Today I want to talk about an idea that is rarely discussed in chess strategy books, but forms an important part of the thought process for strong players. That idea is risk. For a while I was taking online lessons with GM Krasimir Rusev. (I think I’ve used this example before, but it’s relevant to the topic.) I had this position against a talented and dangerous junior, Martha Samadashvili. I won a pawn in the opening, but she tried to get counterplay by posting her bishop on the long diagonal opposite my rook.
We talked the other day about aging and consuming energy that you will need if the game takes more than 2 hours.
I will also have played Rb1 without thinking because I have enough experience of being punished for leaving hanging pieces here and there.
And in the last example development before tactics and strategy (this I learnt from Morphy). So if you have 2 pawns advantage you can even give back material but is important King safety and play with all your pieces. I also have been punished for adventurous play instead of castling and place my pieces on good spots.
3 small remarks as overall I agree with your article
1) Supergrandmasters are differentiating themselves from the rest by their calculation skillls and taking huge risks. So if ever you want to belong to the elite then you will have to take big risks. I guess not on the agenda for most of us.
2) Many grandmasters are very good practical players but they sometimes are also becoming complacent. I've seen it many times how a grandmaster played a few moves too fast and squandered the advantage. So I wouldn't be too hard for yourself if you spent time to calculate as long you are not dropping pieces later in timetrouble. It is pretty silly to have half hour spare or more at the end of the game and having not maximized the result.
3) Trust yourself and work on your tactical skills. If you believe the tactical line is giving a clear edge while other moves don't then you should play it. Fear is not a good guide for becoming a stronger player.
We talked the other day about aging and consuming energy that you will need if the game takes more than 2 hours.
I will also have played Rb1 without thinking because I have enough experience of being punished for leaving hanging pieces here and there.
And in the last example development before tactics and strategy (this I learnt from Morphy). So if you have 2 pawns advantage you can even give back material but is important King safety and play with all your pieces. I also have been punished for adventurous play instead of castling and place my pieces on good spots.
This was an excellent post.
3 small remarks as overall I agree with your article
1) Supergrandmasters are differentiating themselves from the rest by their calculation skillls and taking huge risks. So if ever you want to belong to the elite then you will have to take big risks. I guess not on the agenda for most of us.
2) Many grandmasters are very good practical players but they sometimes are also becoming complacent. I've seen it many times how a grandmaster played a few moves too fast and squandered the advantage. So I wouldn't be too hard for yourself if you spent time to calculate as long you are not dropping pieces later in timetrouble. It is pretty silly to have half hour spare or more at the end of the game and having not maximized the result.
3) Trust yourself and work on your tactical skills. If you believe the tactical line is giving a clear edge while other moves don't then you should play it. Fear is not a good guide for becoming a stronger player.