OK, let's see if we can flick in some thoughts of our own.
Talking about positional play has a tendency to sound rather vague. Possessing the center, piece activity, mobility, king safety, space, are all pretty abstract. Can we make matters less vague?
First, a few thoughts and observations.
For now, let's assume that my method for learning tactics is going to work. If that is the case, then we should find the relationship between positional play and the PLF (PoPLoAFun) system.
The essence of the PLF system is the duplo move. Accomplishing two things in one go. Positional moves must abide by the same rule.
Once, I had all my pieces fully activated. But what to do next?
Once, I noticed that it was stronger to put a knight on a square where it could reach two attacking squares. I found that to be stronger than the actual placement of the knight on one of the good squares. Now my opponent had to keep an eye on two potential threats in stead of one manifested threat. I call that elastic moves. Elastic moves keeps both options open. They don't commit.
PLF starts with identifying the targets.
Targets are in contact with the points of pressure
lines of attack are the access roads to the points of pressure
Positional moves should clear the lines of attack for the attacker, and put the attacker on the line of attack
I tend to think too early about tactical shots. I don't know a way to decide "in this position is no tactical shot". It is better to continue to prepare for a tactical shot than to waste energy in finding one when there isn't.
What about pawns? I tend to think about pawns in terms of the endgame. Thus making the wrong decisions for the middle game.
Only pawns can open lines
Only pawns can open diagonals
Only pawns can create outposts
So, pawns are critical for creating lines of attack
Pawns by themselves can become a target. So provoking them to move should become part of positional play.
Developing your pieces behind your pawns can build up the pressure like a coiled spring. The spring can be unloaded by a pawn break.
Letting your pieces make a journey in front of the enemy pawns might provoke them.
These are just a few haphazardly thoughts which spring to mind. Much to my surprise, I find the pawns at the center of my positional thoughts.
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well i cant help you with your PLF system..
ReplyDeletebut look at typical positional maneuvers:
if you want to place your knight at c4.. play a4 to prevent b5
if the opponent has a knight at g6 play g3 to protect against Knife f4 (h4)
..
activate your pieces, prevent activation of the opponent pieces, prevent deactivation of your pieces
"Developing your pieces behind your pawns can build up the pressure like a coiled spring. The spring can be unloaded by a pawn break."
This is strategy, mainly strategy is "made by" pawnstructure. If the center is closed you need to play an attack on a wing , because the center is closed you can and should attack with pawns and that means you should have your pieces behind the pawns ;) or you kill your own pieces
11 days above 2000 in ct-bliz rating.. yayyyy
ReplyDeleteDid send you a email
ReplyDeleteAron Nimzowitsch: The threat is stronger than the execution.
ReplyDeleteAs you noted: A manifested threat ceases to be a threat. The opponent no longer has to worry about the hypothetical "sword of Damocles." If there is more than one threat, we are in the realm of the duplo move.
Maintaining elasticity is a good thing - up to a point. It is a somewhat similar situation to this quote:
G. K. Chesterton On Open Mindedness – Merely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid. Otherwise, it could end up like a city sewer, rejecting nothing.
Sooner or later, we are forced to choose one variation above all others. This is the critical moment, which exploits a strategical advantage by tactical means. Too often, we misjudge the correct timing for executing the threat.