Chess notes
Classic worth of pieces
- A pawn is worth 1
- A knight is worth 3
- A bishop is worth 3
- A rook is worth 5
- A queen is worth 9
- The king is infinitely valuable
Things to keep in mind
Chess mantra, before any move
- Is it safe?
- Is it any good?
- Is another move better?
Some strategic maxims
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Try to control the 4 center squares
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Threaten superior pieces
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When anticipating an oponent move, ask yourself “if had two move what would I do ?”
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Don’t move your minor pieces twice unless you have a good reason to do it
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Watch the pawn structure, avoid stacking pawns on the same line
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Pawns are important in late game, can be woth a greater piece
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Try to bring the king to the center for late game
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King + rook / queen vs lone king is an assured checkmate, there’s an algorithm !
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A knight on the rim is dim
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Block the ennemy king with yours in a pawn + king endgame, only move your pawns after that
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Have a focused target when attacking
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When competing for a square, pile up the attacking pieces until you have more than your oponent
Strategic patterns
- Look for forcing moves: check, captures, threats
- Forks: Threaten two pieces with one move
- Pinned pieces : attack them or the piece(s) they protect
- Discoveries: uncover a check a threaten a queen
- Attack the only piece defending one that is under attack