Chess Tip Of The Day

The exchange of bishop for knight should be avoided if one's opponent retains a sound pawn-formation and is not behind in development. Shaun Taulbut, Positional Chess

When one player has two rooks and his opponent has one - such as in exchange-up positions or when two pieces have been given up for a rook and pawn(s) - it is usually in the first player's interest to swop rooks. Andrew Soltis, Rethinking The Chess Pieces

The Catalan System - in effect White is playing a Grünfeld Defence in reverse. Reuben Fine, Lessons From My Games

The centre is the most important part of the board because, from it, there is the prospect of moving the pieces quickly in all directions, whenever necessary.  Richard Réti, Modern Ideas In Chess

All the major defences to 1.e4 and 1.d4 are equally good at the amateur level. Andrew Soltis, Studying Chess Made Easy

It is usually more difficult to defend than to attack. John Nunn, Understanding Chess Move By Move

When one side is only slightly superior in development or mobility, and the inferior side has no organic weakness, the weaker side should be able to restore equilibrium. Cecil Purdy, The Search For Chess Perfection

A bad plan is always better than no plan at all. Larry Evans,  Castled King magazine

A piece for two pawns, coupled with exposure of the enemy king, is often a winning transaction. William Cozens, Lessons In Chess Strategy

The king is always uncomfortable in the centre when the position is open. Edmar Mednis, King Power In Chess

After a major exchange of pieces or change in pawn-structure it is generally a good idea to take a fresh look at the position. Jonathan Rowson, The Seven Deadly Chess Sins

The apparently simple but logical games of Capablanca are far more instructive than the extremely complex works of modern super-grandmasters. Vladimir Tukmakov, Modern Chess Preparation

On encountering a theoretical innovation, I think not so much about how to avoid danger, as how to find a refutation or an optimal reply.  Efim Geller, The Application Of Chess Theory

The gambiteer must be patient and shouldn't expect immediate returns. Alex Yermolinsky, The Road To Chess Improvement

A closed centre is highly desirable if you intend to attack on a wing. Andrew Soltis, The Art Of Defence In Chess

Rarely played openings are usually rare because they have some defect. John Nunn, Secrets Of Practical Chess

There is something very attractive about the fianchetto of the black king's bishop in the Sicilian. After...e6 and ...Be7 it stands very passively for a long time; on g7 it gets a wonderful long diagonal. Bent Larsen, 50 Selected Games 1948-69

In chess there are very few absolute truths. Almost everything in chess is relative, and the value of each individual element of a position depends purely on how it interacts with other factors. Valeri Beim, How To Play Dynamic Chess

Queen and knight cooperate particularly well together because they complement rather than duplicate each other's activity. Nigel Davies, The Rules Of Winning Chess

The first thing you need to remember in the endgame is that the side with the advantage will normally want to keep as many pawns on the board as possible. Nigel Davies, The Chess Player's Battle Manual

The opening is won by the player who brings major pieces into play faster. Garry Kasparov, Kasparov Teaches Chess

Never, ever underestimate your opponent. The moment you start doing this is the moment your chess will deteriorate. Tony Rubin, Chess For The Rank And File

Always remember the most important part of the board is the centre. John Walker, Chess - Attacking The King

It is well known that Capablanca did not analyse the games he won, but he always devoted a lot of attention to those he lost. Alexander Kotov, Train Like A Grandmaster

The side that controls the four squares in the middle of the chessboard tends to have an overwhelming advantage, for it is difficult for an opponent to undertake any successful action. Max Euwe, The Road To Chess Mastery

In rook-and-pawn endings, the most important principle of all is to keep your rook active. Leonard Barden, How Good Is Your Chess?

Those who make excuses for their defeats will never even look for their true cause. Nigel Davies, The Rules Of Winning Chess

If you have the bishop-pair, and your opponent's bishop is a bad bishop (hemmed in by his own pawns), you already have compensation for a pawn. Larry Kaufman, Chess Life magazine

Your chances for finding the best move in a position are much better if you are familiar and comfortable with that kind of position, ie when you are playing in accordance with your natural style. Edmar Mednis, How To Defeat A Superior Opponent

The responsibility of the player facing a pawn-centre is to apply constant pressure to it, and try to prove it to be a weakness instead of a strength. Jeremy Silman, How To Reassess Your Chess

The first responsibility of the owner of a big centre is to make it indestructible. If this can be done, then the opponent will be without play and will smother to death in the folds of his own position. Jeremy Silman, How To Reassess Your Chess