The Middle Game in Chess

Eugene Znosko-Borovsky

Description

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Sujets

• Sport
• Autour du sport
• Histoire du sport
• Chess
• Games
• Activities

Informations

• Publié par: Read Books Ltd.
• Date de parution: 23 mars 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781446546000
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

THE MIDDLE GAME IN CHESS
By EUGENE ZNOSKO-BOROVSKY
Translated by J. DU M ONT
CONTENTS
PART I. GENERAL REMARKS
I T HE M ATERIAL B ASIS OF THE G AME
1 The Elements: Space, Time, Force
2 The Pieces and their Management: The Pawns, The King, The Other Pieces
3 The Co-ordination of the Elements as the Basis of Chess
II I DEAS IN C HESS
1 Objects to follow and how to attain them
2 Threats
III S TRATEGY AND T ACTICS
1 Preliminary and Inner Analysis of a Position
2 The Position as a Whole
3 Construction and Execution of the Plan
4 Tactical Possibilities
PART II. THE MIDDLE GAME
I T HE S TAGES OF THE M IDDLE G AME
1 Between the Opening and the Middle Game
2 Between Middle Game and End Game
II S UPERIORITY IN P OSITION
1 Superiority in the Various Elements
2 Various Means of Exploiting an Advantage
III I NFERIOR P OSITIONS
1 Inferiority in Different Elements
2 Various Means of Remedying Inferiority in Position
IV E VEN P OSITIONS
1 Combination of the Elements
2 Positions without Distinctive Features
3 Upsetting the Balance
4 Counter-Action
C ONCLUSION
L IST OF I LLUSTRATIVE P OSITIONS
PART I. GENERAL REMARKS
I. THE MATERIAL BASIS OF THE GAME
1. T HE E LEMENTS
( a ) Space
A GAME of chess is contested within a strictly geometrical space, namely, a square board sub-divided into. 64 squares of equal size. There is no physical difference at all between any of these squares, their colour being only a matter of convenience, making them easier to survey.
Yet their respective location on the chessboard affects their individual importance. This distinction becomes evident when we compare the squares situated on the edge of the board with those in the centre. The centre squares are, for all practical purposes, at an equal distance from the corners of the board; in consequence it is easy to support from there any point that may be attacked or, conversely, to initiate an attack wherever opportunity offers. In practice, whoever controls the centre has the command of the whole board.
The centre squares being surrounded by other squares, any piece posted there radiates power in every direction, whereas its effectiveness is considerably less if placed near the edge of the board, as there it lacks at least one side for its radiation; in the corner it is even cut off from two sides.
The less radiation a piece possesses, the smaller is its power. Therefore pieces gain in strength by approaching the centre; they are strongest when posted there. Every piece has theoretically an absolute and constant value; but in practice its effective value varies according to the square it occupies. It is therefore of very real advantage to obtain control of the centre.
It must not be assumed that the best tactical plan is to place all one s pieces in the centre, thus rendering them as powerful as possible. This would only lead to the forces facing four-fronts instead of only one as in the initial position. In addition numerous pieces massed within a small space would obstruct each other and become less instead of more powerful. Finally, our task is not only to occupy strong squares, but equally to guard our own weak squares against intrusion by the enemy.
It may be said that the occupation of a centre square by placing a piece upon it is not always necessary: it is at times sufficient merely to control it, thereby preventing its occupation by a hostile unit. Actual occupation is only of value if it is more or less permanent.
Apart from the small centre of 4 squares, we can speak of a wider centre comprising the 16 squares nearest the middle of the chessboard.
One could while the time away by making a valuation of each square starting from the small centre, where the value is 36, down to the corners, where it dwindles to 23. These valuations, however, could at best be of interest to the mathematician; the practical player only values ideas.
The lines which are formed by various sequences of squares can be divided into two main groups:
I. Vertical (files) and horizontal (ranks).
II. Diagonals.
The last named have the distinctive feature that they comprise squares of one colour only. For this reason a Bishop which moves diagonally cannot control the whole chess board but only half of it: hence its limited power. Diagonals are of varying length: the longest comprises 8 squares, the shortest only 2. All other lines, vertical and horizontal, always contain the same number of squares, namely, 8.
From any square, in the centre or otherwise, there are always 14 squares on lines of the first group.
The maximum number of squares on diagonals, namely 13, is available from each of the 4 centre squares. This number is smaller the farther we get from the centre, the minimum being 7 from any outside square. We must therefore conclude that the diagonal is the weakest line on the chessboard. It is of practical importance to realize the strength of a diagonal which is about to be occupied. A line affects the power of a piece in the same way as does a square.
If the importance of a line necessarily depends on its length, it depends even more so on the part of the chessboard which it traverses. It is the strength of the squares of which it is composed which determines the value of a line. A line near the edge of the board has not the same importance as a line near the centre. We increase the power of our pieces by placing them on important lines, and therefore it is important to occupy such lines.
It is clear that the weakest lines are the outside ranks and files. But from a practical point of view the last ranks and files but one, forming the girdle Q Kt 2-K Kt 2-K Kt 7-Q Kt 7 must be considered the most vulnerable; the reason is to be found in the fact that the outside ranks and files are protected on one side, so to speak, by the absence of further squares which makes them immune from a turning movement.
Ranks and files differ, in the main, in their direction. This distinction is of the greatest import, as in a normal game of chess there are only two adversaries.
As the forces are marshalled on horizontal lines, the front of each army is prepared to sustain and repel assaults on vertical lines, which are the lines of attack. Thus a number of ranks belong wholly to one camp or the other; others provide the field of battle.
The case of the files is entirely different; in each one of these there are squares which are in closer proximity than the others to one or the other of the players. Hence their character is diametrically opposed to that of the ranks. K 3 and K 6 are identical in every respect, but K 3 belongs to White and K 6 to Black. From the point of view of the players one is neutral, the other active. He protects the one whilst attacking the other. The file is active whilst the rank is neutral. With each square on a file activity goes on increasing, but on reaching the fifth we assume the initiative and start the attack with all the attending risks.
We cannot allow an enemy piece to settle down within our lines, as, for instance, on our third rank; at the same time we try to occupy corresponding squares in the enemy s camp. It is of great advantage to us if one of our pieces, having reached such an advanced position, can be maintained there; if it is driven back we have in most cases only wasted time.
Thus we perceive that in addition to the value of each square on an empty board, there is another and different valuation depending on the disposition of the two armies; we shall see that further variations occur according to the relative position of the pieces at any given moment. As the squares influence the pieces, in the same way do the pieces affect the value of the squares, which value varies consequently with every move. We must acquire a clear perception of the difference between the constant and the variable value of the squares, which is of the utmost importance for the proper handling of a game of chess. It is easy enough to remember the first; but it is far more difficult correctly to assess the changes which are constantly occurring. But if insufficient attention is given to this matter, and one adheres blindly to the constant and preconceived valuation, it will not be noticed in time when the usually strong and sound has become weak and precarious.
Although our chessboard is an ideal square-and the lines thereon are perfectly regular-this space in which the chess-men do battle is not altogether similar to spaces which we find in geometry or in everyday life. It is a strange world, subject to its own peculiar laws.
Supposing you wish to travel from K R 1 to K R 7, you will remember what you have been taught at school, namely, that the straight line is the shortest distance between two given points, and you will follow the R file and accomplish the journey in six moves. But if your King should choose to travel diagonally in a broken line K R 1-K 4-K R 7 he will also arrive at his destination in six moves. The number of squares is the deciding factor, not the length of the journey.
Geometrical theorems (such as the square of hypothenuse) are not valid on the chessboard. Take the right angle Q R 4-Q 4-Q 1, and you will see that each side Q R 4 to Q 4, Q 4-Q 1, and Q 1-Q R 4 comprises four squares.
The possibility of employing with the same degree of effectiveness lines visibly different in length is of great importance, for, in consequence, it becomes possible to aim at several points at the same time, which is the basis of numerous combinations.
Let us examine the following position ( Diag. 1 ):
D IAGRAM 1

Study by R ti
Black has played . . . P-R 4; how is it possible to reach this pawn? It seems out of the question, as the white King is two squares behind. The game to all appearances is irrevocably lost. And yet it yields but a draw. It is unbelievable, yet it is so.
Instead of playing K-R 7, following up the pawn on the same file, White plays on the diagonal