Chess Fundamentals
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A Combinatorial Game Theoretic Analysis of Chess Endgames
A COMBINATORIAL GAME THEORETIC ANALYSIS OF CHESS ENDGAMES QINGYUN WU, FRANK YU,¨ MICHAEL LANDRY 1. Abstract In this paper, we attempt to analyze Chess endgames using combinatorial game theory. This is a challenge, because much of combinatorial game theory applies only to games under normal play, in which players move according to a set of rules that define the game, and the last player to move wins. A game of Chess ends either in a draw (as in the game above) or when one of the players achieves checkmate. As such, the game of chess does not immediately lend itself to this type of analysis. However, we found that when we redefined certain aspects of chess, there were useful applications of the theory. (Note: We assume the reader has a knowledge of the rules of Chess prior to reading. Also, we will associate Left with white and Right with black). We first look at positions of chess involving only pawns and no kings. We treat these as combinatorial games under normal play, but with the modification that creating a passed pawn is also a win; the assumption is that promoting a pawn will ultimately lead to checkmate. Just using pawns, we have found chess positions that are equal to the games 0, 1, 2, ?, ", #, and Tiny 1. Next, we bring kings onto the chessboard and construct positions that act as game sums of the numbers and infinitesimals we found. The point is that these carefully constructed positions are games of chess played according to the rules of chess that act like sums of combinatorial games under normal play. -
CONTENTS Contents
CONTENTS Contents Symbols 5 Preface 6 Introduction 9 1 Glossary of Attacking and Strategic Terms 11 2 Double Attack 23 2.1: Double Attacks with Queens and Rooks 24 2.2: Bishop Forks 31 2.3: Knight Forks 34 2.4: The Í+Ì Connection 44 2.5: Pawn Forks 45 2.6: The Discovered Double Attack 46 2.7: Another Type of Double Attack 53 Exercises 55 Solutions 61 3 The Role of the Pawns 65 3.1: Pawn Promotion 65 3.2: The Far-Advanced Passed Pawn 71 3.3: Connected Passed Pawns 85 3.4: The Pawn-Wedge 89 3.5: Passive Sacrifices 91 3.6: The Kamikaze Pawn 92 Exercises 99 Solutions 103 4 Attacking the Castled Position 106 4.1: Weakness in the Castled Position 106 4.2: Rooks and Files 112 4.3: The Greek Gift 128 4.4: Other Bishop Sacrifices 133 4.5: Panic on the Long Diagonal 143 4.6: The Knight Sacrifice 150 4.7: The Exchange Sacrifice 162 4.8: The Queen Sacrifice 172 Exercises 176 Solutions 181 5 Drawing Combinations 186 5.1: Perpetual Check 186 5.2: Repetition of Position 194 5.3: Stalemate 197 5.4: Fortress and Blockade 202 5.5: Positional Draws 204 Exercises 207 Solutions 210 6 Combined Tactical Themes 213 6.1: Material, Endings, Zugzwang 214 6.2: One Sacrifice after Another 232 6.3: Extraordinary Combinations 242 6.4: A Diabolical Position 257 Exercises 260 Solutions 264 7 Opening Disasters 268 7.1: Open Games 268 7.2: Semi-Open Games 274 7.3: Closed Games 288 8 Tactical Examination 304 Test 1 306 Test 2 308 Test 3 310 Test 4 312 Test 5 314 Test 6 316 Hints 318 Solutions 320 Index of Names 331 Index of Openings 335 THE ROLE OF THE PAWNS 3 The Role of the Pawns Ever since the distant days of the 18th century 3.1: Pawn Promotion (let us call it the time of the French Revolution, or of François-André Danican Philidor) we have known that “pawns are the soul of chess”. -
Fundamental Endings CYRUS LAKDAWALA
First Steps : Fundamental Endings CYRUS LAKDAWALA www.everymanchess.com About the Author Cyrus Lakdawala is an International Master, a former National Open and American Open Cham- pion, and a six-time State Champion. He has been teaching chess for over 30 years, and coaches some of the top junior players in the U.S. Also by the Author: Play the London System A Ferocious Opening Repertoire The Slav: Move by Move 1...d6: Move by Move The Caro-Kann: Move by Move The Four Knights: Move by Move Capablanca: Move by Move The Modern Defence: Move by Move Kramnik: Move by Move The Colle: Move by Move The Scandinavian: Move by Move Botvinnik: Move by Move The Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Move by Move Korchnoi: Move by Move The Alekhine Defence: Move by Move The Trompowsky Attack: Move by Move Carlsen: Move by Move The Classical French: Move by Move Larsen: Move by Move 1...b6: Move by Move Bird’s Opening: Move by Move Petroff Defence: Move by Move Fischer: Move by Move Anti-Sicilians: Move by Move Opening Repertoire ... c6 First Steps: the Modern 3 Contents About the Author 3 Bibliography 5 Introduction 7 1 Essential Knowledge 9 2 Pawn Endings 23 3 Rook Endings 63 4 Queen Endings 119 5 Bishop Endings 144 6 Knight Endings 172 7 Minor Piece Endings 184 8 Rooks and Minor Pieces 206 9 Queen and Other Pieces 243 4 Introduction Why Study Chess at its Cellular Level? A chess battle is no less intense for its lack of brevity. Because my messianic mission in life is to make the chess board a safer place for students and readers, I break the seal of confessional and tell you that some students consider the idea of enjoyable endgame study an oxymoron. -
The Power of Pawns Chess Structure Fundamentals for Post-Beginners
Jörg Hickl The Power of Pawns Chess Structure Fundamentals for Post-beginners New In Chess 2016 Contents Explanation of Symbols ........................................... 6 Introduction ................................................... 7 Part 1 - Pieces and pawns . 11 Chapter 1 The bishop..........................................12 Chapter 2 The knight ..........................................24 Chapter 3 The rook ...........................................36 Part II - Basic pawn structures . 49 Chapter 4 Hanging pawns ......................................50 Chapter 5 Isolated pawns .......................................62 Chapter 6 Backward pawns......................................86 Chapter 7 Passed pawns .......................................106 Chapter 8 Doubled pawns .....................................123 Chapter 9 Weak squares .......................................141 Chapter 10 Pawn chains ........................................162 Index of Games ............................................... 181 Index of Openings............................................. 183 Bibliography ................................................. 185 5 Introduction What every club player desires is to reach an acceptable playing level with a reasonable expenditure of time and effort. That is the point of the present book ‘The power of the pawns’. An overview of basic pawn structures, together with a lot of practical hints, helps to improve one’s understanding of chess at a deep level. Chess players require a broad spectrum of knowledge. -
The Fianchetto System
opening repertoire the Fianchetto System Damian Lemos www.everymanchess.com About the Author is a Grandmaster from Argentina. He is a former Pan-American Damian Lemos Junior Champion and was only 15 years old when he qualified for the International Master title. He became a Grandmaster at 18 years old. An active tournament player, GM Lemos also trains students at OnlineChessLessons.net. Contents About the Author 3 Bibliography 6 Preface 7 1 The Symmetrical English Transposition 9 2 The Grünfeld without ...c6 40 3 The Grünfeld with...c6 52 4 The King’s Indian: ...Ìc6 and Panno Variation 78 5 The King’s Indian: ...d6 and ...c6 103 6 The King’s Indian: ...Ìbd7 and ...e5 122 Index of Variations 169 Index of Complete Games 175 Preface Dealing with dynamic and aggressive defences like the Grünfeld or King’s Indian is not an easy task for White players. Over the years, I’ve tried several variations against both openings, usually choosing lines which White establishes a strong cen- tre although Black had lot of resources as well against those lines. When I was four- teen years old, I analysed Karpov-Polgar, Las Palmas 1994 (see Chapter 4, Game 25) and was impressed with the former World Champion’s play with White. Then, I real- ized the Fianchetto System works well for White for the following reasons: 1) After playing g3 and Íg2, White is able to put pressure on Black’s queenside. What’s more, White’s kingside is fully protected by both pieces and pawns. 2) The Fianchetto System is playable against both King’s Indian and Grünfeld de- fences. -
Pawn Combinations
chapter 21 Contents Pawn combinations ü Underpromotion ü Two connected passed The famous French chess master François-André pawns on the 6th (3rd) rank Philidor called the pawn the soul of chess. In the ü The pawn phalanx chapters on ‘Combinations involving promotion’ ü The pawn fork and ‘The double attack’ we have already learned ü Mating motifs with pawns something about the capacities of the pawns. These pawns are very important tactical elements, as we shall also learn in this lesson. Underpromotion An especially spectacular tactic is an underpromotion, when the pawn does not promote to a queen, but to a rook, bishop or knight. The last case is the most frequent underpromotion, and is linked to a gain of tempo by check or to a knight fork. Diagram 21-1 r Diagram 21-1 Em.Lasker 1900 1.¦c8†! ¦xc8 If 1...¢xb7, then 2.¦xd8+–, but not 2.£xd8?? due to 2...£e1#. 2.£xa7†!! ¢xa7 Or 2...¢c7 3.bxc8£†+–. 3.bxc8¤†!!+– With a winning knight fork. 3.bxc8£?? would 7 allow 3...£e1#. Diagram 21-2 r Diagram 21-2 K.Richter – N.N. Berlin 1930 1.¤f5†!? White wants to employ his well-coordinated forces for a final attack on the black king, before Black can manage to bring his extra material into play. 1...¢f6! But apparently Black has found the only way to win. 1...¢e8 leads only to a repetition of moves: 2.¤d6† (but not 2.e7?? ¥xf5 3.¥a4† ¤c6–+) 7 2...¢e7 3.¤f5† 202 Pawn Combinations chapter 2.e7! ¥xf5?? 21 A fatal error in a won position. -
Glossary of Chess
Glossary of chess See also: Glossary of chess problems, Index of chess • X articles and Outline of chess • This page explains commonly used terms in chess in al- • Z phabetical order. Some of these have their own pages, • References like fork and pin. For a list of unorthodox chess pieces, see Fairy chess piece; for a list of terms specific to chess problems, see Glossary of chess problems; for a list of chess-related games, see Chess variants. 1 A Contents : absolute pin A pin against the king is called absolute since the pinned piece cannot legally move (as mov- ing it would expose the king to check). Cf. relative • A pin. • B active 1. Describes a piece that controls a number of • C squares, or a piece that has a number of squares available for its next move. • D 2. An “active defense” is a defense employing threat(s) • E or counterattack(s). Antonym: passive. • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M • N • O • P Envelope used for the adjournment of a match game Efim Geller • Q vs. Bent Larsen, Copenhagen 1966 • R adjournment Suspension of a chess game with the in- • S tention to finish it later. It was once very common in high-level competition, often occurring soon af- • T ter the first time control, but the practice has been • U abandoned due to the advent of computer analysis. See sealed move. • V adjudication Decision by a strong chess player (the ad- • W judicator) on the outcome of an unfinished game. 1 2 2 B This practice is now uncommon in over-the-board are often pawn moves; since pawns cannot move events, but does happen in online chess when one backwards to return to squares they have left, their player refuses to continue after an adjournment. -
Mastering the Transition Into the Pawn Ending PDF Book
LIQUIDATION ON THE CHESS BOARD: MASTERING THE TRANSITION INTO THE PAWN ENDING PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Joel Benjamin | 224 pages | 22 Mar 2016 | New in Chess | 9789056915537 | English | Poland Liquidation on the Chess Board: Mastering the Transition Into the Pawn Ending PDF Book Hilbert Stephan marked it as to-read Sep 21, To ensure we are able to help you as best we can, please include your reference number:. It is a vital technique that is seldom taught. Your email address will never be sold or distributed to a third party for any reason. Benjamin has managed to create an excellent guide to a difficult theme that has been badly served in chess literature. Text will be unmarked. Walmart Services. Show More Show Less. Friend Reviews. Aymen rated it it was amazing Apr 14, Thank you. New edition published , softback, pages.. Skip to the end of the images gallery. Before emerging as endgames with just kings and pawns, they 'pre-existed' in positions that still contained any number of pieces. Liquidation is the purposeful transition into a pawn ending. About Joel Benjamin. It is a vital technique that is seldom taught. To ask other readers questions about Liquidation on the Chess Board , please sign up. New Products. This item doesn't belong on this page. Robert Buice marked it as to-read Feb 22, Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. Table Top Chess Computers. Get to Know Us. A ground-breaking, entertaining and instructive guide. Edwin Meijer marked it as to-read Jan 22, Specifications Publisher New in Chess. -
Sample Pages
CHESSONE - A COMPLETE INTRODUCTION TO THE ROYAL GAME Vassilis Aristotelous CYPRUS CHESS CHAMPION - FIDE INSTRUCTOR - FIDE ARBITER CONTENTS Preface .............................................................................................................. 11 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 13 The ELO Rating System.................................................................................... 16 History of Chess ................................................................................................ 18 World Chess Champions .................................................................................... 23 Grains on the Chessboard .................................................................................. 24 The Basics ......................................................................................................... 27 How the Pieces Move ....................................................................................... 29 The Value of the Pieces ..................................................................................... 33 The Relevant Value of the Pieces ..................................................................... 37 Piece Mobility .................................................................................................... 39 Pawn War .......................................................................................................... 40 Zugzwang ......................................................................................................... -
How to Be Lucky in Chess
HOW TO BE Somt pIayIta eeem to have an InexheuIIIbIetuppIy of dliliboard luck. No matI8r theywhat tn:dIII fh:Ilh8rnIeIves In, they somehow IIWIIQIIto 1IOIIIPe. Among wodcI c:hampIorB. 1.aIker.'nil end KMpanw1ft tamed tor PI8IfnG ., the aby8I bullOInehow making an It Ie their opponenII who fill. LUCKY ___ 10.... __ -_---"" __ cheeI. 10 make Iht moet oIlhaIr abMle8. UnIkemoll prIVku ....... on cheIa�, this II no heev,welghltheor8IIcaI . trMIIat but,...,.. IN pradIcII guide In how to MeopponenIIlnIo error- II'ld IhuI cntUI whllllI often -",*" DMd UIIoIr 18 an experienced cheu pII)W Ind wrIIBr. He twice won lie chanlplo ......'p cf the Welt of England and was � on four 0CCIII0I• . In CHESS 2000. he was County Champion 01 Norfolk. In alUCCB altai CMMH' ... .... _ ......... .. ... ___ ... ..... _ond __ _ ...... _by-- In encouraging your opponents to seH-destructl KMlI.eIIoIr II • nIdr8d I8chnlcalIIIuItraIor and. ....11nCe cartoon" whoM David LeMoir work hal appeared In 8 wtcIe IW'IgIt of magazIna and 0IhIr � Ofw ... __ a.ntrt�.tII:I1r.dI: ..... .......aI a-......, 'l1li. ... u.dIJet.._ -- -- n. ......a.. ..... '_ ........ ......,.a-n , ;11111 .... '111m__ .... - *" AnMd:"... a-.01ce -- .... -- -- ........_ .. a-............ .., a..TNInIna_....... O ,11• -- -"" __"ten, UIIIm ........ ---=.....".o.ndIwOM a.. CIIoIID': OrJIIhnHImOM I!dbIII '*-':.... -...n FU �...... .. � ..... ...� .. #I: -- '" ".0... ..." LGIIdonW14 G.If,!ngIInd. Or...cl.. ..... 1D:100117.D01t--...-.- �. ...,& .. "'- How to Be Lucky in Chess David LeMoir Illustrations by Ken LeMoir �I�lBIITI First published in the UK by Gambit Publications Ltd 2001 Contents Copyright © David LeMoir 2001 Illustrations © Ken LeMoir 2001 The right of David LeMoir to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accor dance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. -
FIDE Trainers' Commission Match Of
FIDE Trainers’ Commission Match of the Millennials Saint Louis 2017 Efstratios Grivas Match of the Millennials ® Efstratios Grivas 2017 1 First Edition in Pdf - 2017 English Copyright © FIDE 2017 ([email protected] - www.fide.com) Copyright © Efstratios Grivas 2017 ([email protected] - www.GrivasChess.com) The rights of Efstratios Grivas to be identified as the author of this work have been asserted in accordance with the International Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. All rights reserved. This book is distributed for free to the FIDE certified and licenced trainers, subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, sold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent owner. Limit of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty: FIDE makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. ISBN-13: FIDE WC - 000-000-000-0004 ISSN-13: FIDE WC - 000-000-000-0004 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Commissioning Editor: Efstratios Grivas (www.GrivasChess.com) Cover by Efi Saltamara Match of the Millennials ® Efstratios Grivas 2017 2 Contents Title-Description …………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Colophon …………………..……………………………………………………………………….. 2 Contents ……………………………………..……………………………………………............. -
Boost-Your-Chess-3.Pdf
3 Boost Your Chess 3 Mastery By ArturYusupov Quality Chess www.qualitychess.co.uk First English edition 2011 by Quality Chess UK Ltd Tr anslated from the German edition Tigersprung aufD WZ 2100 If Copyright© 2011 Artur Yusupov All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any fo rm or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher. Softcover ISBN 978-1-906552-44-2 Hardcover ISBN 978-1-906552-69-5 All sales or enquiries should be directed to Quality Chess UK Ltd, 20 Balvie Road, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 ?TA, United Kingdom Phone: +44 141 227 6771 e-mail: [email protected]. uk web site: www.qualitychess.co. uk Distributed in US and Canada by SCB Distributors, Gardena, California www.scbdistributors.com Distributed in Rest of the Wo rld by Quality Chess UK Ltd through Sunrise Handicrafts, Smyczkowa 4/ 98, 20-844 Lublin, Poland www.crafts. pi Cover Photo: Nadja Jussupow Translated by Ian Adams Edited and typeset by Colin McNab Proofreading by Jacob Aagaard Cover design and generic typeset: Augusto Caruso ofCaissa Italia Elaborated by Adamson Design Printed in Estonia by Tallinna Raamatutriikikoja LLC CONTENTS Key to symbols used 4 Preface 5 Introduction 6 1 Attacking the king in the centre 8 2 Realizing an advantage 20 3 Counterplay 34 4 Knight endings 44 5 TheEnglish Opening 56 6 Hanging pawns on c3-d4 70 7 Counter-attack 82 8 Rook against pawn 92 9 The technique of calculating variations 100 10 The Reti Opening 110 11 The passed pawn in the middlegame 122 12 Prophylactic thinking 134 13 Bishop against knight 146 14 Defence 158 15 Candidate moves 170 16 Combinational vision 180 17 The King's Indian Defence 190 18 Queenside pawn majority 204 19 Central pawn majority 216 20 Pawn storms 228 21 The initiative 240 22 The Griinfeld Defence 254 23 The elimination method 266 24 Knight against bishop 276 Final test 287 Index of composers 297 Index of games 298 Key to symbols used b.