Chess Tip Of The Day

A good rule of thumb is that you want to preserve your other rook when you lose or sacrifice the exchange because otherwise you can't compete adequately on files and ranks. Andrew Soltis, The Art Of Defence In Chess

The main factor governing the success of an attack on the enemy king is whether you can bring more attacking pieces to bear on his king position than he can muster for the defence. John Nunn, Secrets Of Practical Chess

The advantage of playing an unmodern opening is that the opponent probably has not analysed it very deeply. Bent Larsen, 50 Selected Games 1948-69

Go through Reuben Fine's Ideas Behind The Chess Openings. It has everything. It's one of the best books, and it will definitely help you get stronger. Bobby Fischer, quoted in How To Get Better At Chess

The initiative is dangerous, both objectively and subjectively. A computer doesn't mind whether you are threatening it or not. It has nerves of steel and takes a strictly objective view of everything, Humans are different. Valeri Beim, How To Play Dynamic Chess

The result of most queen-and-pawn endings hinges largely on whether or not the side with the advantage can get his king safe. Nigel Davies, The Chess Player's Battle Manual

My research confirms Capablanca's claim that the bishop is a bit better than the knight when fighting against a rook, or (in the endgame) against multiple pawns. Larry Kaufman, Chess Life magazine

Whenever facing a superior opponent, playing with confidence is the single most important principle. Edmar Mednis, How To Defeat A Superior Opponent

In general, the player with the isolated pawn will station rooks on the files immediately adjacent to the pawn. Then minor pieces can be stationed on the squares diagonally in front of the pawn. Eric Schiller, Strategy For Advanced Players

The more one knows of the Ruy López the more one knows about chess. Charles Warburton, My Chess Adventures

The Stonewall is not playable (for Black) if Black cannot bring a knight to e4. Aron Nimzowitsch, Carlsbad International Chess Tournament 1929

Many readers will find that they need to rethink much of their basic attitude to the game. One example of this would be the tremendous emphasis which is placed on the dynamic use of the pieces, if necessary at the expense of the pawn-structure, or even of material. Peter Griffiths, Secrets Of Grandmaster Play

Nimzowitsch argued that the base was the proper target in a (pawn) chain. But a player can attack the base and front of a chain simultaneously. Andrew Soltis, Pawn Structure Chess

The most important positional elements, apart from material balance, are strong and weak points, open lines, the centre and spatial advantage, and harmonious piece-placing. Alexander Kotov, Train Like A Grandmaster

It is more difficult for Black to realise equality in the Queen's Gambit than in most other openings. Max Euwe & Walter Meiden, 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?

Every move has pros and cons, and is in accordance with some general principles, but flouts others. How then do you decide which move to play? The answer is that you usually have to analyse. John Nunn, Grandmaster Chess Move By Move

Because in the course of normal opening play White will have achieved some central superiority, Black needs to generate at least a modicum of counterplay in the centre. Edmar Mednis, Practical Middlegame Tips

There is no such thing as a drawn position unless it is accompanied by enough time on the clock to draw it. James Schuyler, Your Opponent Is Overrated

It is a common mistake to relax and play a careless move after reaching the time control. Simon Webb, Chess For Tigers

Never omit to blockade an enemy passed pawn. Eugene Zonosko-Borovsky, How Not To Play Chess

One good way to defend difficult positions is to ask yourself what you would hate to see if you were in his shoes. Jeremy Silman, How To Reassess Your Chess

If in the endgame a file is in your permanent possession, do not worry about an eventual breakthrough point - this will come of itself, almost without any assistance on your part. Aron Nimzowitsch, My System

With the centre closed and no risk of a counter there, the bold advance of wing pawns is quite safe. Alexander Kotov, Play Like A Grandmaster

A loose piece, ie a piece which is not protected by another piece, is often the object of a combination based on a double-attack - a move which simultaneously attacks the loose piece and some other piece. Max Euwe & Walter Meiden, Chess Master v Chess Amateur

In the endgame a rook is often no weaker than, and sometimes even stronger than, two minor pieces. Mark Dvoretsky, Secrets Of Chess Training

When you hold a better position, you must attack in order to convert your advantages into a full point. Igor Khmelnitsky, Chess Exam And Training Guide

Avoid wasting time when playing the opening. Aim for the following guideline: five moves in five minutes; 10 moves in 10 minutes. Edmar Mednis, How To Be A Complete Tournament Player

It is impossible to play chess even passably well unless you see all captures and checks at your own and your opponent's disposal. Cecil Purdy, The Search For Chess Perfection

If the position is hopeless, resign; if not, then play like the fate of the world depends on its outcome. Rolf Wetzell, Chess Master ... At Any Age