Heinz Brunthaler Chess for I

Heinz Brunthaler

Chess for I<ids and Parents

• • QUALITY CHESS ,,_ ι e ,

Chess for Kids and Parents

From the start till the first tournament

ΗθίnΖ Brunthaler

2006

Quality Chess

First published ίπ Sweden 2006 by Quality Chess Europe ΑΒ

Copyright © Heinz Brunthaler 2006

ΑΙΙ rights reserved. Νο part of this publication may be reproduced, stored ίπ a retrieval system ΟΓ transmitted ίπ any form ΟΓ by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording ΟΓ

otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

ISBN 91-976004-5-8

ΑΙΙ sales ΟΓ enquiries should be directed to Quality Chess Europe

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Cover Design: Carole Ουπlορ

Cover Drawing: Gomin

Printed ίπ Estonia by Tallinna Raamatutrϋkikοja LLC

IIChess - a game which is thousands οΙ years old - has lost none οΙ its fascination ίη a world which is constantly changing. Understanding the effectiveness and the co-ordination οΙ the pieces, drawing υρ strategic plans and dreaming υρ forcing combinations -all this contributes Ιο increasing your confidence ίη what you can do and encouraging your mental flexibility. Chess ηοΙ only attracts you when you experience success, ίΙ also makes you aware οΙ your οννη limitations and teaches you Ιο respect the performance οΙ your opponent. And yet ίη a game οΙ chess everyone is a winner; even ίΙ

you do ηοΙ ννίη the game, you are able Ιο experience intellectual enjoyment οΙ the said game. 11

From the introductory remarks of the president of the regional government of Thuringia, Frau Christine Lieberknecht

at the 9th International Chess Open, Apolda 2000

Contents

What you need (to know) 1

Dear parents! (Introduction) 2

When should you begin? 2

The positive aspects of chess 2

Our training programme 3

Applying the training programme 4

Name that square! 6

Our training game 'Ήuηtίηg the black king" 1 Ο The moves 11

The "en passant" move 11

We note down a game of chess 12

Noting down a game! 14

Ranks, files and diagonals 15

lntroduction to endgame training 19

Elementary wins - Mate with king + queen 20

Quiz οη queen endings (6 χ mate with Κ + Ο) 29

Mate with king + rook 30

Mate with king + 2 rooks 34

Quiz οη rook endings (6 χ mate with Κ + R ΟΓ Κ + 2 Α) 36

lntroduction to opening training 37

Starting a game of chess 40

The centre 40

Development 41

Castling - a safe haven for the king! 41

The correct and the quick order of moves 42

We learn θη opening: the Scotch Game 43

Traps, tricks & blunders - Scholar's mate; Fool's mate; a defence against those nasty tricks which attack f7

Opening quiz

Solutions to opening quiz

lntroduction to training ίη tactics

Tactics

The double attack / the fork

auiz οη the double attack

Solutions to the quiz οη the double attack The pin

auiz οη the ρίη

Solutions to the quiz οη the ρίη The skewer

auiz οη the skewer

Solutions to the quiz οη the skewer Discovered attack and discovered check

auiz οη the discovered attack and discovered check

Solutions to quiz οη the discovered attack and discovered check

lntroduction to endgame training 2

The endgame 2 - elementary wins - pawn endings

The queening square

Quiz: "the clever square"

United pawns, pawn chains and isolated pawns

Helping ουΓ pawn to promote -the king protects it from the side

The king is placed in front of the pawn on the 6th (3rd) rank

The rook pawns

Solutions to the quiZ: "the clever square"

60

64

67

70

71

72

78

80

81

84

86 87

90

92

94

98

100

102

103

104

106

107

108

109

110

114

ΟυίΖ οη pawn endings

lntroduction Ιο opening training 2

The opening 2 - What ουΓ opponent can do (wrong?) -and how we can exploit ίΙ!

Damiano's Defence - the weak move 2 ... f7-f6?

BIack pIays the "Petroff" 2 ... Ng8-f6

BIack pIays the "SiciIian" 1.e2-e4 c7-c5

BIack pIays the "Centre Counter" 1 .e2-e4 d7 -d5

"UnusuaI moves"

What should Ι pIay as BIack?

Against the "Giuoco Piano"?

Against the "Ruy Lopez"?

Against 1.d2-d4 ΟΓ the Queen's Gambit?

Against other moves?

The world of chess, the sport

Preparation for your first tournament

The chess cIock

Thinking time

PIaying with cIocks and writing down moves

The "touch-move" rule

Behaνiour and sportsmanship

Being told what Ιο do Ratings

lnformation about tournaments

Ηονν tournaments work

ΑΙ the tournament - the great day has arrived!

What Ιο do when your child is beaten ΟΓ when s/he wins

What comes next?

Chess coaches

115

116

117

117

124

126

127

128

131

131

133

134

135

136

137

137

138

142

143

144

145

147

148

150

151

153

158

159

And finally 161

Power Test 162

Solutions Ιο the Power Test 173

Evaluation 178

Appendix 179

Hunting the black king (scoresheet) 180

Files, ranks and diagonals 181

Solutions Ιο the quiz "Mate with king and queen" 183

Solutions Ιο the endgame quiz "Mate with Κ + R 12 R" 191

Solutions Ιο the quiz οη the pawn ending 197

Solution Ιο "endgame with a rook's pawn" 199

The Laws of Chess 200 Ηοw the pieces move 200

Taking your opponent's pieces 202

Checkmate, stalemate and draws 203

Recommended reading 204

lnternet addresses for chess associations 205 Scoresheet 206

Certificate for the Power Test 207

What you need (to know): 1

What you need (Ιο know): Υου should know the basic rules (how the pieces move) and teach

them to your child if you have not already done so.

(/n any case, at the end in the aρρendix you wiII find a short resume of the rules, and ί' you are unsure you can consult it)

Α chessboard and chess pieces

The chessboard should be approx. 40-50cm long and broad (a tournament board is approx. 50cm, but for very young children a somewhat smaller board may be more practical to begin with).

Along the edges the board should have the notation (a-h and 1-8), since it is very important ίπ order to play ονθΓ the exercises ίπ this book as ννθll as to write down your οννπ games.

There are wooden boards, plastic folding boards ΟΓ ΓΟII-uρ boards.

Wooden boards are not so suίtable for training with children, because of their sensitivity. Folding boards suίt better if you wish to transport the board and its pieces into another room later; otherwise it is a question of taste whether you use a folding board ΟΓ a ΓΟII-uρ board.

For the pieces, the king should be approx. 70-95mm high, (ίπ tournaments the standard height is approx. 93mm).

For children, it is preferable to use plastic pieces for training.

Please use the tournament standard, so-called Staunton pieces. Οπ πο account should you make use of ΟΠθ of the pretty sets with artistically carved pieces, ΟΓ θνθΠ worse Asterix, Star Wars, Simpsons, ΟΓ such like, since these are simply an irritation and are neither allowed ίπ ΠΟΓ any use for a tournament.

Α chess clock is requίred ίπ the second part of the training programme. When you take into account the cost of postage, it would make sense to get ΟΠθ at once if you have to order a board and pieces.

Detaίls about chess clocks can be found on ρage 138.

Recommended reading can be found near the end of the aρρendix on ρage204.

2 Chess for Kids and Parents

Dear parents! Υου would lίke to take your child beyond the basics ίπ chess, but you

are not sure how best to go about ίΙ

This book proposes to you a systematic course of study; all you have to know are the elementary rules of the game. Υου ννill learn all the rest at the same time as your child and you ννίll turn from a hobby player to a lover of chess well able to judge and participate ίπ your child's sporting success.

When should you begin?

Chess coaching with children normally demands a lot of patience and dedication, since younger children ίπ particular do not yet have the powers of concentration, which are needed for a reasonably good game.

Under 5 years of age, only exceptional children ννίll benefit from chess coaching (e.g. those who are really early developers).

About the time when they start school, children are quite able to take ίπ the rules and techniques of the game, to concentrate for a certain length of time and they thus display all the necessary qualities required for the game of chess.

The positive aspects of chess

The effort and patience you are willing to invest does certainly pay off, because you:

• Transmit to your child a high-class hobby for the rest of his/her life. • Develop ίπ your child a whole range of positive qualities, such as

the ability to concentrate, a logical-analytical approach, the ability to weigh things υρ and to take a decision, and self-control, amongst many other things.

• Help your child towards independence and responsibility for his/her οννπ actions, as well as teaching him/her to follow through a course of action and to be persistent.

• Provide your child with the opportunity to distinguish himself/herself by his/her οννπ performance and to build υρ self-confidence.

Such qualities are more important then ever before ίπ today's permanently changing world which is so full of questions and uncertainty.

Our training programme 3

Knowing facts is not so necessary as logical analytical thinking and flexibility, as well as courage and self confidence. It is recognised that chess is a particularly good way of delivering such qualities.

Learning about chess together helps create bonds between parents and children. Υου share the joys of the first successes and the misery of defeats and setbacks and you have an interest ίπ common.

Our Iraining programme Our coaching concept has been specially developed for children and

frequently differs from the usual methods. It is based οπ an evaluation of thousands of games played by children and beginners and an analysis of the typical mistakes and problems which crop υρ ίπ them.

Traditional teaching methods take as good as πο notice of the special situation of children, (which is hardly something to be surprised about since until recently there was hardly any children's chess worth mentioning and many handbooks originated before World War Ι), and simply treat children like little adults. Ιπ general, that is not ίπ lίΠθ with reality. Hardly any child below the age of 8-1 Ο is capable of working with a book for any length of time, especially not if the contents are occasionally difficult. So ουΓ starting point is that a chess book for children does not make a lot of sense, but a programme of learning, which can be worked through by another family member along with the child offers the best chances of success. Just the good feeling of working together with dad, mum, grandpa, big brother ΟΓ big sister ΟΓ whoever else ίπ the family assumes the role of chess coach is enough to motivate the child further ίπ addition to the attraction of the game itself.

Ιπ ουΓ training programme, ννθ first of all use simple methods, which a chess expert might even describe as "primitive". Απ ending of king and rook versus king can perhaps be ννοπ ίπ 14 moves with a simple winning plan. Α few little nuances mean that five ΟΓ six moves can suffice. But children ought first to understand and make use of the simple plan. Thereafter - πονν being οπ solid ground - they can easily become acquainted with the improvements. It is much easier to add new material to what you already know than to take ίπ several facts ΟΓ methods at ΟΠθ and the same time!

Ιπ the opening, ννθ shall concentrate οπ building υρ a solid position which cannot easily be overrun by the opponent and ίπ which the young person does not immediately start losing a lot of pieces.


Lessons are given ίπ turn about endgames, the opening and tactics. This adds more variety to the training and the increase ίπ knowledge is equally divided between the individual phases of the game.

ΑΙΙ examples and exercises receive more ίπ the way of commentary than is usually the case. This is to help you and your child to really understand what is being taught.

Coming before each of the longer sections, you ννίll find an introduction to the training, which explains to you what ννθ shall learn and how ννθ shall learn ίΙ Towards the end of the training programme, you ννίΙΙ learn more about chess as a sport, the customs associated with it and the technical terms, and, above all, hints for your child's first chess tournament.

Applying the training programme Training is best carried out if possible οπ several occasions during the

week, for 20-60 minutes at a time, according to the age of the child. If the intervals between sessions are too long, the young person forgets too much and the revision which then becomes necessary makes the coaching a bit boring.

Ιπ addition to training, a lot of chess should be played. The mix between learning and playing is very important, because it is only ίπ practice that the knowledge, which has been acquired can be tested and assimilated! And only practice allows you to retain the knowledge, which you have gained! Start from the rule of thumb that ΟΠθ hour's coaching should be followed by two hours of practical play ίπ order to have a good balance of the two.

Ιπ ουΓ openings training, after a few moves positions occur where there are a whole series of options and where the opponent can react ίπ quite different ways. These "key positions" should be played out as training games. This is how the young person ννίll get important practice ίπ the treatment of such positions.

Oon't be afraid to let your children experiment and θνθΠ try out "siIIy" moves ίπ these games! This develops insight and creativity and ~he child learns at the same time how to refute moves and plans, which ννίll later be tried out against him/her by others. And a solid blunder teaches more than a thousand warnings from the coach!

Please go through the programme ίn the order which is set down and do not omit any exercises ΟΓ training sections.

Applying the training programme 5

Together with your child, keep a training diary in which you write down everything which you have done and keep an account of all the training games (should your child later become a strong chess player, you can then proudly point to your 50:1 score at the start!).

If, at the same time as your child ΟΓ children, you discover and θχρlΟΓθ the world of chess, then you ννίll eχperience much that is of interest and have a lot of fun together.

And now, off ννθ go!


Name that square! We learn about chess notation

Chess notation, ί.θ. writing down and "reading" of chess moves is absolutely necessary for all chess training. Knowing the notation helps us to read chess books, to note down ουΓ οννπ (training) games and to play through them later ίπ order to find mistakes and improvements ΟΓ to show ουΓ games to other people.

80 let's take a closer look at ουΓ chessboard:

Round about it ννθ can see numbers and letters. It reminds you of the game "battleships", doesn't it?

And that is exactly how chess notation works. We can describe each square by its co-ordinates. 80 each square has a "name", which ννθ can use to identify ίΙ

a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 98 h8

a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 97 h7

a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 96 h6

a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 95 h5

a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 94 h4

a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 93 h3

a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 92 h2

a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 91 h1

Οπ rank 1 and file e ννθ have the king. Ιπ chess notation ννθ say the letters first, so the king is standing οπ square e1.

What is the name of the square οπ which the pawn ίπ front of the king is standing?

The solution is οπ the next page.

Name that square! 7

Solution: the pawn is standing οπ square e4.

Το give the name of a piece, ννθ always use an abbreviation:

• King Φ • =Κ

• Oueen 'iV ~ =0

• Rook .: .i =R • Bishop i.. .t =Β

• Knight l2J ~ =Ν

80 these are all called "pieces" (they are lίke the officers ίπ an army).

But, generally speaking, all the men οπ the board (including the pawns) are also called "pieces".

The distinction is not imρortant as yet, but when we get further on, we will make use of the sρecific terms "ρieces" and "ρawns".

Το describe a move, there are two possibilities:

• 8hort notation • Long notation

Ιπ short notation you only say which square the piece lands on. Ιπ our eχample, if the king ννθΓθ to move from square e1 to square e2, ννθ would write Ke2 (a move to the square e2 and the name of the piece which moved there ίπ front of it, ί.θ. the king to e2 = Ke2).

Ιπ long notation you say, from which square and to which square the move was made and you put a hyphen between the names of the two squares, so ίπ ουΓ eχample Ke1-e2.

The latter is easier to understand for those who are learning chess, and for that reason ίη this book we use almost eχclusively this form of notation.

Occasiona//y, we wi// use short notation for short comments ΟΓ for ρointing out ρlans ΟΓ goals, e.g. " ... and White wins, as soon as he has brought his king to b2". ΜΟΓθονθΓ ίπ the text we very occasiona//y use a "ρ", e.g. Ρθ4.


Exercise Νο. 1: Write down ίη long notation the moves which White and Black have made.

(The order of the moves does not matter.)

7

6

5

4

a b c d e

White: Black:

1 .................... . 1 ..................... .

2 ..................... . 2 ..................... .

3 ..................... . 3 ..................... .

(See page 18 for answers)

There are a few more important symbols:

• If you take a piece, the hyphen is replaced by an χ, so:

χ = takes

/π o/der chess books, you sometimes find a c%n instead of an χ. /t means the same thing; : = takes.

• Short (or kingside) castling is written ο-ο. • Long (or queenside) castlίng is written 0-0-0. • Taking "en passant" (taking a pawn as it passes) is written by

adding e.p. to the pawn move. (If you do not know this move, it doesn't matter. We'll explain it later.)

• If the king is checked, this is shown by a +. • If it is mate, there is a # (Ιη old books ννθ sometimes find ++)

Name that square! 9

Ιπ chess books and magazines, games and positions are printed with some eνaluations and annotations for the reader:

• ? after a move, tells us that it was a weak moνe. • Logically two question marks indicate that it was an even weaker

move: ??

(Generally speaking, the move was not twice as bad as norma/, but really, really stupid, e.g. the queen was given away ΟΓ mate on the next move was over/ooked). At the start, unfortunate/y, we wiII have to use this annotation a /ot in ουΓ games!

• Of course there are also strong moνes. These are given an ! and if it was a really good, perhaps even a brilliant, move, then the special sign is two exclamation marks: !!.

We can concern ourselves with that a bit more ίπ a couple of years; for the moment, it is important not to collect too many ? and ??

There are other symbols used to comment οπ moves ΟΓ positions, but at the start we don't need to know ΟΓ learn them.

Το sum up, here's a quick list of the special symbols:

ο-ο = kingside castling

0-0-0 = queenside castling

+ = check

# = mate

? = weak move, mistake

?? = bad mistake

= strong move

!! = very strong move


Our training game ''Hunting the black king"

We ννίll practise notation by using a variation of the game you probably know: "Battleships".

Here is a model starting position. Ιπ the appendix you ννίΙΙ find a diagram which you can photocopy.

The child names a square, e.g. "d8", and puts a cross οπ the relevant square οπ his empty board. Υου also note it οπ your board (for checking later and for the misunderstandings which according to my experience ννίll crop υρ sooner ΟΓ later). Pieces and pawns which are hit are named and score points according to ουΓ table.

Of course the number of "shots" should be limited, e.g. to 15. Afterwards the points are added υρ and you change roles. The child πονν thinks υρ a position and draws it οπ his diagram and you have to guess and fire.

This game practises the notation and at the same time conveys a first idea of the relative value of the pieces. (ΗοννθVθΓ, the king actually is beyond value, since the game cannot be played without it).

The correct answers: 8 Κ c3

Q d6

R g4

Β b7

Ν e1

ρ1 a5 2 ρ2 f6

ρ3 h3

max. score = 44 points

The game can be played with the whole family, even those who do not play chess.

Our training game 11

The moves

After a few games, the names of the squares are known and ννθ can go on to the moves. Firstly an example:

White has made the foIIowing moves:

e2-e4

Bf1-c4

Ke1-f1 (a bad move, but that doesn't matter for ουΓ purposes)

Τaking ΙΙθη passant ll

There is a special rule, which most casual players either does not know ΟΓ do not understand ΡΓΟΡθΓIΥ. That is the "en passant" (pronounced "ong passong") rule - "taking as a piece goes past".

80 that there are no nasty surprises later, let's take a look at this rule:

e In ουΓ diagram the g-pawn has reached the 5th

6

5

4

rank. The f7-pawn is stίll in its starting position.

If the f7 -pawn now wants to move to f5 with its double move, then White can take it "en passant".

It is done as if Black had played f7-f6 instead of, as he did, f7-f5. White puts his pawn on f6 and not on f5, where the pawn he has just taken had stood.

En passant can only be played immediately after the double move has been made; after that it is not allowed!

The purpose of this rule is to stop your opponent body-swerving past you with his special double move.


We note down a game of chess Note down οπ the scoresheet οπ the next page which moves WθΓθ

made by White and Black ίπ the various diagrams!

1 st + 2nd moves 4.

5. 6. 7.

Pay close attention! Τhese moves are followed by some special symbols!

a b c d e f

8

7

6

5

4

3 3

2 2

8. 9. 10.

We note down a game of chess 13

11. 12. 13.

PS: It wasn't a good game, but it included all the important symbols in notation - and Ι ho e ου knew them all!?

ΜΥ scoresheet

White Black White Black

1. 8.

2. 9.

3. 10.

4. 11.

5. 12.

6. 13.

7.

Bah! That made Υου sweat, didn't it?


But when you have written down games a few times, it gets pretty easy, no sweat!

Black

1. e7-e5 8. a7-a6

2. 1-f3 Nb8-c6 9. Bb5xc6 b7xc6

3. d2-d4 d7-d6 10. Qa4xa6+ Kc8-b8

4. Bf1-b5 Bc8 11. a2-a4

5. ο-ο e5xd4 12. Ra1-a3 c6-c5

6. c2-c3 Qd8-f6 13. Ra3-b3#

7. c3xd4 0-0-0

Noting down a game! Normal scoresheets for writing down games usually cause problems for

children. Their large handwriting simply does not fit into the lines, which are only a few millimetres high. Also there is no room to note down improvements, comments ΟΓ notes.

80 you ννίll find in the appendix a special photocopiable scoresheet for children with lines and columns which are extra high and wide and lots of space on the right hand side.

Υου and your child should start by writing down your practice games. Number and collect the scoresheets!

On one hand this deepens your knowledge of notation and on the other it builds υρ confidence for later tournament games. (Moving from a casual game to one that is noted down is a big step for the young person!)

In addition, after each training game, then both of you can go ΟVθΓ it looking for mistakes and improvements - a first step on the road to a process of objective analysis; this is important not only for progress in chess but also later on for study and professional life.


Ranks, files and diagonals The chessboard contains vertical, horizontal and diagonallines. We call

the horizontal ones ranks and the vertical ones files (see the diagram below οπ the left). The slanting ones are called diagonals (see right-hand diagram below).

a b c d

3

2

File (a1-a8) and rank (a1-h1)

8

a b c d e f 9 h

Diagonals a 1-h8 and a4-d 1

Το help distinguish them, there is an extra clue.

The files are named after the letters along the edge of the board, above and below. 80 the file ίπ the diagram is the a-file, and the file οπ which the kings stand at the start of the game (e1/e8) is called the e-file, etc.

The ranks are named after the numbers οπ the right and left hand sides of the board. Ιπ the diagram above ννθ are dealing with the 1 st rank, the rank οπ which are placed the black pawns at the start of the game is the 7th rank, etc.

Naming the diagonals is a little more complicated. Just as ίπ notation, they are named after the start square and the finish square. ΙΠ ΟUΓ diagram the white bishops make uρ a1-h8 diagonal (the longest diagonal possible οπ the chessboard), and the black bishops show us the a4-d1 diagonal (or the d1-a4, depending οπ the point of νίθνν of the person looking at it).


Why are these special names actually important at all, you may well be asking: Well, ίπ ουΓ training programme, for example, whenever ννΘ talk about chess and want to be understood - which ννίll often be the case -ννΘ need specific, clear concepts, which ννΘ can work with. ΒΥ understanding these technical terms, the reader can comprehend ίπ a concrete way the sentence "The queen controls the long diagonal". Otherwise, it would be more complicated to say "The queen controls the slanting lίne from a 1 to h8" and it would be more open to misunderstanding. 80 let's have a lίttle practice with these ΠΘνν concepts:

8

7

Exercise 2:

Exercise 3: a b c d e


The black pawns are οπ the

The white king and its rooks are οπ the ...... - ................... .

4 The black king iS οπ the

3 .................................... and also οπ 2 the ...... - ............................ .

Which rank iS the Re3 οπ?

Οπ the ....................................... .

The thick arrows mark

8 ......................... with the names

7 ..................... and ...................... .

6

5

3

The thin arrows mark

........................ with the names

..................... and .................... .

2 and the thick dotted arrow marks a

="--:-~"""---:--=~:--=""""--;--' 1 ....................... with the name


Solution 1:

White: Black:

1. e2 - e4 1. e7 -e5

2. Ng1 - Ι3 2. Nb8 - c6

3. 8Ι1 - b5 3. 8Ι8 - c5

Solution 2:

The black pawns are οη the [7th rank]

The white king and its rooks are οη the [e-file]

The black king is οη the [g-file]

and also οη the [8th rank]

The Re3 is οη the [3fd rank]

Solution 3:

The thick arrows mark [DIAGONALS] called [a4-e8] and [f1-h3]

The thin arrows mark [FILES] called the [c-file] and [d-file]

And the thick dotted arrow marks a [RANK] called the [6th rank]

We// then, did you get ίΙ a/l right? If you don't feel quite sure, you can try out another eχercise.

Ιη the appendix οη the sheet Files, ranks, diagonals you can answer questions about this subject by filling ίη a diagram.

Introduction to endgame training 19

lntroduction Ιο endgame training After ννθ have learned how to name the squares, how to describe

moves and even managed to write down a whole game, ννθ can now move on to elementary tactics in chess.

We shall learn how to mate the opposing king (to make things simple, it is always the black king) quickly with the queen, one rook ΟΓ two rooks. Play in these endings is at first very much simplified and does not always follow the best practice; things are raised to a higher level in the solutions to the exercises. At first, the young person should learn a very simple mating plan, before ννθ go into nuances.

Υου may be sceptical and think: "Why should a child know the best way to deliver mate? The opportunity to make use of such knowledge ννίll not be there for some time, since children always lose in the opening!"

This may ννθll be the case, but learning endgame technique is about more than simply finishing off a won position.

Α lot is learned about possibilities and the peculiarities of the pieces in question, which ννίll later come in handy, for example, in the tactical exercises.

The child learns to work ουΙ a plan and to understand how to follow it logically and stick to the demands of the plan in a disciplined manner. S/he learns to calculate her/his own and the opponent's moves and to match her/his own plan to that of her/his opponent.

In the opening and the middlegame there are a confusing number of pieces and possibilities and it is impossible ΟΓ very difficult to understand. For that reason the endgame is a good starting point for calculating and drawing υρ plans.

If at all possible, set υρ the diagram positions on a real chessboard. If you read out the position to the children and let them set υρ the board, you are also practising the notation at the same time - an excellent way of revising the early lessons! Take care that moves and squares are always correctly described (not for example: "1'11 move my king diagonally one square forwards", but "1'11 move my king to c5").

Repeat themes and exercises that have not quite worked out, until you are sure that the young person has understood everything and - at least for the moment - has also retained everything!


Elementary wins - Mate with king + queen Today ννθ shall look at how to mate the opposing king with your queen

and king. Υου may think that it is quite simple and things should work out somehow? Ι wouldn't be so sure of that, since the black king ννίll attempt to escape. Without a plan for how to catch it, it can take us a long time until ννθ get hold of ίΙ Actually, ίπ this endgame it is possible to mate a king anywhere οπ the board within 11 moves!

Ηονν do ννθ set about catching the king so quickly?

"11 you don't know where you want to go, it doesn't matter where you do go", says the cat to Alice ίπ 'Άlίce ίπ Wonderland". That could also have been said to many a chess player ίπ the endgame, someone who has made move after move and found a mate probably only by pure chance.

Of course, ννθ are a lot cleverer and first of all look at where ννθ want to go, ΟΓ rather ίπ which position ουΓ opponent would be mated!

ΑΙΙ the mating positions ΟΠθ the following page have ΟΠθ thing ίπ common:

The opposing king is οη the edge ΟΙ the board!

This makes ουΓ first goal quite clear:

We must push the king to the edge ΟΙ the board!

It is not possible to mate the king ίπ the centre of the board with the queen (nor with the rook) , because it can always escape.

Moreover, ουΓ οννπ king must always be near the opponent's king, ίπ

order to block his way. This makes ουΓ second goal clear:

We must bring ουΓ οννη king close to the opponent's king, so that it cannot get away 1rom the queen!

8

7

4

8

4


Matin ositions with the ueen a b c d a b c d a b c d a b c d

8 ~ ~}ΙΙ!l! !Ι! 7 "~4!1!. 6 o,~. ~ 5 5~ _

4 4 4 --vertical horizontal dia onal "hemmed ίπ"

a b c d a b c d a b c d

8 8 ΑΙΙ these mates are

6 possible οπ the

5 other side of

the board 4 4 (below) and ίπ

all the corners! ίπ the middle hemmed ίπ οπ from a distance

the ed e

The fina/ mating position has been ca//ed "from a distance" by the author, because it frequently happens that the queen "takes aim" from a distant area of the chessboard and delίνers a surprise mate. This is not on/y the case in a pure endgame such as we haνe here, but also in the midd/egame (instead of the white king, other pieces can cut off the b/ack king's retreat squares, inc/uding eνen its own pieces). Many a game in υ10 tournaments comes to such a sudden surprise end!


Νονν let us take a look at a practical example of how things work, (it is White to move):

EIementar a b c d e f Most children would πονν set about the

8 enemy king with Qa1-a7+, Qa1-d1+ ΟΓ 7 Qa1-g7+. But that does not suit ουΓ

goals, since Black can escape into the 6 centre of the board with Kd7 -e6, and ννθ 5 cannot mate him there.

ΒΥ 1.Qa1-f6 (02) ννθ nail the king to 3 the edge of the board!

2 Qa1-a6 would do the same thing, but then Black can escape from ουΓ king

""""",,"--:--=-=-:--,,=--:--=,,,,-:---,1 towards the right, whilst with the text

Ο2 after 1.Qa 1-f6

Ο3 after 1 ... Kd7-c8

8

move you shut him ίπ with your οννπ king. The black king can πονν choose between only three squares:

Α) c8, Β) e8 and C) c7

Νονν let us look at what each of these 7 moves means for Black and how ννθ can 6 best play against each of them. 5

Α) 1 ... Kd7-c8 (03) This makes ουΓ 8 victory easier since Black voluntarily 7 goes to the edge!

6 ΒΥ 2.Qf6-e7 ννθ cut the black king off οπ the 8th rank and push him towards

5 the left hand corner.

He only has ΟΠθ move left: 2 ... Kc8-b8

After achieving ουΓ first goal (push the king to the edge), ννθ carry οπ with ουΓ second ΟΠθ (bring ουΓ οννπ king υρ close):

8

7

6

8

7

6

5

8

7

6

8

7

6

5

8

7

6


Ο4 after 3.Kc5-b6

Ο5 after 1 ... Kd7-e8 a b c d e f

D62.Kc5-d6?

STALEMATE!

Ο7 after 2.Qf6-g7 a b c d e f

Ο8 after 3.Kc5-d6

3.Kc5-b6 (or also c6) (04)

Black can move to a8 ΟΓ c8, but iS 7 mated after 3 ... Kb8-c8 by Qe7-c7 ΟΓ by 6 Qe7-e8 mate ΟΓ after 3 ... Kb8-a8 by

Qe7-a7, Qe7-b7 ΟΓ Qe7-d8/ e8/ 18.

But ννΘ must be careful if Black plays, 8 Β) 1 ... Kd7-e8 (05). If you πονν try to 7 achieve goal 2 at once by 2.Kc5-d6

(06), you ννίll have a nasty surprise, 6 because Black iS πονν stalemated!

5 50 always make sure, that your

6

opponent is able to make another move!

The correct move would be 2.Q16-g7 7 (07). This fulfils goal 1, the opponent 6 can stiII make a move and after 2 ... Ke8-

d8 5

3.Kc5-d6 (08)

(but not to c6, because Black can then once more escape the mate by 3 ... Kd8-

8 e8, though after 4.Kc6 -d6 Ke8-d8 he iS 7 again ίπ a position to be mated).

6 And, after either Kd8-c8 ΟΓ e8, mate οη the next move!


a b c d e f After 1.Qa1-f6 the best defence is C)

ΟΙ after 2.Qf6-e7+

02 after 3.Kc5-c6

03 after 4.Qe7-b7#

8 1 .. Kd7-c7, since the king ννίll not 7 volunteer to head for the edge of the

board. 6

Even if Black is going to lose, he 5 should try to play the best he can - ΟΓ

else resign!

After 2.Qf6-e7+ (01) ννθ push the king 8 to the edge of the board.

7 2 ... Kc7-c8 Reaching goal 1 and after 3.Kc5-c6 (02) ννθ also reach goal 2 and

6 after 3 ... Kc8-b8 ννθ can mate with 5 4.Qe7-b7 (03)!

ΒΥ logically following ουΓ two goals 8 "Force him to the edge" and "Bring υρ

your own king" the win iS quite simple 7 and quick! 6 Next let us look at a position, which iS 5 a bit harder to play.

8

7

8

7

5

4


Τhe unfavourabIe case: kin and ueen are far awa

ΟΙ after 1.Qh1-c1

If your king and queen are far away 8 from your opponent, then mate takes a 7 little longer.

6 But the method iS the same and if you aim for both of ουΓ goals, victory iS

5 assured!

4 Here there are several good tries right 3 from move 1.

2 ΒΥ Qh1-h4 you can limit the king to the black half of the board and drive it towards the 8th rank.

Or by Qh1-h6 you can lock it into the bottom half of the board with your οννπ king and drive it towards the 1st rank.

8 Or by Qh1-c1 push it towards the 7 kingside and the h-file.

6 ΑΙΙ three plans are logical and sensible. The first plan with Qh1-h4 iS

5 perhaps easier to carry ουΙ

4 We ννίll take a look at the third plan: 3 1.Qh1-c1 (01)

2 8hould Black head towards the 8th 1 rank (e.g. Kd5-d6) Qc1-g5 lets us shut

him υρ ίπ the black half of the board and ννθ ννίll bring υρ ουΓ king .. .

80 there remain 1 ... Kd5-e4 and 1 ... Kd5-d4.

5

5


Α) 1 ... Kd5-e4

After 1 ... Kd5-e4 ννθ ννίη quickly with 2.Qc1-c5 (02). Black has only two

3 possibilities: Kd3 ΟΓ Kf4

2 2 ... Ke4-d3 3.Kg2-f3 We cut off the 1 king's retreat and iS ηονν lίke sliding

='--:-""'"""'''---:-"'''"""''"---;-"'''"""'''---:---1 d οννη a tu n n e Ι d οννη to the ed 9 e of the

Ο2 after 2.Qc1-c5

Ο3 after 4.Qc5-c4

board: 3 ... Kd3-d2

After 4.Qc5-c4 (03) ννθ push him back 5 towards the edge

4 Black has only two squares left.

But 4 ... Kd2-e1 is ηο use because of 3 5.Qc4-e2# (or Qc4-c1#)

2 ΑΙΙ that iS left iS 4 ... Kd2-d1.

ΒΥ 5.Kf3-e3 (04) white puts his opponent ίη zugzwang - Black does not want to go to e1, where he ννίΙΙ be mated οη the neχt move, but he has ηο other move and has to go there. 8885

8iY8 8 ~4 3~ 8 ~~ 8 3 2 ~.~.q~.~~2 1~ .8 8 1

Having to make a move you would rather not is called zugzwang and it decides a lot of endgames.

80 thanks to zugzwang Black has only 5 ... Kd1-e1 (01) left and White can choose between a b c d e f 9 h

6. Qc4-c1# and 6.Qc4-e2#

ΟΙ after 5 .... Kd1-e1

8

7

6

5


Β) 1 ... Kd5-d4

On his first move, Black had two options of which ννθ have only seen

7 1 ... Kd5-e4.

The second choice iS somewhat 5 "tougher" - but ννθ can win there too, so

let's look at how to achieve the win:

3 1 ... Kd5-d4 (02)

2 Our queen iS not all that well placed. If it ννθΓθ on b1 instead of c1, ννθ could

1 restrict the king further with an =""-;-~=--7"""'"::=-"7"""""=-;--I immediate Qb1-b5 and drive it towards

02 after 1 .. .κd5-d4 ουΓ king. 80 there is no simple and obvious plan. White has a whole range

03 after 2 ... Kd4-c4 of possibilities. As long as you always

5 ~ _ ~. _ 5 ~~~rt~% ~h~C~O:~Sy i~O~~hd~~~~~ not so

4 _ 11 _ ~ 4 Let us assume ννθ play

3 ~ _._ _ 3 2.Qc1-g5 and Black plays 2 ... Kd4-c4 2 _ _ _~~ 2 (03). ΒΥ 3.Qg5-e5 ννθ hem the king in a 1 ~ _ _ _ 1 bit further and he plays 3 ... Kc4-d3 (04)

a b c d e f 9 h We could now play Qe5-f4 driving the

04 after 3 ... Kc4-d3

a b c d e f 9 h

ΟΙ after 4.Kg2-f2

king further towards the a-file ΟΓ towards the bottom. But that would take a long time.

Το speed things up, ννθ bring ουΓ king υρ as reinforcement.

4. Kg2-f2 (Ο 1 )

4 ... Kd3-c4 5.Kf2-e3 Kc4-b4 (02)

The king is now near the edge and ννθ drive him closer:

6.Ke3-d3 Kb4-b3 7.Qe5-b5+

Νονν ννθ have driven the king on to the a-file and mate is not long in coming:

7 ... Kb3-a2 (03)


Ο2 after 5.Kc4-b4

a b c d e f 9 h

Ο3 after 7 ... Kb3-a2

8. Kd3-c2 Ka2-a3 5

[or 8 ... Ka2-a 1 and you have 5 possible ways to mate - can you find

3 them all?]

2 9.Qb5-b3# [or 9.Qb5-a5#j

This time it was somewhat harder than in ουΓ first example, but ννθ did it, despite the fact that it was one of the hardest mating positions!

5 As well as the variations in ουΓ

example, there are many more which could have been played - perhaps even better ones!

So try Ιο see whether you can find 1 simpler ΟΓ quicker ways Ιο mate!

an the next page, you ννίll find 6 positions with ουΓ ending of Κ + Q against a lone Κ. Try to find a win in each - but don't cheat by finding weak moves for Black!

Υου should be able to win against the best possible moves for Blackand you can do it!

And nονν the best of luck with the endgame quiz!

auίz οπ queen endings 29

Quiz οπ queen endings 6 χ mate with Κ + Q (White to move, solutions ίπ the appendix)

Q1 Q2 8 8 8

7 7 7

6 6

5 5 5

4 4

3 3 3

2 2 2

Q3 a b c d e h Q4

2

Q5 a b c d e h Q6 a b c d e h

8 8

7

6 6

5

4

3 3 3

2 2 2


Mate with king + rook First let us think where ννθ are actually going! Which position must ννθ

reach for the opponent to be mated? Here are the three typical mating positions, which of course can occur once more ίπ similar fashion at the top, at the bottom, to the right and to the left of the board.

8

a b c d e

Matin ositions with a rook

8

7

a b c d e

4

a b c d e

vertical horizontal ίπ the corner

It iS actually quite similar to the endgame with the queen. 80 ννθ can once again use the two goals which made υρ ουΓ mating plan:

We must force the king to the edge!

It is impossible to mate the king ίπ the centre of the board, because it can always escape.

Our king must always be close to the opponent's king, to block its escape route. 80 the second goal is also clear:

We must bring ουΓ οννn king close to the opponent's king, so that it cannot get away!

8ince the rook is not as versatile as the queen (it cannot move diagonally), there is a difference here. Whilst ίπ most cases ίπ the ending Κ + Q - Κ it was sufficient to bring the king close to the opponent's king for a mating chance to appear, things are not quite so simple ίπ the rook ending.

Apart from the mate ίπ the corner, ουΓ king must be exactly opposite ουΓ opponent's king for a mate to be possible. This position with kings opposite each other is called the 'Όρροsίtίοn". But it is not a real


problem - and unlike in the ending with the queen, there is much less danger of stalemate! We shall look at an example on the next page:

8

7 7

6 6

5 5

02 after [1 ... Kd7-e7?]

a b c d e f

8 8

7 7

6

5

03 after 4.Rh7-a7

ame Κίn + Rook - Κίn

The black king is already close to the edge of the board and must be driven further towards that edge (Goal 1 ).

But this is not so easy for a rook as for a queen, because a rook finds it harder to force the king back.

80 WΘ use another manoeuvre:

The waiting move with the rook!

1.Rf6-h6 (Ο)

Of course the rook could also move to a6, but then the king would approach it in order to attack it from b7 and you would have to move the rook again.

Α possible move would be 1 ... Kd7-e7? (02), but this move is weak, since Black voluntarily allows himself to be forced back to the edge. Let's look at this:

2.Rh6-h7+ Ke7-f8 3.Ke5-e6 Kf8-g8 4.Rh7-a7 (03) and now either

Α) 4 ... Kg8-f8 5.Ra7-b7 (waiting move) 5 ... Kf8-g8

[5 ... Kf8-e8? 6.Rb7-b8#]

6.Ke6-f6 Kg8-h8 7.Kf6-g6 Kh8-g8

8.Rb7-b8# ΟΓ

Β) 4 ... Kg8-h8 5.Ke6-f6 Kh8-g8 6.Ra7-b7 waiting move! 6 ... Kg8-h8

[6 ... Kg8-f8? 7.Rb7-b8#)

7.Kf6- 6 Kh8- 88.Rb7-b8#


Continυation of rook endgame

a b

Ο2 after 6 ... Kb7-c8

Ο3 after 10.Rh7-a7

8

6

5

4

8

7

6

5

But Black has a better move ίπ

1 ... Kd7-c7 (Ο) putting υρ tougher resistance.

2.Ke5-d5 We follow υρ his king with ours, till they are opposite each other (opposition) .

2 ... Kc7-b7 3.Kd5-c5 Kb7-a7 4.Kc5-b5 Ka7-b7

Oone it! Sooner ΟΓ later the black king must move exactly opposite his counterpart and then a check drives him further towards the edge:

5.Rh6-h7+ Kb7-c8 (02)

6.Kb5-c6 Kc8-d8 7.Kc6-d6 Kd8-e8 8.Kd6-e6 Ke8-f8 9.Ke6-f6 Kf8-g8

Careful! Your rook is under attack!

10.Rh7-a7 (03) [10.Kf6-g6? Kg8-f8 and ννθ start the process again!]

10 ... Kg8-h8 11.Kf6-g6 Kh8-g8 and if the king is οπ the edge, and ίπ opposition, it is mated by the sideways check from the rook: 12.Ra7-a8#

Α faνourable

a b c d e f


osition: the kin is almost at the ed e

2

We could play 1.Rd8-g8 nailing the king to the edge of the board and bring υρ ουΓ king into the opposition. That is a safe winning plan.

But here ννθ can also immediately use ουΓ king to hold the opponent's king οπ the edge of the board and by a waiting moνe get it to Γυπ into a mating position.

Here is how that works:

(Ο) 1.Ke5-f4 Kh2-g2 [1 ... Kh2-h3 2.Rd8-d2 Kh3-h4 3.Rd2-h2#

ΟΓ 1 ... Kh2-g1 2.Kf4-f3 Kg1-h1 3.Kf3-g3 Kh1-g1 4.Rd8-d1#]

2.Rd8-d2+ Kg2-h3 3.Rd2-f2 Kh3-h4 4.Rf2-h2#


Mate with king + 2 rooks It sometimes comes down to an endgame with 2 rooks against the king.

This can be very frustrating for inexperienced players, since they do not know what to do with their extra material and their pieces often get ίπ each other's way!

Of course you could stick ΟΠθ rook ίπ a corner ΟΓ even let your opponent take it, but that would be a sign of weakness - since winning with two rooks is very simple.

ΜθΙίη ositions with 2 rooks a b c d e

2

vertical

Does something strike you?

7

6

5

4

a b c d e

horizontal

The white king is far away ίπ the corner and simply watching its two rooks do the work! This is ουΓ first endgame where the king is not used to mate.

Υου can actually see how to wίπ from ουΓ examples:

The rooks each give check ίπ turn until the black king is at the edge and is mated.

Let's have a look at an endgame like this:

Mate with king + 2 rooks 35

Απ eas ννθ to mate with the "staircase" a b c d e f

02 after 3 ... Ke5-d6

3

2

(Ο) 1.Rc2-c3+ The ννίπ is just as possible with the other rook.

1 ... Kg3-f4 2.Rb2-b4+ Kf4-e5

3.Rc3-c5+ Ke5-d6 (02) Watch out! The king is attacking the rook and it is time for a waiting move.

4.Rc5-h5 and the rook moves to safety and at the next opportunity is ready to give sideways checks from the other side.

Kd6-c6 5.Rb4-b6+ Kc6-c7 6.Rh5-h7+ Kc7-c8 Νονν it is time for the second rook to change sides!

7.Rb6-g6 Kc8-d8 8.Rg6-g8#

There is an even faster ννίπ, immediately forcing the king into the bottom half of the board:

1.Rb2-b4 (Ο) The rook blocks off the way υρ the board.

1 ... Kg3-f3 2.Rc2-c3+ Kf3-e2 3.Rb4-b2+ Ke2-d1 4.Rc3-h3 Kd1-c1

And once again, the moment has arrived when the rook must move to the other side of the board to get away from the attack by the king.

5.Rb2-g2 Kc1-d1 6.Rh3-h1#

That was somewhat faster than ου r first manoeuvre.

The way the rooks move ίπ turn is a bit lίke a staircase which leads the opponent's king to the edge of the board.


Quiz οη rook endings 6 χ mate with Κ + R ΟΓ 2Α (White to move; solutions ίπ the appendix)

Α1 a b c d e Α2 8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

Α3 Α4 a b c d e 9 h

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

Α5 a b c d e Α6 8 8 8

7 7 7 7

6 6 6 6

5 5 5 5

4 4 4 4

3 3 3 3

2 2 2 2

Introduction to opening training 37

Introduction to opening training Logically speaking, the opening is the most important phase of a chess

game - an early blunder means you lose the game quickly and cannot make use of the knowledge you have acquired about the middlegame and the endgame!

Beginners make a lot of mistakes, of course, and find it difficult to get out of the opening unscathed. At the same time, there are many different openings and each of them has numerous branches (variations and subvariations) and even very good players cannot remember all of them.

So ννθ shall try to give you some general principles which are valid for most openings and also knowledge of ΟΠθ opening which is simple to learn and remember. Starting from there, ννθ can extend ουΓ knowledge bit by bit.

What shouId this opening be Iike? What are the demands we make οΙ ίΙ?

The following points seem important to me:

• It should be simple to teach and very likely to be used ίπ children's and beginners' chess (what use is the most wonderful opening if your opponents immediately play something different?)

• There should be a simple plan underlying it, which allows your opponent only a lίmίted number of replies.

• It should be easy to remember and easy to understand. It should be as uncomplicated as possible.

• It should be capable of being developed, so that you can make use of the more complex playing techniques and "tricks" you learn.

These requirements are fully met by the Scotch Game.

Beginners are usua//y taught the Giuoco Piano (ltalίan Game) (1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Bf1-c4 Bf8-c5) ΟΓ the Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) (1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Bf1-b5). However, these are difficu/t for chίldren to understand and soon become νθιΥ complίcated. For that reason, when coaching beginners / a/most exc/usive/y make use of the "Scotch Game" often shortened to the Scotch. Right from move 3, White decides the character of the opening, thus Iίmiting his/her opponent's opportunities and has at his/her disposa/ p/ans and procedures which are easίly understood by chi/dren.


The names ο, chess openings often remind υs of the coυntries where the openings were first played ΟΓ where they were especially popυlar. Or else they bear the names of chess masters who introdυced these openings. The Scotch takes its name from a correspondence match between the chess clυbs ο( Edinbυrgh and London between 1824 and 1828. Cυrioυsly, it was the Londoners who played it first ίπ the match, bυt the Scots played it better!

Please work through all the training material οπ the opening ίπ a systematic fashion and leave nothing out!

Begin every Πθνν section from the starting position and let the child make all the moves ίπ the opening. The opening sinks ίπ better and the logic iS clearer than when a start iS made from a position after, e.g., 5 ΟΓ 6 moves.

Play the Scotch very often ίπ training games. Let your child experiment from time to time with other (even bad) openings, but keep coming back to the Scotch.

Make sure that the child has understood everything and check from time to time whether everything has been remembered.

The basic moves of the opening (approx. 5-6 moves per variation) should be well assimilated after a certain time and able to be recalled when needed. Also, the most important plans must be remembered. The moves after this are usually not so important and there are too many of them to commit themall to memory, even ίπ ουΓ restricted repertoire.

Since most of the child's opponents should also be beginners ΟΓ weak players, who soon deviate from chess theory, the knowledge of long variations is ίπ any case not very useful.

ΒΥ "chess theory" ΟΓ "theory" we actυally mean the sυm ο( knowledge aboυt how (ο play chess, bυt today the concept is mainly υsed (or opening theory. Books and CDs οπ opening theory constitυte the greater part ο( chess literatυre: (or ουΓ Scotch alone there mυst be a (ew hυndred printed pages ο( opening theory, withoυt coυnting doυbles. For especially popυlar openings sυch as the Sicilian (1.e2-e4 c7-c5), aboυt 20 years ago the American grandmaster Edmar Mednis estimated the total (ο be aboυt 5,000 - and lots ο( new stυff has been added since then! The basis of opening theory is the more than 3 million pυblished games ο( chess. Bυt do not be scared ΟΓ impressed by these nυmbers. Amateυrs get by with a very Iittle knowledge and a good qυantity ο( soυnd common sense and logic! And when s/he comes υρ against υnknown moves, many a theory bυff has a hard job finding his/her own plans and ideas!

Introduction to opening training 39

What is important is that in your training games you try out all the variations you have been shown. Ρθορlθ only retain what they have used. Unused knowledge is soon partially ΟΓ wholly forgotten. Moreover, this is the way for the child to gain experience, which is very important in chess.

00 not let friends and acquaintances convince you to try other openings! The Scotch may not be the most modern ΟΓ the most brilliant of openings (although it was even played in the 1990s in the World Championship match Garry Kasparov - Nigel Short), but a child can understand it!

The openings which are normally taught to beginners, the "Giuoco Piano" (Italian) ΟΓ the "Ruy LΟΡθΖ" (Spanish), can quickly become very complicated and the logic behind them is very hard for children to grasp.

The opening variations which are given in the text are laίd out in such a way that, as far as possible, they lead to a solid position, in which a beginner cannot so easily make mistakes.

For all variations and comments, the main criteria are the beginner ΟΓ the child, not the absolute criteria of chess correctness.

When the basics have been achieved and mastered after a Iίttle

practice, ννθ can move on to a higher level of play, theory, and techniques.

And now enjoy the training in your first chess opening!


Starting a game οΙ chess ΒΥ now you're probabIy pretty keen to find out how to start a game of

chess ΡΓΟΡθΓΙΥ, aren't you?

But, to find a reasonabIe way to start, Iet's begin with a quiet Iook at the chessboard, so that Wθ can clear υρ a few, important points.

The centre a b c d e f

2

The four squares in the middIe of the board, which have a line drawn round them, make υρ the centre of the chessboard.

In chess, as in many other activities, a centraI position cIearIy has many definite advantages. Υου don't take Iong to get to anywhere eIse and you are where things are happening.

There is something extra in chess: if you have at Ieast one pawn in the centre, your opponent cannot cramp your styIe so easίly.

The foIIowing diagrams show what it Iooks Iike if you have a strong presence in the centre ΟΓ if you abandon it to your opponent:

a b c d e f

2

7

6

5

4

a b c d e

2

Development 41

Whilst ίπ the left-hand diagram, both players have an equal share of the centre and can mount attacks οπ their opponent; things are totally different ίπ the right-hand diagram. There White is very cramped. Black controls 6 squares ίπ his opponent's half of the board (4 of them are even controlled twice ΟΓ more by pawns and a knight), whilst White only has control ΟVθΓ 2 opposing squares (b5 and d5 with the knight) and soon ννίll hardly be able to make a move, without his pieces ΟΓ pawns being attacked ΟΓ taken.

These examples show clearly how important it is to have a stake ίπ the centre ΟΓ to control ίΙ

Development As ννθll as the centre, developing your pieces is another important part

of the opening ίπ chess. Ιπ the right-hand diagram, ννθ can see that White's pieces (not pawns) hardly have any squares they can move to. They are cramped, hemmed ίπ within their οννπ pawn position. We say that they are badly developed ΟΓ that "White is behind ίη

development".

"Developing" your οννπ pieces οπ to squares οπ which they are ννθll

placed, from where they can take part ίπ the game and οπ which they do not get ίπ each other's way, is, after the control of the centre, another extremely important area ίπ the opening.

Castling - a safe haven for the king! Νο matter what success ννθ have ίπ the centre ΟΓ elsewhere ίπ our

opponent's half of the board, this is of πο use to us if the opponent mates ουΓ king! Then the game is quite simply lost!

Ιπ its opening position οπ e1 (or e8) the king is not all that ννθll placed after a few moves. Opposing pieces can come at it from both sides and if the e-file is opened by an exchange of pawns the opposing queen and rooks can attack it very effectively. Many opening traps and early attacks by ΟΠθ side are only possible if the king has not castled ίπ time!

80 it is a cunning plan to head for ΟΠθ side of the board by castling, since by doing so you cut ίπ half the number of attacking pieces, because your opponent cannot transfer all of his pieces to the side οπ which you have castled.

As ννθ develop ουΓ pieces, ννθ must also take care that ουΓ king gets a chance to castle - usually sooner rather than later!


For the start ουΓ plan should be:

Move a pawn into the centre e2-e4

Develop a knight towards the centre Ng1-f3

Move the king's bishop as soon as possible Bf1- ?

Castle kin~side (short) ο-ο

If ννθ proceed lίke that and do not let ourselves be too much diverted from ουΓ plan, ννθ can soon set υρ a solid position. Lίke that, ννθ ννίll not lose immediately either because of attacks by ουΓ opponent ΟΓ because ννθ have made some mistake. And that is the most important thing ίη

chess: make as few mistakes as possible!

The correct and the quick order of moves It is important that the developing moves are made ίη the order ννθ have

described above. It does matter which order the moves are made ίη.

For example. If after

1.e2-e4 e7-e5 instead of Ng1-f3

2.Bf1-c4 is played first (Ο), the opponent can bring out his queen 2 ... Qd8-h4 and after 3.Ng1-f3 he would ννίη a pawn by 3 ... Qh4xe4+! ΟΚ, the queen move is actually a weak one, but ίη such situations beginners easily lose their head and then make bad blunders, like for example 3.g2-g3? Qh4xe4+ and the Rh 1 is then lost!

The move 2.Ng1-f3 prevents any such sortie, any attempt at Scholar's mate, and a lot of possible opening traps!

So always stick to ουΓ move order, which should only be interrupted if there is some threat from your opponent (to which ννθ naturally have to react first). As soon as the danger is over, ννθ continue to develop according to our plan.

And πονν let's have a look at an opening:

We learn an opening: the Scotch Game 43

We learn an opening: the Scotch Game

There are many ways to open a game of chess. Theoretically, White can make one of 20 different moves at the beginning: each of the 8 pawns can advance by 1 ΟΓ 2 squares ΟΓ the knights can go to a3/c3 ΟΓ f3/h3. Black can do the same, of course, and after 1 move there are 400 different and possible positions! But many of these moves would not be good ones ΟΓ don't achieve anything, so ννΘ can concentrate on a few opening moves.

a b c d e

a b c d e

3

2

2

With White ννΘ always open with

1.e2-e4

This move clears the way for the queen and the bishop and it occupies the centre.

Your opponent usually makes the same move, so

1 .... e7-e5 (Ο)

What happens if he does something else ννίll be discussed later.

But mostly your opponents ννίll play e7-e5.

ΒΥ 2.Ng1-f3 ννΘ follow ουΓ plan of developing pieces.

The knight takes aim at the centre, attacks the e5-pawn and makes space to castle later on.

Your opponent usually protects his e5-pawn with

2 ... Nb8-c6 (Ο)

The concept σ' an 'Όρροnent" wiII probab/y not p/ease many teachers and parents and they wou/d rather see some word such as "p/aying partner" σΓ the Iίke. The intention is certain/y good, but unfortunate/y not


νθΙΥ reaIίstic. Chess, by its νθΙΥ nature, has something of the character of a due/. Two peop/e ΒΓθ p/aying against each other and each is trying (ο oνercome the other. There can on/y be one winner (a draw often /eaνes both p/ayers dissatisfied and in any case the goa/ is (ο win and not (ο be content with a ha/f point). But in chess the child shou/d be taught fair p/ay and respect for the person he is p/aying. But p/ease accept the concept of an opponent, unti/ you yourse/f ΒΓθ conνinced of its νaIίdity after seeing some tournament p/ay.

Our next move brings about the I'Scotch Opening". Other moves could lead to other ο θηίη s.

a b c d e

3

2

3.d2-d4

We make a direct advance into the centre. The black e5-pawn is now attacked twice and defended only once. If it is not defended again ΟΓ exchanged, ννθ would win this important central pawn. Black must now react to ουΓ move and cannot play just any old move, ΟΓ else he ννίll soon have problems.

There are 3 likely moves:

3 ... f7-f6, 3 ... d7-d6, 3 ... e5xd4

3 ... f7-f6 is a bad way to defend. One reason is that a pawn on f6 takes away from the Ng8 its normal developing square. This makes it harder for Black to castle. After 4.d4-d5, for example, you can immediately drive away the Nc6 and Black is very cramped. There are other reasons, which ννθ ννίll

discuss later.

3 ... d7-d6 (Ο) is perhaps better, but it is not a good move either. We ννίll look at it straight away, because it is often played. If your opponent plays it, then right from the start you have a slight advantage.

7

6

5

4


1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ν 1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.d2-d4 d7-d6 a b c d e

4 ... Nc6xe5

a b c d e

3

2

4.d4xe5

We take the e5-pawn and Black now has 2 possible moves:

4 ... Nc6xe5

4 ... d6xe5

We shall look at both of them:

5.Nf3xe5 5 ... d6xe5

6.Qd1xd8+

We prevent ουΓ opponent from castling!

His king must take our queen and then it may no longer castle!

On the other hand, we can develop qUΊckly and castle and have the better position!


3

2

6 ... Ke8xd8

7.Bf1-c4 (Ο)

We develop the bishop and at the same time immediately make room to castle. We have achieved all the goals in ουΓ little list! At the same time, Wθ are attacking the f7-pawn. In order to defend it Black must either play 7 ... Kd8-e8, ί.θ. make a move that does not develop any of his pieces; ΟΓ play

7 ... f7-f6, after which the pawn robs the knight of its natural developing square f6; ΟΓ play

7 ... Bc8-e6, when after 8.Bc4xe6 f7xe6 he has doubled pawns (it is usually not all that good to have doubled pawns; we'll learn more about that later); ΟΓ - the weakest reply

7 ... Ng8-h6 and after 8.Bc1xh6 g7xh6 9.Bc4xf7 Wθ have both won a pawn and inflicted doubled pawns on ουΓ opponent!

80 all this looks quite good for us. But instead of taking the queen with the king, ουΓ opponent could have used his knight. What would things look like then?

a b c d e Position after 4 ... d6xe5 (Ο)

We again take the 5.Qd1 xd8+ and now recapture either with his knight.

queen, so Black can king ΟΓ his

If 5 ... Ke8xd8 Black loses the right to castle.

3 After 5 ... Nc6xd8 Black even loses a 2 pawn to 6.Nf3xe5, since the pawn iS

now no longer protected. 80 another good result for you!


But Black had yet another possibility, which ννθ ννίll πονν take a look at:

7

6

5

4

The best continuation:

1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ν 1-Ι3 Nb8-c6 3.d2-d4 e5xd4 a b c d e f 3 ... e5xd4

is the best continuation for Black, since it avoids all the problems connected with the protection of the e5-pawn which ννθ have already looked at.

Of course, White does not feel like 3 giving away a pawn and so he ννίll play

2

4.Nf3xd4.

Νονν Black has lots of possible moves:

Α) 4 ... Nc6xd4

Β) 4 ... Ng8-f6

C) 4 ... Qd8-f6

D) 4 ... Qd8-h4

Ε) 4 ... Bf8-c5

and ννθ ννίll πονν take a look at all of them, so that ννθ do not have any nasty surprises ίπ ουΓ game!

Of course, ννθ can't remember all these different moves and the moves which follow them (this is what ννθ call variations) - ννθ would certainly forget them just as qUΊckly. Try to remember the idea ΟΓ the plan which is behind each of the different variations.

And if ου know the lan, ου ννίll also find the correct moves!


7

6

5

4

Α 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ν 1-13 Nb8-c6 3.d2-d4 e5xd4 4.N13xd4 Nc6xd4

a b c d e h 4 ... Nc6xd4 (Ο)

5.Qd1xd4

It is not so good for Black to take the Nd4, since that would leave ουΓ queen ίη a very central position. Black can only attack it by 5 ... Qd8-f6, but after 6.e4-e5 (Ο be/ow /eft) would have to retreat, ΟΓ by 5 ... c7-c5, but after, e.g., 6. Qd4-c31

(Ο be/ow centre) ουΓ queen is still well placed, whilst the c5-pawn gets ίη the way of Black's Bf8.

Of course there are other possible queen moves apart from β.Qd4-c3, e.g. Qd4-d1, Qd4-d3 ΟΓ Qd4-a4.

Just try out the different possibilities ίη

training games and see I-----a-ft-e-r -β-.e-4--e-5-----+---a-ft-e-r-β-.Q-d-4---C-3-----1 which you like best!

80 White has a good and active position if Black exchanges knights.

ΑΙΙ the other variations are better for Black than the exchange of knights. We can divide them into variations ίη which Black attacks the e4-pawn and variations ίη which Black attacks the Nd4. After you have played Nf3xd4, you must work out from Black's reply what your opponent is actually attacking. When you have worked that out, you can decide whether you should move it away ΟΓ protect ίΙ

1 This is not, according to opening theory, the best moνe, but it is ΟΠθ that is p/ayab/e for a beginner and giνes him/her chances. From c3 the queen threatens g7 (which is often oνer/ooked by an opponent who is a/so a beginner and moνes his 8f8) and can /ead to an attack οπ the king after the queen goes to g3 ΟΓ h3. Many of the theoretically best moνes ίπ the opening are simp/y incomprehensib/e to a beginner because of the /ack of technique and experience; and thus they can be of πο use to him.

We learn an opening: the 8cotch Game 49

Β 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ν 1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.d2-d4 e5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Ν 8-16

4 ... Ng8-f6

What is the knight attacking?

Yes, the e4-pawn. We must protect 6 it, but ίπ doing so make sure that wΘ 5 don't make a mistake. The simplest

protection would be 5.f2-f3. This move does meet its purpose, but it must be

3 used with care. It weakens ουΓ castling 2 position (you wίll learn more about that

later), and ίπ a worst-case scenario it can make castling impossible. Ιπ the opening, WΘ should only play f2-f3 (f7 -f6) if there iS πο other choice!

5.Bf1-d3? (Ο below left) does protect the e4-pawn, but cuts off the Nd4 from the queen which iS protecting it and it would be lost after 5 ... Nc6xd4! Mark it well: this mistake often happens! Otherwise it would not be a bad move, for WΘ would protect the pawn, develop a piece, and prepare castling. 80 for that reason wΘ first worry about the Nd4 which is under attack and swap it off: 5.Nd4xc6 b7xc6 (if Black plays 6 ... d7xc6, WΘ can again Γυίπ his chances of castling with 7.0d1xd8+, Ο below centre) 6.Bf1-d3 (Ο below right). After this WΘ can castle, and develop the Nb1 to c3 and the Bc1 (perhaps to 5).

after 5.Bf1-d3? after 7.0d1xd8+ after 6.Bf1-d3


C 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ν 1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.d2-d4 e5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Qd8-f6

4 ... Qd8-f6 (Ο)

The idea of the queen move is, after 5.Nd4xc6 to recapture the knight with the queen (instead of with the b- ΟΓ dpawn) and so avoid doubled pawns.

80: 5 ... Qf6xc6 and ννθ once more play 6.Bf1-d3, qUΊckly castle and have

3 nothing to fear!

2 But there iS οηθ trick by the opponent ννθ must watch out for, ΟΓ

else the game could come to a sudden end:

If after:

5.Nd4xc6 (Ο) Black does not take at once but plays 5 ... Bf8-c5, ννθ are ίη

great danger!

The threat iS Qf6xf2#

80mething must be done to block this threat at once, ΟΓ else the game iS over! Υου can defend against the mate by 6.Qd1-e2 ΟΓ 6.Qd1-f3.

6.f2-f3 would also be possible, but then you ννίll have problems with castling, because the Bc5 controls the a7-g1 diagonal - and you are not allowed to castle into ΟΓ through a check!

Ιη Variation Ε) you ννίll learn more about this position and the possibilίties ίη it, since both these positions are identical, although they are reached by quite different move orders.

This is called a transposition of moves, when identical positions are reached b different move orders.


D 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ν 1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.d2-d4 e5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Qd8-h4 a b c d e f

8 4 ... Qd8-h4 (Ο)

6

5

This looks dangerous - a bolt from the blue! - but if Wθ think and play carefully, Wθ have nothing to fear.

The e4-pawn iS under attack and Wθ must defend ίΙ But wθ must also watch

3 out for the Nd4, which the white queen 2 iS protecting.

Simply exchanging the knight does not work, since after 5.Nd4xc6 Qh4xe4+ 6.Qd1-e2 Qe4xe2+ 7.Ke1xe2 d7xc6 Wθ have lost the e-pawn. That would not be so bad, because ίπ a game between beginners a pawn does not make a lot of differences; but we would like to see if Wθ can avoid losin ίΙ

a b c d e f

3

2

We can protect the e4-pawn by 5.Nb1-c3, but after 5 ... Bf8-b4

Black iS attacking the defending knight.

Of course, Wθ can defend everything by 6.Qd1-d3 but after 6 ... Bb4xc3+ 7.b2xc3 Ng8-f6 the position iS not so easy to play and Wθ would do better not to go ίπ for ίΙ Απ experienced player can play and defend many sorts of position. But someone who iS at the

start of his/her chess career should at first avoid positions which are too complicated and concentrate οπ putting into practice his/her plan (centre, development, castling) and οπ not making too many mistakes.

Later ου wίll be able to and should! take οπ more ...

52

7

6

5

4

a b c d e f


80 it is simpler if ννθ protect with an immediate 5.Qd1-d3.

If Black πονν tries to attack by 5 ... Bf8-b4+ ννθ ννίll ΓUΊπ his dreams with an immediate 6.c2-c3.

Α more dangerous attack is the ΟΠθ with 5 ... Nc6-b4 (Ο)

The knight is attacking the queen and the c2-pawn.

But we can protect everything with 6.Qd3-e2 and defend against a further attack οπ the e4-pawn by 6 ... Ng8-f6 with 7.Nb1-c3 (Ο be/ow) - the Nb4 is πονν blocking the attacking square that could be used b the Bf8!

Black's early attack has achieved nothing.

We are controlling the centre and can choose to drive away the Nb4 by a2-a3. The black queen ννίll be chased away by Nd4-f3 and it is starting to Γυπ short of squares to retreat to!

80 do not worry about early attacks by your opponent. If you keep your ΠθΓνθ and work out what is being threatened and what you can do about it, then things are never as bad as they seem!

Νονν ίπ the next pages ννθ ννίll come to the most complicated variation, during the study of which ννθ willlearn many interesting moves.


Ε 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ν 1-f3 Nb8 .. c6 3.d2 .. d4 e5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Bf8-c5

3

2

3

2

4 ... Bf8-c5 What is the bishop attacking? The knight, of course!

We have 4 possible moves:

5. Nd4xc6

5. Nd4-b3

5.c2-c3

5. Bc1-e3

We shall start with the simplest alternative: the capture!

5.Nd4xc6 Qd8-f6 (Ο)

(If instead of this, Black takes back by 5 ... b7xc6 ννθ once more play Bf1-d3 to protect the pawn and prepare to castle. After 5 ... d7xc6 ννθ again stop Black castling by ... ?)

00 you remember this position? We already had it ίπ Variation C), by transposition οΙ moνes.

Our opponent has a good plan:

His threat is (e.g. if ννθ bring ουΓ knight to safety by Nc6-a5) to play ΟΙ6χΙ2# - a sort of Scholar's mate (we ννίΙΙ take a closer look at this 'ΌΡenίng trick" ίπ the chapter οπ "Traps").

At the same time he avoids getting doubled pawns, since the queen can always recapture the knight by 6 ... Qf6xc6.

We need Ιο do something about the mate at once. Only a queen moνe ννίll do! (We could avoid the mate by f2-f3, but that may mean that ννθ could πο longer castle because the Bc5 is controlling the a7-g1 dia onal (0-0 into check is not allowed!)

54

7

6

5

4

a b c d e


6.Qd1-e2 (Ο)

Another possible defence would be 6. Qd1-f3. Unfortunately ουΓ text move blocks the Bf1, which is a bit of a nuisance. 6.Qd1-f3 could be used by ουΓ opponent to give us doubled pawns by 6 ... Qf6xf3 (though after 7.g2xf3 b7(d7)xc6 he also has to

2 accept doubled pawns).

3

2

Ιπ any case, both moves help you avoid mate.

6 ... Qf6xc6 7.Nb1-c3 (Ο)

and could πονν develop by, e.g., 7 ... Ng8-f6, after which you can offer to exchange bishops by 8.Bc1-e3, ίπ

order to free the Bf1 again by 8 ... Bc5xe3 Qe2xe3.

If Black does not want to exchange and instead plays 8 ... Bc5-b4 you have to play 9.Be3-d2 (or d4)! The small diagrams below show you why! Let us assume that instead you play 9.a2-a3

After 9 ... Bb4xc3+ (Ο) 10.b2xc3 Qc6xc3+ (Ο right) Black wins a whole rook and as a rule the game as well!

7

6

5


Ε2) 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.d2-d4 e5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Bf8-c5 5.Nd4-b3

a b c d e f

2

5.Nd4-b3 (Ο) attacks the Bc5. The bishop can actually only retreat to b6, because οπ any other square it would get ίπ the way of its οννπ pieces (e.g. οπ e7 ΟΓ, even worse, οπ d6).

5 ... Bc5-b6 6.a2-a4 (Ο)

Οπ b6 the bishop has πο escape square and if ννθ can get ίπ a4-a5 it is lost! Remember this idea. If pieces (and that includes your οννπ!) do not have much room around them, they can be lost!

Black has ΟΠθ likely move:

6 ... a7-a6 and by 7.a4-a5 White drives the bishop into the corner (Ο

below left).

After 7 ... Bb6-a7 and 8.Bf1-d3 White can castle next move and has a solid position, which even a better player cannot easily crack open!


Ε3) 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.d2-d4 e5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Bf8-c5 5.c2-c3

5.c2-c3 (Ο)

If the opponent πονν takes the Nd4, we have a wonderful position!

After 5 ... Nc6xd4 6.c3xd4 we have a great centre and the Bc5 also has to move again. Beginners often give a senseless check here.

If Black plays 6 ... Bc5-b4+ here, he does us a big favour, since we develop another piece by 7.Nb1-c3!.

ΒΥ 7 ... Ng8-f6 he develops too and πονν we must be careful, since ουΓ e4-pawn is threatened! The Nc3 may be protecting e4, but it cannot move ΟΓ ουΓ king would be ίπ check! (Ο be/ow /eft)

If a piece may not move because otherwise the king would be ίπ check, we call that a "ρίn" ΟΓ we can say, "the piece is pinned". Even if, instead of the king, it is a more valuable piece than the attacking one (e.g. ίπ ουΓ eχample a rook ΟΓ the queen) that is under threat, we can speak of a ρίπ. But ίπ that case the pinned piece would at least be allowed to move, even if material is lost. Ιπ the chapter οπ "Tactics" we ννίll deal with the ρίπ ίπ some depth.

After 8.Bf1-d3 (Ο) we protect ουΓ threatened e-pawn and clear the way for castling. We have a good position and are still occupying the centre.


Of course, Black does not have to eχchange the knight. Whenever you are considering what your opponent might play, you must not only think of the moves you would like to see! Unfortunately ουΓ opponent often makes moves that are not pleasant for

3 us - ΟΓ which ννθ simply hadn't seen!

2 5 ... Qd8-h4 gives him better chances than ίπ the variation ννθ have just looked at.

If your opponent makes a surprise attack, you should not panic. If you keep your nerve, things ννίll turn out fine. If you make the first move you think of, you ννίll probably lose. Ιπ such positions beginners often play g2-g3? - a silly move. Why attack the queen, which has πο intention of staying οπ h4, but would lίke to grab the e4-pawn? Which is what happens πονν anyway!

ΙΙ is important Ιο consider first of all what is threatened. The queen is attacking the e4-pawn. Moreover, if the Nd4 moves

away, Black would ννίπ straight away by Qh4χf2#. 80 ννθ a) may not move the Nd4, b) should protect the e4-pawn, and c) must think about protecting the Nd4

The last point eliminates most of the protecting moves:

After 6. Qd1-f3 there would come Nc6 (or Bc5)xd4 c3xd4 and B(N)xd4 and ννθ may have protected the e-pawn, but ννθ have lost the (new) dpawn.

After 6.Bf1-d3 the d-pawn is also lost.

And the same happens after 6.Nb1-d2 Only 6.Qd1-d3 is left to meet the requirements. And if Black continues

to attack the e-pawn with 6 ... Ng8-f6, ννθ can then protect the pawn with 7.Nb1-d2, because πονν the lίnk between the queen and the Nd4 is πο longer blocked.

So by careful consideration and by elimination of the unfaνourable moνes, we haνe found the correct moνe!


8

7

6

5

4

3

4.) 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.d2-d4 e5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Bf8-c5 5.Bc1-e3

6

3

2

The last of ουΓ 4 possible moves is 5.Bc1-e3 (Ο).

And it is a good one, because it protects the Nd4 and at the same time develops the Bc1 .

If Black exchanges, you can bring your queen back into the centre: 5 ... Nc6xd4 6. Be3xd4 Bc5xd4 7. Qd1xd4: your position is solid and nothing can happen to you (assuming of course you still keep your eyes wide open) and use your head every time you make a move!

There are of course other possibilities for Black.

ΒΥ 5 ... Qd8-f6 Black can further increase the pressure on the Nd4, but White too can mobilise another defender by 6.c2-c3. After 6 ... Ng8-e7 Black is perhaps preparing to castle, something you could (or should) also do by 7.Bf1-e2. After both sides have castled, the position offers chances to both players. We say that the position is open.

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Black can attack the e4-pawn by 5 ... Qd8-e7. But that does not bother us too much, because 6.Nb1-c3 allows us to keep υρ in the struggle for the e4-pawn!

But after 6 ... Ng8-f6 (Ο next page) Black can further increase the pressure, but now ννΘ can use a new trick, which ννΘ shall take a look at on the next page.

2 ΒΥ an open position / mean that the expected resu/t of the game is open. /t shou/d not be confused with the so-ca//ed Open games ΟΓ Open openings, terms which describe a// those openings which start with 1. e2-e4 e 7-e5.

a b c d e


2

Position after 6 ... Ng8-f6 (Ο)

Our Nd4 can move away and that would mean that the black Bc5 was suddenly under attack from ουΓ white Be3!

If a piece ΟΓ a pawn can move and open υρ an attack from another piece (which it had previously been blocking), this is called a discovered attack.

The discovered attack is a very dangerous weapon. And one that ineχperienced players either do not see ΟΓ find difficult to spot. 80 7.Nd4-f5.

ΑΙΙ Black is left with is 7 ... Qe7-f8 and now ννΘ can eχploit the fact that the queen has to protect two points at once (the Bc5 and g7). This is called being overloaded. 8.Nf5χg7+ Qf8χg7 9.Be3χc5 and ννΘ have recovered the piece ννΘ sacrificed, won a pawn, and damaged Black's king's position!

In ουΓ position ννΘ could play 7.Nd4xc6 and attack both the queen (with the knight) and the Bc5 (with ουΓ bishop). Unfortunately the queen is protecting the Bc5, so after 7 ... d7xc6 ννΘ wouldn't have won anything.

But back to ουΓ other discovered attack: 7.Nd4-f5 (Ο). The queen is attacked and must move while simultaneously protecting the Bc5 and also the g7 pawn. 7 ... Qe7-e5 is immediately out for two reasons: firstly it doesn't protect g7 and ννΘ win a pawn and ruin Black's castling position after 8. Nf5xg7+, as ννΘ have seen.

But even better is 8.f2-f4, because then the queen has no safe escape square and is lost!


Τraps, Τricks & Blunders Probably the best known and most often used opening trap is Scholar's

mate. ΑΙΙ beginners greatly enjoy using this trick against every opponent -but have also been mated with it themselves!

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After 1.e2-e4 e7 -e5 2.Bf1-c4 Nb8-c6 3.Qd1-h5 (Ο) ννθ have reached the starting position. Απ experience player would immediately smeII a rat and avoid mate by

3 ... Qd8-e7, Qd8-f6 ΟΓ g7-g6.

Then the white queen must retreat and White has wasted a move.

This caIIed losing a tempo ΟΓ a wasted tempo.

Of course, you are secretly hoping that Black does not spot the trap and plays, e.g.

3 ... Ng8-f6 ΟΓ 3 ... Bf8-c5, so that you then can triumphantly mate him with 4.Qh5xf7# (Ο)!

But this reaIIy only works against beginners. It might be a nice thing to ννίπ, but it would soon become boring if every game ended Iίke this!

If your opponent is not an absolute beginner, you should not try out Scholar's mate against him; he ννίΙΙ certainly know it and you ννίΙΙ be the ΟΠθ who is immediatel at a disadvanta e!

Traps, Tricks & Blunders 61

But even worse things can happen! If a player moves his pawns carelessly, he can Γυπ into the quickest possible mate ίπ the game: Fool's mate (not a very nice name, but there is a bit of truth ίπ it)

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1.f2-f3? Α bad move which achieves nothing (development!) and even blocks the Ng1 off from its natural developing square f3.

1 ... e7-e5 Black develops normally 6 and is not put off by strange moves. 5 2.92-94?? Another senseless move. 4 And it opens υρ the e1-h4 diagonal at 3 ΟΠθ end of which sits an unprotected

white king! 2

2 ... Qd8-h4# For such wantonly thoughtless - ok, say it, idiotic - moves there is an immediate red card. Mate, game over, total disgrace!

If White had set υρ a pawn ίn the centre, this could never have hap ened!

a b c d e f Stupid moves are not just made by White. After

1.e2-e4 f7-f6 2.d2-d4 97-95 3.Qd1-h5#

Black loses ίπ exactly the same way, ίπ return for the same neglect of opening principles and sensible

3 development!

2 Of course, somethin9 like this can never happen to you, because you always play a pawn into the centre and think before every move - this definitely means you don't Γυn into idiotic mates!


Α defence a ainst those nas tricks which attack f7

We ννίll πονν learn another widely used trick, namely when a bishop and knight attack the f7-square. If you are Black, it can happen to you as ίπ the following position:

After the moves 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Bf1-c4 Ng8-f6 4.Nf3-g5 (Ο) Black seems to be ίπ

great difficulties.

The f7 -pawn is lost: either after Bc4xf7+ losing the right to castle ΟΓ,

even worse, after Ng5xf7 with a 3 simultaneous attack οπ the Qd8 and 2 the Rh8.

This called a double attack ΟΓ also a knight fork.

But do not be afraid of this trick, for there is a "counter-trick"! It is not so easy to spot and so you must pay careful attention and remember it, because you ννίll certainly need it one day!

4 ... d7-d5 (Ο) "What, I'm already losing something and so I'm offering my opponent even more", might be your angry reply.

But it works, just wait!

If White takes with 5. Bc4xd5, you exchange off everything with 5 ... Nf6xd5 6.e4xd5 Qd8xd5 and you have πο more worries.

Naturally we can't expect to get off so Iίghtly every time, so let's look at what happens after the stronger move 5.e4xd5.

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5.e4xd5 Nc6-a5 (Ο)

We attack the Bc4. It can't retreat, because then ννθ get ουΓ pawn back and a good position, e.g.

6.Bc4-b3 Na5xb3 7.a2xb3 and Qd8 (or Nf6) takes d5.

3 Instead of that White attacks with

2 6.Bc4-b5+ and ννθ block the check

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2

by 6 ... c7-c6 (Ο be/ow)

White exchanges pawns by

7.d5xc6 b7xc6 and the bishop retreats 8.Bb5-a4.

Νονν you may be a pawn down, but ίη exchange for that you are better developed than White and ννίll make υρ for that little disadvantage. We say, ''you have compensation for the pawn"; ί.θ. these advantages make υρ for the pawn (= compensate for it).

Here is the final position of ουΓ

variation after the retreat 8.Bb5-a4. It is Black's move and he could, for example, prepare to castle by 8 ... 8f8-c5 and at the same time the bishop gets ίη its sights the centre (d4) and a7-g1 diagonal.

Play this position ίn training games, both with Black and White, to get an idea of how things can develop!


Opening ΟυίΖ Well, do you remember all the tricks and traps? Τhen, let's see!

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Traps, Tricks & Blunders

Opening ΟυίΖ

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Black 10 moνe

a b c d e f

Black 10 moνe

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Black to moνe a b c d e f

a b c d e f


Opening ΟυίΖ

10 a b c d e

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12 Black to moνe

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Solutions to O~ening αυίΖ

1 1.d4xe5 and Black loses a pawn ΟΓ the right to castle:

1 ... d6xe5

[1 ... Nc6χe5 2.Nf3χe5 d6χe5 3.Qd1 χd8+]

2.Qd1xd8+ Ke8xd8 [2 ... Nc6χd8? 3.Nf3χe5]

2 Someone always falls into the good old Scholar's mate:

1.Qh5xf7#

Black's last move Ng8-f6 attacked the queen, but it was too late! If he had first moved the knight to f6 instead of playing Bf8-c5, the white queen would not have been able to advance like that.

3 1.Qd3-e2 is correct, the queen must protect the e4-pawn and also the c2-square, which is threatened by a knight fork.

Other moves lose either the e4-pawn ΟΓ the a1-rook, e.g.

1.Qd3-f3? Nb4-c2+ ΟΓ

1 . Qd3-c4 Qh4χe4+

4 Here ννθ have an eχample of Fool's mate. Black's moves f7 -f6 and g7 -g5 ννθΓθ both senseless and dangerous, so vengeance was swift:

1.Qd1-h5#

5 1.a4-a5 and the bishop has πο square to escape to and is lost! Black should have played a7-a6, then the bishop could have retreated to a7.

6 White's last move a2 attacked the bishop. It does move away - but not ίπ the way White had imagined:

1 ... Bb4xc3+ 2.b2xc3 Qc6xc3+

and because of his double attack οπ the king and the rook, Black wins the rook!


7 1.Nd4xc6 This discoνered attack by the knight takes the Nc6, attacks the queen and clears the way for the Be3 to attack Black's Bc5. Νο wonder Black loses a piece in the face of so many attacks:

1 ... b7xc6 2.Be3xc5 and you have won a bishop.

If 1 ... d7xc6 you first eχchange the queens by 2.Qd1xd8+ Ke8xd8 and then you take the bishop by 3.Be3xc5

8 It wasn't too bright of White to attack the queen with the last move g2-g3. Νοw Black wins a pawn and White even has to be careful that things don't get any worse than that:

1 ... Qh4xe4+ 2.Qd1-e2

[2.Bf1-e2? Qe4χh1 +]

2 ... Qe4xe2+ 3.Nd4xe2

[If 3.Bf1 χθ2? Bc5χd4 4.c3χd4 Nc6χd4 Black even wins a second ~awn!]

9 Have you ever made fun of other children who fell for Scholar's mate? It can even happen to White and that can come a few moves later!

1 ... Qf6xf2#

an his last move, Nd4χc6, White captured the black knight. But he would have done better to play Bc1-e3 protecting his knight, which was under attack and protecting himself against the mate!

10 1.Nd4-f5 Α discovered attack! The black queen is under attack and has to protect the bishop on c5 and now the pawn on g7 too - too much work, even for such a strong piece!

1 ... Qe7-f8 2.Nf5xg7+ Qf8xg7 3.Be3xc5 and you have both won a pawn and weakened your opponent's position!


11 Black's last move a7-a6 attacked the bishop, and ίπ doing so helped White to ννίπ a pawn.

1.Bb5xc6 b7xc6 2.Qa4xa6+ Kc8-d7

[After 2 ... Kc8-b8 a second pawn is lost 3.Qa6χc6]

Α very bad mistake is

1 ... b7-b52.Qa4χa6+

Because White can πονν mate at once:

2 ... Kc8-b8 3.Qa6-b7# ΟΓ 3.Qa6-a8#

12 With the last move, Bf1-d3, White protected the e4-pawn from the attack by the black queen.

But it was a panic move, because πονν the Nd4 is πο longer protected by the queen and is lost:

3 ... Nc6xd4

If you found less than eight answers, your best plan would be to take another look at ουΓ chapter οπ the opening.

If there ννθΓθ only a few solutions you didn't find, all you need to do is look back ΟVθΓ the eχercises and then continue with the neχt chapter.

Don't be annoyed with yourself if you didn't know something. Nobody knows everything and, when you are starting out, you do sometimes forget things. That is not a problem.


Introduction to training ίn tactics Ιπ the next chapter ννθ shall deal with tactics ίπ chess. We use

combinations which are specific moves of individual pieces ΟΓ pawns ΟΓ several pieces ΟΓ pawns acting together ίπ order achieve certain aims: winning a piece ΟΓ a pawn, mating the opponent's king ΟΓ breaking υρ a dangerous group of pieces attacking ουΓ οννπ position. The various branches of tactics can be catalogued and divided into specific models and typical cases (motifs ΟΓ themes). There are a lot of tactical motifs, but don't worry because ννθ only need to know a few of them at the beginning.

For beginners' chess these are:

• the double attack (a piece ΟΓ a pawn attacks two ΟΓ more opposing pieces) .

• the ρίn (a piece cannot move, because if it did move a more valuable piece behind it would be taken ΟΓ the king would be ίπ

check: which is not allowed, since it is against the laws of chess). • the skewer (bishop, rook ΟΓ queen attack two pieces which are

standing ίπ lίΠθ, ΟΠθ behind the other. This is related to the ρίπ and the double attack).

• discovered attacklcheck (moving a pawn ΟΓ a piece frees another piece which πονν attacks something. If the piece which moves away simultaneously attacks something - ΟΓ if the manoeuvre involves a check - there arises a very dangerous situation, which often costs material ΟΓ even leads to the loss of the game.)

These areas of the game, and the motifs and typical traps linked to them, determine what happens when beginners play. Short term attacks (mostly not thought through) and retreats, ΟΠθ move attacks, and of course heaps of missed opportunities are typical of such games.

The most important thing is not falling into the simplest of "tricks". Ιπ chess, at least υρ to the age group U10, the ννίΠΠθΓ of a game is the ΟΠθ who makes the fewer (or least obvious) mistakes. And this is quite logical - what use is skilfully winning pawns three times ΟΓ winning an exchange, if at the end of the game you give away your queen ΟΓ overlook a mating threat?

Tactics

U10 is the designation {αΓ those who are under 10 years o/d. The key date is the 1st of January of the re/evant year. Α chi/d who is not yet 10 years o/d απ that date may continue to p/ay ίπ that grouping. The same is obvious/y true of the other age groupings: U12, U14, U16, υ18 and U20.

71

80 ίπ the chapter which follows ννΘ shall try to teach your child some tactical tricks.

With younger children it ννίll be almost obligatory to set υρ all the positions οπ the chessboard and let him/her play them out there. Older children from about 8 ΟΓ 9 can, οπ the other hand, usually manage with diagrams and after some time work with them independently.

Discuss carefully with your child all those quiz exercises which s/he did ηοΙ solve. Explain the relevant motifs ΟΓ work through the model examples once more, and especially intensively.

Α few days ΟΓ weeks later, dependent οπ how intensive the training was, set the exercises again, ΟΠΘ at a time, and make certain that the knowledge of the different motifs has been acquired.

Especialiy as far as children of about 5 to 6 are concerned, ουΓ material ννίll not necessarily be enough to give them a firm grasp of the tactical motifs. For reasons of space, however, ννΘ cannot devote more room to tactics ίπ this book. But for your child's further development ίπ chess, it is νΘΓΥ important that s/he understands fully and masters the basic motifs ίπ tactics.

Tactics Tactics ίπ chess are the manoeuvres made by pieces and pawns ίπ

order to achieve specific goals.

It can be moves by individual pieces, but also several moves made by several pieces ΟΓ pawns. These are what are called combinations.

The opposite of tactics is strategy, which includes general plans and goals. 80, for example, my general plan (my strategy) might be to attack my opponent οπ the kingside. ΜΥ tactics are then, perhaps, to advance a knight to support my queen ίπ a mating attack.

Tactics can be divided into several areas. We have already learned about some of them: the double attack ΟΓ the discovered attack.

We ννίll πονν take a look at some of the most important tactical motifs, which ννίll help us to see through attacks by ουΓ opponent ίπ good time ΟΓ to mount a successful attack ourselves!


The double attacklthe fork Α double attack is when a piece ΟΓ a pawn attacks two opposing pieces.

Τhe double attack is often called a fork, especially when it is the knight ΟΓ the bishop doing ίΙ

ΑΙΙ the pieces and pawns can mount a double attack.

Here are some typical eχamples of the double attack by different pieces:

a b c d e a b c d e

Knight fork Bishop fork

a b c d e

Double attack with the rook

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Double attack with the θθη

Τhe lίVθlΥ knight, whose move is hard to foresee, is naturally ideally suited to double attacks. Beginners especially have big problems working out ίη advance knight moves and possible knight forks.

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a b c d Forks are not restricted to the pieces; pawns can deliver them as well' And they can make a good job of it, as ουΓ eχample shows, with a little pawn forking two mighty rooks by their "blind spot" - this means that οηθ of the two of them has had it!

Α pawn making its double move from the starting position is often a nasty "surprise fork"!

We shall ηοw have a look at some eχamples of the various double attacks and you can try to remember these attacks. Afterwards you can try the quiz οη the double attack to work out for yourself possible eχamples of double attacks ΟΓ forks.

Tactics

Τ icaI exam Ies of doubIe attacks taken from

Here you can see the double attack, which at the beginning happens more than all the others: the knight fork οπ the c7-square. Black has failed to castle early and not developed properly. 80 1.Nb5xc7+ punishes him by winning the rook and at the same time stopping him castling.

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White too can fall into a knight fork. The c2-square is a favourite target for the knight. If an opposing knight is hanging about οπ b4 ΟΓ d4, you should keep an eye οπ your c2 -square, ΟΓ else the same could happen to you as ίπ this example: 1 ... Nd4xc2 and πονν

the queen is lost because it has πο escape square!

73


The black pawns have advanced and the d5-pawn is πο longer protected. White exploits this at once with the bishop fork 1.Bb3xd5+, which wins a rook!

Since the queen can also move lίke a bishop, it can also deliver a "bishop" fork. The Re8 finds that out immediately after 1 ... Qc7-c6+ when it is lost!

The f2 (f7) square οπ the kingside is often a very weak one. The Ne4, which the Re1 wanted to chase away, supports the very short but effective bishop fork: 1 ... Bc5xf2+ wins the exchan e3

. 2.Kg1-h1 Bf2xe1

Tactics

1.d4-d5 Α pawn fork!

1 ... Qe6-f7 2.d5xc6 b7xc6 3.Bb5xc6+ and ποw there is even a bishop fork 3 ... Bc8-d7 4.Bc6xa8 (2 ... 0-0 would have been better, since it only loses another pawn)

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3 Winning the exchange iS what we say when we swap a bishop ΟΓ a knight for a rook. Since the rook iS worth 5 pawns and the bishop ΟΓ knight on/y approx. 3 pawns (these eva/uations can, however, vary a /ot according to the position οπ the board!), the win of the exchange is an advantage well worth having. /t may be a/most unimportant ίπ beginners' and chi/dren's chess since frequent/y pawns and pieces are given away quick/y and often, and since the p/ayers do not have the technica/ skills needed to rea/ise their advantage.


Black has moved the bishop to d6. This blocks the d7-pawn, the Bc8 and the queen and in addition the bishop is attacked by a pawn fork: 1.e4-e5 wins a

iece.

Nor does the knight need to fork to its right and left. Here the fork only points one way, but successfully: 1 ... Ne4-g3+ and the queen is lost. These forks are nasty, because they are easy to miss!

Bishop forks do not always have to be to the right and left; they can work forward and back. 1.Bf7-e6+ wins the rook.

a b c d e f ....;.....""'""

2

With 1.Nc3-b5 White starts a double attack on the queen and the d6-pawn, which is already attacked by the Bf4 and is lost after Qc7-b6. If Black plays 1 ... Qc7-b8? the bishop can even start another double attack b 2.Bf4xd6!.

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The queen only attacks the knight from b3, not a double attack. But it supports the bishop which can πονν take οπ f7, making the queen move a double attack! 1.Qd1-b3 Nb4-c6 2.Bc4xf7+ And 1. Bxf7+ Ke8xf7 2. Qd1-b3+ also works - this time a proper double attack!

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Tactics

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Especially ίπ the endgame, when there is a lot of room οπ the board, rooks too can deliver double attacks. 1.Rc2-c7 The rook attacks the b 7 -pawn and the knight. 1 ... Ne7-f5 ΟΓ 1 ... Rf8-f7 may save the knight, but the pawn is lost: 2.Rc7xb7

More complicated and harder to see is when there is πο double attack at once, but ΟΠθ is threatened after other moves. For example, ίπ the positions above: (Ο /eft) 1.Qg4xe6 f7xe6 2.Bf4xd6 e6xd5 3.Bd6xb8 and (Ο right) 1.Bc4xe6 f7xe6 2.Ng5xe6 e.g. Qd8-d7 3.Ne6xf8.

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Quiz οη the double attack

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Black Ιο move 4

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Black Ιο move

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Tactics

ΟυίΖ οη the double attack 6

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SoIutions to the quiz οπ the double attack

1 1.Nd5xc7# Υου certainly saw the knight fork, but did you see the mate? This time the double attack was particularly nasty!

2 The knight fork is not quite so effective here, but it does ννίπ the exchange:

1.Ng5xf7+ Rf8xf7 2.Bd5xf7

3 1 ... Qe1xh4+ 2.Kh2-g1 Re8-e1# ΟΓ also

1 ... Nf6-g4+ 2.Kh2-h3 Ng4xh6

If you found both solutions, you get an extra point!

4 Α small but successful bishop fork is: 1 ... Bf4-d2 and both rook and kn19ht are attacked.

5 1.Nd5-f6+ The knight catches both king and queen οπ its fork. And whenever a check is part of a double attack, the king must be saved; so here the queen is lost!

6 1.b4-b5 The little pawn attacks the mighty queen - it may well escape, but the Na6 ννίll not!

7 1.Bg5-e7 Protected by the knight, the bishop dares to go into the lion's mouth and forks the rook and the queen!

8 Of course you could ννίπ a pawn at once with 1.Nf3xe5 and set υρ a double attack οπ the queen and rook. But Black would escape after 1 ... Qd7xd1 Rf1xd1.

Οπ the other hand, if ννθ first play 1.Qd1xd7+ Kc8xd7 then 2.Nf3xe5+, ννθ ννίπ the exchange, because the black king must react to the check (= move) and the rook cannot escape.

If you got less than six points, it is probably a good idea to go ονθΓ the section οπ the double attack again ίπ a few days.

Tactics 81

The ρίn

If a piece is attacked and cannot (may not) move away because a more valuable piece ΟΓ else the king is behind it, then the piece is pinned.

Here ννθ have a typical example:

After 1.Rf1-e1 the knight is pinned, since it cannot move away ΟΓ else the king would be ίπ check.

Black can of course protect the knight by 1 ... d7-d5, but White ννίll

attack it with 2.d2-d3, and, since the knight still cannot move, it ννίll

be taken οπ the next move.

There are always three pieces involved ίπ a ρίπ:

The attacking piece, the piece ΟΓ pawn which is being pinned and the ΟΠθ which is behind it (the hidden piece).

Instead of the hidden piece it can sometimes be a critical square which is protected by the piece being pinned; e.g. a mating square ΟΓ a square that it would be advantageous for the opponent to occupy.

Pins can be delivered by queens, rooks and bishops, ί.θ. the pieces which move along a lίne ΟΓ a diagonal. Knights, pawns and kings cannot ρίπ pieces. Here are two typical examples of pins:

1.Bc1-b2 Kg7-f6 2.f2-f4 Black makes any move, then Rb5xd5


Τ ical exam

2

The Nb8 is pinned and cannot move. White attacks it again by. 1.Be3-f4 and wins it οη the neχt move

Ιη the opening, knights are often pinned οη f6 (f3) and c6 (c3). It is not usually possible to ννίη the knight. Not here either, but after 1.Nd5xf6+ g7xf6 2.Bg5xh6 White has ίη any case ννοη a pawn.

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Black pins the Nh3 (with the rook) by 1 ... Nh5-f4 and at the same time attacks it twice. White can make any moνe he wants, then comes 2 ... Rh6xh3.

The Bc7 is pinned, but that does not matter. But after

1.Bf4xc7 + Qe7xc7 the black queen is pinned. This leaves the rook unprotected: 2.Rd1 xd8+ and ηονν the queen is lost: 2 ... Kb8-a7 3.Q 3xc7

The g7 -pawn is pinned and cannot protect the pieces on f6 and h6. White exploits the situation by 1.Qg6xh6 - a motif which ver fre uentl happens.

Α pin can be very dangerous, sometimes even fatal. Here Wθ have a drastic eχample of how a pin turned into the end of a game:

1 ... Nd4-f3#

Tactics

1.Ne4-d6+ Since the e7-pawn is pinned, White can play this cheeky move [1 ... e7χd6? 2.Bg5χd8] 1 ... Ke8-f8 2.Nd6xf7 and White is winnin .

It does not have to be a piece that is in the firing line behind the piece which is pinned. It can also be, as in this eχample, a mating square. If after 1.Rf1 xf4 Black recaptured with 1 ... e5xf4? then he is mated by 2.Qh6-g7#. The e5-pawn was pinned!

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Black to moνe

ΟυίΖ οπ the ρίπ

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Tactics 85

Quiz οη the ρίη

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2


Solutions Ιο the quiz οη the ρίη

1 1.Ra1-b1 pins the bishop, which cannot get away and is taken οπ the next move.

2 1 ... Be5xg3 and not on/y is the pawn /ost, but there is a/so the threat of Qh4xh2#. /f White defends with 2.Re1-e2 he /oses the exchange after 2 ... Bb5xe2 3.Qe3xe2.

3 The Bg5 is pinned; if it moves away the queen is 10sΙ Black exploits this by 1 ... h7-h6 and wins the bishop οπ the next move.

4 1.d5-d6 and the pinned Be7 is lost. ΒΥ 1 ... Bf5-e6 Black prevents Re1xe7+, which would be even worse, but nothing works against 2.d6xe7.

5 The discovered attack Ng7 -f5+ could be dangerous οπ the next move - but what use is the best /aid p/an, if it is your opponent's move, who exploits the ρίπ οπ the f2-pawn by 1 ... Qd6xg3 to ννίπ the queen?

6 The Bg6, which is apparently protecting the king, is ίπ

reality itself unprotected - unprotected because the f7-pawn is pinned by the white bishop! 80:

1.Rg4xg6+ Kg8-h7 and without the important defensive piece, it is all over: 2.Rg6xh6# [or 2.Qe3xh6#]

7 This is a difficu/t exercise and it does not matter if you did not find the so/ution. Υου must first prepare for the ρίπ:

1.a4xb5 c6xb5 2.Be2xb5+ The a-pawn cannot recapture because it is πονν pinned! Ke8-d8 3.Ra1xa6 and White has ννοπ two pawns and deprived Black of the right to cast/e!

8 1 ... Qg4xf3 And ννθ see it again! The g2-pawn is pinned, the Rf3 was "hanging" as it was unprotected - easy meat!

/f you got /ess than six points it is probably a good idea to go ονθΓ the section οπ the ρίπ again ίπ a few days.

Tactics 87

The skewer

The "skewer" is a mixture of double attack and ρίπ.

Τwο opposing pieces are attacked down the same lίne (diagonal, rank ΟΓ file), and the first piece is ίπ effect covering the second one. Should the first ΟΠθ move away, the ΟΠθ behind it would have πο protection from the attack. Often the piece which is under direct attack is the more valuable -ΟΓ the king - and moves (sometimes has to move) which costs the player the piece behind it!

1.Be1-f2+ 1.Rb2-d2+

The left-hand diagram shows us the starting position for a typical bishop skewer. The king and the rook are lined υρ οπ the g1-a7 diagonal. After 1.Be1-f2+ the king must move off the diagonal and the rook is lost.

The right-hand example shows us a double skewer:

After 1.Rb2-d2+ the Ba1 skewers king and queen and the Rd2 skewers the king and the knight!

Just as ίπ the ρίπ, three pieces are involved ίπ the skewer and also only those pieces which operate along a whole lίΠθ (queen, rook and bishop) can carry out a skewer, but not the knight, pawn ΟΓ king.

Οπ the next page you wίll find some examples of skewers which have been taken from praxis:


8

7

6

5

1 ... Rc1-b1+

2

The rook skewers the king and queen down the b-file. The king often comes far forward ίπ the endgame. Then you must be careful not to get it caught οπ the same lίne as another iece!

If the queen moves forward carelessly, things lίke this can happen: 1.Bc1-g5 catches both the queen and the rook οπ the same lίΠθ!

7

6

5

4

1.Bf1-b5 and the queen is lost. This position occasionally crops υρ ίπ the 8cotch Game, if Black does not castle early but plays a premature d7-d6. 80 always castle as quickly as possible!

Black expected an exchange of queens and hoped for a draw, but 1.Re1-e7 skewers the king and the queen and wins easil !

1.Bc1-e3 White drives the queen away from the Nc5, which is then lost. Qd4xb2 and the queen attacks the rook, but after 2.Ra1-b1 it is once again cau ht ίπ a skewer!

1.Ra8-h8 Apparently White is abandoning the a7-pawn. 1 ... Ra2xa7 [1 ... Kd7-c6 2.a7-a8Q+ Ra2xa8 3.Rh8xa8 and wins] 2.Rh8xh7+ Kd7-c8 3.Rh7xa7 and wins. Giving υρ the pawn led to the skewer!

Tactics

a b c d e f 9 h

3

2

1.Ra7-a8+ The rook attacks the king and the rook along the rank. Normally the king could protect its rook, but the knight is preventing that:

1 ... Kc8-c7 2.Ra8xe8

a b c d e

8

If there ννθΓθ πο Nf6, the Kc8 and Qd7 are beautifully placed for a skewer. 80 let's get rid of the knight.

1.Bb2xf6 g7xf6 2.Be2-g4 f6-f5 3.Bg4xf5 and the queen is lost.

89


Quiz οη the skewer

1 Black to move 2

3

8

7

6

5

Black to move

8

7

4

a b c d e f

Black to move

3

2

Tactics

Quiz οη the skewer 5 Black Ιο move 6

a b c

7 8

a b c d e f 9 h

5

3

2

91


Solutions Ιο the quiz οη the skewer

1 1 ... Bb6-a5 skewers both rook and king (pins the rook at the same time) and the rook is Iost.

2 1.Re5xg5 does not ΟΠΙΥ ννίπ a pawn, but catches the queen and king οπ ΟΠθ ΙίΠθ (another ρίπ) and the queen is Iost.

3 1 ... Bg7-h6+ and both rook and king are ίπ the ΙίΠθ of fire - so gone very soon! Be aware of distant bishops, they are ίπ the game too!

4 Α IittIe preparation and things can happen:

1 ... e5-e4 2.Bd3-c2 Bd5-c4 winning the exchange.

5 Even if the bishop is far from the action, it can come out and skewer the rooks: 1 ... Bc8-a6

Υοu must watch the whoIe board, not ΟΠΙΥ the pieces which are active at any ΟΠθ moment. "Long-range" pieces Iike bishops and rooks can intervene ίπ the action from far back ΟΓ from the other wing.

6 With the support of the knight, the bishop can stick another skewer right οπ to BIack: 1.Bc4-e6 and the queen is Iost.

7 1.Qg8-h7+ The first skewer, but BIack can get out of it by Qd8-e7.

But πονν White uses the ρίπ οπ the Qe7 to set uρ another skewer: 2.Bh6-f8 At the same time the bishop frees the h-fiIe for the rook.

2 ... Qe7xh7 3.Rh1xh7+ and yet another skewer (a third one!), against which there is πο Ionger any defence. The bIack king must move and White can take the Ra7.

That ΟΠθ was reaIIy difficult and brings you 2 extra points and high praise, if you aIso managed to find the soIution after Bf8.

Tactics

8 Υου can set υρ a skewer by driving your opponent οπ to a square of your choice. After

1.Rb6-b7+ Kc7-d8 2.Rb7-b8+ White sacrifices the exchange, ίπ order to finally get to a skewer after 2 ... Nc6xb8 3.Rb1 xb8+: then comes 3 ... Kd8-e7 4.Rb8xh8 and with the extra piece White has an easy ννίπ.

3 extra points if you managed to solve this one. It was a really good combination and says a lot about the talent of anyone who could find it!

93

If you got less than four points it is probably a good idea to go ΟVθΓ the section οπ the skewer again ίπ a few days.


Discovery and the discovered check

Whenever a piece moves and by doing so uncovers an attack from another piece which was behind it, this is called a discovered attack ΟΓ, ίπ shorthand, a discovery.

Practically speaking, the discovered attack contains two threats at the same time. Whilst the piece that is moving attacks, checks ΟΓ threatens something, at the same time it makes possible some sort of strike against the opponent by its "accomplice" which is lurking behind ίΙ Such an attack is usually pretty drastic. It is as though you ννθΓθ allowed to move two pieces at the same! But the defender can only deal with ΟΠθ threat at a time - and if the discovery is linked to a check, he must react to the check, πο matter which piece he may lose!

This can be clearly seen from ουΓ examples:

a b c d e

1.Rf7-f4+

3

2

a b c d e

1.Ne4-c5+

3

2

Ιπ the left-hand example the queen would even be lost if it was Black's move. The rook opens υρ the way for a bishop check and the rook attacks the queen. Even Qd4-d1 + does not work because of the discovered check Rf7-f1 winning the queen - however, it can take the bishop.

Ιπ the right-hand example, Black must go away completely emptyhanded. The knight moves away, freeing the e-file with check and it attacks the queen, which it can take οπ the next move.

Tactics 95

As with pins and skewers, there are three pieces involved ίπ a discovered attack. The job of the piece which moves can be played by any piece ΟΓ pawn.

Here are some more examples from praxis:

Τ ical exam les οΙ the discovered attack, taken from a b c d e f

It there ννθΓθ πο Bd3, the queen could take the Nd5. So: 1.Bd3xg6 h7xg6 2.Qd1 xd5 [If 1 ... Nd5xe3 2.Bg6xh7+ Kg8xh7 3.Bc1 xe3 and again you

2

The same motif, but there is more to be ννοπ: 1.Be4xh7+ wins the queen! It is dangerous having valuable pieces οπ the same file as a rook. Discovered attacks like this often happen!


1.d2-d3 and White wins a piece (back), since the queen and knight are attacked at the same time.

1.Rf7-f8# Discovered check by the Bc4 - and another check from the Rf8, which is protected by the Ba3! There is πο defence against that: ΜΑΤΕ!

This discovery is not easy to spot. Nothing seems to be being threatened, but after 1.Ne4xg5 h6xg5 the double attack 2.Re1-e8+ Kc8-d7 3.Re8xf8 gets back the sacrificed iece.

Black assumes the queen wίll move because it is under attack. But 1.Nd5-e7+ Double check! 1 ... Kg8-h8 2.Ne7xc8 White uses the discovery to wίπ.

1.Nd5-b6+ Kg8-h8 2.Nb6xd7

Winning the queen. The check must be replied to and this aIIows the piece which is moving to get at ννθΙΙ defended pieces, which it could not have attacked before, and to capture them.

Tactics 97

Νονν a quite difficult ΟΠθ:

1.Ne4-d6! Α cheeky move which ruins Black's position and cannot be stopped: 1 ... Qf7-e7 ΟΓ 1 ... Qf7-f6 Black cannot take it: 1 ... c7xd6? 2.Bg2-d5 - the skewer wins the queen -2.Nd6xc8 Ra8xc8 3.Bg2xb7 wins a awn.


Quiz οπ the dlscovered attack and discovered check 1 Black Ιο moνe 2 Black Ιο moνe

a b c d e f

8

7

6

5 5

4 4

3

2 2

3 Black Ιο moνe 4 Black Ιο moνe a b c d e f a b c d e f

8

2

Tactics

Quiz οη the discovered attackand discovered check 5 6 Black to move

7 8

7

6

5

99


SoIutions to the quiz οη the discovered attack and discovered check

1 1 ... Bg2-f3+ 2.Kg1-f1 Bf3xd1 and wins. If you only saw 1 ., .Bg2xh3 you get a consolation half point - you ννθΓθ on the right track!

2 1 ... f3-f2+ attacks the king and opens the diagonal for the bishop, which wins a rook after 2.Ke1 xf2 Be4xh1.

3 1 ... Ne5-f3# 00 you remember ουΓ model exercise "Oiscovered attacks can be fatal?" One discovered attack -and it is all over!

4 After 1 ... Ng2-e3+ Black could win the queen with the next move, but his own queen is under attack and would be lost. Black would then even be worse off. But things can get worse for White:

1 ... Ng2-h4+ 2.Kf1-e1

[2.Kf1-g1 Qe4-g4#]

2 ... Nh4xf3# Of course, this is very difficult to find, and the discovery and win of the queen also solves the exercise. But if you saw the mate, you get 2 extra points and high praise from the author!

5 1.f5-f6+ Oiscovered check and an attack on the Bg7:

1 ... Kh7-g8 2.f6xg7 Υου did see this at once, didn't you?

6 1 ... Nf6xe4 In moving, the knight clears the way for the rook, which is now attacking the queen.

ΒΥ 2.Qf3-e2 White protects the bishop, which would otherwise be lost, but by playing 2 ... Ne4-g3 Black exploits the pin on the f2-pawn and starts a successful double attack on the queen and rook.

In this example, the greatest advantage of the discovered attack was not the win of a pawn, but the fact that the knight could penetrate into White's position, which would otherwise not have been possible.

Tactics 101

7 1.f6-f7 Rg8-f8 2.Ne5-g6# There is πο defence to the double check. Even 1 ... Rg8-g72.f7-f8Q+ Rg7-g8 3.Ne5-g6# would only have delayed the end.

8 1.Be4-h7+ Kg8-h8 Firstly, the king is attracted οπ to a square οπ which it can be threatened by a discovered attack. But retreating the same bishop would only lead to a repetition of moves.

But 2.Bh7-g8+ clears the way for the queen, which after 2 ... Kh8xg8 mates by 3.Qc2-h7#.

Α cunning manoeuvre with a discovered attack - take good note of it, ΟΠθ day you wίll be able to use it to gain a wίπ!

2 extra points for you if you found this solution - and anyone who didn't need not worry, very few people can find this mate!

If you got less than four points it is probably a good idea to go ονθΓ the section οπ the discovered attack again ίπ a few days.

Υου have ποw learned a lot about tactics. Ιπ all your games, try to watch out for tactical motifs and to use them - ΟΓ to defend against them if they are threatened by your opponent. As often as possible note down your games and afterwards look for places where tactics might have been possible - either for you ΟΓ for your opponent!

Υου can learn a lot for the future from the chances you missed. Even the best players ίπ the world look ονθΓ their games after a tournament and search for mistakes and improvements.


Introduction to endgame training 2 After the elementary piece endings, ννΘ shall πονν look at pawn

endgames. We shall first learn the rule of the square, which every chess player makes use of all through his/her life. Then ννΘ shall take a quick look at pawn masses and pawn chains. The idea is that the child should learn to keep his/her pawns together and not let them try to act οπ their οννπ - ΟΠΘ of the most common mistakes ίπ children's tournaments!

As a rule, children are first taught the idea of the opposition (the kings standing opposite each other) and the winning ΟΓ drawing manoeuvres which result from ίΙ 8ut this seems to me too abstract for children. Ιπ the heat of battle ίπ tournaments, they at first move much too quickly to be bothered with such nuances.

80, instead of that, ννΘ shall start with the protection of the passed pawn from one side by the king, and with the winning position of "king οη the 6th (3fd

) rank and ίη front of his passed pawn". 80th manoeuvres are very concrete and very easy to understand; they are not too hard for a child, who can make use of them easily.

If you yourself have the necessary knowledge, you can, once the child has had a bit of practice ίπ the endgame, teach the opposition and the relevant positions.

Ιπ the eχercises οπ pawn endings, try to encourage the child more than you did previously to solve the problems straight from the diagrams.

Ιπ preparation for the first tournament games, help the child more and more to avoid simply grabbing the piece he wants to move; it is best if he first says out loud the move he intends to make and only carries it out when he has decided it is the right move.

Have him write it down as often as possible, so that too becomes a habit.

Ιπ training games, also pay attention to the rate of play. If the child plays too quickly, then try to slow him down. If he thinks for far too long, encourage him to move. Over-Iong reflection does not help a beginner achieve much better results. It is mainly uncertainty ΟΓ indecision that stops beginners moving.

The endgame 2 - Elementary wins - Pawn endings 103

The endgame 2 - Elementary wins - Pawn endings

200 years ago, people still did not pay much attention to their pawns. They WθΓθ sacrificed right from the opening, given to the opponent ίπ order to obtain time and space for an attack - ίπ short, players had a very lοw ορίπίοπ of them. It took time for people to realise that an extra pawn can decide the game. Nowadays, with the development of chess playing skills, a pawn is often enough to wίπ a game between experienced players of similar strength. After all, according to the proverb "every pawn has a field marshal's baton ίπ its knapsack": this means that it can force its way through to the final rank and be transformed into a queen. The way is of course a long ΟΠθ, and Wθ need to support ουΓ pawn if it is going to manage that.

Sometimes it comes down to the situation that out of all the pieces only a single pawn is left οπ the board; it is heading for the queening square ίπ order to secure the victory for its side. Of course the opposing king is trying to prevent that, and then the great job of calculating must start: "ννίΙΙ the opposing king get it ΟΓ not?"

a b c d e f Our king is too far away to be able to 8 support its pawn.

7 Νοw you could work things out ίπ your 6 head: "if the king goes there, the pawn

goes here, and then the king ... ". That 5 can work, but it does also often go 4 wrong. It is not so easy to keep all that 3 ίπ your head, above all if you are

excited - and you can be sure of that: at 2 this point the decision is between victory

and a draw!

Of course, you could also touch the board with your fingers, using ΟΠθ hand for the pawn and the other for the king. But that is actually not allowed and also looks a bit comical - everybody would know that you are a beginner who can't calculate and that you need to use fingers rather


than your brain to work out whether the pawn can make ίΙ But there is a better method:

The queening square

Υου work out how far the pawn must 8 go forward (Ieft hand arrow) and you 7 draw a diagonal lίne from the pawn to

the far end of the board (right hand 6 arrow). Including the square your pawn 5 is standing on, you ηονν have three of 4 the four corner points of a large square.

With them, you can easily work out the 3 fourth οηθ and complete that square ίη 2 your head. Try marking the fourth point 1 and outlining the square οη this

="--:-~=----,-~~,...........=-.=..ι diagram. This is how it looks.

a b c d e And ηονν there is a rule you must 8 remember:

ιι the opposing king can get into 6 the pawn's square, it can take the

pawn.

ιι that king can not get into the 4 square, it can not take ίΙ

3 Here, if the black king was οη the h-2 file, there would be ηο problem. It could

not enter the square and the pawn would make ίΙ

Ιη our case, what decides matters is whose move it is.

ιι it is Black to move, then he gets the pawn.

(1 ... Kg6-f6 2.c5-c6 Kf6-e7 3.c6-c7 Ke7-d7 4.c7-c8Q+ Kd7xc8 and the game is a draw)

ιι it is White to moνe, then Black does not get the pawn.

(1.c5-c6 Kg6-f6 2.c6-c7 Kf6-e7 3.c7-c8Q)


Each pawn move automatically makes the large square smaller and if the opposing king cannot get into it at once, then it ννίll always arrive ΟΠθ move too late.

Υου ννίll find some exercises ίπ the appendix under the title the clever square; you can use them to help you remember this important trick.

8

7

4

If a pawn is still ίπ its starting position, 8 ουΓ square does not work of course,

because it can make a double move οπ its first move.

Το even things out, ννθ imagine the 5 pawn iS ΟΠθ square forward (e.g. οπ 4 a3), and set υρ the square from there. 3 This allows for the double move.

2 Ιπ ουΓ example, Black's king would have to have the move ίπ order to stop

~"-:-,""",",=-......,....="---,~=,..,.........J 1 the a-pawn!


ΟυίΖ: "the clever square"

Νο. White

1 Kb1,a4

2 Ka1,d5

3 Ka1,g2

4 Kh1,d6

5 Kg2,d5

6 Kh1,a2

Black

Kg6

Ka4

Ka8

Kg6

Kg4

Kh3

Name the 3 other corner points ΟΙ 8 the 10110wing squares (not the square 7 the pawn is standing on, as that is too

easy!) 6

and say whether the side with the 5 pawn wins ΟΓ whether it is a draw.

(The side to move is the ΟΠθ whose 3 pieces are give ίπ bold type!)

2 (Solutions at the end of this chapter)

Corner squares ννίn?


United pawns, pawn chains and isolated pawns

Your opponent easily wins isolated pawns. They are unprotected and weak and fall off the board ΟΠθ after the other.

It is different if two ΟΓ more pawns are linked together and form a protective wall (they can be called united pawns).

8

7

6

5

4

8

7

6

5

4

3

8

7

6

5

a b c d e

a b c d e

The opposing king cannot mount a 8 frontal attack aπ the pawns; it must 7 come at them from the side, and then

the pawn which is furthest from it simply 6 moves forward οπ the other side! If the 5 pawns are far enough forward they can 4 even ννίπ without the help of their king!

The pawn chain is another strong formation. The rear pawn protects the

7 ΟΠθ ίπ front of it, all the way along the 6 chain - ίπ order to break the chain, the 5 king must ννίπ the rear pawn!

3

But then the lead pawn runs off and soon makes it to the queening square!

The rear pawn (the base pawn) can even advance without the king being

7 able to take it, because that would bring 6 the king out of the square of the d6-5 pawn.

80 a pawn chain is very strong!

Υου can improve your chances ίn the endgame, ίΙ

• you take care, right from the opening, not to let your pawns get isolated, but to keep them together ίπ pawn chains .

• you try to isolate your opponent's pawns ΟΓ to double them, and to stop him buίlding pawn chains.


• ίπ the middlegame you don't make silly forward moves with individual pawns, but keep your pawns together, so that they protect each other ΟΓ support each other as they advance .

• you advance two ΟΓ more pawns ίπ a united fashion, rather than allowing individual pawns to set off οπ their own.

Helping ουΓ pawn to promote - the king protects it from the side

If ννθ only have ΟΠθ pawn then, of course, ννθ can't build a chain of any sort, and must help it ίπ a different way.

Here the king must do the work!

If the king stands οπ the 7th (2nd) rank 8 to ΟΠθ side (right ΟΓ left) and diagonally 7 ίπ front of your pawn, you can always

queen the pawn and your opponent can 6 do nothing about it!

Look for yourself: d5-d6-d7-d8Q-4 nothing can stop it!

80 try to get your king into this position as quickly as possible; then the opposing king cannot beat you there and cannot get ίπ front of your pawn to block its path!

Colour ίn the squares, from which your king protects the queenin square!

a b c d e f a b c d e f

8 ~. ~. ~

: ... .!. 5~ ο 8 4 ~.~.~. 4

6

We ννίll πονν look at an even better method to support the promotion of a pawn:


The king is ίη front of its pawn οη the 6th (3rd) rank

8

7

8

a b c d e f

The ideal position, which iS alwa s a ννίπ!

a b c d e f

02 after 1 .κd6-c7

a b c d e f

There iS a very simple position from 8 which you always ννίπ and which you 7 can also remember without any

difficulty. 6

If your king reaches the 6th rank 5 and iS just ίη front of your passed 4 pawn, then you always Win.

3 (Except with rook pawns: if the opponent gets there ίπ time it iS only a draw)

It does not matter whose move it iS.

Υου can always protect your pawn 7 from the side and promote ίΙ

6 Ιπ ουΓ example (Ο), it iS particularly 5 easy if it iS White's move:

4 1.Kd6-c7 (02) and the king has the position οπ the side and wins πο matter what Black la s!

If it is Black's move, we could have:

1 ... Ke8-d8 (Ο) 7 7 2.Kd6-c6 Kd8-c8

02 after 3.Kc8-d8

6 After 3 ... Ke7 ΟΓ Ke8 then 4.Kc6-c7 5 and White can protect the pawn from

the side. 4

8

6

3.d5-d6 (02) Kc8-d8

4.d6-d7 (03) Kd8-e7

The king must give way - zugzwang!

5.Kc6-c7 (04)

and πονν you can promote the pawn 5 and ννίπ!


8

7

6

5

03 after 4.d6-d7 a b c d e

04 after 5.Kc6-c7

The rook awn a b c d e

80 if you manage to reach this 8 position, you can aIways ννίπ and your 7 opponent can do nothing about it!

6 Remember:

5 If your king iS ίη front of its pawn (and ίΙ iS ηοΙ a rook pawn) and reaches the 6th (or for BIack the 3rd

)

rank, then you always ννίη, ηο matter whose move ίΙ iS!

Learn that by heart so that you never forget it!

Our winning pIan does not aIways work with rook pawns. Let us take a

7 7 cIoser Iook at this:

6 If White has the move ίπ this position, 5 5 then he easiIy wins of course:

4 4 1.Ka8-b7 protects the pawn from the

3 side.

But if it iS BIack's move, he can pIay 1 ... Kd8-c8 (or c7) and bIock ίπ ουΓ king!

Νονν White's ΟΠΙΥ choice iS between 2. Ka8-a7 and 2.a6-a7.

6 Ιπ each case BIack pIays 2 ... Kc8-c7 (or, if he should have aIready pIayed

5 1 ... Kd8-c7 then of course he repIies 2 ... Kc7-c8).

5

4


a b c d e h If White moves his king, the black

king goes with it and so things go back 7 and forward and ννθ get a "draw by 6 repetition". If both players play the 5 same moves three times ίπ a row, the

game is drawn.4

If White moves the pawn with 2.a6-a7 3 (02) and Black moves his king back to 2 the same square, then White is 1 STALEMATED!

02 after 2.a6-a7 Next comes 2 ... Kc8-c7

and White is stalemated.

White cannot ννίη with a rook pawn, because Black forces him ίηΙο stalemate!

Αη important Ιίρ:

Even with such simple drawn endgames, you should not play too quickly! Before every move, take another look at the position and make each moνe calmly without any panic! Then you ννίll avoid accidentally making a totally wrong move!

4 In realίty the draw by repetition ο, moves is a bit more complίcated in a chess tournament, because you must ca/l ονθΓ the arbiter if your opponent is not ready to accept a draw. And there are some more nuances about c/aiming a draw; but we won't go into those here, since it is not yet important for the chίld.


Νονν let's have some practice with endgames with rook pawns:

Play Black ίπ the diagram position and try to hold the draw (solution ίπ the appendiχ, ρ.199)

White Black a b c d e f 9 h

8L •• C.~ 8 1 ~ 7~" •••• 7

6;/##. __ ~~, 6 2

:~ ...... ~ 5

4 3 :.,.. .... ; 3

2 4 1.~ __ .~ 1

a b c d e f 9 h 5

Let us πονν look at a similar position, which is also drawn, but ίπ a slightly different way:

8

7

6

5

8

7

6

5

02 after 2.κh7-g6

Black to move has the choice 8 between 1 ... Kf7-f6 and 1 ... Kf7-f8.

7 Going to f6 would be a bad mistake, 6 because 2.κh7-g8 frees the king and

the pawn can be promoted. 5

8

80 only 1 ... Kf7-f8 is left

After which ννθ can reach ουΓ drawing method with 2.κh7-h8 ΟΓ

2.Kh7-g6 (02)

7 The white king has got out of prison 6 and the way iS clear for his pawn.

5


03 after 3.h6-h7+

04 after 3 .. .κg8-h8

Black is stalemated ΟΓ White has to give υρ the pawn = a

draw

But this does not help White, since after

2 ... Kf8-g8

Black ηονν goes into the corner and after

3.h6-h7+ (03)

4.Kg6-h6 this time Black is STALEMATED!

80 there are two drawing methods:

• Hem ίη the opposing king and force it to be stalemated (or into a repetition of moves)

• Υου yourself go into the corner and allow yourself to be stalemated.


Solution to: "the clever square"

Νο. White Black Corner squares Wins?

1 Kb1,a4 Kg6 a8 /e4 / e8 Iyes

2 Ka1,d5 Ka4 a5 / a8 /d8 yes

3 Ka1,g2 Ka8 g3* / g8 / b3 / b 7 πο

4 Kh1,d6 Kg6 d8 / f8 / f6 πο

5 Kg2,d5 Kg4 d8 / g8 / g5 yes

6 Kh1,a2 Kh3 a3* / a8 / f8 / f3 yes

* = the pawn is in its starting position; so ca/cu/ate the square from g31

Solution to: "Colour ίn the squares from which your king protects the ueenin s uare!"

a b c d e f a b c d e f

6

5

Υου probably wondered whether your king can protect the promotion from other squares than the ΟΠθ ννθ mentioned. According to the exact position, and whose move it is, sometimes a whole series of other squares can work. But ουΓ side square always does!


Quiz οη: "Pawn endings"

4 χ victorious pawns (White to move, solutions ίπ the appendix)

Ρ1

Ρ3

8

7

6

5

a b c d e

c

h

9

7

6

5

3

2

80, that wasn't so difficult, was it?

Ρ2 a b c d e h

8

a c 9 h

Ρ4 a b c d e h

If ίπ a game you end υρ ίπ such an endgame with a king and a pawn, your opponent might as ννθll resign himself to defeat!

But before the endgame, there is after all the opening. 80 for that reason ννθ shall πονν have a look at a few more "tricks" for the start of the game!


Introduction to opening training 2 Ιπ the first chapter about the opening, ννθ learned the basics about

opening a game of chess. Νονν that you have played a good number of training and practice games, you probably understand them completely.

Ιπ ουΓ second chapter οπ the opening, ννθ shall first of all look at some typical mistakes, so that ννθ can exploit them at some ροίπΙ Then ννθ shall learn about some different opening moves - usually opponents ννίll reply to ουΓ 1.e2-e4 with e7-e5, but certainly not always. 80 ννθ must not be surprised and ννθ must not be put off our game by unknown moves. Finally ννθ shall look at what openings ννθ can use when ννθ have Black.

Learning a complete opening for Black would be a bit too complicated for the moment, so first of all ννθ shall learn how ννθ can reply to the most important moves for White and, even if ννθ don't know too much about things, how ννθ can still reach a more ΟΓ less safe position.

It is important that ίπ training games against your child you make use of the openings which are presented here. Ιπ children's tournaments it is common to see kids come υρ against an unknown move and then play completely silly moves and soon lose material. We can probably avoid such catastrophes by making use of ουΓ opening principles (which are valid for practically every possible opening) - well, if not completely avoid them, ννθ can at least stop them being too serious.

Always refer your child back to the opening principles and keep asking questions about them!

"Is this move a good ΟΠθ for your development? Does this move help you be able to castle quite soon? It doesn't? 80 why are you making the move then? IS there another move with which you can help your οννπ development? "

It is important, especially ίπ unclear situations, to use the opening principles with their ίΠΠθΓ logic, instead of trying to make υρ οπ the spur of the moment moves of probably doubtful value!

Ιπ training games, play οπ from the final positions ίπ the various sections (once again, start play at move 1); do this as often as possible with both colours, so that you become as familiar as possible with the plans, methods and tactical "tricks" ίπ the various positions.

The opening 2 - What ουΓ opponent can do (wrong?) - and how ννθ can eχploit it!

117

The opening 2 - What our opponent can do (wrong?) - and how we can exploit it!

When you play against other children, friends ΟΓ relatives, they ννίll probably not make the opening moves which ννθ practised in "The opening 1 ".

As long as you stick to the opening basics - occupy the centre / develop pieces / castle - not much can go wrong for you.

But you can eχploit the weak moves made by your opponents (who are also probably not masters!) to get a quick advantage ΟΓ even to win. And that is what ννθ shall look at now.

Damiano's Defence: the weak move 2 ... f7-161 a b c d 1.e2-e4 e7-e5

2.Ng1-f3 f7-f6 (Ο)

Α very weak move, refuted almost 500 (!) years ago by the Portuguese chemist Damiano, after whom this opening is named.

This opening was (we hope!) not the 3 chemist's best medicine, because if 2 Black tried it he would soon be quite ίll.

At first glance, ννθ can see four great disadvantages of the move f7-f6:

• the king's knight Ioses its natural deveIoping SqUare f6 and it is not clear how it ννίll be able to get into the game

• an exit line for the queen is shut off straight away

• ηο piece is deveIoped

• and IittIe is done about the centre.

These are disadvantages enough involved with f7 -f6. But there is an even more important reason why f7-f6 should not be played at all:


02 after 4.Qd1-h5+ a b c d

03 after 4 ... Ke8-e7

3.Nf3xe5 (Ο)

6 Yes, that iS right. We sacrifice the knight for the e-pawn ίπ order to smash the opponent's centre and to open υρ the exit diagonal for ουΓ οwπ queen from

3 d1-h5. Ιπ doing so, White attacks the h5-2 e8 diagonal, which is the vulnerable

part of Black's king position.

6

5

3

2

Νοw Black has two possibilities:

• Oecline the sacrifice

• Accept the sacrifice with 3 ... f6xe5

The only sensible way for Black to decline the sacrifice is 3 ... Qd8-e7, since all other moves lose quickly. For example, if Black tries to offer an exchange with

3 ... Nb8-c6, you can attack at once with 4.Qd1-h5+! (Ο).

4 ... g7-g6 5.Ne5xg6 and because the h7-pawn ίπ pinned (if it takes, the Rh8 is lost), Black loses the exchange if he takes the knight. But if he doesn't take it, the discovered check Ng6xh8 wins a rook and totally ruins Black's king position.

Yet an even worse move than g7-g6 would be to move the king away by:

4 ... Ke8-e7 (03). After 5.Ne5-g6+ you can once again wίπ the exchange.

But even stronger is 5.Qh5-f7+

7

6

5

6

5

4

3

The opening 2 - What ουΓ opponent can do (wrong?) - and how ννθ can exploit it!

119

02 after 7 ... Kc5-b4

3

2

Only move 5 and the black king has already been driven outside its position and must head for the centre of the board - that just has to be bad!

And ίπ fact, mate soon follows:

5 ... Ke7-d6 6.Ne5-c4+ (Ο) Kd6-c5

7.Qf7-d5+ Kc5-b4 (02)

Νονν the king is even ίπ white territory! But nobody fires a salute for him, instead they have a go at him:

8.a2-a3+ Kb4-a4 9.Nb1-c3#

This gives you an idea of why it is so dangerous when your opponent is able to use the h5-e8 diagonal to attack you!


Τhe correct wa to decline the kni ht sacrifice

Νονν let's see the correct way to decline the sacrifice:

3 ... Qd8-e7 (02)

The queen is skewering the knight and the pawn and at the same time protecting f7 which is ίπ danger.

Νονν you may not, as ίπ the previous 3 lίΠΘ, attack with

2 4. Qd1-h5+ ΟΓ else:

4 ... g7-g6 5.Ne5xg6 Qe7xe4+ 6.8'1-e2 Qe4xg6

Ο2 after 4.Qd8-e7 and you have lost a piece.

Take a good look at this variation! It also shows that you cannot simply follow your οννπ plan, but must always watch what your opponent is doing!

a b c d e Υου must retreat the knight to f3 allowing Black to take the e4-pawn, but after

4.Ne5-f3 Qe7xe4+ 5.Bf1-e2

e.g. 5 ... Nb8-c6 6.Nb1-c3

Black is worse off. He must move his queen again, his development is not

3 particularly good, whilst White is safe 2 and ννΘ11 developed after ο-ο and Rf1-e1

ΟΓ even d2-d4.


121

02 after 4.Qd1-h5+ a b c d

03 after 5.Qh5xe5+

6

5

4

3

2

But most of your opponents ννίll probably take the knight, which ννίll cost them some problems:

1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 f7-f6 3.Nf3xe5 f6xe5 4.Qd1-h5+ (02)

and πονν Black must again choose between

4 ... g7-g6 and 4 ... Ke8-e7.

Let's first look at 4 ... g7-g6.

After 5.Qh5xe5+ the queen has a double attack οπ the king and the rook (03), which means that the rook is lost.

Black's best defence is

5 ... Qd8-e7 6.Qe5xh8 Qe7xe4+ 9.8f1-e2 Qe4xg2 10.Rh1-f1 and Black may have lost the exchange and not have a very good position, but the game is not ΟVθΓ and a lot can still happen; so Black can fight οπ and hope.

Other black moves than Qd8-e7 just make things worse. But always keep an eye οπ the safety of your οννn king. Oon't just rush forward with all your pieces, but get your οννπ king off the efile and safely castled!

If Black advances with his king, he is threatened with disaster:

4 ... Ke8-e7 (Ο)

5.Qh5xe5+ Ke7-f7

6.8f1-c4+


a b c d e f

02 after 8.d2-d3+

03 after 9 ... Bf8-e7

04 after 6 ... d7-d5

8

3

2

8

6

5

4

3

ΒΥ the pawn sacrifice 6 ... d7-d5 Black can ηονν open the bishop's diagonal and deprive White of important squares for the attack, above all f5. But hardly any of your opponents ννίll play that (but we ννίll

take a look at it later), and the main continuation is 6 ... Kf7-g6 7.Qe5-f5+ Kg6-h6 8.d2-d3+ (02)

Νονν the second bishop is involved and Black's only way to escape mate is 8 ... g7-g5.

But 9.h2-h4 threatens both Bc1 xg5+ winning the queen and h4xg5 bringing the Rh1 into the mating attack.

Only 9 ... Qd8-e7 stops the mate, but loses the queen to 10.Bc1xg5+ (double attack). Other moves such as, e.g. 9 ... Bf8-e7 (03) lose οη the spot: 10.h4xg5+ (double check from the Rh1 and the g5-pawn) 1 Ο ... Kh6-g7 11.Qf5-f7#

The continuation with 6 ... d7-d5

Previously, we left out the continuation with 6 ... d7-d5 (04) so ηονν let's have a look at how the game would continue.

Black gives υρ a pawn, to develop his Bf8 and to gain control of the f5-square, so that White cannot play Qf5+.

7.Bc4xd5+ Kf7-g6

a b c

The opening 2 - What ουΓ opponent can do (wrong?) - and how ννθ can eχploit it!

8.h2-h4 (Ο)

123

White is threatening 9.h4-h5+ Kg6-h6 10.d2-d3+ g7-g5 11.h5xg5(6) e.p.

(00 you remember how to take en passant? If not, look back at ρ.11 !)

11 ... Kh6xg6 12.Qe5-h5+ Kg6-g7

(11 ... Kg6-f6 Qh5-g5#) 13.Qh5-f7#

The only ways for Black to avoid this are

04 after 7.h2-h4

8 ... h7-h5 ΟΓ 8 ... h7-h6, so that he can creep away into the corner.

Black is very badly off, but in spite of White's advantage it is not that easy to win the game against an eχperienced opponent.

But eχperienced opponents don't play Oamiano's Oefence, so let us suppose that your opponents don't find the best possible defensive moves and that you have a good chance of winning the game.

Υου can try for yourself, from the starting position, to win the game for White. Even if you don't manage straight away, then you ννίll learn an awful lot by t in to do so.


Black la s the "Petroff" 2 ... Ν 8-f6 a b c d e

a b c d e

02 after Β) 4.Qd1-e2

1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6

This counterattack οπ the e4-pawn is called the Petroff (or Russian) Defence.

The opening is already ονθΓ 150 years old, but unlike Oamiano's Oefence is still considered a very playable one.

Υου can ποw either take the e5-pawn ΟΓ protect the e4-pawn.

Moreover, if you do allow Black to take your pawn, you soon get it back: but since that leads to unnecessary complications, Wθ shall concentrate οπ the above two possibilities.

3.Nf3xe5 and ποw either:

Α) 3 .. Qd8-e7 4.d2-d4 d7-d6 5.Ne5-f3 Qe7xe4+ 6.Bf1-e2

and White's position is perhaps a Iίttle easier to play,

ΟΓ

Β) 3 ... Nf6xe4 4.Qd1-e2 (02) Ne4-c5? 5.Ne5-c6+ and Black has fallen into an opening trap: after the discovered check he loses his queen!

After 4 ... Qd8-e7 5.Qe2xe4 d7-d6 6.d2-d4 d6xe5 7.d4xe5 Nb8-c6 Black could have avoided this misfortune and he would have recovered his pawn ίπ the lοn run.


125

Ο2 after 3.Bf1-d3

Ο3 after 4.d2-d4 -

Transposition to the Scotch Game

If you do not want to get into complications but prefer to build υρ your position peacefully, you can protect the e4-pawn ίπ a different way.

3.Nb1-c3 is a sensible developing move.

But you can also play 3.d2-d3 and then continue with Bf1-e2 and ο-ο which gives you a solid position.

3.Bf1-d3 (02) also protects the e4-pawn and even develops the bishop, but you should never make this move, since it blocks your οννπ d-pawn and ίπ doing so shuts ίπ the Bc1 and the queen. Such moves are typical beginners' moves and quickly bring you problems.

If Black replies 3 ... Nb8-c6, then ννθ have reached another opening, the Four Knights Game, but after 4.d2-d4 (03) ννθ continue ίπ the manner as the "Scotch Game" and you can πονν demonstrate your knowledge of that opening, although the position is slightly different because of the extra knight move. This difference means that you must take a little care.

Even if something other than 3 ... Nb8-c6 happens, ίπ most cases you can head into the Scotch (naturally not after 3 ... Bf8-b4, because then you would lose your pawn!). If that doesn't work, then continue to develop according to ουΓ plan and then castle!


Black la s the "Sicilian" 1.e2-e4 c7-c5

8

7

6

a b c d e f

Ο2 after 4.Nf3xd4

8

The Sicilian Defence

1.e2-e4 c7-c5

is often used by strong players, but is rarely played ίπ beginners' chess. Υου can continue quite normally with

2.Ng1-f3 (Ο) 81ack ποw has all sorts of moves. 8ut the most obvious is 2.Nb8-c6, because 8lack's plan is to exchange his c5-pawn for your d4-pawn, if you advance ίπ the centre just lίke ίπ the Scotch.

Υου can agree to this and continue with 3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 (02). If 81ack attacks your e-pawn with 4 ... Ng8-f6, you must of course protect ίΙ 8ut here you must absolutely not play 8f1-d3?, because then your Nd4 is πο longer protected!

So better is 5.Nb1-c3 ΟΓ first 5.Nd4xc6 b7xc6 and then 6.Bf1-d3

8ut if you do not fancy the advance d2-d4, you can of course also play 3.Nb1-c3 then, e.g. d2-d3, 8f1-e2 and 0-Ο setting υρ a solid position first of all.

After each move by your opponent, think about what he might be threatening and do not make unnecessary attacks with single pieces; like that, you wίll come to terms with this ΟΡθπίπ too!


127

Black plays the "Centre Counter" (also known as the Scandinaνian) 1.e2-e4 d7 -d5

7

6

5

a b c d e f

02 after 4.Nb1-c3 -

3

2

the black queen has to move

After 1.e2-e4 d7-d5 (Ο) Black gets to work in the centre straight away. But ννθ don't need to be afraid of that!

Advancing ΟΓ protecting the e4-pawn would be possible, but not necessary. We simply take it:

2.e4xd5 and Black usually recaptures at once with 2 ... Qd8xd5.

He could delay recapturing by 2 ... Ng8-f6, but then ννθ simply continue developing with 3.Ng1-f3 etc.

Even if the queen captures, ννθ

continue to develop quietly:

3.Ng1-f3 and Black can now try all sorts of moves, e.g. 3 ... Ng8-f6

The move 3 ... Qd5-e4+ would be weak, since by 4.Bf1-e2 ννθ develop a piece and later drive away the queen with a gain of time for us by Nc3. Υου should never give checks lίke that. They just give your opponent free moves and achieve absolutely nothing!

After 4.Nb1-c3 (02) ννθ chase away the queen, which can go back with 4 ... Qd5-d8 ΟΓ off to one side after 4 ... Qd5-a5. We can ΓθρlΥ to both move with 5.d2-d4 ΟΓ 5.d2-d3. If 5 ... Bc8-g4 pinning the Nf3, ννθ protect it with 6.8f1-e2 and castle on the next move, leaving us once more with a solid position.

128

··Unusual moνes··

a b c d e


3

2

8

7

6

5

4

3

Sometimes ΟUΓ opponent makes a move ννΘ do not understand and ννΘ

have πο idea what he is aiming at.

Here ννΘ shall look at a few cases, which have actually happened ίπ praxis.

Ιπ the first example Black moves straight into White's half of the board:

1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Bf8-b4?

Α bad, senseless move, which immediately caused Black great problems:

3.c2-c3 Bb4-c5 (Bb4-a5 would have been better, since then the bishop would not be attacked at once)

4.d2-d4 e5xd4 5.c3xd4 Bc5-d6 6.Bf1-c4 Ng8-e7 7.Nf3-g5 ο-ο 8.Qd1-h5 (threatening Qh5xh7#) h7-h6 (02) 9.Ng5xf7 Qd8-e8 10.Nf7xd6+

02 after 8 ... h7-h6

and the queen is lost to the discovered check.

a b c d e After 1.e2-e4 your opponent doesn't moνe a pawn but plays 1 ... Ng8-f6

Of course ννΘ could πονν advance with 2.e4-e5 and chase away the knight: 2 ... Nf6-d5 3.Bf1-c4 Nd5-b6 4.Bc4-b3 etc., but ννΘ achieve nothing with that, so let's not try ίΙ

Simply protect the threatened e4-pawn with 2.Nb1-c3, develop your pieces if you can, and castle. Then nothing can happen to you!

The opening 2 - What ουΓ opponent can do (wrong?) - and how ννΘ can exploit it!

129

a b c d e f

02 after 5.d2-d4 a b c d e f

03 after 7 ... Rh8-f8

3

2

3

Bringing ουΙ the bishop early

1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Bf8-c5

Black offers you the e5-pawn; you can certainly take it, but after 3.Nf3xe5 Qd8-h4 (threatening mate on f2, a 8cholar's Mate for Black!) you would have to be a little careful.

Instead, you can play 3.c2-c3 to prepare for the advance d2-d4, which seizes the centre and chases away the bishop.

Black could now move one of his knights. We shall look at both possibilities:

Α) 3 ... Ng8-f6 attacks the e4-pawn. But the e5-pawn is also attacked and the queen can longer break out with Qd8-h4. 80 ννΘ boldly capture with 4.Nf3xe5 and, should the opponent carelessly play 4 ... Nf6xe4? (threatening to take on f2!) ννΘ occupy the centre with

5.d2-d4 (02) and after 5 ... Bc5-e7 (or another bishop move) ννΘ attack with 6.Qd1-g4 and have both the knight and the g7-pawn in ουΓ sights! That is dangerous for Black and after

6 ... Ne4-f6 7.Qg4xg7 Rh8-f8 (7 ... Rh8-g8?? 8.Qg7xf7#)

White is clearly better. However you must ηονν pay close attention!

800ner ΟΓ later Black ννίll manage to develop and then start a counterattack. 80 you should not castle kingside, but queenside, ΟΓ else


a b c d e f Black can make use of the semi-open g-file for an attack οπ White's castled position!

Of course, Black could have moved the other knight, but that gives you good play as well:

Β) 3 ... Nb8-c6 4.d2-d4 (Ο) e5xd4

5.c3xd4 Bc5-b4+ 6.Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6 2 7.Bf1-d3 ο-ο 8.0-0

and you are well placed. One plan -according to what Black plays - could ποw be to ρίπ the Nf6 by Bc1-g5

f------------------' (threatening e4-e5). Ιπ ουΓ examples, and also earlier ίπ the book when Black has done

something different, you have seen that you do not need to be afraid of unexpected moves from your opponent.

At the start you normally play against opponents who have also not been playing chess for long, and with ουΓ training you should do well. If you use what wθ have worked through together and keep your Πθrvθ, you wίll wίπ a lot of games!

Especially ίπ positions with which you are not familiar, you should take the time to think and not move quickly. Ιπ such positions, there is quite a large danger of you overlooking something! Remember the following points:

After each move of your opponent, work ουΙ what ίΙ achieves.

Where can he go οπ his next (or next but one) move, what is he attacking, has his move opened the way for another piece?

Try Ιο see what your opponent is planning!

If you have your οwπ plan, then check carefully whether your plan is quicker than your opponent's (don't forget any checks he can give along the way!) and if ίπ doubt, defend yourself before you attack your opponent!

The opening 2 - What ουΓ opponent can do (wrong?) - and how Wθ can exploit it!

131

What should Ι la as Black ?

7

6

5

4

a b c d e f

6

5

This is a good question; there is unfortunately πο easy answer to ίΙ

But the opening basics, which you learned to play as White, are the same for Black. Just like you, most of your opponents wίll start with

1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6

3 But not many wίll play the Scotch, but 2 rather

3.Bf1-c4 (Giuoco Piano / Italian) ΟΓ

3.Bf1-b5 (Ruy Lopez / Spanish)

We shalllook at both of them.

Α ainst the "Giuoco Piano" ΟΓ "Italian Ο enin .,?

7

6

5

4

a b c d e f The starting position for the Giuoco Piano after 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Bf1-c4.

If you ποw play 3 ... Ng8-f6, your opponents wίll be delighted and play 4.Nf3-g5 aiming for a knight fork οπ the f7-square!

But have πο fear! Ι n the section "The Opening 1" under traps and tricks, you learned "Α defence against the nasty trick which attacks f7". The reason for that section was to prepare you well ίπ

advance for this situation.

Have another close look at that chapter and try out the defence ίπ

training games.

But Wθ shall ποw have a look at how ου can totall avoid this attack ...


5

4

a b c d e

a b c d e f

Ο2 after 4 ... d7-d6 a b c d

Ο3 after 5 ... Nc6-b8

3

2

8

6

5

4

An important manoeuvre, take ood note of it!

We could play a similar move to White 3 ... Bf8-c5, the normal reply. But that would mean playing an opening ννθ don't know, but one ουΓ opponent does.

80 it is safer if you play

3 ... Bf8-e7 (Ο)

Going into the Hungarian Defence. This gets its name from a correspondence game between Paris and Pest (now one half of Budapest!) played between 1842-45 (the maίl was obviously much slower then!).

Νονν White cannot immediately play Nf3-g5 and you can develop safely in the next few moves with Ng8-f6, ο-ο and d7-d6 - that seems familiar to you, doesn't it?

If White immediately attacks the centre with 4.d2-d4, you defend your e5-pawn with 4 ... d7-d6 (02) and now your opponent can either exchange ΟΓ

continue developing; in neither case do you have anything to fear.

Here the normal continuation would be 5.Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6 etc.

If White plays 5.d4-d5, it is not dangerous. The move is simply a bad one. It blocks the Bc4 and your knight can retreat (yes, go backwards!) with 5 ... Nc6-b8 (Ο) and come back into the game with Nb8-d7-b6. Nc6-a5(b4) would however risk losing the knight!

Α

7

6


133

a b c d e f

8

a b c d e f

8

02 after 5 ... Qd8-d4

After 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Bf1-b5 (Ο)

We have reached the starting point for the Ruy LΟΡθΖ. In principle, White is attacking the e5-pawn and could win it after an exchange on c6, though Black does win the pawn back:

3 ... Ng8-f6 4.Bb5xc6 d7xc6

5.Nf3xe5 Qd8-d4 (02)

6.Ne5-f3 Qd4xe4+ 7.Qd1-e2

Qe4xe2+ 8.Ke1 xe2 Bc8-g4

and the position is roughly level.

If 7.Ke1-f1 Bc8-g48.d2-d3

(8.Nb1-c3 is also possible, then you play 8 ... Bg4xf3)

and after ο-ο-ο! Black pins the pawn -an unusual, but an effective manoeuvre!

If White captures, he ννίll be at a disadvantage:

9.d3xe4 Rd8xd1+ 10.Nf3-e1 (1D.Kf1-e2? Rd1xh1) 10 ... Rd1xc1 and Black is clearly better.

But usually White does ηοΙ take the Nc6, but continues with, e.g.

4.Nb1-c3 d7-d6 5.h2-h3

The threatened pin on the Nf3 after the move Bc8-g4 is annoying, so White prevents ίΙ

5 ... Bf8-e7 6.0-0 ο-ο

and once again you have a solίd position!


Α ainst 1.d2-d4 ΟΓ the Queen's Gambit?

Sometimes ΥουΓ opponent may open 8 the game by 1.d2-d4.

6

5

4

3

2

Ο2 after 5.Qa4xc4

Black offers an exchange of queens. If ΥουΓ opponent

retreats, Black develops with e6, then e.g. Be7 and ο-ο and is

safe.

Υου then play 1 ... d7-d5 and occupy the centre. The centre is always important and must not be given away to ΥουΓ ΟΡΡΟΠθΠΙ This is just as true for 1 .d2-d4 as Υου learned it was for 1 .e2-e4.

ΒΥ 2.c2-c4 White offers Υου the Queen's Gambit. It is actually not a real gambit, because White quίckly recovers the pawn, since Black cannot defend ίΙ

Black can play 2 ... d5xc4, ΟΓ declίne the gambit with 2 ... c7-c6 ΟΓ 2 ... e7-e6.

If Υου are playing against a beginner, Υου can simply take the pawn. He ννίll probably try to ννίπ the pawn back at once and ίπ doing so lose sight of his development, e.g.

2 ... d5xc4 3.Qd1-a4+ Nb8-c6

4.Ng1-f3

[4.Qa4xc4 Qd8xd4!]

4 ... Ng8-f6 5.Qa4xc4 (02)

[5.Nf3-e5 Bc8-d7]

(Careful! 5 ... Qd8xd4? doesn't work here because of 6.Ne5xc6 b7xc6? 7. Qa4xc6+ winning the rook!)

5 ... Qd8-d5 and Υου have come out of an unexpected opening with a good position!


Against other moνes?

135

As ννθll as the openings ννθ have looked at, White can naturally play all sorts of moves.

There are very specialized openings beginning with moves like 1.f2-f4, 1.g2-g4 ΟΓ 1.b2-b4 (the last ΟΠθ is actually called the Orang-Utan). Good players sometimes use such openings to startle their opponents and take them out of opening theory, where it can happen that many moves ίπ many possible variations are already known.

But, ίπ the early days, you ννίll very rarely play against good players. Most of your opponents are also children ΟΓ beginners. They often come υρ with "comical moves" that have just come into their head. So you ννίll

even see things like 1.h2-h4 ΟΓ 1.a2-a4 etc.

If your opponent does not occupy the centre, then you do so! If you get the chance, after moving your e-pawn (ίπ the ΟΡθΠ games) also move the d-pawn. If you control the centre, you are controlling a large part of the board - and your opponent ννίll soon suffer from that!

It does not matter whether you have White ΟΓ Black, first develop your pieces! Ιπ doing so you can make it possible to castle qUΊckly, so that you can put your king ίπ a safe place.

There are of course lots of exceptional situations, since you have to react to your opponent's moves and attacks. But never lose sight of defence ΟΓ development!

Don't go ίπ for senseless attacks! Many children advance a knight for the pleasure of advancing, but it is not effective and when it is attacked they retreat it at once. Even worse, they sometimes forget the knight and enthusiastically advance another piece - then, boom! and the knight is gone. This has cost two moves, with which they could have done something useful- castle, perhaps!

After ουΓ training programme, you are better able than most other young chess players to become a good chess player, and with a little practice you ννίll soon be οπ your way to becoming a good player, ΟΠθ who always thinks about what s/he is doing when s/he makes a move!


The world οΙ chess Just like ίπ every other sport, there is a worldwide organisation for

chess. Every country has its οννπ chess federation with its members playing ίπ the various clubs. Usually there are annual championships for men, women, boys and girls (ages such as U101U12/U14/U16/U18), team championshiρs at various levels uρ to the national team championship. Ιπ addition 'ΌΡθΠ tournaments" are organised with players from the national federation and elsewhere taking part.

There are also sometimes chess leagues ίπ large cities ίπ which teams from various companies ΟΓ groups take part.

Tens of thousands of pupils from primary (elementary) schools upwards play ίπ school chess clubs and ίπ school championships and team championships right uρ to nationallevel.

Chess is a more active form of sport than many others, but ννθ do not hear so much about it because it is not so attractive to the media.

The chess federations ίπ the various states are all organised within FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs). Almost every country ίπ the world is a member of FIDE, which organises the world championships and the "chess Olympiads", the worldwide team championship of the member states which takes place every two years. It is for teams of 4 (men) ΟΓ 3 (women). With approximately 1000 players, plus reserves, trainers, arbiters and organisers it is a mammoth undertaking!

As ννθll as 'Όver-the-bοard chess" there is also correspondence chess. The moves are exchanged by postcards (nowadays much more frequently by fax ΟΓ e-mail). And the latest development which has followed the success of the internet is οπlίΠθ chess! Usually for a fee (but οπ some sites for nothing) you can play chess οπ the net against opponents from all ΟVθΓ the world. The results are evaluated and listed. Οπ the internet it is almost always rapid games which are played - including 1 minute blitz games! Of course this is not a place for beginners. There are also thousands of homepages devoted to chess and its organisation. Unfortunately most of them are too specialised for the beginner. But all of this demonstrates the worldwide importance and popularity of chess!

Preparation for your first tournament 137

Preparation for your first tournament When you have been playing and looking into chess for some time,

sooner ΟΓ later the day arrives when you would lίke to meet "real opponents" and see how you measure υρ in a tournament with other players.

Of course, chiIdren can continue pIaying chess as a hobby at home ΟΓ with friends. The fo//owing sections shou/d ίπ πο way make parents fee/ oblίged to take their chίldren to p/ay ίπ tournaments!

8ut since many parents Iίke to see their chiIdren invoIved ίπ sport and wish to support them, the information which fo//ows is intended to make things easier for such parents.

tt is advisabIe not to start tournament pIay too ear/y, especia//y with νθιΥ young chίldren! 80th for the sake of the chiId and that of other tournament participants and organisers, chίldren shouId not be a//owed to pIay ίπ a tournament untiI they have the necessaιy maturity. This incfudes amongst other things the abilίty to remain seated quietIy at the board for quite a Iength of time, to be abIe to note down a game and to have certain minimum pIaying strength, which can be judged by whether ΟΓ not they have a basic knowIedge of how to open a game. Our training programme more ΟΓ Iess covers these minimum standards.

That first tournament is a decisive moment in a child's chess career. It can bring it to an end because of disappointment and frustration, ΟΓ it can bring about fresh motivation and powerfully increase the interest in chess!

Υου never know in advance what wίll happen but you can - and mustprepare yourself and your child as well as you can by correct training and gathering as much information as possible.

In the following sections wθ shall discuss what you can do to prepare for that first tournament.

The chess clock

Unlike games played at home, games in the chess club are usually, and in tournaments always, played with a chess clock and a specified thinking time.


Above Wθ have an example: the "ROCHADE", a robust little tournament clock ίη a wooden casing

Α chess clock actually consists of two clocks, which are started and stopped ίη their turn by pressing οη a button.

At the start of the game, Black presses his button and White's time begins. When White has made a move, he presses the clock; his side stops and his opponent's starts. The lίttle star-shaped bit between 9 and 1 Ο o'clock is a device which moves whenever that particular clock is working. The extra little hand just before 12 o'clock is known as the flag. Ιη the final minutes of the game, it is raised by the minute hand and as soon as the full hour is over, it falls. This how Wθ judge whether the thinking time has been respected ΟΓ whether the player has gone ονθΓ the time allowed.

Thinking time

Each player is allowed a specific time ίη which he must make a set number of moves. Ιη blitz and rapid games the thinking time allowed must suffice for the whole game.

ΒΥ blίtz games we mean those games in which the p/ayers on/y have a few minutes thinking time 'σΓ the who/e game. Genera//y speaking, 5 minute b/itz is the norm - each p/ayer has 5 minutes thinking time to make a/l the moves, υρ ti/l mate σΓ resignation. This means a move must be made approx. θνθΙΥ 5 seconds on average.

Preparation for your first tournament

In blitz, weaker players often receive a time advantage. Either the stronger player has less than 5 minutes (e.g. 2 minutes against 5 minutes) ΟΓ - especia//y where chίldren are concerned - the weaker player gets more time (e.g. 10 minutes against 5 minutes).

Young people particularly Iike a form of handicap blitz. 80th start with 5 minutes. In the second game, the winner of the fίrst has a minute less (4 against 5). /t often comes down to fίnals with 1 minute against 1 minute ΟΓ 1 against 2. 8ut Ι would absolutely not recommend these veιy short and hectic games for child beginners.

Rapid games are those with thinking times of approx. 15 - 60 minutes per player per game. 15, 20 ΟΓ 30 are the most usual thinking times.

Rapid chess tournaments are played ΟVθΓ one day ΟΓ a weekend, which means a lot less work than open tournaments and championships, which can last for 4 to 9 days. Rapid games are veιy instructive and useful for beginners. In a short space of time, they get to know a lot of different openings, playing styles and critical situations. Since there are usua//y 7 -9 rounds in a rapid tournament, it is not too great a tragedy ί' one ΟΓ two games are lost quickly.

It is not obligatoιy to note down rapid games, but it is a good idea to note down at least the start of the game, so that you can later play ΟVθΓ the game and work out any mistakes in the opening.

An i//egal move counts as an immediate loss in blitz chess, whereas in tournament games an ίIIegal move is taken back, even ί' not noticed at the time. In rapid games, genera//y speaking the i//egal move is taken back, but no account is taken of earlier and then unnoticed i//egal moves. The touch-move rule is however always in force. It is quite possible that in different tournaments different rules ΟΓ exceptions to the rules are applied.

139

Serious adult tournament games are normally played at a rate of 40 moves ίπ 2 hours each. This means that the first 40 moves ίπ the game could last υρ to 4 hours. After move 40, there is extra thinking time, e.g. 30 ΟΓ 60 minutes per player for the whole of the remainder of the game, which can thus last for 5 ΟΓ 6 hours.

If you do not make the required number of moves ίπ the time allotted, you have lost. The hectic phase just before the end leading to the time control is often called a "time scramble".

5 - 6 hours playing time would of course be too much for a child and children's tournaments use much shorter thinking times, such as, e.g. at nationallevel for υ1 Os possibly 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game, a maximum playing time of 4 hours. Club and other events usually have even shorter times. It should always be remembered that the average game is much shorter than the maximum possible


playing time. Even with regulations, children usually play very quickly and often need less than 20 minutes for the whole game. 80 you need not fear they wίll be worn out by ονθΓ long games.

80me tournaments are played within a single day (mostly at weekends ΟΓ holidays) and others last several days. At the start you should chose a one-day ΟΓ a weekend event. There thinking times for juniors' games are often between 15 and 30 minutes per player per game and so a game lasts a maximum of 30-60 minutes.

Απ important rule for playing with clocks is:

The playing hand works the clock!

This means that you must press the clock with the hand you have used to make your move! Many children move with ΟΠθ hand and work the clock almost at the same time with the other, which is not quite right. But if your child's opponent behaves lίke this then you, the parent, should not complain, because it does not give the opponent any great advantage and he is not intentionally being unfair.

Whoever oversteps the time limit loses the game - πο matter how much ahead s/he is! Only if the opponent does not have enough material left to force mate is the game declared a draw after the time limit has been overstepped. Thus a player with only a king and a knight cannot mate (therefore a draw), but if mate is perhaps unlikely ονθΓ the board but theoretically possible the game is lost οπ time. For example, this could happen with a pawn endgame which would have been a draw ίπ a few moves, ΟΓ Κ, Β, Ν against Κ, Β, Ν. 80metimes it comes down to a question of fair play and sportsmanship and sometimes the rules can be interpreted by the arbiter.

Training at home with a chess clock means of course getting a chess clock.

Υου can buy chess clocks ΟΓ sets ίπ large stores and specialty games shops (perhaps mixed υρ with ροοl tables, roulette wheels, cards and fancy chess sets). But as a rule this is twice as expensive as buying from a chess dealer.

If such a shop exists ίπ your region, the first thing to do is pay it a visit. (Careful! Phone first to find out whether ΟΓ when it is open! Chess dealers mainly operate by mail order and do not necessarily have the same opening times as a supermarket and are not always open οπ 8aturdays!)


If there is πο dealer close by, you can order via the internet ΟΓ by telephone and the clock ννίll be sent to you. Υου have a guarantee and the right to return the goods, so there is πο great risk. Unfortunately there are the costs of postage and often also a small-order supplement, since the chess dealer does not have high profit margins and must impose the actual transport costs. Υου ννίll find some ideas ίπ the sources at the end of the appendix.

LΠ πο case should you buy the cheapest clock!

As a tournament organiser of many years' standing who has seen ίπ use thousands of clocks of all models, Ι can only advise you to buy a robust, well made and solid clock. It ννίll not be expensive as a one-off purchase when compared to equipment for other sports. Υου might be able to find a cheaper product for a few pounds ΟΓ dollars less, but you would soon regret your purchase! The nuisance value of repairs, sending it away (postage costs!), etc. ννίll outweigh any saving! Το say the least, the solidity of your chess clock ννίll be put to the test whenever your child starts to play blitz chess.

Υου should not buy an electronic/digital clock at the start. Apart from the much higher price (more than twice as much at present), your child should become accustomed to the type of clock which s/he ννίll be playing with ίπ tournaments - and practically nobody uses digital chess clocks ίπ children's tournaments!

Later (ίπ 1-2 years) a digital clock may be a sensible extra acquisition.

80 when the clock has been purchased, you can play your first games at home with a clock. Choose time lίmίts of between 15 and 30 minutes per player per game.

Ιπ chess clubs, blitz chess with 5 minutes thinking time is played (young players like shortening this time down to 1-2 minutes!). Beginners - and above all children! - should not play so fast, before "their eye is ίπ", ί.Θ. before they can play every move more ΟΓ less correctly and recognise the most important attacks and traps οπ the part of their opponent. There is nothing wrong with playing chess quickly and instinctively, but there is a whole lot wrong with playing a whole lot of silly moves ίπ the shortest possible time!

Later, however, blitz games are a good way to experiment, to play against a lot of opponents ίπ a short space of time and to gather a lot of experience - and of course to have a really good time playing chess!


Take care that your child presses the clock after every move! This movement must become a refleχ which kicks in automatically during a game. (Υου ννίll often see eχperienced players in casual games without clocks actually pressing a clock which is not in use ΟΓ perhaps not even there! This does not mean that these players have lost their marbles, but it is an eχample of the "move - press" refleχ that almost all tournament players have after a certain time.)

Playing with clocks and writing down moνes

When playing with clocks is working ννΘII, accustom your child to writing down the moves as ννΘII.

This sounds quite simple, but even for an adult it is not so easy at the start to think out a move and write it down and at the same time to remember to press the clock.

For that reason it is important that for some time your child regularly plays games in which writing the moves and pressing the clock are involved, until it becomes a routine, one which ννίll resist all the additional stress of a tournament.

This can lead to problems at the beginning! Ι remember one 9 year old schoolboy who managed to play and keep his scoresheet at the same time with no problems; then he also got quite used to the clock. But then both had to be put together and for a large number of training sessions he played unbelievably badly for him and made a lot of silly mistakes.

It is important to develop a strict routine, ί.Θ. play - press - write. After pressing the clock, s/he must write down the move and think even if the opponent replies instantly. The move must a/ways be played before it is written down according to the latest version of the laws of chess.

But, in any case, the above rhythm must be maintained at all times.

Good persuasion and encouragement ννίll help your child ΟVΘΓ this first large hurdle. Υου should not weaken: you must continue to insist on both the clock and the writing down of moves! In every sport - and in day to day living - there comes sooner ΟΓ later a point where resistance must be overcome, in order to prepare the way for future development. Avoiding difficulties and hard choices simply delays the arrival at this point.

80 do not be disheartened if for a short time your child's performance falls off by quite a bit. At the latest, it ννίll take only a few weeks until the sequence of play - press - write has become totally assimilated!


The "touch - move" rule

Basically you should not pick υρ any chess piece until you are quite sure what your intended move is. But children act very spontaneously and often grab a piece with unbelievable speed, and drop it just as quickly ίπ order to pick υρ another piece.

This is forbidden ίπ tournaments!

Απ ίΓΟΠ rule ίπ chess tournaments is that any piece you have touched (even slightly ΟΓ for a short time) must be moved as long as a move is legal. Here is an example:

7

6

Black is to move and briefly touches the knight οπ f6, but spots before he moves it that he ννίΙΙ lose his queen if he moves the knight.

But Black must move the knight, 4 though he can choose which of the 3 possible squares to move it tO: d5, e8, 2 94, h5 ΟΓ whether to take the e4-

pawn.

Had Black first touched the e4-pawn, (leaving the knight οπ f6 untouched) he would have to take οπ e4 with the knight, because if you touch ΟΠθ of your opponent's pieces you must take it if it is at all possible. It would not have mattered if he had touched the opponent's Bc4 ΟΓ his οννπ f7-pawn, since according to the rules he cannot move / take either.

If, ίπ the diagrammed position, the king had been οπ d8 instead of the queen, touching the Nf6 ΟΓ the opponent's e4-pawn would have had πο consequences since the knight could not legally move ΟΓ Black would be ίπ check. Sometimes hobby players ννίll tell you that ίπ such a case you must, as punishment, make a move with your king. There is πο such rule ίπ tournament chess.

If it is not your move and you touch a piece, you have nothing to fear. But it is wrong and impolίte to your opponent, who is being disturbed while thinking - so you do not do that!


"Touch - move" can of course lead to arguments, when it is ΟΠθ person's word against another's. But this rarely happens since, after a short while, the idea of not touching a piece has become as automatic to all tournament players as the automatic pressing of the clock ..

Ιπ training the "touch - move" rule should be applied since you are thinking of preparation for a tournament.

At least ίπ the last four weeks ΟΓ so before a tournament, you should only allow a move to be taken back ίπ exceptional circumstances.

If you want to adjust the position of a piece οπ its square, you say "J'adoube" ΟΓ "Ι adjust" before you touch it, which you should only really do when it is your move and thus does not disturb your opponent.

Moreover, children should learn from the start to put the pieces ίπ the centre of their squares - both when setting υρ the board and when making a move. This saves unnecessary adjustments and, ίπ blitz and rapid games, uncertainties about where a piece is positioned. Pieces which have been taken should be placed a clear distance away from the edge of the board, so that by accident a pawn, say, should not slip back οπ by mistake!

Behaviour and sportsmanship Ιπ tournament form, chess is a sport and thus subject to the rules of

sporting behaviour and fairness.

That starts with formalities. Like every sport, chess has its οννπ ritual:

At the start of every game, without exception, you greet your opponent with a handshake.

When you lose, you congratulate your opponent with a handshake.

Not to do so is extremely bad manners and a sign of bad behaviour, which makes a terrible impression οπ anyone seeing ίΙ

Of course, there are numerous other rules ίπ the "code of chess behaviour":

You do ηοΙ speak Ιο your opponent when ίΙ is his/her move (especially not if s/he is obviously thinking).

You do ηοΙ disturb your opponent by talking with a third party close to the board, by eating ΟΓ drinking (food and drink do not belong close to a chessboard and if ίπ the early stages of a game you are hungry ΟΓ thirsty, you can eat ΟΓ drink elsewhere where it does not disturb others).

Being told what to do 145

This is not taken quite so seriously where children are concerned and it probably disturbs them less. But οη health grounds it is probably not advisable for children to stuff themselves with sweets while playing chess. It is more sensible to give them a few sweets spread out over the day ΟΓ for the purpose of consolation ΟΓ reward, ΟΓ better still fresh fruit ΟΓ

chewing gum to calm the nerves. This is better than trying to keep nervousness at bay by constantly nibbling at something!

Υου do not offer a draw to your opponent several times ίη a row.

If he would like a draw later οη after your first offer, it is υρ to him to suggest ίΙ It is off-putting if a player offers a draw every move - and οηθ result might be that the annoyed opponent, who might perhaps have been considering a draw, ηονν fights οη to the bitter end! And also the person doing the annoying can be disqualified!

ΙΙ your opponent does note down the moves when short οΙ time (this is not compulsory ίη the final 5 minutes before the time control, but should be done if at all possible), then immediately after the 40th move you let him see your οννη scoresheet so that he can complete his οννη (the rules require this ίη any case, but it is good form to hand ΟVθΓ your scoresheet to your opponent immediately after the time control and without him having to ask).

As already said, things are not taken so seriously ίη children's chess and do not have the same importance as ίη adult chess. But, right from the start, you should accustom your child to the rules of sportsmanship and of course be an example yourself. This includes showing respect to your opponent - how can a child respect an opponent of whom you say: 'Ήθ is useless. Υου can beat that loser with οηθ hand tied behind your back!"

Being told what to do The greatest and most annoying problem ίη children's tournaments is

people telling children what to play. Many parents and trainers tell their children the moves to play, especially of course if they are experienced players themselves and can easily spot a good move ίη the child's game. The child is discreetly taken from the board and receives an explanation of what to do.


This is forbidden and ίπ serious cases can lead to the game being declared a loss, to the child being disqualified from the tournament ΟΓ the whisperer being banned from the room.

It is unfair to the other children and their parents.

But it is also stupid, because if this behaviour is common practice, the children get used to looking more at daddy ΟΓ the trainer beside the board rather than the position itself. Sport and chess are supposed to help your child become independent and should give him ΟΓ her the chance to achieve their οννπ little successes, which they can be proud of and which develop and build υρ their self-confidence. Ηονν can a child be proud of winning a game when s/he owes that to dad's knowledge and skill ίπ telling the right answer without being caught out? And what ννίll the child make of this injustice done to the opponent and of the latter's disappointment?

The best thing is to take your child into the tournament room and then stay as far as possible from his/her board, only looking at the state of the game from time to time and inconspicuously (e.g. from behind).

Α tremendous example for all chess parents can be seen ίπ Rod McShane, father of the former English child prodigy Luke McShane (World υ1 Ο champion at eight and a half. Since then the prodigy has made it into the World's top 50 players). Rod, who accompanied and looked after his son for years and is himself very interested ίπ chess, only ever came into the tournament room at infrequent intervals and almost always looked at Luke's position from quite far away. Ιπ a big tournament ίπ Gelsenkirchen, which was being televised οπ the commercial channel SAT1 for its sports programme, he was asked to stand at the board behind Luke. He categorically refused to do so and made the comment that it would be a bad example to be taken οπ board by other chess parents. (Chess prodigies are very interesting for TV, but do you have enough of them ίπ

your country?)

If possible have πο (and certainly πο long) conversations with your child during the game. This can give rise to misinterpretations, especially if you are more than a chess novice. And of course your child is dying to tell you about the game and what s/he hopes to do, but you should absolutely discourage this.

Being told what to do 147

If during a game one of my pupils proudly tells me: "If he plays such and such, Ι can play ... ", then Ι quickly say to him something lίke: "Well, let's see" and end the conversation immediately. If Ι see a ρυρίl looking at me and trying to read from my expression how s/he is doing, Ι put on a poker face, turn round at once and go away.

But you can see from the faces of many parents how (they think) their child is doing: they stand beside the board grinning like a Cheshire cat ΟΓ with a mournful expression. The first of these cases is particularly bad form. Also, bobbing υρ and down disturbs the players and gets in the way of other spectators ΟΓ the tournament director. Spectators should stand Quietly and at sufficient distance from the board and show as lίttle emotion as possible. Always think how intimidated and worried children may feel when huge (in their eyes) adults crowd round the board, robbing them of light and space.

Both to avoid problems and to aid the sporting and personal development of your child, you should keep as far away as possible, avoid ΟΓ cut to an absolute minimum any conversations during the game and always behave in an appropriate and fair manner.

Ratings Sooner ΟΓ later, you ννίll come υρ against the idea of what are called

chess "ratings". This is a number which tells you how strong a player is: the higher the number, the greater the playing strength of the person. For example, the World Champion is somewhat above 2800, a grandmaster above 2500 and a good club player about 1800. The international ratings are called "Εlο numbers" ΟΓ simply Εlο (named after the American Professor Arpad Εlο, who developed the system in the 1950s). These are never seen in children's tournaments and beginners' tournaments. In these cases any ratings ννίll be those attributed by the national federations.

ΑΙΙ such systems are based on complex mathematical formulas. Το simplify, ννθ can say a result is calculated for each tournament based on the deviation of your score from the average (50% of the available points). This score and those from other tournaments go to making υρ your rating. These ratings should not be taken too seriously by children, since they change rapidly and because in the early days chance plays a great part.


Information about tournaments It can be a real problem finding information about tournaments for

children. If you are a member of a chess club - ΟΓ by chance know such a member - you can perhaps come by such information. ΗοννθνθΓ,

smaller clubs without a youth section are often not as ννθll informed as all that.

If you are having to look for yourself, the first point of contact is the internet, but not all tournaments are advertised οη it and it is not so easy to come υρ with the correct search words. Υου ννίll certainly find a whole host of open tournaments, which are almost without exception unsuitable for young children and beginners. These tournaments can last several days (usually 4 ΟΓ 9) and the players are almost always too strong (at least when measured by the standards of children ΟΓ beginners).

Υου can perhaps find information οη the homepage of your national ΟΓ regional federation οη page 204, ΟΓ perhaps local leagues and clubs. Most local and regional tournaments are advertised there. Should you find nothing, then try e-mailing your federation, league, etc.

If you /ίνθ near a border of some sort ΟΓ between two /arge cities, you shou/d /ook into what is happening ίπ the federation next door, οπ the other side of the nationa/, county ΟΓ regiona/ border.

Their junior chess co-ordinator is usually the correct contact and can perhaps also give you tips οη which is the correct club for you to choose for your child. Unfortunately many clubs are not very media orientated ΟΓ the local press is not very interested ίη chess, so that there are few ΟΓ ηο reports οη chess ίη the local papers. Sometimes, however, a chess columnist ίη a local paper may have some information to help you ΟΓ at least a contact address to pass on.

Ιη every country there are chess magazines which appear (usually monthly) and which can be bought ίη newsagents and bookshops. They normally carry a comprehensive tournament calendar with short descriptions of all sorts of tournaments at home and abroad and often extensive reports οη such events.

Of course it is a question of luck whether there are any tournaments (above all tournaments for children) close to where you lίνθ. But there should be something within a couple of hours driving. Perhaps the chess tournament can form part of a family outing?

Information about tournaments 149

If Υου have found the correct tournament Υου can enter ΥουΓ child.

Some tournaments allow Υου to simply turn υρ and play at short notice, but that can also cause problems if too many turn υρ at the last moment -there might be πο room, πο sets ΟΓ clocks left and anyone who arrives then is doomed to be a spectator!

Make things easier for the tournament organisers by confirming the entry by letter ΟΓ e-mail; this means they can plan more accurately (tables, chairs, chess equipment, scoresheets, certificates, prizes and possibly even drinks and snacks ... Α lot of work goes into organising a tou rnament!).

Υου can only take part ίπ official championships (Iocal, regional) if Υου are a member of a chess club ΟΓ federation. For higher level championships, Υου sometimes have to pre-qualίfy ΟΓ give proof of a certain playing level (see "ratings"). But ίπ Open tournaments, shortened to Opens, anyone can take part, πο matter how weak ΟΓ strong they are. (But sometimes these tournaments are divided into sections limited to players below a certain strength. Υου and ΥουΓ child need not worry about that for the moment. And finally, some of these Opens also have sections for children.)

Ιπ almost all cases there is an entry fee for the tournament. It does not usually cost much for children's and beginners' tournaments.

Some tournaments allow Υου to pay this ίπ cash οπ the day, for others Υου can/must send ίπ ΥουΓ fee ίπ advance. If this is possible, Υου should do it since it avoids standing ίπ a long queue at the start.

Usually playing equipment is provided by the organisers, which is very practical for the players but not the case everywhere ίπ the world. Ιπ the USA Υου can recognise chess players οπ their way to a tournament, since they are carrying the official equipment bag of the US - Chess Federation, containing a rolled-up chessboard, the pieces and a clock!

Each tournament normally produces a leaflet, containing all important information: vΘπυΘ and timetable, contact address, thinking time, entry fees, prizes (not quite so important ίπ ουΓ case, but they can whet ουΓ appetite for later!), places to stay (above all for longer tournaments), sometimes other information, about for eχample where to eat. When tournaments take place ίπ smaller towns, Υου should find out about this ίπ advance, since often there are fewer places at weekends which may throw Υου back οπ whatever the organisers have provided ίπ the way of sustenance. Things can be


difficult if you have special dietary needs (e.g. if you are vegetarian). Decide whether you would be better taking along a picnic basket ΟΓ buying something οπ the way to the tournament.

Most weekend tournaments begin at 1 Ο o'clock ίπ the morning, and ίπ many cases there is also a round οπ the Friday evening.

How tournaments work Knockout (ΚΟ) tournaments are rarely found ίπ chess; Ι do not know of

a single ΟΠθ ίπ children's chess.

Small tournaments at club leνel are usually all play all (each player plays all the others, υρ to 1 Ο participants) ΟΓ divided into preliminary and final rounds.

When there are more participants, things are usually run according to the so-called Swiss System. Α fixed number of rounds is played (e.g. 50r 7), and at each round Ρθορlθ are matched against others who have scored the same number of points. Let us take an example of a tournament with 100 participants:

Participants are listed according to their ratings (those without ratings are added to the end of the list ίπ alphabetical order). Then the 50 strongest play against the 50 weakest (the two halves of the draw having been established) according the method 1-51, 52-2,3-53, 54-4 etc. This is how it is arranged that strong and weak players soon manage to have games against opponents of similar strength.

Ιπ the first round, 50 games are played. Supposing there are 48 decisive games and 2 draws. Νονν the 48 winners are paired together, the 4 who drew play amongst each other and the 48 losers are matched against each other. At the end of round 2 there are πονν different groups with 2, 1 Υ2 , 1, Υ2 and Ο points; each player is then once agai n paired against another from the same group ίπ the next round.

Of course things do not always work out exactly and then players are moved ("floated") into the group above ΟΓ below. Νο player may play the same opponent twice, and as far as possible changes colour with θνθΓΥ round. But, for example, if someone had to have two Blacks ίπ a Γονν, ίπ

the next round s/he automatically gets a White.

Thus after, for example, 7 rounds ννθ can be reasonably sure of having a tournament ννίΠΠθΓ. The idea is simple, carrying it out more difficult and therefore often done by computer software. The logic behind

At the tournament - The great day has arrived! 151

computerised draws (not really a draw, since the pairings are settled byan algorithm) sometimes escapes human understanding. But you should trust the tournament director and accept the pairings as they are. Τhe idea held by many people that the computer has "made a mistake" ίπ a pairing is obviously wrong. Either the whole draw is obviously wrong ΟΓ it is correct -unlίke humans, computers do not do things by halves.

ΑΙ the tournament - The great day has arrived!

Νονν the great day has arrived and the family (at least those who are enthusiastic about chess) is off οπ an adventure.

It makes sense to pack everything calmly the night before and check that all important stuff is οπ board. Above all the tournament brochure with the address of the premises should be ίπ a safe place, ΟΓ better still ίπ the car already. If the tournament is far away from home, then a road atlas and a Ιοννπ plan (this can often be downloaded from the internet homepage of the town) are certainly helpful.

Leave ίη good time and think about possible traffic jams and the unexpected. Υου can also be delayed by narrow city centre streets and parking problems - even οπ a Sunday morning, since other parents are driving to the tournament too - as ννθll as just looking for the tournament venue! But it is also not worth arriving there an hour before the start, because unfortunately not all chess tournaments start οπ time and delays of 30-60 minutes are not uncommon. However, don't count οπ that!

Venues can be all sorts of rooms: school rooms ΟΓ halls, community centres, hotel rooms, canteens ...

There ννίll long rows of chessboards and clocks set ουΙ Somewhere you ννίll see a place set υρ for registration (usually already surrounded by a throng of people). Sometimes there are computers there, for receiving information about the players and which ννίll later be used Ιο determine the pairings. Many organisers prefer to do that ίπ the peace and quiet of a side room and at the registration desk there are only lists and a payment ροίπΙ

Because, even if you have entered and paid your fees, you must sign ίπ. Τhis is known as registration.


It serves to determine that all the players are actually present, because if at short notice you did not turn up, then your child would be out of the draw and his/her opponent would receive a walkover, which of course is not what such tournaments are about. 80 you and your child both go - so that s/he gets used to this - to the registration desk; you give the name (or better, the child does this!) and state that you have paid your entry fee, ΟΓ if you have not then please have the correct money ready. This wίll make things quick and simple.

Νοw you have a lίttle time left. The best thing to do is to get an idea of the building's layout. First and most important, where are the toilets? Where can you get something to eat ΟΓ drink? Where are the other rooms (analysis room) where you can go after the game?

Knowing these things is reassuring for the child and a good diversion. Ιπ the meantime, the room becomes fuller and fuller and more and more people press round the entry desk ΟΓ sit around ίπ the room, usually playing blitz chess. Look around a bit ΟΓ take a little walk outside for a breather.

At some point there wίll be an announcement that things are starting, a list of participants and Iists of the pairings for round 1 wίll be pinned υρ and immediately surrounded by a throng of players. 80metimes for the first round the players' names are called out and they are shown to their seat. After some hectic moments and some searching for the correct board (as a rule there are numbers οπ the tables) everyone is finally seated at his/her place.

Usually there are a couple of introductory speeches, but then the tournament director takes ονθΓ and announces something lίke: "Play may ποw start" ΟΓ "Please start White's clock".

The players all shake hands and immediately start the clocks. Then a number of moves are made ίπ quick succession. For a few minutes there is the noise of the clocks being stopped and started and the sound of pieces hitting the boards. It sounds more lίke a table tennis tournament than chess. But gradually the excitement of the first moves dies down and things become quieter.

If it is a rapid tournament, the first games are often ονθΓ after a few minutes. This may be due to errors ΟΓ blunders, but also draws. Ιπ many tournaments each board receives a slip of paper to record the result: it is filled ίπ and signed by the players. The wίΠΠθΓ takes the slip to the

What to do when your child is beaten ΟΓ when s/he wins 153

tournament arbiter ΟΓ to a box for such slips. If it is a draw, this is White's job. Ιπ other tournaments you go υρ and tell the tournament arbiter. If πο result is handed ίπ, the arbiter can score the game as 0:0. So ίπ the joy of victory, do not forget to hand ίπ your result!

After the game the players often analyse, ί.θ. they discuss what might have happened if ΟΠθ side had played this ΟΓ that move. This is instructive and interesting. Weaker players especially should be happy if their opponent analyses with them and explains a few things, even if they are still getting ονθΓ their defeat. Analysis often happens ίπ the tournament room (actually not allowed) ΟΓ ίπ a side room, where you can talk normally. But unfortunately it soon gets noisy ίπ the analysis room, especially if people are playing exciting blitz chess all the time.

What ιο do when your child is beaten ΟΓ when s/he wins

One peculiarity of the Swiss system is that at the start it pairs the strongest players against the weakest. So for the first two rounds beginners can become discouraged since their opponents are simply much too strong for them. So the chance that your child wίll very quickly lose is frighteningly high. So you should stay nearby, ίπ order to console and encourage after a frustrating defeat. Even Bobby Fischer, the famous American World Champion and for a long time the strongest player ίπ the world, lost his first organised chess game within a few minutes (it was a simultaneous exhibition - a master playing against umpteen weaker players - but the 7 year old had thought he was better than that) and Bobby ran out of the hall ίπ tears - the first setback ίπ a magnificent career!

Ιπ simultaneous exhibitions a strong player / chess master plays against a lot of weaker players (usua//yapprox. 20 - 40). The players sit οπ the outside of a series of tables set υρ ίπ a υ formation. The master is ίπ the inside.

He goes from board (ο board, makes a move and when he arrives back at a board (after completing his round) the player must make the reply. CΙocks are genera//y not used and writing down the moves is voluntary, but common. Of course there is some showmanship involved and the main reason is (ο a//ow a lot of amateurs (ο meet a prominent chess master. But since the master is working under a considerable handicap and can only spend seconds οπ each move, the chances for a surprise win by ΟΠθ of the amateurs are quite high. It also represents a chance for


young p/ayers to draw attention to themse/ves and the start of many a chess career: e.g. at the age of 14, Mikhail Botvinnik, who wou/d /ater become Wor/d Champion severa/ times, defeated the then Wor/d Champion Jose Rau/ Capab/anca in a simu/taneous disp/ay.

Even many adults who have been playing for years react badly to defeat, especially if it has been quick and crushing. So you cannot blame a child for shedding a few tears after a defeat.

In such cases, tell your child that the defeat was not a bad one and that it was to be expected. Remind him ΟΓ her of the way the SWiSS system works: how you get the strongest opponents first. Remind him ΟΓ her that the others have been playing chess for much longer, that they are perhaps older and, in any case, they have much more experience. After a little while, the first pangs of grief should fade away.

Look through the game together and work out what could have been done better ΟΓ why the defeat occurred.

It iS very important that children always know that parents ΟΓ trainers are there for them, even if they have played ever so badly ΟΓ have fallen far short of expectations. Parents and trainers should share with the child the joy of victory, but also the misery of defeat; but above all they should always be 110% behind the child!

Naturally this is not an excuse for continually weak performances, lack of discipline ΟΓ poor attitudes in training. In such cases solutions and agreements need to be sought together, even if it means saying things lίke: "lf you don't want to train regularly, then there is no point in going to the tοurnamenΙ"

Sometimes parents who are ΟVΘΓ keen to see their child do well find it difficult to adopt the correct attitude at such points.

But sometimes everything goes well. Your child has a surprising win ΟΓ holds out for a long time. This gives you all the more pleasure. But it is important not to set the bar of expectation too high. It is a long tournament and lots can happen. In the rounds which follow, in any case, opponents ννίll be more cautious!

After the end of the round and a break, new pairings are pinned υρ and it all starts again, though things ννίll go a bit smoother since things have settled down.

After two ΟΓ three rounds, in addition to the results and pairings sheets, a new table may be pinned up. At first glance this looks a bit complicated.


According to their place οπ the leader board (at the start usually shared by various players) ννθ have: Name, First name, Club and the following headings: Games played, Number ννοπ, drawn ΟΓ lost, total points. Then there may be something called the Buchholz score.

This is a second way of scoring (after the points ννίπ) which can be used to decide between players οπ the same final score. It is made υρ from the score of points made by all those you have played against. It is used as a "tie-break" deciding which player has performed better. At the start the Buchholz score is naturally the highest when you lose: e.g. if the score is 012 points it could be 2 Buchholz points, because both your opponents have ννοπ. For the foreseeable future the Buchholz score ΟΓ other such systems ννίll have πο real importance for you. Later you can use them to see if someone ίπ, for example, the middle spot ίπ a tournament did ννθll at the start and fell back ΟΓ rather caught υρ towards the end. Ιπ the latter case it may have been a weaker performance.

At the start your goal must be to get real points, all the rest is of πο importance.

Το give you an idea of what to expect, let's have a look at an example of a tournament leader board for a fictitious tournament taking place ίπ a fictional village ίπ England.

Ιπ the table a rating ίπ bold type is an Εlο rating. W Ι D Ι Ι means Wins Ι Draws Ι Losses. Different type of tables are possible, since the tournament director can set it out ίπ different ways ΟΓ use different computer programmes to produce ίΙ

Junior Open Ambridge 2009 Leader board: standings after round 8

Place ΡaήίcίΡant Rating Club/Town W D L Points Buchholz

1 Snell, Linda 2235 Ambridge 5 3 Ο 6.5 38

2 Smith, John 2087 Yorkshire 5 3 Ο 6.5 36

3 Fife, Fay 1892 Edinburgh 4 4 Ο 6 39

4 Duchamρ, Marcel 1911 Paris 4 3 1 5.5 37.5

5 Wayne, John 1888 Texas 5 1 2 5.5 36.5

6 Doe,Jane 2053 Bolton 3 5 2 5.5 32

7 Bloggs, JoseQh 1751 London 4 2 2 5 38


As a rule after some rounds (i.e. ίπ a rapid chess tournament) there is a longer lunch break. For beginners, who generally play much too quickly and lose much too quickly also, there are many long pauses during a tournament. It makes sense to bring along cards ΟΓ board games ΟΓ reading material (for the parents) to fill out the pauses and waiting time. Perhaps you ννίll also get to know other parents and children and can maybe do something together.

It makes absolutely πο sense to bring along school books and jotters. There is hardly any child ίπ the world who could concentrate οπ schoolwork during the excitement of a tournament, especially since s/he would always be being snatched away from ίΙ This is also true for tournaments that last more than one day. From the departure for the tournament till the return home, the children (and usually the parents too!) are ίπ a different world, which leaves lίttle space for anything else. 80 be reaIistic and Ieave all that excess baggage at home!

8hould there be πο time left for homework - perhaps the tournament went οπ longer than planned οπ a 8unday - write a friendly note to the teacher. The experience of a first ever chess tournament is after all more important ίπ a child's lίfe than a little homework - and according to all experience ίπ the matter, it ννίll certainly not lead to the child not being abIe to become a teacher later ίπ lίfe ΟΓ missing out οπ the Nobel ΡΓίΖθ!

Υου must always bear ίπ mind that - especially for younger children -an event Iike a chess tournament ίπ a strange environment is a great and exciting step. We hard-boiled adults can all too easily forget that!

It explains the nerves and the apparently inexplicable number of mistakes made by the young people. Υου must expect your child to play some 30-50% worse ίπ a tournament than ίπ a home environment. 80 you should consider the first tournament results from a critical distance. Many a ννίΠΠθΓ is only a bit more solid ΟΓ mature than others of his/her οννπ age. Many children who know success early οπ later disappear into the crowd while others surge forward. ΑlθΧθί 8hirov, an absolutely world class player, learned the rules as a child, completely forgot them, then learned them again and rapidly turned into a very powerful player.

80 early experiences do not enable us to predict the future and should be looked οπ indulgently.

At last the tournament is over and at the prize-giving ceremony they hand out prizes, cups, certificates, etc.


It can take 30-60 minutes from the end of play until the ceremony. This is not caused by the organisers being slow workers - quite the opposite, most of the time they are working at feverish speed - but because it iS only the final games which decide all the placings and prizes. Any Buchholz scores which decide between those οπ equal points have to be completed when all the games are "ίπ the bag". Then ΡΓίΖθ winners for the different categories have to be worked out, certificates written, lists printed and everything checked through carefully once more. Questions from participants ΟΓ parents have to be answered, sometimes the press is there wanting facts for an article... Believe me, there is a reason why tournament organisers and directors are often completely exhausted at the end of a tournament!

Ιπ children's tournaments there is often a small ΡΓίΖθ for everybody and also often a certificate with details of place and points. There are usually cups for, say, the first three, the best girl ΟΓ possibly the best ίπ each age grouping if several groupings are playing ίπ the same section (e.g. υ8 and U10).

Ιπ many tournaments all the participants are called υρ ΟΠθ after another according to their place ίπ the table to receive their ΡΓίΖθ and certificate. (Personally Ι do not consider this a good idea. What chίld enjoys being called last of all to receive a certificate for 111 th place?)

It is usually good for a child when you wait for the prize-giving. It is part of the tournament and of the whole experience. But if the tournament did not work out all that well ΟΓ the child is very tired, (and you are perhaps faced with a long journey home and getting υρ early οπ Monday morning), then leave after the last round. But if you do so, you should take your leave from the tournament organiser ΟΓ director, thanking him/her for the work and explaining that you must leave because the journey is long ΟΓ because your child is very tired. Even if you have had problems and did not agree with all that happened, you should always respect the fact that all this work is done voluntarily and without payment by chess lovers.

It is easy to criticise, but a whole lot harder to do it better yourself! Unfortunately many chess players do not accept this and they sometimes have strange, unrealistic ΟΓ even insolent remarks to make. (As an organiser there is a tale ΟΓ two Ι could tell!)

Of course the journey home is a good opportunity to talk ΟVθΓ what has happened, to celebrate ΟΓ to commiserate and of course to make plans for the future.


What comes next? Even if everything did not quite go as was hoped, probably everybody

involved enjoyed the chess tournament and playing in another one goes without saying.

This is a good chance to continue and step υρ the training! First of all you should go through together all the games played at the tournament and keep an eye open for mistakes, improvements and missed chances -the best thing would be if you could get help from someone who plays in a club and knows a bit more about the game.

This is called (game) analysis. This is one of the most important ways to improve. In chess, more than in almost anything else, you learn so much from your mistakes!

It is important for analysis to be done objectively and calmly. ΑΙΙ young chess players must learn to admit their mistakes. It wasn't just "stupid" like missing a shot in football ΟΓ an opponent clipping the net in tennis. It was a mistake, ΟΓ at least an inaccurate move, that the opponent was able to θχρlοίΙ There is in chess really no such thing as "Iuck". Performance, ability and knowledge make the difference. (The only good ΟΓ bad luck might be, for eχample, meeting an opponent who is sick ΟΓ playing below his/her best ΟΓ getting the colour you wanted against a specific opponent. But statistically speaking, this evens out ΟVθΓ time - and even a sniffling opponent with a dripping nose still has to be beaten!)

So, from early on teach your child the value of objectivity, of being able to say: "Ι did that wrong. Ι didn't know that. Ι could have found a better continuation here. It was silly not to calculate a bit further here", etc.

Even after a win, objective self-criticism is cal'ed for. Perhaps the opponent could have played better here and would not have lost? Perhaps you could have done better here, and let's see if ννθ can fill this gap in ουΓ knowledge?

Unfortunately, many chess players boast about their great victories and have a very selective memory when it comes to their defeats, which in any case ννθΓθ only bad luck! For that reason, thousands of chess players make the same mistakes year after year and hardly learn anything from them.

Whoever has been taught ways of analytical and objective thinking and planning, ννίll find lots of ways to make use of these skills later on in lίfe!

Chess coaches 159

If it has not already happened, you should set your sights on joining a chess club. Το tell the truth, it becomes a bit onerous at first, because you have to take your child to the club and at the start even wait for the evening in the club. After that, for a certain time you ννίll have to collect your child from the club when it has finished. But it is worth the effort, since in the club your child ννίll have a lot of different opponents and there is absolutely no quicker way to learn. Even the best training programme cannot replace the multiplicity of different ways people play and their techniques. If the club does not have a special junior section, perhaps you can find one of the members who is willing to play with your child for an hour before ΟΓ during the club and to explain some things to him/her during that time. Υου ννίll perhaps also find a younger club member who is willing, for a

small fee, to come to your house and coach your child. Don't be too mean here, because a tennis coach ΟΓ a music lesson would usually cost a lot more (a very great lot more!) than a chess coach. Α young coach usually suits children much more than the chess "fuddy-duddy" type. Especially for an only child, there is a lot to be said for the big brother type.

Chess coaches It is sometimes difficult to find professional chess coaches for children.

Especially since many chess coaches are accustomed to working with particularly gifted and committed children and do not have sufficient command of the psychological and pedagogical techniques which would enable them to best develop a specific child - quite independently of what talent5 may be there. Many coaches have false expectations of what the

5 Chess ta/ent iS not of an innate and fίxed size, but ί' chess iS /earned and practised at a young age, it iS quite capab/e of being deve/oped. The majority of chi/dren certain/y possess in sufficient measure the minima/ physica/ and menta/ gifts to enab/e them to be successfu/ chess p/ayers. Moreover, it appears that a /ack of ta/ent can be compensated for by training and the wίll to succeed.

The Hungarian Lasz/o Po/gar and his wife raised their three daughters with chess from their earlίest chi/dhood, and all three became extreme/y successfu/. Judit, the youngest, even managed to be the first woman to break into the abso/ute wor/d elίte of men's chess. Today, all ΟVθΓ the wor/d chίldren are being coached very ear/y and very intensive/y and thus achieve at a very young age considerab/e p/aying strength and even the title of master. The record for the youngest grandmaster is 12 years and 7 months and is he/d by the young Ukrainian Sergey Karjakin, who even at the age of 11 acted as a second to his compatriot Rus/an Ponomariov in the Wor/d Championship fίna/e.


children can achieve. And many only coach for the money; while this may be understandable, ίπ many cases it gives only average results. Α good teacher has a vocation and loves what s/he is doing. Ιπ my life Ι have known some excellent coaches and all of those ννθΓθ to a great extent people who had a passion for what they ννθΓθ doing.

Ιπ the early stages the coach's commitment is more important than chess strength. Child beginners can still learn a lot from a weak club player and a positive attitude and faith ίπ the ρυρίl are great supports to the latter's motivation!

Ιπ junior sections of chess clubs children may have the company of others of the same age but they make only slow progress. There are too many children for too few coaches. Also, from the start many groups contain a broad spectrum of playing strengths. The coach then tries to motivate and keep together all the children, resulting often ίπ too little time being available for each individual child. If you do some more coaching at home with your child ΟΓ encourage him/her to train independently, this can help bridge this gap.

But it is basically a good thing if your child is learning to cope with people of a similar age (or who are perhaps slightly older) and can measure and prove his/her performance ίπ internal tournaments and team matches.

Ιπ some countries there are team championships ίπ the different age groupings (usually starting only with the U12) and these may take place at local, regional ΟΓ even nationallevel. Being chosen for a team and able to play ίπ its matches is of course a motivating experience for a child.

If there is nothing lίke this ίπ your area, then at first all you are left with is training (or coaching) at home. But keep looking to see if you can find some opportunity for games. Perhaps there is some sort of school chess club, where your chίld might be allowed to play from time to time? Perhaps ίπ your neighbourhood ΟΓ circle of friends and acquaintances you ννίll come across people who play (or have played) club chess ΟΓ at the

Of course these are totaI exceptions. Α "normaI" chiId is happy to reach average cIub strength by the age of 12-13. OnIy 5% of young chess beginners θνθΓ reach average cIub strength ΟΓ better, and what decides who does is often not so much taIent as the wiII to succeed, disciplίne and motivation.

In any case a good coach can encourage and deveIop taIent, but must pay due regard to the ρυρίΙ and his/her personalίty.

And finally ... 161

very least some who play it as a hobby and are very good? There is perhaps outdoor chess ίπ the nearest park where your child can play against other chess lovers? Even that would help!

Ιπ any case try to help your child take part ίπ a few tournaments. After a few children's and junior tournaments, s/he can perhaps have a go at ΟΠΘ of the bigger open tournaments, where it is mainly adults who are playing. Your child ννίll soon adapt to the ΠΘνν situation and learn qUΊckly. Also most chess players are nice to children and help them get over any defeat they may have. But for the first 3-4 times, you should choose children's and junior tournaments, so that the leap is not too great!

And finally ... Ι hope you have enjoyed this training programme and working and

playing together with your chίld and that the hours you haνe spent together have been exciting and interesting.

80, enjoy your chess,

your author and coach

Heinz Brunthaler


Power Test The final POWER TEST sums υρ the contents of the book, but brings ίη

some new material, as ννΘ think forward to more training. If the result is under approx. 50%, the material has not been well enough understood. Ιη that case, revise the various sections gradually and let your child take the test again.

There is a certificate, which the child should receive after successfully passing the Power Test (50%). It is ίη the appendix for you to copy (e.g. οη to coloured paper ΟΓ better still coloured card) and to present to your child when s/he has passed the test.

Ιη the positions ίΙ is White Ιο play, unless stated otherwise.

One ροίηΙ ννίll be awarded for each correct answer.

1 Black Ιο move

7

6

5

4

a b c d e f

POWERTEST

2

3

2

a b c d e f

3

8

7

6

5

5 Black to move

8

7

a b c d e f

2

3

2

Power Test

4 Black to move a b c d e f

7

6

5

4

3


3

2

3

2

163

164

7

9


2

8

8

7

6

5

4

10

8

7

a b c d e

a b c d e f

3

2

11

13

7

6

5

4

3

Black 10 move a b c d e f

a b c

3

2

3

2

Power Test 165

12

14

166

15

8

7

6

5

17

a b

Blaek to move


16

2

18 a b c d e f

2

19

21 Black to moνe

Power Test

20

7

6

5

4

22

167

Black to moνe

168

23

25


24

Black Ιο move

7

6

5

4

26

27

29

7

6

5

Black Ιο moνe

PowerTest 169

28

30


31 32 Black to move a b c d e f

2

33 Black to move 34 a b c d e

8

5


37

6

5

3

2

Power Test 171

36 Black to move

38


39 40 a b c d e f

8

7

6

5

4

3

2 2

ΡοννθΓ Test 173

Solutions Ιο the POWER ΤESΤ

1 1 ... Bf6-d4+ The bishop skewers king and rook

2.Ke3-d2 Bd4xg1 and thus wins the exchange.

2 1.Qh3xh7#

3 1.Re7xh7+ Rh8xh7 2.Qb7xh7#

4 1 ... Nc6xd4 White had protected the e4-pawn with Bf1-d3 and ίπ doing so quite overIooked the fact that the queen is πο Ionger protecting the Nd4! (This was a SiciIian, but it can aIso occur ίπ the Scotch!).

5 1 ... Nh5-f4+ The g3-pawn is pinned and may not capture and so the knight fork wins the queen!

6 1 ... Bc8-g4 and the skewer wins the rook!

7 With the support of the knight, the bishop can here ρίπ the queen against the king:

1.Bc4-e6

8 1.Kf3-f2 Kh1-h2 2.Rc4-h4#

ΟΓ 1.Kf3-g3 Kh1-g1 2.Rc4-c1#

Α move Ionger, but aIso good is:

1.Rc4-h4+ Kh1-g1 2.Rh4-h3 Kg1-f1 3.Rh3-h1#

ΟΓ 1.Rc4-c1+ Kh1-h2 2.Rc1-f1 Kh2-h33.Rf1-h1#

9 1.Be3-c5 Kf8-e7 and do not take at once but attack with 2.Rf1-d1 (White's rook cannot be taken because the Rd6 is pinned!) and you ννίπ the whoIe rook!

10 1.Be3-b6 Α defender is driven away

Rd8-c8 and 2.Qd2xd5 wins a pawn.

11 1 ... Nf3xg5+ Ιπ a discovered check, the knight can take anything it can reach - it couId aIso have take the h4-pawn without fear, but of course the bishop is worth more.


12 1.Bb5xc6 d7xc6?? The d7-pawn is pinned. If it takes, the queen is lost to 2.Qd1 xd8+. But if not, ΟΠθ of the two rooks being attacked is lost.

Here ννθ have a ρίπ plus a double attack!

13 The queen οπ d8 is only protected by the king. If White can entice the king away, he ννίll ννίπ the queen!

1.Bc4xf7+ Ke8-e7 (1 ... Ke8xf7?? 2.Qd1 xd8)

2.Bc1-g5+ Ng8-f6 Unfortunately Black can block the check with the knight, otherwise the queen would be 10sΙ So White remains a pawn υρ with a lead ίπ development:

3.Qd1 xd8+ Ke7xd8 4.0-0-0+

14 1.f2-f4 wins ΟΠθ of the two knights!

15 Ιπ the sample exercises, you saw that it is not always a piece standing behind the pinned piece, but something of greater value, such as mate. This is what happens here:

1.Rf1-c1 Qc5-f8 [1 ... Qc5-e5? 2. Rc1-c8#]

2.Rc1-c8+ Qf8xc8 3.Be6xc8

16 White ννίll ννίπ if he can get his king οπ to the 6th rank ahead of his pawn. SO:

1.Ka4-b5 Kf6-e7 [or 1 ... Kf6-e6] 2.Kb5-c6 Ke7-d8 3.c3-c4 h7-h6 4.h3-h4 h6-h5 5.Kc6-b7 Kd8-d7 6.c4-c5 and the passed pawn cannot be stopped.

17 1 ... g7-g6 2.Ne5xg6 Qe7xe4+ 3.Bf1-e2 Qe4xg6

and Black has ννοπ a knight.

18 1.Nd5xf6+ Black has πο chance against the double check by bishop and knight.

1 ... Kg8-h8 2.Nf6xd7 and the queen is lost.

And 1.Nd5-b6+ Kg8-h8 2. Nb6xd7 also wins the _queen.

19 1.f2-f4 and the bishop is lost, since it πο longer has a retreat s~uare.

Power Test 175

20 1.d2-d4(or d3)+ g7-g5 2.h2-h4 and no matter what Black plays, he no longer has a defence against the threat Bc1 xg5+ ΟΓ h4xg5+ losing the queen ΟΓ being mated.

21 1 ... 0g4-f3 and Of3-g2# can be delayed but not prevented!

22 Here Black can even chose which pawn to win with his discovered attack:

1 ... Bd6xa3 2.b2xa3 Od5xd3 and Black has won a pawn, but much better, because it is more forcing, is:

1 ... Bd6xg3+ 2.Be1 xg3 Od5xd3 also winning a pawn.

23 1.e4-e5 and the pinned Nf6 is lost.

24 1.0h5xh7# Naturally the Bd6 is also under attack but so is your queen. Anyway, mate is always better!

25 1 ... Nc6-b8 The knight retreats and comes back into the game via the squares d7 and b6 (or c5).

After 1 ... Nc6-a5 2.Bc4-d3 then b2-b4 threatens to win the knight. Nor is 1 ... Nc6-b4 2.a2-a3 Nb4-a6 3.Bc4xa6 b7xa6 especially good for Black.

26 1.Rh1-h7+ Kg7xh7 2.0e7xf7+ winning the queen.

27 1 ... Kc8-b8

and into the corner, then you have made sure of the draw!

2.a6-a7+ Kb8-a8 3.Kb6-a6 Stalemate!

28 1.0a5xc7# is better than the "clever" 1.Nb5-a7+ winning the queen with a discovered attack.


29 The simplest solution is 1.Nd5xc7+ (knight fork).

1 ... Ke8-f8 and πονν it is a good idea first to defend your bishop which is under attack, because the Ra8 cannot get away from you!

2.b2-b3 Qa4-d7 3.Nc7xa8 Qd7xd4 4.Bd2-e3 and Black must exchange queens, because otherwise he

loses even more after Qd1-d8+!

1.Bc4-b5+ is the second, very nice solution, but it is hard to spot!

1 ... Qa4xb5 2.Nd5xc7 + Ke8-f8 3.Nc7xb5 wins the queen -and 2 extra poinIs for you if you found this solution!

30 1.Nb5-d4 Rc2xa2 2.Nd4xf5 wins a piece!

[1.b3-b4 Na5-b72.Nb5-d4 Rc2xa2 3.Nd4xf5 is even a bit better, because this way you can save the b-pawn; but this is a nuance for really advanced players]

31 1.Ne5-c6+ winning the queen - the knight discovery trick from the Petroff Defence!

32 1 ... Qd8-c7+ 3.Kh2-g1 Qc7xc4 and Black has ννοπ the piece back with the double attack.

33 1 ... Bc5xe3 and White cannot take:

2.f2xe3 Qg7xg2#

2.g2-g3 does not save him either because of the ρίπ οπ the f2-pawn:

2 ... Qg7xg3+ 3.Kg1-h1 Qg3-g2#

34 1.Re7-e5+ Kh5-h4 2.g2-g3#

[2.Rg7-g4+ Qa4xg4 3.g2-g3+ Qg4xg3+ 4.f2xg3# is also a possible solution]

35 Απ instant's lack of attention by White and it has happened: 1 ... Bf8-c5+ winning the rook!

36 1 ... Qd8-d4 attacks the knight and the pawn and wins back the pawn (from the "Ruy Lopez")

ΡοννθΓ Test 177

37 1.Bc4-b5#

38 1.Rd1-d7 and White wins the Be7 by this double attack. Α lίttle care is still reqUΊred as 1 ... Qc7-c6 threatens mate on g2. 80 2.Qe6xc6 Bb7xc6 and only then 3.Rd7xe7. Let's be careful out there!

39 1.b2-b3 The bishop is blocked in and picked υρ by the king ΟΓ the rook.

1 ... Rd6-a6 2.Kc1-b2 Kg8-f8 3.Rh1-a1 and wins the bishop.

1 ... a7-a5 does not save the bishop either:

2.Kc1-b2 a5-a4 3.Kb2xa2 a4xb3+ 4.Ka2xb3

[4.c2xb3? Rd6-d2+ Watch out! 8kewer! Or: Easy come, easy go! Even if you win something, you must continue to pay attention!]

40 1.Bc4xf7+ Kg8xf7 2.Rb4xd4

White won the exchange by a discovered check - always watch out for situations where your opponent can make a discovered attack!


Evaluation 36-42 Υου are a real Chess Tίger! Many adult club players with

points years of experience would not reach this total! Your parents should be thinking about buying a display case as a proper home for the cups and medals you ννίll ννίπ ίπ the next few years!

30-35 Α really strong result! If you take a close look at the answers

points to the exercises you did not solve, then you ννίll get even better and have even more success ίπ your next test!

25-29 Α good result, but there are some things from ουΓ training

points programme you don't quite remember, aren't there? But that doesn't matter. 8imply look at the chapters ΟΓ sections referring to the exercises you could not solve. But perhaps some Πθνν exercises caused you some trouble? After you have had a good look at the solutions it ννίll certainly πο longer be a problem for you.

20 -24 Α solid result. Υου knew a lot - but why not a little more?

points Was it excitement, did you not concentrate enough - what caused it? Have another look at the exercises you did not understand ΟΓ got wrong and then about 2 weeks later, try the Power Test again! Then you ννίll certainly manage a better result!

14 -19 Fewer than half the points is not enough to pass a test, πο

points matter how close you were. But Rome was not built ίπ a day and if you continue to train and play chess regularly, it ννίll soon be easier for you to solve these exercises quickly and correctly. 80 hang ίπ there, things ννίll sort themselves out!

13 and What happened? Did you have a bad day, ννθΓθ you excited, fewer ΟΓ are tests not your thing because you are more of a practical points player? That is not a problem, but do take a really good look at

the solutions to all the exercises, and if there are things you have not understood then work through ουΓ training programme again. 80metimes once is not enough to understand everything, but things appear much, much easier after the second time.

Just keep your chin up, you'll manage it!

ΑΡΡΕΝΟΙΧ

APPENDIX

Materials Solutions

Scoresheet Certificate

179


Hunt the black king!

a b c d e f h

8 8

a c e 9 h

Targets: Points Points scored:

King • 20

Queen 1V 9

Rook Ι 5

Bishop j., 46

Knight 4ι\ 3

Pawn 1 i 1

Pawn 2 i 1

Pawn 3 i 1

Points:

6 Bishops and knights are worth rough/y the same, even though the bishop is sometimes stronger in the endgame than the knight. The difference between 3 and 4 points was simp/y chosen by me to distinguish between the two of them.

Files, ranks and diagonals 181

Files, ranks and diagonals

a b c d e f h

8

6

4

1 1

a c d e f 9 h

Draw οη the diagram the answers to the following questions:

Draw the longest diagonal

Draw ίπ the file οπ which the bishops stand οπ the queenside ίπ the starting position

Draw ίπ the rank οπ which a white pawn would stand if it moved 2 squares οπ its opening move

Draw ίπ the rank which a white pawn has to reach to be promoted to another piece (usually to a queen)

Draw ίπ the shortest possible diagonal:

So/ution απ the next page


Files, ranks and diagonals

a b c d e f h

8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4

3

2

1 1

a c e 9

The longest possible diagonal ....... ..... (a1 - h8 and a8 - h1 ΟΓ vice versa):

... ..... The file οπ which the bishops stand οπ the queenside: the (c-file): .. • The rank οπ which a white pawn would stand if it made a double move

οπ its first move: ί.θ. the (4th rank): 8 8

The rank a white pawn must reach ίπ order to be promoted to a piece: the (8th rank): 8,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,8

The shortest possible diagonal: ...... .. (a2 - b1, a7 - b8, g1 - h2 and g8 - h7 Το make the diagram clearer,

only 2 of these are shown.)

80lution to the quiz "Mate with king and queen" 183

Solution Ιο the quiz IIMate with king and queen ll

The following pages give you the solutions to the 6 such quizzes.

At the start, the solutions have qUΊte complete comments, but these become more cursory as the elementary manoeuvres should be known. For that reason it is important to do the exercises ίπ the order 1 - 6 and then to look at the appropriate solution.

Especially ίπ positions where White is far away from the black king, there are numerous possible variations, which - although simple ίπ themselves - would soon drown us ίπ detail. 80 ννΘ usually only give a sample solution and point out a few other ones.

Usually ίπ chess training people have started from the point of νίΘνν that the ρυρίl has to find the best way - so ίπ ουΓ exercises this would have had to be the most precise and the shortest possible solution.

This attitude stems from the fact that ίπ the past children ννΘΓΘ looked υροπ as small adults, and quite simply πο account was taken of their special skills, needs and limitations.

It is a totally unrealίstic idea, especially with younger children, that they ννίll learn chess techniques and understand them ίπ exactly the same way as adults do.

80 the author has chosen a simple winning plan (the two goals) and this plan becomes the central point of the solution.

The result of this is that sometimes other solutions are better, quicker ΟΓ more elegant. This is not qUΊte so important ίπ children's chess.

What is crucial is that the child learns

• to recognise and understand a plan • to make use of it (or at least to try to do so as best s/he can) • and not to be distracted by other ideas which suddenly ρορ up.

If ννΘ can manage this, then ννΘ have achieved a lot - and that applies also to the child's development beyond the game of chess.

80 ίπ ουΓ exercises the criterion for a correct solution is that a plan has clearly been drawn up, and then more ΟΓ less logically followed - without forgetting that the opponent has to be mated, which is after all the goal of the exercise!


Solutions to the endgame quiz Κ + Q - Κ

a b c d e f

a b c d e f

Ο1

This situation is very favourable, because Black is already at the edge of the board.

The qUΊckest way to ννίπ is

1.Qd4-a7 (Ο)

At once drives the king into the 3 mating position:

2 1 ... Kc8-d8 2.Qa7-d7# [2.0a7-a8#]

1.0d4-g7 iS all right ίπ principle, but it takes a little longer:

1 ... Kc8-b8 2.κd6-c6 Kb8-a8 3.0g7-b7#

Q2

Ιπ this and ίπ similar positions -unlike for example that ίπ Ο1 - there iS not οnθ single solution leading to mate. ΑΙΙ sorts of solutions exist - and as long as ουΓ two goals are pursued (and as long as there is πο stalemate!), that ννill do.

3 Let us look at ΟΠθ possible solution: 2 1.Qh6-c6 (Ο)

The kings are shut ίπ together ίπ ΟΠθ specific area of the board, and -according to where the black king goes to - the queen forces it either down the board ΟΓ to the right: ίπ both cases towards the edge of the board. Black πονν has three possible moves:

Α) 1 ... Ke5-d4 Β) 1 ... Ke5-f5 C) 1 ... Ke5-f4

Solution to the quiz "Mate with king and queen" 185

02 after 3 ... Kd3-d2

5~ 8 8 8 5

4 8~8 8 ~4 3~ 8 8Φ8 3

2 8 8 8 ~2 1 ~ 8.8 8 1

a b c d e f 9 h

04 after Α2 2 ... Kd4-e5

Α) 1 ... Ke5-d4

2.Kg2-f3 (Ο) and Black again has two possibilities;

Α1) 2 ... Kd4-d3 Α2) 2 ... Kd4-e5 (below)

3.Qc6-c5 Kd3-d2 (02)

4.Qc5-c4

Remember this queen manoeuvre. ΒΥ small steps, the queen pushes the king ΟΠθ square at a time back to the edge, till a mating position is reached:

4 ... Kd2-d1 (03)

[4 ... Kd2-e1?? Qc4-e2#]

5.Kf3-e3 Kd1-e1 6.Qc4-c1(e2)# is the quickest way to a ννίπ

5.Qc4-a2 Kd1-c1 6.Kf3-e3 Kc1-d1

7.Qa2-d2# (7.Qa2-b1#) is also ΟΚ.

[5.Qc4-e2+ may also ννίπ, but it is better to drive the black king towards ΥουΓ οννπ king with your queen.

5 ... Kd1-c1 6.Kf3-e3 Kc1-b1 7.Ke3-d3 Kb1-a1 8.κd3-c3 Ka1-b1 9.Qe2-b2#]

Υου have certainly noticed that that is not so direct.

Οπ move 2, the black king could go to another square and vary the winning method.

Α2) 2 ... Kd4-e5 (04)

3.Qc6-d7 The best. Leaves the king just ΟΠθ square and forces it towards the edge. ΑΙΙ other moves leave Black more space.


05 after 5 ... Kg6-h6

06 after Β) 1 ... Ke5-f4

3

2

Ke5-f6 4.Kf3-f4 Kf6-g6 5.Qd7-e7 Kg6-h6 (05)

As ίπ Α) ννθ have already forced the king to the edge of the board with small steps by the queen. Νονν you must watch out, because a careless move could be disastrous: 6.Qe7-f7?? is stalemate!

00 not move automatically, but always consider how things look after your neχt move: what your opponent can do ΟΓ can he do nothing? What you/he are threatening ...

6.Kf4-f5 Kh6-h5 (it was zugzwang) 7.Qe7-h7(g5)#

Β) 1 ... Ke5-f4 (06)

2.Qc6-e6 Kf4-g5 Once more there are 2 possibilities Kg3 ΟΓ Kf3:

a) 3.Kg2-g3 departs a little from our standard plan, but also wins. 3 ... Kg5-h54.Kg3-f4

(4.Qe6-f6?? STALEMATE - ΟΠθ silly move can spoίl a won endgame!)

4 ... Kh5-h4 Ζυ zwan ! 5.Qe6-h6#

b) 3.Kg2-f3 (07)

3 ... Kg5-h5

[3 ... Kg5-h44.Qe6-g4#]

4.Qe6-g8 *

[4.Qe6-f6?? STALEMATE!]

4 ... Kh5-h6 5.Kf3-f4 Kh6-h5 6.Qg8-g5#

* The sequence 4.Kf3-f4 Kh5-h4 5.Qe6-g4/h6# is even a little bit quicker.


Ο8 after C) 1 ... Ke5-f5

Ο2 after 3 ... Kc6-b6

Α) 1 ... Ke5-f5 (08)

e.g.:

2.Kg2-f3 Kf5-e5 3.Qc6-c5+

[3.0c6-d7 Ke5-f6 4.Kf3-f4 Kf6-g6 5.0d7-e6+* Kg6-h7 6.Kf4-g5 Kh7-g7 7.0e6-e7+ Kg7-g8 8.κg5-g6 Kg8-h8 9.0e7-g7#]

* The best way is 5.0d7-e7 Kg6-h6 6.Kf4-f5 Kh6-h5 7.0e7-g5/h7#!

3 ... Ke5-e6 4.Kf3-e4 Ke6-f6 5.Qc5-f5+ Kf6-e7 6.Ke4-e5 Ke7-d8 7.Qf5-f7 Kd8-c8 8. Ke5-d6 Kc8-b8 9. Kd6-c6 Kb8-a810.Qf7-b7#

Q3

In this position too, there are different but equally good ways to win. The queen can deprive the king of squares from d2, c2, f5 ΟΓ f6 to force it to the edge. And Ke4-e5 also forces the king back ΟΓ to one side. We shall only look at one way to win, since ννθ do not have enough space to show them all.

But if you like you can work out how to win with the other moves ννθ mention!

1.Qf2-f5 (Ο) Kc6-d6 2.Qf5-e5+

This time ννθ can use our own king for protection and so get in closer to the opponent's king.

2 ... Kd6-c6

[2 ... Kd6-d7 3.Qe5-f6 ΟΓ a/so 3.Ke4-d5 and the king must go straight to the edge. 3 ... Kd7-d8

3.Ke4-d4 Kc6-b6 (02) 4.Qe5-d6+


03 after 6 ... Ka7-a6

White plays a waiting move to let the Black king go into the mating position because of zugzwang.

a b c d e

04 after 7.Qd7-b5+

[4.Qe5-c5+ also works, but this time the queen is ίη the way of its οννη

king, which also must get ίη close to deliver the mate.]

4 ... Kb6-b7 5. Kd4-c5 Kb7-a7 6.Qd6-d7+ Ka7-a6 (03) 7.Qd7-e7

White simply waits tiII Black must move into the mating position by zugzwang. So such a move is called a waiting move.

7 ... Ka6-a58.Qe7-a7#

Ιη ουΓ position you must be very careful not to accidentally stalemate your opponent. If you are not qUΊte sure and cannot think out what to do, then you are better to start a whole ηθνν mating sequence.

Oon't ννΟΓΓΥ if you do not find the absolutely correct way to mate. What is important is winning! As you gain experience, then you ννίΙΙ be more sure of yourself and have a routine for winning such positions without having to think about it for ages.

Ιη ουΓ position another route to mate is 7.Qd7-b5+ (04)

Ka6-a7 8.Kc5-c6 Ka7-a8 9.Qb5-b7#


a b c d e f

3

2

Q4

The king is already trapped and is mated ίπ a few moves.

After 1.Qc7-b8 (Ο)

The king is restricted to the a-fίle (goaI 1 has been achieved) and ννθ move straight to goal 2.

But watch out! If instead of 1.0c7-b8 you start with 1.Kc3-b4?? ΟΓ 1.Kc3-c4??, you are ίπ for a nasty surprise, because both moves mean staIemate!

1 ... Ka6-a5 2.Kc3-c4 Ka5-a6

3.Kc4-c5 Ka6-a5 (zugzwang)

4.Qb8-b5# 4.0b8-a7#]

Q5

This position is even easier to ννίπ than 04 - if you notice that by means of

1.Qe1-e5 (Ο)

The black king can easiIy be pushed back to the edge of the board. Moves Iike 1.0e1-e4+/e6+ are weak and let the king slip away.

1 ... Kg4-h4

[1 ... Kg4-h3? 2.0e5-g3#]

2.Kf2-f3 Kh4-h3 3.Qe5-h5#


Q6 1.Qh4-b4 (Ο)

Once again there are other sensible plans, which you could follow.

[One other possibility could be, e.g. 1.κg2-f3 Kd5-c5 2.Kf3-e3 Kc5-d5 3.Qh4-d8+ (or 3.Qh4-f6) 3 ... Kd5-c4 4.Qd8-d6 Kc4-c3 5.Qd6-d4+ etc.]

1 ... Kd5-e5 2.Kg2-f3 Ke5-e6

[2 ... Ke5-f5 3.Qb4-c5+ Kf5-e6 4.Kf3-f4 Ke6-f6 (4 ... Ke6-d75.Qc5-b6)

5.Qc5-c6+]

3.Qb4-c5 Ke6-f6 4.Kf3-f4 Kf6-e6 5.Qc5-c6+ Ke6-e7 6.Kf4-f5 Ke7-f7 7.Qc6-d7+ Kf7-f8 8.Kf5-g6 Kf8-g8 9.Qd7- 7# [9.Qd7-e8#]

6

5

4

Solutions to the endgame quiz "Mate with Κ + R /2R" 191

Solutions Ιο the endgame quiz "Mate with Κ + R /2R"

R1

1.Rh2-c2+ (Ο)

Απ obvious move, because the kings are already ίπ the opposition, so the black king must meet the check

Γ*+>~-----,;,~_~:Ι2 by heading towards the edge of the board.

1 ... Kc5-b4 2. Ke5-d4 Kb4-b3 3.Rc2-c8 Kb3-b2 4.Kd4-d3

~------------------~

Νονν Black can choose between Α) 4 ... Kb2-b1 ΟΓ Β) 4 ... Kb2-b3.

Going to the a-fίle would be quite weak, because after 5.Rc8-b8 Black is soon ίπ a osition to be mated.

a b c d e f 9 h

Ο2 after 4 ... Kb2-b1

Ο3 after 8.Rb8-b1!

We shall take a look at both possibilities:

Α) 4 ... Kb2-b1

5.Kd3-d2 Kb1-b2

6.Rc8-b8+ Kb2-a3 7.Kd2-c3 Ka3-a4 8.Rb8-b1! (03)

[8.Kc3-c4 would get us πο further, because ννθ cannot force Black into a mating position just with king moves.]

Ka4-a5 9.Kc3-c4 Ka5-a6 10.Kc4-c5 Ka6-a7 11.Kc5-c6 Ka7-a8 12.Kc6-c7 Ka8-a713.Rb1-a1#

Α bit long, but not all that difficult, is it?

But Ι can show you a little "trick", which can speed things υρ a bit:


02 after b) 8.Rc3-b3 ΟΓ to another square οπ the 3rd rank as a

waiting move

03 after c) 7.Rc3-b3+

We previously played 6.Rc8-b8+ and the king had to go to the a-file and used some moves running away from ουΓ king.

After 6.Rc8-c3!

We can prevent this running away. The rook closes off the third rank and the c-file and leaves Black just three squares.

a) Kb2-a2 b) Kb2-a1 c) Kb2-b1

a) 6 ... Kb2-a2 is the weakest of the 3 moves. After 7.Kd2-c2(c1) Ka2-a1 (zugzwang) 8.Rc3-a3# it is already all over.

b) 6 ... Kb2-a1 7.Kd2-c2 Ka1-a2 8.Rc3-b3 (02) ΟΓ to another square οπ the 3rd rank, except of course a3. 8 ... Ka2-a1 9.Rb3-a3#

c) 6 ... Kb2-b1 7.Rc3-b3+ (03) Kb1-a2 (if Kb 1-a 1 ννθ use the manoeuvre from 02.)

8.Kd2-c2 Ka2-a1 9.Rb3-a3#

Νονν, was that not just great!

But if you are not quite sure at the start, then just play it the longer way. Whenever you then (almost) always ννίπ like that, then try out ουΓ rook manoeuvre - it is worth it!

Οπ move 4, instead of 4 ... Kb2-b1 Black did have another move he could choose. Let us take a closer look at that one.

SoIutions to the endgame quiz "Mate with Κ + R Ι 2R" 193

a) 4 ... Kb2-b3 (Ο)

We could drive the king on to the afiIe with 5.Rc8-b8 and deIiver mate in the usuaI way.

But ννΘ can aIso make use of ουΓ new trick with the advance of the rook and win more qUΊckIy - so Iet's try that out with:

2 5.Rc8-c4!

Ο2 after a) 6.κd3-c2

:~d""~: 3 ~ p%!~ _ _ 3

2 :.,;.~. ~~ 2

1~ __ _

a b c d e f 9 h

Ο3 after b) 6.κd3-c3

Just Iike before, the king onIy has three squares Ieft, even if it does happen to be a bit further υρ the board.

a) 5 ... Kb3-a3 6.Kd3-c2 (Ο2)

zugzwang! 6 ... Ka3-a2 7.Rc4-a4#

b) 5 ... Kb3-a2 6.Kd3-c3 (Ο3) and either 6 ... Ka2-a1 7.Kc3-c2 Ka1-a2 8.Rc4-a4# ΟΓ

6 ... Ka2-a3 7.Kc3-c2 ΟΓ

6 ... Ka2-b1 7.Rc4-a4 Kb1-c1 and 8.Ra4-a1#

c) 5 ... Kb3-b2 6.Rc4-b4 and either 6.κb2-a2/a3 as ννΘ saw in the previous line ΟΓ 6 ... Kb2-c1 7.Rb4-b3 (waiting move) and 7 ... Kc1-d1 8.Rb3-b1#

If you find that too compIicated at first, then try the "normaI" way to mate with 4. Rc8-b8+. The main thing is: you have a pIan, you stick to it and ου mate ουΓ ο onent!


Ο2 after [5 ... Kc3-c2]

Α2

1.Ke5-e4 (Ο) Kg3-g2

If 1 ... Kg3-h3 then 2.Ke4-f3 Kh3-h2 3.Rf4-g4 ...

2.Rf4-f3 (or Rf4-g4+)

2 ... Kg2-h2 3. Ke4-e3 Kh2-g2 4. Ke3-e2 Kg2-h2

[or 4 ... Kg2-h1 and πονν either:

Α) 5.Ke2-f2 Kh1-h2 6.Rf3-g3

(6. Rf3-a3 Kh2-h1 7.Ra3-h3#)

ΟΓ Β) 5.Rf3-g3 Kh1-h2 6.Ke2-f2 Kh2-h1 7.Rg3-h3#]

"5.Ke2-f2 Kh2-h1 6.Rf3-h3#

Α3

1.Ke5-e4 (Ο)

Of course Rg5-g4 would also be correct, because then the king would be limited to the first 3 ranks. And 1.Rg5-g3+ is also possible. But ουΓ king move hems Black ίπ more quickly.

1 ... Kc3-c4 2.Rg5-d5 Kc4-c3 3.Rd5-d4 Kc3-c2 4.Ke4-e3 Kc2-c3 5.Rd4-h4 Kc3-b2

[ΟΓ 5 ... Kc3-c2 (02) 6.Rh4-c4+ Kc2-b3 7.Ke3-d3 Kb3-b2 8.Rc4-b4+ Kb2-a3 9Xd3-c3 Ka3-a2 10.Rb4-a4+ Ka2-b1 11.Ra4-a3 Kb1-c1 12.Ra3-a1 #]

6.Ke3-d3 Kb2-b3 7.Kd3-d2 Kb3-b2 8.Rh4-b4+ Kb2-a3 9.Kd2-c3 Ka3-a2 10.Rb4-a4+ Ka2-b1 11.Ra4-a3 Kb1-c1 12.Ra3-a1#

a

8

7

6

5

Solutions to the endgame quiz "Mate with Κ + R / 2R" 195

b c

02 after [5 ... Ke6-d7]

6

5

4

3

6

5

4

3

Α4

1.Ra8-a4 (Ο) Ke5-d5 2.Kb7-b6 Kd5-e6 3.Kb6-c5 Ke6-e5 4.Ra4-d4 Ke5-e6 5.Rd4-e4+ Ke6-f5

[5 ... Ke6-d7 (02) 6.Re4-e5 Kd7-c7 7.Re5-e7+ Kc7-d8 8.Kc5-d6 Kd8-c8 9.Re7-h7 Kc8-b8 10.κd6-c6 Kb8-a8 11.Kc6-b6 Ka8-b8 12.Rh7-h8#]

6.Kc5-d5 Kf5-f6 7. Re4-e1 Kf6-f7 8.Kd5-d6 Kf7-f8 9.Re1-e7 Kf8-g8 10. Kd6-e6 Kg8-f8 11. Ke6-f6 Kf8-g8 12.Re7-e8+

[or 12.Re7-f7 Kg8-h8 13.Kf6-g6 Kh8-g8 14.Rf7-f1 Kg8-h8 15.Rf1-f8#]

12 ... Kg8-h7 13.Re8-f8 Kh7-h6 14.Rf8-h8#

Υου certainly noticed that there ννΘΓΘ no more explanations in this solution. But then again, you don't need them, because you now know all the important techniques for the endgame with a rook and can certainl win it one wa ΟΓ another.

Α5

Your own king may be a bit in the way, but that is not a real problem. There are various ways to win, but they are not so very different one from another:

1.Rb5-b4 (Ο) Kf3-e2 2.Rd6-h6 (2.Rb4-b3 is somewhat quicker) Ke2-f3 3.Rh6-h3+ Kf3-g2 4.Rh3-a3 Kg2-f1 5.Rb4-b2 Kf1-e1 6.Ra3-a1#

And then there is another variation:


Ο2 after 2.Rd6-d4

1 ... Kf3-e3 2.Rd6-d4 (02) Νονν the king can help a Iίttle!

Ke3-e2 3.Rb4-b3 Ke2-f2 4.Rd4-d2+ Kf2-e1 5.Rd2-a2

And off to the other side:

5 ... Ke1-d1 6.Rb3-b1#

Α6

The rooks are somewhat scattered οπ the board, but ννθ can soon do something about that. Once more there are different ways to ννίπ. First, let's look at the νeήίcal way:

1.Ra8-d8 Ke5-e6 2.Rh1-e1 + Ke6-f7 3.Rd8-d2 Kf7-f6 4.Rd2-f2+ Kf6-g5 5.Re1-g1 + Kg5-h4 6.Rf2-h2#

1.Ra8-a4 is somewhat longer because your οννπ king is ίπ the way and so several waiting moves are necessary, but it can only delay the victory for a very shοή time:

1 ... Ke5-f6 2.Rh1-h6+ Kf6-g7 3.Rh6-c6 Kg7-f7 4.Ra4-h4 (a clever move to ννίπ a bit quicker is 4.κb7-b6) Kf7-g7 5.Rh4-d4 Kg7-f7 6.Rd4-d7+ Kf7-e8 7.Rd7-h7 Ke8-f8 8.Rc6-c8#

Solutions to the quiz οπ the pawn endgame 197

SoIutions to the quiz οη the pawn endgame a b c Ρ1

8 1.Kc6-d6 (Ο)

a b c d

8

7

a b c d

8

7

5

4

e f

e f

6

5

4

3

2

3

2

6

5

3

2

and you have reached the winning position!

Had you chosen to move the pawn instead, then you could not wίπ if your opponent played correctly!

Ρ2

1.Kf6-f7 (Ο) Kh7-h8 2.g5-g6? βΤΑΙΕΜΑΤΕ!

Does ουΓ winning method not work, ΟΓ something?

It does, but you have to do it slightly differently

2.Kf7-g6 Kh8-g8 3.Kg6-h6 Kg8-f8 4.Kh6-h7 Kf8-f7 5.g5-g6+ etc.

ΟΓ 3 ... Kg8-h8 4.g5-g6 Kh8-g8 5.g6-g7 Kg8-f7 6.κh6-h7 and the pawn iS promoted.

Ρ3

White should wίπ with two pawns, but must find the correct plan, which iS not all that easy to see:

1.Kg3-g4 (Ο) 1 ... Kh8-g7 2.Kg4-g5 Kg7-h83.Kg5-f5

[3.κg5-h6 ΟΓ 3.κg5-f6 STALEMATE!]

3 ... Kh8-g74.h7-h8Q+

198

8

7

6

5

a b c d e f


White sacrifices a pawn to get his king into the correct position and to avoid stalemate.

4 ... Kg7xh8 5.Kf5-f6 Kh8-g8 6.g6-g7 and when the black king moves away, White can occupy the f7-square, from which promotion is a certainty:

6 ... Kg8-h7 7.Kf6-f7 Kh7-h6 8.g7-g8Q and you already know this matin motif and ννίll easil ννίπ.

Ρ4

The strong 3-pawn chain wins οπ its οννπ without the help of its king. There are different ways:

1.g5-g6 (Ο)

[1.f5-f6 Kg8-f7 (1 ... Kg8-h7 2.f6-f7) 2.h6-h7 Kf7-g6 3.h7-h8Q]

1 ... Kg8-f8

[1 ... Kg8-h8 2.f5-f6 Kh8-g8 3.f6-f7+ Kg8-f84.h6-h7

(4.g6-g7+? Kf8xf7 and White a/so wins, but he has to bring υρ his king and that takes time!)]

2.f5-f6 Kf8-g8 3.h6-h7+ Kg8-h8 4.f6-f7 Kh8-g7 5.h7-h8Q+ Kg7xh8 6.f7-f8Q#

Solution to "endgame with a rook's pawn" 199

Solution to "endgame with a rook's pawn"

1 ... Kf7-f8

(1 ... Kf7-g6? and 1 ... Kf7-f6? Both lose, because the white king can get out with 2.κh8-g8 and the pawn can promote.)

Α) 2.h6-h7 Kf8-f7 Stalemate!

Β) 2.Kh8-h7 Kf8-f7 3.Kh7-h8 Kf7-f8 4.Kh8-h7 and if the players are not asleep they wίll even today be moving the kings back and forward, till they finally realise the position is a draw!


The laws of chess There πονν follow the most important laws of chess. This does not

represent a complete introduction and does not seek to replace any manual for beginners. It is intended to be a help to you if you are unsure about some question about the rules, ΟΓ if there are some rules you do not know.

How the pieces move King

The king can take ΟΠΘ step (one square) ίπ any direction. It may not moνe into check.

The king can take any opposing piece which is οπ the square it moνes to. It may not take its οννπ pieces.

One exceptional situation is castling. Then the king may moνe from its original position οπ e1 (e8) two squares to either side. If castling long (queenside) it goes to c1 (c8), if castling short (kingside) it moνes to g1 (g8). Then the rook moνes from its corner square (a1/a8 ΟΓ h1/h8) past the king, to the square next to the king. Castling is a king moνe, so the laws stipulate that the king is moνed first.

a b c d e f

3

2

Ιπ long (queenside) castling and ίπ short (kingside) castling the king moνes 2 squares to the appropriate side and the rook is moνed ονΘΓ the king and placed οπ the square next to it (d1/d8 ΟΓ f1/f8).

Υου may only castle if neither your king ΠΟΓ the rook has already moνed. If ΟΠΘ of them has left its square and then later returned to it, castling is πο longer possible.

The laws of chess 201

Moreover the king may not castle into check (which is logical of course), it may not castle to move out of check and, what many amateurs do not realise, it may not castle through a check. But it does not matter if the rook is attacked, ΟΓ moves ΟVθΓ a square which is being attacked (b1 ΟΓ b8).

The queen

White to move, may not castle kingside, because the king would have to travel ΟVθΓ f1, which is under attack from the Bc4.

But White may castle queenside, although the rook is attacked twice (castling would actually be a really stupid move, because after 1.0-0-0 Black would play 1 ... Ra8-a 1 # but it would be possible according to the rules).

Black to move, may not castle kingside, because the king would end υρ οπ g8, ί.θ. ίπ check because the Nh6 is attackin that square.

is the strongest piece οπ the chessboard. It brings together the ways of moving of both the rook and the bishop. It can go ίπ a straight lίne both horizontally and vertically like the rook, but also diagonally ίπ any direction lίke the bishop.

Therook

moves horizontally and vertically to all sides, as long as the squares are free.

The bishop

moves diagonally to all sides, as long as the squares are free.

The knight is the most complicated piece and the ΟΠθ that it is hardest for

beginners to understand.

Υου can imagine its move like a large "L", which can be seen going off ίπ different directions. The next diagram shows a knight οπ d5 and all the


possible squares it could go to - they are all black squares. This is always the case: a knight sitting οπ a white square attacks only black squares. Naturally, a knight οπ a black square attacks only white squares. Υου might say a knight, unlike a bishop, changes colours every move.

The knight is the only piece which can jump ονθΓ other pieces. This means, for example, that it can get the better of a pawn wall.

a b c d e

Taking your opponent~s pieces

6

3

2

ΑΙΙ the pieces ννθ have mentioned υρ till πονν take opposing pieces ίπ the direction ίπ which they are moving. Taking a piece stops your οννπ piece going any further. Things are different with pawns, as ννθ ννίll πονν see.

The pawns

take ΟΠθ step (move ΟΠθ square) forwards.

From its starting position a pawn may move forward by two squares (but it does not have to and it can chose to move ΟΠθ square only, but it then loses its right to a double).

Pawns take forwards and diagonally (at the same time), either to the right ΟΓ to the left.

The rule to remember is:

Pawns moνe straight forwards but take diagonally.

Α pawn which reaches its opponent's final rank (8th rank ΟΓ 1 st rank), can (and must!) be promoted to any other piece (except a king!). Υου usually

The laws of chess 203

promote the pawn to a queen, but it could also be a rook, a bishop ΟΓ a knight. Υου may not simply leave the pawn οπ the back rank at first without promotion. The move is not completed until the pawn has been promoted.

The special "en passant" rule is described ίπ the book itself (ρ.11).

Mate, stalemate and the draw If a king is being checked and cannot get out of check (by capturing,

blocking ΟΓ moving away), it is mated and its side has lost.

If a king is not ίπ check, but its side can make πο legal move, it is stalemated and the game is a draw.

Mate and stalemate automatically end a game. If people overlook ΟΠθ of them and continue the game and if during the game they realise what has happened, then the moves made after the mate ΟΓ stalemate do not count and the game is either a ννίπ for the player who delivered mate ΟΓ a draw ίπ the case of a stalemate.

Α draw can happen when:

• neither side has enough material to mate the other (e.g. Κ + Ν - Κ);

• both players agree to a draw (this can happen at any time and it does not matter what the position is ΟΓ how many pieces are left οπ the board);

• for 50 moves neither side has moved a pawn ΟΓ taken any piece ΟΓ pawn (this rarely happens and is of πο real importance for beginners);

• absolutely the same position has occurred three times with the same player to move. This does not have to be three times ίπ a row, but can happen at three separate points ίπ the game, e.g. οπ moves 45, 49 and 63. This rule does not have much importance for beginners either.

Basically, the game can go οπ as long as at least ΟΠθ player has enough material to be able to mate the other, even if it would take some pretty unlikely moves for this to happen. But ίπ positions with a very high probability of a draw, fair players usually agree οπ a draw, because quite apart from the considerations of sportsmanship, it is a waste of time to continue such games. 80, ''σff with the old, οπ with the new"!


Recommended reading When you have completed this book you ννίll probably want to continue

to study chess, but may be wondering which books to use. Listed below are a few books that should help you learn more about chess:

This section has been inc/uded by the pubIίshers, as the origina/ German text referred to German /anguage books, not avai/ab/e ίπ EngIίsh.

Jose Raul Capablanca: Chess Fundamentals

Capablanca was World Champion from 1921-1927 and was in many ways the inventor of modern positional play. Before Capablanca there was less understanding of concepts such as when a bishop was "good" and when it was "bad" (meaning Iiving υρ to its potential ΟΓ not). In this Iittle book Capablanca goes through some simple examples of chess and explains them with great insight and clarity.

Martin Weteschnik: Understanding Chess Tactics

Written by a close friend of Heinz Brunthaler, this book explains the most common tactical motifs in chess. Every strong chess player knows these tactical chess fundamentals.

Aron Nimzowitsch: ΜΥ System

One of the most popular and best-selling chess books ever!

Aron Nimzowitsch was a contemporary of Capablanca and one of the strongest players in the world in the 1920s and 1930s. This, his main work, was written in German and goes through the building blocks of chess and takes the reader from being a relative novice to understanding qUΊte advanced concepts. ΜΥ System is as relevant today as it was in 1925 when it was written. Because many of the original translations were badly done, Quality Chess has retranslated this classic for publication in 2006.

Internet addresses for chess associations 205

Internet addresses for chess associations The following internet addresses could prove useful. The World Chess

Federation website has a list of the internet addresses of the federations of every chess-playing country. More detailed information about chess ίπ your area can be found οπ your national federation's website.

World Chess Federation www.fide.com

EnJalish Chess Federation www.englishchess.org.uk

Chess Scotland www.chessscotland.com

Irish Chess υπίοπ www.icu.ie

Welsh Chess υπίοπ www.welshchessunion.co.uk

United States Chess Federation www.uschess.org

Chess Federation of Canada www.chess.ca

Australian Chess Federation www.auschess.org.au

New Zealand Chess Federation www.nzchess.co.nz

\White: Black:

1········· .. ················ .. ·1 .............................. Ι··························· ··1

White Black White Black White Black

1 21 41

2 22 42

3 23 43

4 24 44

5 25 45

6 26 46

7 27 47

8 28 48

9 29 49

10 30 50 11 31 51

12 32 52

13 33 53

15 34 54

15 35 55

16 36 56

17 37 57

18 38 58

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20 40 60

Certificate

...............................................................................

has completed the Chess Power Test with

..................................... Points

The Author and Publishers congratulate you οπ this achievement and wish you success and

many happy experiences ίπ your chess career.

...................................................... (Date)

.i • i.

Chess for I<ids and Parents It is widely accepted that learning chess has a very positive effect οπ children. Many parents want to help their children to study chess, but don't know how to do ίι This book is the solution. It is a practical handbook that teaches the mysteries of chess with a light touch. ΑΙ rules and aspects of the game are covered. This book ί help children progress from absolute beginners to playing ίπ tournaments.

The book contains a simple but effective training programme that includes topics such as openings, tactics, simple mates, the endgame, and many more. Many tests are included, with clearly explained solutions, to ensure that the reader has understood the lesson. Ιπ addition to the instructional material, the section Preparing for your first tournament contains a wealth of practical advice.

Heinz Brunthaler's background is as a businessman. For the last twenty years he has been involved ίπ many aspects of chess, including organising more than a hundred international tournaments. Νο he focuses οπ writing chess books, especial!y those designed to help novices.

(6.99 9.99 $11.95 ISBN 91-976004-5-8

5 1 1 95

Ι Ι QUALITY CHESS W www.quatitychessbooks.com Ι Ι

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