Chess Strategy
|---------------------------------------|
2 | #B | | | | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | ^K | |
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A B C D E F G H
Diag. 11
Here, too, there is a flaw in the simple calculation, because the
defending units are not secure. Beginners should devote special
attention to this position, which is in practice of frequent
occurrence.
It can be easily perceived that the Bishop cannot capture the
pawn at B7 on account of P-QR3. But to take with the Knight would
also be an error, because Black would then keep chasing away the
covering Bishop.
1. P-Kt4; 2. B-Q6, K-B3; 3. Kt-K8, B-B2; and wins one of the
pieces.
Finally, one more example, in which one of the defending pieces
being pinned makes simple calculation impracticable.
In Diagram 12 it seems at first sight as if Black could play
KtxP: although White can pin the Knight with R-K1
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | | | #Kt| #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | #Kt| | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | ^P | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | ^B | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| | | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 12
and then attack it once more with his Knight, Black would appear
to have sufficient protection available, with his Kt and B. White
has no time to double Rooks, because if he does so, after his R-
K2 Black would play the King away from his file and allow the
Knight to escape.
But White can, by a simple sacrifice, bring the slumbering R at
R1 into sudden action:
1. ... KtxP; 2 R-K1, B-B4; 3. Kt-B3, Kt-Q3; 4. RxKt, KtxR; 5. R-
K1, and White wins two pieces for his Rook.
These illustrations will be sufficient to give the beginner an
understanding of economy of calculation in all kinds of
combinations. His power of combining will grow speedily on this
basis, and thrive in the fire of practical experience. Where an
opponent is missing, the gap must be filled by reference to such
books as treat of the science of combination and give examples
taken from actual play.
CHAPTER III
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CHESS STRATEGY
In bringing the teachings of this book under the collective
heading "Chess Strategy," it was not in any way my intention to
draw anything like an exact parallel between the manoeuvres on
the chess-board and military operations in actual warfare. In
trying to seek such analogies there is great danger of being led
astray, and little likelihood of gaining knowledge that might be
of use in practical play. Plain common-sense will give us all we
need, without our being influenced by those tactical and
strategical considerations that have been found useful in war.
The following definition may not be out of place: Strategy sets
down the whole of the problems which must be solved in war, in
order to attain the ultimate result aimed at; tactics solve such
problems in various ways, and according to the conditions
prevailing in the particular case. Sound strategy, when setting
the task, must never lose sight of tactical practicability, and
only a thorough knowledge of tactical resources makes correct
strategy possible.
Now we shall not under any circumstances, as unfortunately even
great chess masters have done, seek in outward similarities
justification for transferring to chess the teachings of the
strategy and tactics of war. It sounds pretty enough to say:
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