Chess Tip Of The Day

Black reveals something about himself when he answers 1.e4 with a move other than 1...e5 or 1...c5. An Alekhine's specialist, for example, almost certainly likes positional imbalances and quick counterplay. He may have a problem with 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3!? because the Vienna Game (2...e5) is not likely to give him what he wants. Andrew Soltis, Transpo Tricks In Chess

In the modern game there is a tendency for players to worry less about structural weaknesses in their positions if they can obtain compensation in terms of active piece-play, control of the centre, etc. Peter Griffiths, Exploring The Endgame

The queen is often treated with slightly too much respect at lower levels. It is an important piece, but stronger players are often happy to sacrifice it. Richard Palliser, Starting Out: Closed Sicilian

After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 almost everybody plays 3.d4. But isn't this a positional error? I am not joking. I like my centre pawns, and I like a d pawn better than a c pawn! Bent Larsen, How To Open A Chess Game

The general rule of thumb for the Dragon and Accelerated Dragon (as well as most other Sicilians!) is that an exchange of knights on c6 will usually help Black, because the recapture...bxc6 will strengthen his control over the centre and provide him with a half-open b file. Andrew Greet, Starting Out: The Accelerated Dragon

Try to avoid making passive moves just to defend weak pawns. Sometimes they cannot be avoided, but often the pawn can be sacrificed for activity. Richard Palliser, Starting Out: Sicilian Najdorf