Contesting for the center is probably the greatest maxim in chess, yet many players don't realize when they control the center, or how to proceed after they do control it. This article is intended for lower-rated players in the hope that it will improve their play. |
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Control of a central square means the player can place his pawn on this square without losing material, or can place a piece there without losing material or being forced into retreat. Sometimes these squares are occupied by pieces or pawns, sometimes pawns and pieces are placed so that the opponent cannot occupy one or more central squares. |
The fight for the center is the underlying theme of all opening theory. Amateurs make the mistake of memorizing these published sequences of moves and know where all the pieces are supposed to go, but they fail to understand why these moves are played, i.e., in terms of control of squares. That is why their positions inevitably collapse when an opponent deviates from "the book." If you are floundering in a sea of MCO or ECO footnotes, I strongly recommend Fine's Ideas Behind the Chess Openings. |
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1977 North American, Class A White: Warren Loveland Black: Richard Searles Dutch Defense (A87)
After Black has played f5, he must decide whether to play ... d5 or ... e5. The latter requires a certain amount of preparation which Black has neglected ( ... d5 normally requires ... e6, and ... e5 requires ... d6. When White omits an early d4, i.e., from the English [1. c4] or the Reti [Nf3 and g3 without d4] Black invariably plays e5 as soon as possible. Excellent coverage of these lines may be found in Play the Dutch Defense Against 1c4 and 1Nf3, by DeVault and Hickman. WCL.)
(This is mainline Leningrad Dutch. 6 ... d5 would set-up the Stonewall Variation where Black's fianchetto is unusual. After ... d6, Black controls e4 and contests e5; White owns d4 while d5 is in a state of flux. WCL.)
9 ... fxe4 is preferable, even though it gives White the edge.
White has taken full advantage of Black's neglect of the center.
Black has won a pawn at the cost of a lost game. The absence of his dark-square bishop, in addition to White's pawn at e6, gives White an unshakeable positional bind. (All this chess talk was a little over my head back then. However, I was aware that I was well ahead in development, as Black had exchanged his active pieces and failed to develop his queenside. I saw the tactical possibilities kingside and, if Irving was right, what follows is the best ten-move sequence of my life. WCL)
White immediately exploits Black's dark-square weakness and threatens to win material with 16. Kg2. Black's next is forced.
The exchange of queens has not weakened White's attack.
(If 20 ... Ng7 [20 ... Rd2+ 21. Kg1] 21. Rxg7+ Kh8 22. Rff7 etc. WCL.)
(Missing 21. R1xf6! exf6 22. Ne4 with mate unavoidable. WCL.)
Game on this page as playable game and pgn HERE
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Correspondence, 1999 White: Warren Loveland Black: Anonymous Queen's Gambit Declined (D39)
5. ... Nbd7 is prudent. Black has surrendered the central squares to his opponent.
White's most forceful move, establishing the classic pawn center d4/e4.
A good square for the bishop in the QGD but Black could've achieved this position with a move in hand by playing 4. ... Be7 instead. Thematic would be 6. ... c5 7. d5 (7. Bxc4, cxd4) exd5 8. exd5 0-0 9. Bxc4 Re8+ etc., or White can try 7. e5 cxd4 8. Qa4+ Nc6 9. 0-0-0 with complications. Another good alternative was 6. ... h6, putting the question to the bishop.
White is no Bobby Fischer (in my dreams!) and is not quite sure what to do next. The text was played to prevent ... Ng5 and the exchange of dark-square bishops. I reasoned that being ahead with good attacking prospects I should keep my pieces on the board. It is not clear yet whether this bishop will be needed in an attack on the enemy king, or perhaps posted on the h2/b8 diagonal.
Memory lapse, played in too big a hurry. Pachman recommends 10. Bh4.
Note that Black does not have a piece or even a pawn beyond his third rank. Because White controls the center, Black's only real chance for counterplay lies in a queenside pawn advance. I chose a4 instead of a3 for two reasons: the pawn at a4 deters queenside expansion by Black and, if Black plays ... Bb4, threatening to exchange, I can safely bring the knight to e2, closer to the action. I have devised a plan to maneuver my bishop to b1, threatening mate (Qh7.)
If 16. e5, g6 and the dark-squared Bishop is missed. 16. d5!? looks unnecessarily risky. The text overprotects the center and White does not commit to anything yet, maintaining flexibility.
I considered Nxe5. I'm willing to sacrifice if I can get that diagonal open. Now if 19. ... Nxd6 20. Nxe5 unblocking the e-pawn, or if 19. ... Bxd6 20. Nxd6 Nxd6 21. Nxe5 accomplishes the same thing and Black has lost one of his king's protectors.
I still can't make Nxe5 work. The text seems good because it removes Black's knight from the kingside and opens up new possibilities for White.
The immediate 23. ... g6!? may be stronger.
If 24. ... Bxe5 25. Qh7+ Kf8 26. Qh8+ Ke7 27. Qxg7 Rxd7 28. Rxe5+ Kd8 29. Bf5 and Black is demolished.
If 25. ... Kxf7 (25. ... Qxd7 26 Qxg6+) 26. Qxg6+ Kf8 27 Qxh6+ etc. I hope this article helps a fellow CCLA'er to gain a better understanding of what chess is all about. I know these games are not perfect chess - I'm trying to reach class B and under players. If I get another idea down the line I'll share it with you. Game on this page as playable game and pgn HERE |
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