The Process of Decision Making in Chess

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2 The Process of Decision Making in Chess Volume 2- Goals and Plans Philip Ochman All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. Copyright 2014 by Philip Ochman. First Edition,

3 In the memory of my grandfather Shulem Keilis ( ), forever a soldier and a true fighter for what is right, my first ever "chess student", for teaching me that a teacher has a lot to learn from every one of his students. 3

4 Contents Foreword Acknowledgements and contact info Process application chart Introducing the practical application a motivational example From the full process to shorter ones Observation Tactical observation The nature of a position The Critical Squares method Classification of tactical opportunities Threats analysis Our tactical resources The initiative Positional observation Survey of the positional criteria Survey of the pawn structure Types of structure Pawn structure weaknesses Endgame planning Square weaknesses Main illustration examples observation stage: Beginner: Opening Middlegame Endgame Intermediate: Opening Middlegame Endgame Advanced: Opening Middlegame Endgame Expert: Opening Middlegame Endgame 4

5 Identification of goals Defensive goals Offensive goals Main illustration examples goals stage: Beginner: Opening Middlegame Endgame Intermediate: Opening Middlegame Endgame Advanced: Opening Middlegame Endgame Expert: Opening Middlegame Endgame Plans Meeting the goals Setting the priorities The concrete solution The final design Move order Plan B Safety check Main illustration examples plans stage: Beginner: Opening Middlegame Endgame Intermediate: Opening Middlegame Endgame Advanced: Opening Middlegame Endgame Expert: Opening Middlegame Endgame Congratulations! Appendix 1 Learning work-pages Appendix 2 Application work-pages Appendix 3 Meet the players Appendix 4 FEN s of the main diagrams 5

6 My dearest student, This book was written especially for you, the improving chess player, to learn how to successfully apply the theory of decision making in chess. Together, we will study new ideas of how to approach a position, how to understand what we are playing for, and how to identify and achieve all of the goals arising from our observation. We will reinforce concepts learned from the first volume of the series, concentrating on their practical application. The practical thinking process described in this book will have the following structure: Observation Tactical Positional Goals Identification Offensive Goals Defensive Goals Plan Meeting the Goals Final Design Having already built your theoretical understanding of the chess concepts, we will now take them one step further and learn how this new knowledge, combined with additional ideas, can help us find the best plans, not only the best moves, in every position. For students who are new to the process of decision making in chess, this book will offer new insights and a full scale revolution to the whole thinking process in chess, making it much more effective and efficient. Having read this book, your ability to make decisions -- even in the toughest of chess positions -- will rise to new heights, and finding your way in a maze of strategies and tactics will become your second intuitive nature. Philip Ochman, Sep

7 Acknowledgement I would like to use this opportunity to thank my dear friend and student Mr. Michael Shpizner for his great help and contribution in making this book readable. This book wouldn t exist without your help. A huge thank you goes to the readers of Volume 1 your s and feedback made my day each time, and I m very happy to stay in touch with you! You make me feel like a useful person. To my students- thank you for helping me shape this teaching method by your comments and feedback in our lessons. You are the reason I originally decided to put what worked in the lessons into writing, and you deserve all the credit for making it possible! Contact information You are always welcome to contact me by Philip@strongerchess.com or Spochman@gmail.com, by message on my website (StrongerChess.com), or via Skype (find me: philip.ochman). 7

8 Extended Practical Process Application Critical Squares Tactical Threats Analysis Our Tactical Opportunities The Initiative Observation Survey of the Positional Criteria Space Development Quality of Pieces Material Positional Type of Structure Goals Identification Offensive Goals Defensive Goals Pawn Structure Features Weak Squares Complexes Weaknesses Endgame Planning Prioritizing Meeting the Goals Concrete Solutions Plan Move Order Final Design Plan B Safety Check 8

9 Introducing the practical application of the process- a motivational example Before we embark on our journey towards mastering the practical ways of applying the process of decision making in chess, it s time for a quick demonstration. Perhaps you have just encountered the process for the first time, or you may already have read through volume 1- it doesn t matter. Do your best to study this book (my intention was to make this task as easy as possible for you, the aspiring improving player), and you will be able to apply the thinking pattern described below independently and intuitively, as if it was your second nature. I put special emphasis on making the process accessible to any level, from beginner to expert, with the appropriate level of complexity and depth of ideas. My hope is that reading the book and understanding the depicted concepts and ideas will by itself help you move quickly through the levels. You already have the power to analyze a complex position and use that analysis to create a correct plan; my intention in this book is for you to bring out this hidden ability of yours, and use your potential to make it rather easy, as the following example shows. Bent Larsen- Mikhail Botvinnik, Moscow Olympiad 1956 For the introduction motivational example we shall look at a position from a game played between two of the world s most legendary players of all time. 9

10 Larsen was a six-time Danish champion, and a four-time world championship candidate. He was well known for his aggressive, innovative and very entertaining playing style. Botvinnik was the world champion three times, and the first world class player from the Soviet Union. Regarded as the inventor of the Russian chess school, he will be remembered for his deep positional understanding and tendency to create favorable imbalances. Throughout the book the side to move will be shown in the color of a circle at the bottom-left corner of each diagram. Three dots before a move will symbolize a move by black. Well then, with no further delay let s get a quick taste of how it will feel for you when you apply the process after reading this book: Threats analysis No real immediate or long term threats by black in the given position. If h3, g3 is ok for white. Positional observation Black s dark square bishop is bad (the light square bishop can be deployed on c6). Black s king is still in the center, where white has long range pieces. White s knights don t have active roles. Goals Take advantage of the passive dark square bishop on e7. See if it s possible to prove black s king is not safe. Find activity for the white knights. Plans The given position is a classic example of a need to find activity fast, before the opponent solves his positional problems. Here, black wishes to castle queenside, to bring his king to safety and to coordinate his pieces on a kingside attack, bringing another rook there. Currently, by the way, though there is an open file on the kingside, black can t really exploit that file because he doesn t have enough pieces influencing the kingside to start a serious attack. 11

11 We will therefore prioritize goals that involve making our position more active in this case; let s see if we can activate our knights. Plan 1 Na4!? We noticed a curious idea, based on the current pin of the d6 pawn to black s light square bishop. Basically, we want to open the center to take advantage of the king still being there. Here, at least at first glance, it looks like we can prepare this (c4-c5 for example) with a tempo on black s queen. Now, if Qa7 white has Nac5! and a much more active knight. Then if dxc5, Qxd7+ is strong, taking advantage immediately of the still centralized king. In that scenario, white makes active progress while black permanently loses the option to get the king to safety on the queenside. In case black doesn t capture on c5, we can then relocate the c5 knight to d3, a much more aggressive position that would support a central pawn storm. A second option for black after Na4 is Qc7. In this case we can at the very least force black to play a concession; now that Nc5 no longer works, we notice possible coordination over the weak square b6. Therefore, Qe3! Preparing Nb6. This will either force Bd8 or if not, white gets a great spot for his knight on b6 the very next move. After Qc7 another idea that looks good for white is the simple straight forward c4, with the intention of pushing c5 next and directly attacking the center. A third response for black to Na4 could be Qb4. In that case let s look at the most forcing line first-qxb4 Nxb4, Nb6 Rd8: 11

12 White continues with a3 to kick the black knight. If the knight retreats back to c6 we can continue attacking using our initiative, for example Na5 or Rf3 (defending the third rank while preparing doubling of the rooks), or even the immediate c4- played directly to open black s center with the subsequent c5. However, if black decides to respond to a3 greedily with Nxc2, after Rf3 the knight is trapped. To conclude, the suggested plan answers two of our goals, activates the knights and takes advantage of black s king position. Now, having found one successful plan, it s time to see if there are more ideas for us to consider. Plan 2 Let s look again at the initial position: 12

13 Is there another way to activate our knights? Nb1-Na3-Nc4; white wants to improve his knights, he can try to transfer the c3 knight to the more active c4 square, with a tempo on the black queen. Black can t really fight against this sequence, since d5 is out of the question because it just helps white with his goals. Then, from c4, the knight can possibly help support a future e5 push, and in case the white pawn stays on e5 there is also the d6 potential outpost to consider. However, one problem of this plan is that it s a bit slow, which enables black in the meanwhile to castle queen side. To sum up the second plan we have at our disposal, this plan attempts to achieve the same two goals as in plan 1, activating a knight and preparing an assault in the center aimed at taking advantage of black s king position. The difference between the two plans is the initiative. In the first plan, white makes progress towards achieving the goals with tempos and with initiative. This enables him to achieve both goals, since black doesn t have time to fight it. In the second approach, the execution of the plan doesn t seize the initiative, and therefore black has time to prepare and the plan s effectiveness is considerably reduced. Finally, we evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of both plans, taking into account the goals we have found, and we choose plan 1! What s the big deal? We have seen that applying the process in a practical position can be natural and intuitive. The reason- such a smooth application can only be achieved by deeply understanding and considering features and concepts such as critical squares, tactical options, the initiative, positional observation, intuitively assessing the four positional criteria (space, development, quality of pieces, material), the pawn structure, square weaknesses. Then, we use all the gathered information to identify goals, prioritize them, develop solution plans, put them to the test of correct move order, consider possible refutations and safety checks, and arrive at the final design. In the following chapters I will try to give you, the now motivated student, the tools required for you to follow the same thinking pattern, and to easily apply the same tools, methods and concepts as we have just seen in this introduction example. With the hope that this motivational example has achieved its goal, let us begin. Ready? 13

14 From the full process to shorter ones So you have developed a certain understanding of the theory behind the decision making process in chess. You may have read about it in the first volume of this series, or learned it by combining the acquired knowledge from reading other literature about the subject- this is not the point. What matters is how you apply it in a real (over-the-board or online) game, regardless of the time control. In the previous volume, you have read about the full process of decision making, the learning tool designed to build your deep understanding of all the concepts to take into account when making a decision in chess. Whether you have mastered the theory, as the title suggested you would, or just expanded your knowledge, it s time to use these new skills and your new outlook on this form of art called chess, to bring something special to the board. Once you have the deeper knowledge and understanding, you can start using it to develop different shortcuts to the process. The reason for that, as for any other shortcut you take in life, is that it s not always necessary to follow all the stages and to take everything into consideration. Once you understand what is important, which positions require which approaches, you can create your own shortcuts. Ideally, we will reach the point where we use the short process of decision making on a regular basis, regardless of the time control. The main part of that process is quickly identifying candidate moves and deciding between them based on their eventual positional effects, whether the effects are immediate in a purely positional move, or at the point of quiescence in moves that lead to tactical variations. The main purpose of this book is to expand on that process of quickly identifying candidate moves. We will use the knowledge gained by learning the deep theory of decision making to apply it in our attempt to find opportunities. We will first learn additional important points to think about when looking for a move, and then expand by improving our approach. In general, we will learn how to look for plans, not just moves. The moves will only be tools to execute the plans we find. Let s begin our journey to a full and practical application of the decision making process in the most compact and short form possible! 14

15 First in line- Tactical observation When approaching a position, whether it s a critical position at the end of a tactical sequence (that is, the point of quiescence), an in-between position during a combination, or just a quiet purely strategic position with no apparent tactical nature at all, we must first identify the tactical nature of the position. What is the nature of a position? The nature of a position is the sum of all tactical motifs that both sides can generate, meaning the forcing lines that are available for each side. If the position includes tactical motifs that one side can play to improve his position relative to the opponent s position, we will identify the position as having a tactical nature. Diagram 1.1 the multiple tactical shots available in this position classify it as being tactical. Challenge*: it s black to play; can you solve the threat of Bxc6 and the catastrophe that follows? *Most of the local examples in this book include a challenge for self-work. It s an open question, designed for you to think deeper about the studied material and to experience applying it in real world scenarios you may encounter. Open discussion is highly encouraged at the online study group. For further discussion and online help, visit here. 15

16 If, on the other hand, the position has no useful tactical options for either side (that is, no options at all or options that don t benefit the initiator), we will identify the position as purely strategic. Diagram 1.2- Since there are no useful tactical motifs for either side, the position above is purely strategic. Challenge: in the position above, the move b3 is a tactical motif available for white, creating pressure. Is it true that this move isn t useful for white? Why? How to practically identify the nature of a given position To determine whether a position s nature is tactical or strategic, we first will look for threats the opponent might have by analyzing all of his forcing options. Using vision, we will also explore long term sequences. Upon finishing this analysis for the opponent, we will then do the same for us. But before we look for tactical motifs, we need to study a constructive method to embed in our intuitive thinking, so that the search for tactics will not be a sporadic wild goose chase, but a carefully designed, focused approach. By learning and practicing the Critical Squares method to identify tactics, we will make the search much more intuitive in terms of where to focus our attention on the board. The Critical Squares method can also be used as a complimentary approach to chess that will help us find more detailed goals in our position. We will return to this advanced subject later in this book. 16

17 The Critical Squares Method Motivation There are number of critical squares approaches used in chess. We will now study an original educational approach that is designed to build your intuition through practice. Its use over the board is optional- the most important part of mastering this method is to save you time looking for tactics by training your tactics radar. You will see that after practicing this method on selected positions, you will start noticing previously missed tactical opportunities, and over the board you will be able to jump straight to identifying tactical options for both sides, occasionally using the method in some very complex positions when the full tactical map is not entirely clear. Critical Squares 101 Some background: The Pure Contest We will name a square purely contested when the number of factors (pieces or pawns) contesting for it by both sides is equal. Contrary to a contested square when discussing space as part of positional evaluation, here we don t care whether it s a pawn vs. a piece, only the number of contesting factors matters. This is the difference between a positional contest and a pure contest, and we will use this definition later as part of the application technique. Diagram 2.1- Let s try to identify all the critical squares in this example, going randomly from right to left: h7 (king vs. queen), h6 (bishop vs. g7 pawn) e5 (queen vs. queen), c6 (queen vs. knight), c4 (queen vs. knight), b7 (queen vs. queen), b6 (bishop vs. queen), b4 (queen vs. queen), a8 (queen and rook vs. queen and rook). Challenge: can white create useful tactics on any of the critical squares? 17

18 The Usable Weakness We refer to squares that are or can be occupied in a way that creates threats as usable weaknesses. Diagram 2.2- looking at the position, we imagine our e6 knight on the weak unprotected f3 square with a fork. This makes f3 a usable weakness. Challenge: can white successfully deal with your attempts at taking advantage of the f3 weakness? The Attackable Factors An attackable factor is a piece or pawn that pressure can be created on. If a factor can be attacked (not captured -- we are looking for possibilities of creating or adding pressure), we will call it an attackable factor. Diagram 2.3- factors that black can attack: g5 pawn (with h6), knight (with Rf8 or Rd6), queen (with Qe3, Qe5, Qa3, Be1, f4; we also must be aware of options that are currently impractical since that can 18

19 possibly change), king (with Bb6, Qc5, Qe3). We can continue similarly to other pawns and the opponent s rooks. Challenge: it s clear that black is under threat of Nxe8. Can you find the solution to this position using your findings of the attackable factors? Putting it into practice In a given position, we will find all of the pure contests and usable weaknesses on the board. These would be the critical squares of the position. Then, we will proceed to finding all of the attackable factors. Diagram 3.1 (Evgeni Vasiukov- Zoltan Ribli, Wijk aan Zee 1973) - critical squares for black s use: f2. Pieces black can attack: both rooks via knight fork on f2, bishop on b3 via Bxa4, queen via Bb5. Challenge: identify critical squares and attackable factors for white to use! The critical squares would be the points of concentration for us, leading our tactical eye to those spots on the board. We will look not only at the critical squares, but also at the squares adjacent to them. The attackable factors will provide us with ideas for possible tactics. Only at this stage will we start searching for immediate forcing options (checks, captures, pressure*), and later for longer term ideas using tactical vision (pawn storms, dangerous piece setups, preparations for tactics). This search is done both for the opponent (as part of threats analysis) and for us (as part of identifying our tactical options). *In this volume of the series, the concept of tension is included in pressure. Every tension is also pressure (but not every pressure is also tension), so the sub-category of tension is covered when looking for pressure to save analysis time. 19

20 Critical Squares Identify Use Pure Contest Usable Weakness Attackable Factors Forcing moves on / around the squares Creation of new Critical Squares Diagram 3.2 (Evgeni Vasiukov- Zoltan Ribli, Wijk aan Zee 1973) having identified f2 as a critical square, and white s queen, b3 bishop and both his rooks as attackable factors, we look for tactical motifs: no checks, captures: Nxf2, and Bxa4. Pressure: Bb5. Notice how the motifs we found (but have not yet calculated) circulate around the findings from the identification stage. Concrete calculation (most forcing lines first): line 1 - Bxa4, hxg4- even exchange, opens up white s h1 rook. 21

21 Line 2 - Nxf2, Qxf2 Bxa4 wins a pawn (at least temporarily, we can continue the calculation with Qc5! But it s not necessary for this example) and exchanges the pieces without the added benefit for white of opening his rook. Line 3 Bb5, Qd2 (or e1, to keep connection to the f2 pawn) Nxf2, Qxf2 Bxa4 this line does the same as line 2, only with an extra benefit of improving the d7 bishop with initiative (by playing the forcing move Bb5). Diagram 3.3- the final position of line 3. As a conclusion, it s clear that line 3 has the most benefits, and this line was indeed selected by GM Ribli who eventually won the game. Notice how the whole variation revolved around the critical squares and the attackable factors; practicing this approach to tactical positions will significantly improve the student s calculation ability and the sense of intuition in chess. Challenge: apply the same process to the original position in diagram 3.2 for white to play, based on your findings from the challenge in diagram 3.1! 21

22 Attack Another use of the Critical Squares method is in planning or preventing an attack. Since all tactics are based on the principles of critical squares, we can concentrate on the balance of critical squares as an additional tool in our toolbox: Create more critical squares in the opponent s camp Eliminate critical squares in your camp Defense Diagram 4.1- white has a critical square in black s camp, e4, which creates a significant discomfort for black, having to commit two pieces to defend the critical square s occupant. Therefore, as a defensive application of the critical squares theory, black should consider pushing e3! in an attempt to eliminate the critical square s burden. Challenge: calculate the e3 line and reach a conclusion regarding its viability. 22

23 Diagram 4.2- white has the g6 and e5 critical squares, while black has h2 and g2. White can create great attacking chances by increasing the number of his critical squares in black s camp by playing Bb3, making f7 a new critical square and thus creating a double threat, after which black s position is lost; he can t defend against Qxg6 and defend the f7 pawn at the same time. Challenge: is there an immediate refutation of Bb3 Rf6? Or is it only a positional advantage for white after Rxf6 in the form of black s weak kingside pawn structure? 23

24 Classification of Tactical Opportunities Having applied the critical squares method, so you know where to look for tactics, we start finding tactical shots for both sides. The first thing we do is Threats Analysis, looking for the opponent s tactical options as a second move for him in a row -- that is, we will see if there is something dangerous that he can do in the current position. If we find a move for the opponent that inevitably improves his position or makes ours worse, and there is no way to deal with these effects without making a concession, we will classify it as a threat. (We will discuss concessions in greater depth later in the book.) Captures Checks Pressure Immediate Threats When looking for the opponent s threats, we will look at immediate tactical motifs (checks, captures, pressure) and longer term motifs using vision. There are also cases of vision that include forcing lines, a hybrid between immediate and long term threats. 24

25 Dangerous Piece Setups Pawn Storms Preparation for Tactics Long Term Threats Diagram 5.1- white has the move in what seems like a clearly won position; the rook is hanging, and after capturing it white is a full queen and pawn ahead. However, even in this obvious looking win he has to be accurate, and notice black s threat of Bg6 in response, reaching a theoretical draw (Bxg8 Bg6, followed by bishop and queen exchange and the h pawn will never queen; black s king is going to the h8 corner and will not be moved, a case of having the wrong color bishop). Challenge: if black had a queen instead of the rook on the same square g8, how would it affect the assessment of this position? 25

26 Diagram 5.2- before black makes his own plans, he notices that white has pieces clustered on the kingside, ready to take action and use open files. Sadly for black, he has a target on g6, that can be used to create contact between pawns and open that part of the board to white s benefit. In this position, a kingside pawn storm is a long term threat by white. Challenge: though it s clear that white would benefit from pushing pawns on the kingside in an attempt to open the position, can you identify the right order for him to do it so that opening files on the kingside would be guaranteed? Diagram 5.3- this is an example of a somewhat more complex, hybrid threat. In this position, black would like to use the fact that white s king is in the center. He needs to open the center, which is possible with f6-e5. But to benefit from the open center, he needs his king to move away and the rooks to participate; therefore the steps are f6, 0-0-0, and then e5. The combination sequence includes both immediate and long term threats: f6 is a preparation for a tactic, qualifies as a dangerous piece setup, and e5 is pressure. Challenge: is there a way for white to prevent the dangerous sequence in advance? 26

27 For the next step, whether or not we found any threats for our opponent, we will do the same observation, only this time for us. We will try to find immediate and long term threats that we can generate, whether as a solution to a threat, an intermezzo move before answering a threat, or as our next move if we did not identify any threats against us. Diagram 5.4- black is under a double threat- the fork on Qxc6, and Qg8 queening. Black finds a saving intermezzo move, Ra1+! drawing: Kf2 (or e2) Ra2+ and after the king moves the rook and queen exchange with a theoretical draw. Challenge: is it still a draw if after the rook captures the queen ( Ra1+, Kf2 Ra2+, Kf3 Rxg2) white didn t take back on g2 but played h8=q+? If there are no threats against us, or if the position is purely strategic, it s also ok to postpone the step of finding our tactical options and proceed to positional observation, performing the tactical observation for us afterwards. 27

28 The Initiative Another observation we can use to help us identify goals is the initiative. The initiative is defined as having a sequence of forcing moves or long term threats to which the opponent must respond. We can divide the initiative into two types: good initiative and bad initiative. Good Initiative The sequence of moves results in an improvement of the initiator s position relative to the opponent (that is, either improving the initiator s position, or making his opponent s position worse). This type of initiative by definition is a threat to the receiving side. Diagram 6.1- white has a series of forcing moves that improves his position, while making black s position worse: f5!...nd8, e6! (Even Rc7 works here) with a big advantage to white. Regardless of being currently a pawn down, white s killer initiative decides the game. Challenge: continue the variation after e6; is it really all lost for black? 28

29 Bad Initiative Sometimes there is a sequence of forcing moves that can be played by one of the parties that doesn t improve the initiator s position, or even makes it worse. Examples include: A series of checks that brings the opponent s king to a safer or better position; Diagram white has a series of checks: Bf5+ Kc7, Bf4+ Kb6, a5+ Ka6 and black s king is much safer now, while white didn t improve his position: Diagram though black s king looks awkward, he s actually very safe, and the king s strange position can t be successfully exploited by white anymore. Challenge: was there a better idea for white in the original position from diagram 6.2.1? 29

30 Good initiative of the same type- a series of checks that takes advantage of the king s position: Diagram this is a case of a good initiative under the same category; here, the series of checks leads to a winning position: Re6+ Kb7, Qe4+ Kb8, and Rxa6 threatening mate on a8: Diagram in this case the result of white s initiative is a won position. Challenge: how would you proceed if the original variation from diagram went slightly different: Re6+ Kb7, Qe4+ Ka7 (instead of Kb8)? Is it still an easy win for white? 31

31 Chasing an opponent s piece to a better square; Diagram white has a forcing move h5, chasing black s knight away. But if we look closer, the knight on g6 isn t doing anything useful, with no current role. Chasing it away it can go to e5, improving. Even if white exchanges it, this would benefit black, as white s knight is currently better than his counterpart (having a role of attacking the weak pawn d4). Challenge: why bother with h5? Can white just capture d4 instead? Is it better? Good initiative of the same type- chasing a piece to a worse square: Diagram here black is the one with the possible initiative, with a series of moves to chase the c4 bishop from its good diagonal: b5, axb5 axb5, Bd3 (only move) Nb4 with a much better position for black. Then if Be4, black has f5, costing white a pawn with Bd3 Nxd3, cxd3 and Rxd3. In this example, chasing a piece leads to a significant improvement of the initiator s position. Challenge: if white is to play in the original position and not black, is there a way to deal with the b5 threat? 31

32 Chasing a piece while self-inflicting pawn structure weaknesses; Diagram black can chase white s knight with e5, but at the cost of creating a permanent backward pawn d6 on an open file (that stays weak even if d5 is played in the future). The price for displacing white s knight here is too high, in the form of both a worse pawn structure and a blocked g7 bishop. Challenge: is there a better way to approach this position for black? Good initiative of the same type- chasing an opponent s piece while improving the pawn structure: Diagram white s d2 pawn is backward on an open file and looks weak. Pushing d4! Bd6 and c5 kicks the bishop back while improving the pawn structure. Challenge: can black refute this sequence by taking en-passant exd3 once d4 is played? 32

33 Creating useless pressure (that doesn t win material or seriously weaken the opponent s position) while placing the initiator s pieces on inferior squares. Diagram black has a choice- exchange bishops or move the bishop away, to avoid pawn structure damage upon Bxf5. After the exchange Bxc2, the position is roughly equal. But if black wants to play tricky, he can try Be6!? Attacking the a2 pawn. Notice that the simple a3 doesn t work, due to Bb2; a4 also doesn t work, due to Bc3 and the b4 pawn is defenseless. In this tactical variation, if we keep looking for forcing responses by white, we would find Be4! And now it s going to be just an exchange, but one in which white gets the upper hand: Bxa2, Bxc6 with a passed c pawn. Challenge- is there a better way for black to respond to Be4 than taking on a2? Good initiative of the same type- creating strong useful pressure: Diagram white has Nd5! Creating pressure on f6 and b6, with the new threat of Rxf6. Challenge: does the suggested pressure create a winning position for white? Is there an even stronger attempt? 33

34 Unprepared attacks -- such as unprepared pawn storms or attacks with insufficient factors -- causing weaknesses or misplacement of the initiator s pieces with no positive results, or without achieving the attack s objectives: Diagram white is under an inconvenient threat of Bxf3 ruining the kingside pawn structure. A possible tempting solution might be Ng5, with an attack on h7 while answering the threat. However, after the simple reply h6 the knight has no good squares to go and is forced to the h3 square, with limited options. This attack backfires against white because white wasn t ready to attack on the kingside at all. Challenge: can you find a better answer to the Bxf3 threat? Good initiative of the same type- using the initiative to keep an attack going: Diagram white has the initiative with a series of forcing moves and threats: Ne4 (threatening Nxd6 and Bxe5) Be7, g4 (threatening g5-g6 opening the kingside) f6, white keeps a strong initiative with the ideas Rh-g1 and f4 supporting a future g5. Challenge: continue calculating, and reach conclusions as to the results of this attack. 34

35 The captures spree- a series of captures or exchanges that help your opponent more than it helps you. These simplifications are usually a result of an inaccurate analysis of the point of quiescence, the moment when all the smoke settles; Diagram black has a strong pressure on the pinned e3 bishop, and more active pieces; that gives black the advantage. There is a possibility to initiate a series of exchanges with Qxb3, axb3 Bxe3, fxe3 Rxe3+, leading to the following position: Diagram the arising position after the series of exchanges; after white s Kf2 the position is a practical draw, with no real winning chances for either side: Kf2 Re7, Rxa7= and black s advantage has completely dissolved. Challenge: in the original position of diagram 6.8.1, what would have been a better idea for black rather than simplifying? 35

36 Good initiative of the same type- exchanging to improve our position: Diagram this is a typical case of simplifying to a winning endgame. If all pieces are removed from the board, white has a good chance to create an outside passed pawn on the h file because his kingside pawn trio is moved one file towards the outside- a big endgame plus. Bxc7 followed by Nxb5, g4-f4-g5- h5 is the general idea. If black s king runs to the kingside to help, the white king can reach b6 in 4 moves. To conclude our discussion of the types of initiative: A series of forcing moves Dangerous Harmless The active side improves his position The receiving side doesn t improve or even becomes worse The active side doesn t improve his position The receiving side doesn t become worse or even improves Threat by the initiator Neutral / Inaccurate / Mistake by the initiator 36

37 Diagram Searching for threats by white, black sees no dangerous immediate threats (checks, captures, pressure). However, looking for longer term threats black noticed that white can get a very strong initiative with Ne4!, effectively winning a pawn by force and equalizing the position: Ne4 Kg7 (or else Nf6 forks), Bg5 Ra8 (for white s idea in this position it doesn t really matter where black moves the attacked rook), Bf6+ Kg8: Diagram continuing with the variation- Nd6 Reb8, Nxb7 Rxb7, and Rxc6 equalizing material and reaching quiescence. This is a game changing initiative by white, that completely takes away any advantage black had and with it any real hope for a win in the equal opposite color bishops endgame. Therefore, white s initiative is something black must regard as a threat and deal with in advance. Challenge- how could black prevent white s powerful initiative in the original position of diagram 6.9.1? 37

38 To conclude the approach to initiative: Search for forcing moves sequences If not- it s a temporary and harmless initiative Reach the end of the sequence If yes- it s a dangerous initiative and a threat to the receiving side Did the sequence favored one side more than the other? 38

39 Positional Observation Observation? Evaluation? -- What s the difference? In Volume 1 we studied how to perform a complete positional evaluation for any given position. Now, having practiced that skill, we will continue to optimize it and to find shortcuts. The goal of studying positional evaluation is to build deep knowledge and understanding in this subject that will allow you to decide what is important in a position and what can be neglected, at least temporarily. This is of course for the reason that we don t have all the time in the world to reach our decisions, even if it s a correspondence game. So, we first study and practice the full theory, and now we will study the efficient application of these concepts over the board, to reach the practical best decisions. A suggestion from Volume 1 was to use the short process eventually on a regular basis, but other shortcuts were encouraged as well. If you feel secure in your understanding of positional evaluation, you can decide for yourself which shortcuts are appropriate for a given position. The positional observation method rests on the assumption that the student understands positional evaluation, and can use his trained positional eye (training that is based on solving positions using the full process) to spot the highlights of a position. Basically, the difference between positional evaluation and positional observation is the basis upon which it relies. Evaluation is an active process, in which you study the position methodically with the given guidelines. Observation is a more passive review of the position to spot key positional highlights that will require your attention. Again, this transition from evaluation to observation is accomplished through the practice of evaluation that builds the knowledge necessary to adopt a quicker approach. Without sufficient understanding of the positional themes, the observation will not be correct, and the goals arising from the observation will not be accurate. We will combine the student s existing knowledge with some new concepts to form a reliable method for identifying positional goals. Later on, we will see how these goals can be achieved. 39

40 What are we observing? When approaching the positional observation stage, as part of our attempt to identify our goals (for which we will later come up with plans), we will concentrate on three major subjects: Survey of the positional criteria Survey of the pawn structure Survey of square weaknesses Positional Observation Criteria Survey Pawn Structure Features Weak squares Noticeable Advantages Structure Type Weaknesses Endgame Planning Single Weak Squares Weak Color Complexes 41

41 Positional observation- Surveying the Positional Criteria In this part of our observation we will look for significant and relevant advantages that one side might have in each of the four positional criteria: Space Development Quality of Pieces Material We will also look for certain problems that can be identified for each side based on the positional criteria, such as having a bad piece (regardless of the opponent s situation in the same criteria, just identifying the problem regardless of the advantage), being significantly behind in development, having an open king and many other cases of positional problems to solve. Diagram 7.1- In this position the observation based on the four criteria survey is that white has a significant advantage in space and quality of pieces (based on the more active locations of the king and the rook). In the next chapters we will learn how to make other types of observations and how to put our observations to practical use. Challenge: is there a concrete way for white to use his advantages to create progress? The relevance of the advantage is based on the importance of criteria filter that we studied in the first volume and the practical possibility that we can translate the advantage into a concrete goal. 41

42 Diagram 7.2- In this position black s g7 bishop is bad (not immediately clear how to improve it), the f6 knight is restricted by the pin, and the e2 bishop is very passive. Notice that in this observation we identified two problems for black to solve, and a problem white has that black might be able to exploit. All the observations above are based on quality of pieces, and since we don t have an advantage in quality of pieces the observations are very relevant. Also, the observations are relevant because we can use them as the basis for goals that will allow us to improve our position. Challenge: as a preview of what we will learn later (very soon!), we can say that by making this observation we have practically identified three goals: improve the g7 bishop, unpin the knight, and keep the opponent s light square bishop passive. Can you suggest ideas (in the near future we will call them plans ) to help us achieve the goals we found? -End of free sample- 42

43 Thank you for reading the free sample, I hope you had a good time and that you have found it useful. If you enjoyed it, the full version is available at the following retailers, click on the links below to reach the listing s page: 1) Amazon (for Kindle, ipad, Pc, and more devices. Highest graphic quality): ebook/dp/b00oi7ndnc/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=utf8&qid= &sr=1-1&keywords=process+of+decision 2) Barnes and Noble (for Nook, ipad, Epub readers and Mac): 3) itunes: 4) Kobo: OMqiw-wH-E20TMsWUbcQsQ/page1.html?s=286HFPg_M0WAp9QN9zBMpA&r=1 5) Scribd: 6) GoodReads: Already read the book? Please be kind to review it on any of the listed retailer's websites links! Your honest review is a great show of support and will be highly appreciated. Your free lesson is available to schedule filling this application: 43

44 Some useful communication links: Visit my website to view all my chess tutoring services and other free resources. Free chess videos are available on my YouTube channel Feel free to me anytime! New to the series? You can find the free sample of Volume 1 here: And the full copy of Volume 1 on Amazon: (additional links to other retailers can be found in the free sample). 44