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How to think ahead in chess : the methods and techniques of planning your entire game
Many years ago, the mighty Capablanca engaged in a rough
and tumble chess game with a New York expert. Momentarily
forgetting that he was invincible, Capa losti
At this unexpected turn of events, the spectators were
amazed. How could the grand master lose to one who was,
comparatively, a second-rater?
"How far ahead do you think over the chessboard?" one
of them asked the Champion. And, as befitted the titleholder,
the impressive reply came "Ten movest•
"How far do you think ahead?" the winner of this particular
contest was asked. And he replied, "Only one move.D
Now here was a confusing state of affairs! How could a
chess player who thinks only one move ahead, defeat another
who thinks ten moves ahead? The victor then "I
think one move ahead-but it is always the best move
It is really no great secret that the right move in each position is the sure path to victory. To find the right move invariably, however, is beyond the power of ordinary mortals. What
is within his grasp, is the right way to think ahead. Not far
ahead. Accurate appraisal is more important than deep calculation.
The purpose of this book is to teach the right way to think
ahead.
It is a common failing of all chess learners to want to become generals before they have no more than an inkling of strategy
and tactics. Naturally, when put to the test, they wind up in a
welter of confusion.
Attack?
Defend?
Where?
When?
How?
All these are perplexing questions. And they will remain so, until the learner familiarizes
himself with guiding principles and patterns.
The ready answers to these questions shape the presentation
of this book. It is with these in mind that we urge the learner
to familiarize himself with three basic patterns, which will
carry him through all the openings that he may encounter in
his games. With this fundamental knowledge at his command,
the learner is shown how to think ahead by examples from
actual play, step-by-step, to the end of the game.
In our zeal to emphasize the strong points of our recommendations, we may leave the impression that White has a
forced win and that Black has a forced draw. Definitely, this
is not so. Only the astute play of a master, however, can challenge some of the minor conjectures. And this book is not
intended for masters!
After you become thoroughly familiar with the patterns of
play recommended in this book, you can, if you wish, branch
out into other openings. The principles involved in these patterns obtain in all patterns of play.
In the course of reading the book, you will notice references
to detailed treatment of the pin, the fork and other tactical
techniques. Such detailed treatment does not come within the
scope of this book, in which tactical techniques are subordinated to the general problem of over-all planning of your
game. But readers who are interested in studying tactical
methods will find it useful to consult Winning Chess
and tumble chess game with a New York expert. Momentarily
forgetting that he was invincible, Capa losti
At this unexpected turn of events, the spectators were
amazed. How could the grand master lose to one who was,
comparatively, a second-rater?
"How far ahead do you think over the chessboard?" one
of them asked the Champion. And, as befitted the titleholder,
the impressive reply came "Ten movest•
"How far do you think ahead?" the winner of this particular
contest was asked. And he replied, "Only one move.D
Now here was a confusing state of affairs! How could a
chess player who thinks only one move ahead, defeat another
who thinks ten moves ahead? The victor then "I
think one move ahead-but it is always the best move
It is really no great secret that the right move in each position is the sure path to victory. To find the right move invariably, however, is beyond the power of ordinary mortals. What
is within his grasp, is the right way to think ahead. Not far
ahead. Accurate appraisal is more important than deep calculation.
The purpose of this book is to teach the right way to think
ahead.
It is a common failing of all chess learners to want to become generals before they have no more than an inkling of strategy
and tactics. Naturally, when put to the test, they wind up in a
welter of confusion.
Attack?
Defend?
Where?
When?
How?
All these are perplexing questions. And they will remain so, until the learner familiarizes
himself with guiding principles and patterns.
The ready answers to these questions shape the presentation
of this book. It is with these in mind that we urge the learner
to familiarize himself with three basic patterns, which will
carry him through all the openings that he may encounter in
his games. With this fundamental knowledge at his command,
the learner is shown how to think ahead by examples from
actual play, step-by-step, to the end of the game.
In our zeal to emphasize the strong points of our recommendations, we may leave the impression that White has a
forced win and that Black has a forced draw. Definitely, this
is not so. Only the astute play of a master, however, can challenge some of the minor conjectures. And this book is not
intended for masters!
After you become thoroughly familiar with the patterns of
play recommended in this book, you can, if you wish, branch
out into other openings. The principles involved in these patterns obtain in all patterns of play.
In the course of reading the book, you will notice references
to detailed treatment of the pin, the fork and other tactical
techniques. Such detailed treatment does not come within the
scope of this book, in which tactical techniques are subordinated to the general problem of over-all planning of your
game. But readers who are interested in studying tactical
methods will find it useful to consult Winning Chess
- GenresChess
Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2020
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