Top Highlights

• When playing against a bishop there are two basic rules: Rule 1 Arrange the pawn structure to suit your own bishop. Rule 2 Limit the radius of action of the opposing bishop. It is important to observe a clear hierarchy with these basic principles: rule 1 always comes before rule 2!
• The basic rule is: if your opponent leaves something en prise, the first thing to do is to check the possible capture. If you cannot find a refutation, you must start from the point of view that your opponent has blundered the material! Never believe that he has made a correct sacrifice. That holds true, whatever the playing strength of your oppone...
• The knight is well positioned on any square from which it cannot be driven away. A particularly important square of this type is the one in front of an opposing pawn. The latter works like a shield, but does not limit the action of the knight. We call this the blockading square.
• Whoever controls the square in front of the passed pawn has the advantage!