Junior Club Week 7: Opening - First steps

At the start of the game both armies face each other eager to do battle.  

The first few moves are known as the opening.  There are many rules and guidelines to help us open a game of chess correctly.

This lesson introduces 3 very simple rules that help us to open a game correctly.  Perhaps you can remember them as A.C.K.S.  (say axe).

Activate – No army can win a battle if it lazes around at home.  The armies’ fighting units need to get into the battle.  In chess this relates to getting the knights and bishops out.  We should aim to get them all out, so try not to move a piece again once it has been moved.  Unless of course it is under attack, or your opponent has left a piece unguarded piece ready to take.

 

Centralise- The 4 central squares are the most important on the chess board.  

The reason is movement.  The player who controls these 4 squares the best can use them to move his pieces around the quickest.  Pieces should be moved towards the centre wherever possible.  

The very best way to control the centre is to move one of your pawns to a central square.  Try to move your pieces before pawns, but to get the bishops out you have to move a pawn, so might as well move a central pawn.

 King Safety – As the king is the most important piece we want to get him safe.  We are lucky as there is an easy way to do this by castling.  

Here are the first few moves of a game.  White is a player using the axe (ACKS) system, black is making it up.

1. e4 - White allows his bishop to move and lands a pawn on one of the central squares.

1… h6 - Black has moved a pawn it doesn’t control the centre and it doesn’t allow a piece to activate.

2. Nf3 - Activates a knight towards the centre.

2…a5 - Another pawn move!  It doesn’t control the centre, or allow piece activation. 

3. Bc4 – Activates the bishop which aims at one of the centre squares.  The bishop also points dangerously towards black’s king.  Once the king’s bishop and knight have moved the king can castle into safety.

3… e6 – Black’s third pawn move.  At least black clears a path for his king’s bishop so it can finally activate. 

 4. 0-0 – The white king finds safety and as a bonus the rook comes towards the centre.

4… Na6 – Hurray!  At last black activates a piece.  It would have been even better if the knight had activated towards the centre.

5. Nc3 – White’s queenside knight leaps into the battle, both active and central.

                        5… d6 – Yet another pawn move.

6. d4 – As white needs to active his queen’s bishop the d4 pawn needs to be moved.  With d4 we see the pawn opening a path for the bishop, but also occupying a central square (d4) and controlling another (e5).

6… Ne7 – Black activates a knight towards the centre.  Has black finally caught on?

7. Be3 – White’s last piece joins the battle.  The bishop supports the pawn on d4 which makes white’s centre even more powerful.

7…Ng6 – Black’s knight moves  a second time, it is best to move each piece only once unless there is a very good reason not to, such as it is under attack.

8. Re1 – All of white’s pieces are out, so he can start thinking about the rest of his opening.  Centralise the rooks and activate the queen are the next steps.  More on this later.

8… Nb4 – both of black’s knights have now moved twice.  This type of move looks tempting as the knight seems to threaten white's position, but really black’s knight can be easily chased back with 9.a3. 

White is better and can now plan an attack.

Contact me at darlingtonchessclub@gmail.com if you

•  Spot any mistakes with this post, 
•  Would like to help run Darlington Junior club 
•  Want any advice on creating a junior club
•  Have any coaching ideas

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Last week's puzzle was:

1.Bxc6! is the winning move.  

The bishop forks king and rook, but if the queen captures the cheeky bishop then 2.Qd8 is checkmate.

In this puzzle we had to combine different ideas (fork, removal of the guard and checkmate) to find the answer.  We will discuss this more later.

Junior Club Week 6: Removing the guard and deflection

Last week we looked at the overworked piece.
Removing the guard is a similar idea in that a piece's defender is removed, in this case taken to allow the second attacked piece, now undefended, to also be captured.

If you are attacking a defended piece look to see if you can remove its defender.

In the diagram below white has developed his pieces correctly, unfortunately in chess we have to be on guard for tricks at all times.  White's bishop on g5 is defended by the guard on f3.  Any ideas?

Did you spot 1....Bxf3, 2.Bxf3 Qxg4, see below.  Black wins a piece.

Sometimes an attacked piece is guarded by another piece, but that defending piece is also under attack, but by a higher valued piece.  Normally you would not take a knight(3) with a rook(5), but if this allows the second piece to be removed you will have gained material.  An example of these hard to spot removal of the guard cab be seen below.

After 1...Rxf3 2.gxf3 Rxg5, see below, black has gained material.

There is a third scenario when removing a guard.  Often we can not capture a defending piece, but we can move it from its defending square.  Take a look at the diagram below.

The black king is defending his queen.  A lazy move by white is queen takes queen, we must always look for the best move.  Remember "If you are attacking a defended piece look to see if you can remove its defender."  We can remove the guard using another powerful tactic called deflection.  Instead of capturing the guard we can drive it off.  Look at the diagram again after 1.Rg7+! the black king has a choice, capture the rook and neglect its guard duties, or hide, in this case on e8 leading to checkmate.

After 1...Kxg7 the black queen is undefended and 2.Qxe7+ wins the queen for a rook, see below.

With the introduction of deflection we have stepped up.  Our chess knowledge now contains enough tricks to play at a very high level.  Deflection can be very powerful especially combined with other ideas.

In the below position it is black to move.  Black is winning, but he needs to find a way to queen the pawn on b2.  Take a look.  Think which piece is guarding against 1...b1Q?  Can that piece be deflected?

Did you spot 1...Rc5+ 2.Rxc5 b1Q?  If you did you are progressing well...

Now its time for the weekly puzzle this week from "303 Tactical chess puzzles" Wilson & Alberston.
Try to find a deflection trick.  Be warned this solution combines different ideas.
I will publish the answer with my next post.  If you can't wait for then and can't find the answer email me darlingtonchessclub@gmail.com.

Contact me at darlingtonchessclub@gmail.com if you

•  Spot any mistakes with this post, 
•  Would like to help run Darlington Junior club 
•  Want any advice on creating a junior club
•  Have any coaching ideas

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Last week's puzzle was: 

Black's pieces seem to protect each other, but the truth is they are all dependent on each other, which means they are all overworked.  White can demonstrate this with

1.Rxh7.  Black now has two choices

A. 1...Rxh7 2.Rxg8

B. 1...Rxg1 2.Rxh8 

In both cases black has lost a piece. 

Junior Club Week 5: Overworked Piece

"No man can serve two masters."

This is also true on the chess board.  If a piece or a pawn has to defend two of its own pieces from attack then it is overworked (also known as overloaded), often this leads to the loss of one of those defended pieces.

In the following position it is black to move.  All of white's pieces are defended at least.  True, but the knight on d1 is defending both the bishop on b2 and knight on f2. The knight is overworked.  What would you play?

Did you spot rook takes bishop, or rook takes knight?  After white recaptures black's rook is able to take a second piece.

If you look back at the original position you might not have spotted rook takes bishop as a rook(5) is worth more that a bishop(3), but black also wins a knight(3) after white plays knight takes rook.  Therefore white has gained 6 points from his 5 point investment, but looks set to collect even more material.

Taking a lower valued piece is hard to spot sometimes, but always be on the lookout for pieces overworking.  If you spot an overworked piece take a second look at any captures you have, often you will  have to invest some material for a healthy return.

Take a look at the following position it is white to move.  First look for the black piece that is overworked.  Once identified you should be able to see a good move.

The rook on e8 is protecting the bishop on a8 and its rook partner on e3.
Did you spot rook takes bishop?  If the rook on e8 recaptures then the rook on e3 has no defender.

 A piece can also be at work protecting an important square, perhaps stopping a checkmate.  If that piece also has a job protecting another of its own pieces it is overworked.
Look at the following diagram.  It is white to move.

Black's rook on d8 is overworked.  It is protecting its partner on d7, but it is also protecting the e8 square, as if a white rook lands on e8 without getting taken it is checkmate.

We can now see that the amazing queen takes rook on d7 wins a rook.  As rook takes queen allows Re8 checkmate.  See below. 

The following is a position from one of my games, I am black and it is my move.
Can you spot the overworked piece?

Did you spot that the bishop has two jobs.  One to guard the knight on f1 and secondly to stop the rook getting to the e1 square.

I played 1.Qxf1+! (looks crazy to take a knight(3) and let the queen(9) be taken).  But after 1...Bxf1, 2.Re1 Check mate.

Here is a puzzle.  This week from "Winning Chess" Chernev and Reinfeld

Try to find the overworked piece and then the solution should come easily.
I will publish the answer with my next post.  If you can't wait for then and can't find the answer email me darlingtonchessclub@gmail.com.

Contact me at darlingtonchessclub@gmail.com if you

•  Spot any mistakes with this post, 
•  Would like to help run Darlington Junior club 
•  Want any advice on creating a junior club
•  Have any coaching ideas

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Last week's puzzle was: 

White to move.  First he has to create the possibility of a discovered check with 1.Bd1 black can then try:
A, to run with his king to 1...Kh5 (1...Kh4, 2.Rh3 checkmate), 2.Rf8+ Discovered check and wins the rook, or
B, to check with the rook by 1...Rxa2+, which looks like a good try but, 2.Rf2+ blocking black's check and discovering a check on black's king also wins the black rook next move.

Junior Club Week 4: Discovered attack

When two of your pieces are on the same line (rank, file or Diagonal) if one of the pieces can move to reveal an attack against an enemy target, then that enemy piece Discovers it is under attack.  Often this allows your piece that has just moved to complete its own attack.  This tactic is especially powerful if one of the enemy pieces under attack is the king!

In the following diagram black seems to be ok.  But white's bishop is pointing at the black king, almost as though the bishop has superman like X-ray vision seeing straight through his own rook.  Can you guess what white played?

Did you spot 1. Re4?  The rook moves and reveals an attack from the bishop and the black king Discovers he is in check.  As black has to respond to the check the attack on the queen by the moved rook proves decisive.  Black's best is 1...Qxc5, but after pawn takes queen black can resign.

The Discovered attack requires two of your pieces to work as a team.  A rook on an open file blocked by one of its own minor pieces (Bishop or Knight) are particularly effective at executing this tactic.

In the following position the rook's X-ray vision is fixed on the black king.  When the white knight moves black's king Discovers it is in check and must respond to the check.  This will give the knight a free move.  What would you play as white?

Nine points if you wanted to play Nc4 (pictured below) or Nc6 as both allow the knight to capture the queen after black moves his king or blocks the check.  Note that even though the black pawn attacks the knight black doesn't have time to capture it.
Two points for Ng6 as the knight does get to capture the rook on h8, but always look for the best move!

There is a special case of a discovered attack, Double check.  That is when the piece moving calls check as well as discovering a check on the enemy king.

In the above position white wins with 1.Nf7 checking with the knight and discovering a check with the rook on h2 (see diagram below).  Black can not respond to both checks and 1.Nf7 is actually checkmate.  Note 1.Nf5?? is a blunder, at first glance it looks as though the knight can take the queen next go, but the black queen can take the checking rook 1...Rxh2 calling checkmate himself.  Remember to look for the best move.

Some examples from my games.
In the below position I am black and have just played pawn f6 trying to evict white's bishop.  I didn't see the X-ray eyed bishop.  Rod Gilpin (Club president) did and played Nxe7, double check from the knight and discovered check by the bishop on b3,  and wins a queen.

The next position is from one of my Morra gambit games.  The rook stands in line with the enemy queen, always dangerous.  Nb6 wins a rook.  Discovered attacks do not need to contain a check.

My last example from my games is against a open strength player.  What would you play?

Did you spot the pawn check after 1.e6 revealing a discovered attack on black's rook?  Ouch!!

Finally a puzzle.  This puzzle is from "303 Tactical Chess Puzzles" by Fred Wilson and Bruce Alberston.
Try to solve it, I will publish the answer with my next post.  If you can't wait for then and can't find the answer email me darlingtonchessclub@gmail.com.

Clue: First you need to create the possibility of a discovery.  Remember two of your pieces on a line (rank, file, or Diagonal) pointing at an enemy piece.

Contact me at darlingtonchessclub@gmail.com if you

•  Spot any mistakes with this post, 
•  Would like to help run Darlington Junior club 
•  Want any advice on creating a junior club
•  Have any coaching ideas

Junior Club Week 3: The Skewer

The skewer is like a pin, but the other way around. That is, you attack a valuable enemy piece which once moved allows another lesser valued piece be taken.
Or put by professionals:
"The Skewer is a piercing attack which menaces two hostile pieces placed on the same line. As the piece directly attacked moves away, the piece behind it is transfixed on the skewer".Chernev and Reinfeld

In the diagram below we see that the black king is in check must move allowing his queen to be taken.

In the next position the queen is attacked and unless black wants to lose his most powerful piece must be moved.  Once the queen is moved the black knight can be captured.
Note: if the black queen could move to a square where she defended the knight the skewer would be pointless.

In the next example the black bishop skewers one rook to another.  True the rook can move to protect its partner, but as a bishop (worth 3) is a lower value than the rook (worth 5) there is no way white can escape the loss of material.
Note: When rooks line up on a diagonal like this they are easy prey for a bishop!

The final diagram is from Trotter, Wilson Durham Congress 2006.  Black has ben advancing his passed a-pawn and white desperate to stop the pawn plays 53.Ke2.  Black follows with 53...Rh1

Did you spot that rook takes pawn allows Black 54... Rh2+ and a skewer on King and rook.
Note: This is an excellent promotion trick, remember it and use it.

Skewers can be deadly!!

Main club - Game 1 KW

Hopefully we can get some of the members to post their best games here with helpful notes. As a first step here is a recent game I played which I managed to win with a nice break through sacrifice.

Junior Club: The members

Introducing the stars of Darlington chess club.

Hairy and scary (on the chess board), Aidan.  Quickly improving, Aidan will soon be ready for full tournament chess and expect to see this young man's name in the prize listings very soon.

Handsome Harry is developing into a fine chess player.  He has an advantage with having chess in his genes (he is my son).  Thoughtful and calm at 6 he has started early enough to develop into a top notch talent.

AJ the grinder.  Already as solid as Petrosian, this boy has serious talent.  My advice play him soon you might stand a chance at beating a future star, but be prepared he is tough!!

Cute but deadly Dylan is a prodigy.  He is 4 years old and has never officially been taught how to play.  With Harry for his elder brother Dylan has grown up listening to chess lessons and could play a game at 3.  Hangs pieces more often than not, but also demonstrates a killer tactical eye.  The other boys have adopted him as their mascot and all help coach our youngest talent.

Jordan is new to chess, but is quickly feeling his way into the game.  A young man that is learning fast.

Elizabeth (picture to be added).  She is a mean, keen chess machine, but a little green.  Elizabeth needs to play lots more chess to sharpen her up.  Our chess club is the perfect place to do this!

Niall (picture to be added) is Aidan's elder brother.  Not technically a member of the junior club, being 12 he is young enough, but Niall is currently busy scalping adult players in local congresses, leagues and in the main club.  He may be quick to tell you of a whopping he handed out to the junior chess coach (me) recently.

Zack (Picture to be added) - Taught by his farther, this kid knows how to play.  With a few pointers he's going to be good.

James (Picture to be added) Is a good competitor, always good if you want to play chess.

Me pictured at home preparing one of my famous 5 minute tactic lessons for the group.

As you can see we already have a good group of kids, with a good range of playing ability.  If you live in the Darlington area and want to play chess drop in or email darlingtonchessclub@gmail.com.