CHESS (3.1.) ZEN

In this category I will post games and ideas that seems to be as easy as whirlwinds move feathers - and at the same time as gather a bag of these feathers thrown to the four winds.

The feature game will be recent one. Why not? For everyone knows at least one miraculous piece of art from die Klassikeren. 

It was played at the Gashimov Memorial 2015.

The teacher: Wesley So.

The assistant (who helped create this masterpiece): Rauf Mamedov.

You can have a computer analysis (usually only for a short time) at

http://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2015-gashmem/04-So_Wesley-Mamedov_Rauf

Anyway, wonderful play on the one hand, inexplicable behaviour on the other.

When playing at the U.S. Championship 2015 Wesley So just could not resist taking notes.  First on his score sheet, then on his cup (!). No wonder he's been forfeited. No arbiter should decide otherwise. In fact, they were way to fair with him by notifying him twice beforehand. Worth mentioning that these were only short motivating phrases, but still!

You can learn more on this here: http://www.chess.com/news/breaking-wesley-so-forfeited-in-round-9-9186

Just imagine this below would be on a scoresheet

The connection between ZEN and the rules would be an exciting topic to unfold.

In the meanwhile, FIDE Laws of Chess is really worth studying.

chess (2.1.3) simple chess - outposts 3

Here we have 2 positions to evaluate. Both of them are from the book Emms: Simple Chess.

SACRIFICE FOR AN OUTPOST

The first example is from the game Ward-Gibbs, 1999.

Q1: Which side is better?

Q2: What are the advantages of White?

Q3: How can White improve his position?

OUTPOSTS RELATIVE VALUE

The second example is from the game Conquest-Emms, 1990. Both sides managed to create an outpost. However, these outposts have relative value.

Q1: What do you think, the Bishop on c5 or the c4 Knight is better?

Q2: Why?

Q3: How can Black improve his position?

In my experience players strive to create the following outposts in certain openings.

Examples - Spanish: f5 for White. King's Indian: d4 or f4 for Black. Pirc classical: f4 for Black. Closed Sicilian: d4 for Black, d5 or f5 forWhite. Dutch: d4 for Black. Maroczy Bind and Rossolimo Sicilian d5 for White.

In this topic, last, but not least let's see a spectacular game of Ivanchuk, just for FUN. Don't forget to count the outposts he managed to create. 

Answers: In the first game White has an advantage: he has more space and the open c file and the weak b6 pawn as perspectives. He needs to consider an exchange sacrifice on c6. Thus, he will create a passer, inter alia. In the second game: when the bishop is supported by a pawn or two, then it has no effect on that diagonal leading backwards, whereas as the knight, being a ‘jumping’ piece, doesn't suffer from this problem. This means that, White’s bishop on c5 has no influence back on the c5-g1 diagonal. White is unfortunate enough to have no choice but passive defense. Black's plan is to open Kingside and enter in White's position.

chess (2.1.2) simple chess - the d5 outpost (outposts 2)

Although Mr Emms' examples are good and instructive I prefer the game below
It's played by Bobby Fischer and can be considered the quintessence of the method to occupy the d5 square in the Sicilian Defense. The game is annotated by Fischer, I modified the algebraic notation, though.

an outpost

The second game is also played by Fischer. Now, with the Black pieces. he demonstrates how to fight against creating an outpost on d5, and eventually against his own system. This game is from gm Emms' book.

Building and having outposts is also crucial in computer based strategy games, such as AOE2.

Don't forget to check the daily puzzles at the bottom of the page!

image credits nn 1

chess (2.1.1) simple chess - outposts 1

i started reading gm emms book, simple chess. let's put it simple, it is a good book. clearly written, easy-to-follow vocabulary (recommended for foreign readers). simple chess is on positional play, say, it explains us the basics of positional understanding.

ginger killer series - serial killah.

btw i like the style of uk gm lectures. for example simon williams aka gingergm is fully professional. don't forget to check out his videos and website

1-game-for-1(01)-day-notes
... and some own adding

outposts (1)

image credits nn 1