo rce . They are not

REAL SACRIFICES,

whe re the out-

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•

PA N D 0 L F I N I

BRUCE

come is in doubt, but

SHAM SACRI FI C E S ,

where favorable results have

been foreseen. ANSWER:

After 1 . Qc8 + ! Black must abandon his queen, for 1 . . . . Qxc8

allows 2. BxdS + and mate next move.

Companion Squares

Also called

coNJUGATE s Q uAREs, cooRDI NATE

SQUARES , CORRESPO N D I N G SQUARES, REIATED SQUARES,

and

S I STER SQUARE S .

See

THEORY OF CORRESPO N D I N G S Q UARES .

Compensation

A counterbalancing advantage to offset one or

more disadvantages. The term is based on a comparison of different elements, such as material vs. time. A player might have an extra pawn to compensate for the opponent's initiative. It's also possible to have compensation within the same element, such as material. One side gets a knight, for example, for his opponent's three pawns.

Complicate

To keep the position complex by avoiding trades and

retaining tension ; to initiate risky, hard-to-analyze lines, possibly in­ volving sacrifice.

Complications

Unanticipated difficulties or tactics that confuse

and jeopardize the outcome.

CH ESS

Composed Problem

TH I N KI NG

•

73

A deliberately created position, not neces­

sarily reflecting a real game situation, that sets out in a clever or artistic way a particular technique or theme. Like puzzles, they are meant to be solved. A problem often must be solved in a specified number of moves. See

QUESTION:

COMPO S I TI O N , PROBLEM,

and

STUDY.

W: Kg1 Qh8 Rh7 Pa6

(4)

B:

(4)

Ka8 Bb8 Ps a7 g2

How does White force mate in two moves?

In an artfully composed problem everything meshes perfectly, noth­ ing is wasted, every unit has a definite purpose, and, ideally, there is only one answer. Alternative solutions, known as cooks, mar the problem. ANSWER:

In this version of a famous problem composed by Sam Loyd

(1 841 -1 91 1 ), White mates by 1 . Rh1 !, followed by 2 . Qxh1#.

Composition

A

coMPosm PROBLEM

or

sTuDY.

See

cooK.

All kinds of creations may be considered compositions, including forced mates, endgame studies, tasks, instructional examples, mathe­ matical/logical puzzles, chess jokes, and who knows what. Some of

•

74

BRUCE

PA N D O L F I N I

these are quite fantastic, having unusual stipulations and bearing little resemblance to actual competition.

Computer Notation

The barest form of algebraic notation, giv­

ing only the moving unit's starting and destination squares. Piece symbols are not used, nor are there indications for captures or checks. For example, if a White knight on e4 captures a Black knight on f6, giving check, the move is simply written "e4-f6" or " E4- F6. "

Concrete Advantage

A tangible advantage, like material or

pawn structure, that tends to be long-lasting .

Conditional Problem

A kind of problem in which standard

pieces have enhanced or restricted powers.

Confl icti ng Principles

General guidelines that seem to dis­

agree. An example is being ahead by a pawn with a powerful attack and having the opportunity to trade pieces. One principle recommends exchanging when ahead, the other says to avoid trades if pressing an attack. What do you do ? Try thinking and figuring out what 's really best.

Conjugate Square

Also called coMPAN10N SQUARES, cooRDI NATE

SQUARES , CORRESPONDING SQUARES, RELATED SQUARES, and SISTER SQUARES. See TH EORY OF CORRESPONDING SQUARES.

Connected

For pieces, occupying the same line and capable of

supporting each other (see CONN ECTING THE ROOKS) ; for pawns, occu­ pying adjacent files and capable of defending each othe r (see CON­ NECTED PASSED PAWNS ) .

CHESS

Connected Passed Pawns cent files. See

QUESTION :

TH I N KI NG

•

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Two friendly passed pawns on adja­

PAS SED PAWN .

W: Kf3 Ps a7 b5

(3)

B:

(1)

Kb7

How does White win this ending?

Connected passed pawns are often a vital endgame weapon because they can advance with mutual support. When one of them is placed to protect the other, the opposing king can't capture the protecting back pawn without allowing the protected front one to run toward promotion. ANSWER:

White secures the day by 1. b6 . A possible conclusion is 1 .

. . . Ka8 2. Kf4 Kb7 3. Ke5 Ka8 4. Kd6 Kb7 5 . a8/Q + Kxa8 6. Kc6 Kb8 7. b7 Ka7 8 . Kc7 Ka6 9. b8/Q Ka5 10 . Qb3 Ka6 11 . Qa4# (or 11 . Qb6#) .

Connecting the Rooks

Clearing the home rank by developing

the queen and minor pieces and castling, so that the rooks defend each other. The situation signifies a state of read iness and usually marks the end of the opening and the start of the middlegame.

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Consol idate

To stabilize a loose or uncoordinated position.

One usually consolidates with several defensive or simplifying moves, exchanging off menacing or clumsy pieces while completing development and safeguarding the king. The concept most often ap­ plies after risking the win of material or surviving an intense period of attack.

Consol idation

The process of stabilizing and refocusing a posi­

tion, especially after a period of activity, by insuring king safety, de­ fending weak points, completing development, repositioning certain pieces, and warding off potential enemy threats.

Consultation Game

A game in which two or more players work

as a team, discussing their moves before playing them. The opponent may be a single player or another consultation team.

Continuation

A follow-up to a move or series of moves.

Convergent Thi nking

In chess, working out the precise moves

when we already know what to do. It is linear and one-dimensional, as opposed to DIVERGENT TH I N K I N G .

Cook

In composed problems, an alternative solution, often requir­

ing fewer moves, usually missed by the composer. A cook spoils the validity of a composition.

Coordinate Notation

Any notation that views the board as a

coordinate grid, such as ALGEBRAIC NOTATI O N .

Coordi nate Squares

Also cal led coMPAN 10N sQuAREs, coNJUGATE

SQUARES, CORRESPONDING SQUARES , RELATED SQUARES, and S I STER SQUARES. See THEORY OF CORRESPONDI NG SQUARES .

CHESS

Cordon

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77

In the endgame, a boundary line, consisting of guarded

squares and sometimes the board's edge, that confines a king within a particular area.

Cor ral

The trapping of a knight by a bishop along the edge. Also

referred to as CORRALLING A KNIGHT.

QUESTION:

W: Kd7 Bh2 Pg2

(3)

B:

(3)

Ka7 Nh5 Pa6

How does White win?

This is one reason to avoid positioning a knight along the board's perimeter. A knight has such reduced mobility there that a smartly placed bishop can usurp all of its possible moves. ANSWER:

After 1. Be5!, the knight is helpless against the pending ad­

vance g2-g4.

Correspondence Chess

Chess played by mailing each move

in a letter or on a postcard . Correspondence chess requires a real investment in time . In today 's high-tech age, where info rmation is conveyed i mmediately by tele­ phone, fax, or compute r mode ms, it may have seen its day.

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PA N D 0 L F I N I

Cor respond ing Squares

Also called COMPAN ION sQUAREs, coNJu­

GAL SQUARES, COORDI NATE SQUARES, RELATED SQUARES, and S I STER SQUARES. See THEORY OF CORRESPONDING SQUARES .

Cor ridor Mate

A line mate by a rook or queen, given along any

file or rank when possible escape squares are guarded or obstructed. See BACK-RANK MATE.

Counter

An answer or response. See couNTERATTACK.

Counterattack

An attack mounted by the defender or the player

apparently on the defensive. Also, one of a certain class of opening variations initiated by Black. A good counterattacker adequately answers the opponent's threats while generating some of his own. It's a mistake just to strike out blindly, however ferociously. You can't ignore enemy plans, even if they seem trivial or unimportant, especially when they come first.

Counterchances Countergambit

Opportunities for cou NTERATTACK.

Generally, an opening gambit offered by Black

in response to White's opening gambit; thus, an attempt to seize the initiative and blunt White's attack.

Counterplay

The possibility for the defending side to undertake

aggressive action, usually by opening another front. A player who has counterplay is said to have overall chances roughly equal to the opponent's.

Counting

With regard to material, comparing. pieces and pawns

to see who's ahead; with regard to pawn races, determining which

CHESS

TH I N KI NG

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79

side promotes first; with regard to maneuvers, especial ly for the king, figuring how many moves it takes to reach a certain square .

Cramped

Constricted; especial ly, blocked or restrained by pawns

that fix one's pawns to the third rank , leaving very little room for positioning behind the lines.

Cramped Position

A position in which one side in particular

has reduced space.

Crippled Majority

A pawn majority incapable of producing a

candidate, usually because of doubled or isolated pawns.

Critical Diagonal of Retreat

In pawn endings, the shortest

path for the defending king to the promotion square; the diagonal the king needs to traverse to stop the pawn from queening.

QUESTION:

W: Kf1 Ps a2 d4

(3)

B:

(3)

Kf3 Ps e6 f7

How does White play and win?

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PA N D O L F I N I

A key battle often revolves around the attacker's attempt at blocking a critical diagonal, preventing the defending king's auspicious retreat. ANSWER:

White wins by blocking the diagonal line with a pawn sacrifice,

1. dS! , and after 1 . . . . exdS 2. a4 d4 3. a5 d3 4. Ke1 , there's no catching the a-pawn.

Critical

Opposition

In endgame

theory,

allowing a king to occupy a critical square. See OF CRITICAL SQUARES.

Also called

Critical Position

the opposition

OPPOSITION

and

THEORY

KEY OPPOSITI O N .

That point in a theoretically important line,

usually in the opening and more or less forced from the preceding moves, the evaluation of which determines whether the sequence fa­ vors White or Black. Also, any decisive turning point in a game.

Critical Square

A square whose occupation by the superior

side's king insures the completion of a task. An endgame concept.

Critical Thinking

Abstract reasoning used to solve problems ;

higher thought processes marked by careful analysis and evaluation of alternatives before deciding on the optimal course of action. See ANALOGUE

and

LATERAL TH I N K I N G .

CHESS

Cross-Check

QUESTION:

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81

A check that blocks a check by the opponent.

W: Ka8 Qf4

(2)

B:

(3)

Kf2 Qd3 Pe2

How does Black end the checks?

In addition to cross-checking by interposition, it is possible to move the king and discover check or to capture the checking unit with check. The most typical cross-checking situation occurs in queen end­ ings to avoid perpetual check. ANSWER:

Black wins by 1

.

.

.

.

Qf3 + , blocking check with check and

forcing a trade of queens. The pawn then promotes.

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Crossover

PA N D 0 L F I N I

A maneuver by a king in front of and across the path

of one of its own passed pawns to reach the OUTS I DE CRITICAL SQUARE. Also called the OVERPASS, in contrast to the U N DERPASS .

QUESTION:

W: Kf3 Pd4

(2)

B:

(1 )

Kg7

How does White insure the pawn's promotion?

White's king must get to any of the pawn's three critical squares to guide the pawn home. In this situation, with the passed pawn on its fourth rank, the critical squares are c6, d6, and e6. ANSWER:

A direct diagonal crossover to c6 does the job: 1 . Ke4 Kf6 2.

KdS Ke7 3. Kc6. A possible finish is 3. . . . Kd8 4. dS Kc8 5. d6 Kd8 6. d7 Ke7 7. Kc7 and the pawn promotes next move.

CHESS

Cross-Pin

QUESTION :

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83

A counter-pin . Answering a pin with a pin .

W: Kh1 Rb1 Bf1 Nc6 Ps e6 hS

(6)

B:

(7)

Kc8 Rh8 Bb7 Nh4 Ps a6 c7 cS

How does White mate in two moves?

The cross-pin idea is more prevalent in problem composition, though it does arise in ordinary play as well, especially in situations needing a defensive fix. ANSWER:

White's 1 . Bxa6! cross-pins Black's bishop (which is pinning

White's knight) to its king and mates next move. If 1 . . . . Bxa6, then 2. Rb8#. Otherwise, White's bishop captures on b7, giving mate with support from the rook .

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Crosstable

PA N D O L F I N I

A chart or table showing the results of every player in

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