Posts

552

As a general principle, open games - those starting with 1.e4 - are best for attacking players. This is because mobilisation of the pieces most suited for attacking Black's king (the queen, king's bishop and king's knight) occurs much more rapidly after 1.e4. Edmar Mednis, Practical Opening Tips
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551

Thou shalt not trade down to a king-and-pawn ending unless you can safely bet your first-born child on the result. Andrew Soltis, Grandmaster Secrets - Endings
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550

If master players do not castle early, there is usually a good reason. When lesser players don't castle, they are usually misjudging the position. Andrew Martin, ChessMoves magazine
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549

As far as possible each move in the opening should carry with it one or more threats. If you do not threaten anything, you give entire liberty to your opponent not only in the development of his pieces but also in the choice of his threats. Eugene Znosoko-Borovsky, How To Play The Chess Openings
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548

Counterplay is the No1 priority of defence - even at the expense of other values such as king safety,  pawn-structure, material and development. Andrew Soltis, The Art Of Defence In Chess
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547

In the majority of cases the bishops [ie two bishops against two knights] are a positive force; so much so that modern players freely give up pawns (and even the exchange) in order to unleash their power. John Watson, Secrets Of Modern Chess Strategy
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546

The king is a fearsome fighting unit in the endgame, about equal to a rook, say. It must be used as actively as possible, always bearing in mind that it is an important piece and must be looked after with great care. Jon Speelman, Endgame Preparation
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