Chess Tip Of The Day

In Closed Sicilians, with White playing e4 and d3, the most desirable place for Black's dark-square bishop is the long a1-h8 diagonal, (where) it has great influence both on the centre and the queenside. John Emms, Starting Out: King's Indian Attack

Training in tactics is important for everyone, and above all for younger and less experienced players. George Botterill, Open Gambits

There's a lot to be said for tackling the opening by playing the moves you believe to be the best. John Cox, Starting Out: Alekhine's Defence

The most far-reaching development decision in any opening is the placement of the bishops. Matthew Sadler, Queen's Gambit Declined

In 1.e4 e5 openings, if you are forced to play the retreat ...Nf6-g8 early on in the game, it usually means that something has gone wrong. John Emms, Starting Out: The Scotch Game

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