Chess Tip Of The Day

The fact that you are reduced to a passive defence is no cause for despair - it works satisfactorily in an astonishingly large number of cases. Eugene Zonosko-Borovsky, The Middle Game In Chess

A protected, centrally posted minor piece is hardly weaker than a rook (in the middlegame). Alexey Suetin, A Contemporary Approach To The Middle Game

To achieve success in play with bishops of opposite colour, a player is obliged to fight for the initiative. Vladimir Simagin, Chess In The USSR magazine

If you study the classic examples of endgame play you will see how the king was brought (to the centre) as soon as possible even though there seemed no particular hurry at the time. Alexander Kotov, Think Like A Grandmaster

If you are one pawn ahead, in 99 cases out of 100 the game is drawn if there are pawns on only one side of the board. Reuben Fine, Basic Chess Endings

The Exchange Variation (of the French Defence) is very far from being as innocent as it appears - this, of course, providing that one of the protagonists plays for the advantage. Alexander Alekhine, 107 Great Chess Battles

I consider that analysis of one's own games is the main method by which a chessplayer can improve, and I am convinced that it is impossible for a player to improve without having a critical understanding of his own games. Artur Yusupov, Training For The Tournament Player

With additional pieces on the board, particularly heavy pieces, bishops of opposite colour often have the effect of a stimulant rather than a sedative.  Hans Kmoch, Pawn Power In Chess

The strength of a bishop is especially apparent in endings with play on both flanks. Alexey Suetin, Three Steps To Chess Mastery

Mistrust is the most necessary characteristic of the chessplayer. Siegbert Tarrasch, The Game Of Chess

In closed positions, plans are primarily determined by the pawn-structure. Sunil Weeramantry & Ed Eusebi, Best Lessons Of A Chess Coach

Owning hanging pawns means that you must play dynamically.  Jeremy Silman, The Amateur's Mind

Static weaknesses become manifest in the endgame. Aron Nimzowitsch, Chess Praxis

Gaps in chess education always tell, whether it be sooner or later. Aleksander Kostyev, 40 Lessons For The Club Player

When we face little-known openings, many of us press a bit too hard and wind up wondering what went wrong. Jon Edwards, The Chess Analyst

To broaden your overall chess skills, choose one concrete position and analyse it exhaustively. Lev Alburt, Test & Improve Your Chess

The best openings to play are the ones you are most at home in. Irving Chernev, Logical Chess Move By Move

At club level I often see openings like the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Owen's Defence, Latvian Gambit, Elephant Gambit, Morra Gambit or various Wing Gambits, even among rather strong players. Building an opening repertoire on such openings is harmful for the prospects of improving in the long run. Lars Bo Hansen, How Chess Games Are Won And Lost

Playing on for a while in a losing position is completely lacking in risk. Mihail Marin, Secrets Of Chess Defence

Pawn-structure is only one aspect of the game, and usually a longer-term, endgame-oriented aspect. If one can achieve a winning attack which is likely to end things in the middlegame, it is worth accepting a few weak pawns, because they will probably prove irrelevant. Steve Giddins, 50 Essential Chess Lessons

One should beware of commencing combinations before development is completed. Alexey Sokolsky, The Modern Openings In Theory And Practice

It is often the case that minor static advantages don't count for much unless they are coupled with additional dynamic assets, such as more active pieces or a lead in development. John Nunn, Grandmaster Chess Move By Move

When two 1700 players meet over the board, one will typically self-destruct. As a result, many players can reach 1900 strength simply by not blundering. Andrew Soltis, What It Takes To Become A Chess Master

When analysing your games, write down three new things you have learned from the game. Jacob Aagaard, Excelling At Positional Chess

Better to carry out a wrong plan logically than to play with no plan at all. Victor Korchnoi, Learn From The Grandmasters

When you have a drawn endgame against a weaker player, doing nothing is often the best policy. Jacob Aagaard, Excelling At Chess

The main problem connected with making an exchange sacrifice is to overcome the psychological barrier. Mihail Marin, Learn From The Legends

If your opponent has a weak pawn on a half-open file, you must keep the rooks on! Vladimir Popov, Chess Lessons

For someone above the level of beginner, the most useful type of book is a well-annotated games collection. Nigel Short, newspaper column

To win almost all endgames you need a passed pawn that can be promoted.  Andrew Soltis, Turning Advantage Into Victory In Chess

In open (endgame) positions the two bishops are murder. In almost all positions two bishops give a tangible advantage. Edmar Mednis & Colin Crouch, Rate Your Endgame