CHESMAYNE
creamcoffee
Update: the glossary
below contains the most important keywords in the dictionary in a ‘text format’
only - quick & easy!
Glossary-A
Accept
To take/capture an offered PA eg…….
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01A
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PA5-E02/E04
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01B
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PA5-E07/E05
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02A
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PA6-F02/F04
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02B
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PA5-E04*F04
A-PA6 is captured
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To take an offered MP/mp, as in the King’s
Gambit Accepted opening
In the Algebraic notation:- 01 e4 e5
02 f4 exf4. See ‘Decline’.
Accumulation of advantages
(accumulation theory)
An approach to positional
play where one advantage is used to secure another, or at least is held while
another is sought. Link: examples in the Strategy/Themes section [link] of the Canon by Steinitz.
Active
When talking about a person’s style, this word means
that a player enjoys playing aggressive or tactical positions. Used in any other context it generally
deals with an aggressive position or move. An aggressive
move, line of play, or position. When
mentioned in regards to a playing style, it indicates sharp or tactical
tendencies. Active piece: a developed piece that is actively participating in the conduct of the game. Active pieces form the basis of any attack.
Active defence
defence involving some form of
counterattacking method - either by attacking elsewhere, or by attacks against the opponents’
attacking pieces. Link: example in the Defence section of the Canon. Active
defense: the use of attack as a defense,
rather than passively trying to cover weaknesses.
Adjournment
An
interruption in play to enable both players
to obtain analytical
help from their chess master-friends, chess libraries,
or chess computers. If it is not possible to finish a game within the
prescribed time, the players may adjourn to continue at another time. The player whose turn it is to move at the
adjournment makes a ‘sealed move’.
Adjudication
Sometimes
in amateur events, games not finished within a specified time period are adjudicated by
a strong player who determines the outcome of the game. This practice has fallen out of fashion and
has been replaced by ‘sudden death’. Adjudication:
a binding decision about the outcome of an unfinished game, made by someone who
is rated 200 points below you and who renders h/er judgment after spending a
total time of 5% of the time that you devoted to the game. If it not possible to finish
a game either within the prescribed time or at another time, the game may be
adjudicated by an expert. S/he will
decide on the result of the game on the assumption that both players make the
best moves.
Adjust
See J’adoube.
Advanced Pawn
This term describes a PA
which has passed the central meridian of the board (between the fourth and
fifth ranks).
Advantage
A player whose position is
considered objectively better is said to have the advantage. To have more of a chessboard asset - material or positional (time, space,
mobility, PA skeleton).
Examples [link] all over the Canon. A player is said to have an advantage when
their position is better then their opponent’s. How does one know whether they have an
advantage or not? It is usually based
on the four principles: force, time, space, or PA structure. Where the
current position of the game favours one side over another. A material advantage refers to having a
higher point count than the opponent. A
permanent advantage is one with a lasting effect, such as an advantage in
material or superior PA structure. A
positional advantage is an advantage in time, space, mobility, pawn
structure, or control of critical cells/squares. A temporary advantage is one
that may eventually disappear, such as a lead in development.
Alertness
The ability to take advantage of the opponent’s inaccuracies
while playing accurately yourself.
Algebraic Notation
The
form of chess notation
by using a combination of letters and numbers - a to h and 1 to 8 - which
denote the 64 cells/squares on a board.
A
modern way to record chess moves of a game that is the most popular around the world. It is the only notation that is recognized
by the CFC, perhaps with the exception of Figurine Algebraic (link: Figurine Algebraic Notation). It denotes a value to each of the files
(a
number) and denotes a value to each of the ranks (a letter), making it one of
the easiest notations to follow. Algebraic
Chess Notation: a system of recording chess moves which is so logical and
mathematically neat that it’s amazing that it actually became popular! The modern and most popular way of recording chess moves, using single
letter piece identifiers and unique alphabetic file and numeric rank identifiers.
All-Play-All
A tournament in which every player plays (one or more games)
against every other player. Sometimes
knows as ‘American’ or ‘Round Robin’.
Alpha-Beta
Pruning
A technique that is used by computer programmers to cut down on
the number of possible moves that a computer has to evaluate before arriving at a good move.
Amateur
In chess, someone who
plays only for money - cf. Professional!
Amaurosis scachistica
Chess blindness (oversight),
described ironically as a disease by Dr. Tarrasch. There is a superb example from Krogius in the
Errors [link] section of the Canon.
Ambush
See ‘Discovered Attack’.
Analysis
The
detailed study of a position. Analysis Usually an examination of variations. Examples in the Analysis (link) section of the Canon. Calculating a series of moves and
variations in a current position. You
are not allowed to move pieces while analyzing a position in tournament play. Analysis:
irrefutable proof that you could have won
a game you lost!
Annotate
Published
commentary
on a chess game. Comments about a particular
position in a chess game. Sometimes variations are displayed in an
annotation. Annotator:
01 a “friendly guide” to the complexities of master play, who first cites the
MCO column for the game under review, then remains silent until White
is a RO ahead, and finally,
points out how Black
could have held out longer; alternately, someone whose grasp of chess books
doesn’t extend beyond his library
on the opening. 02 a Grand Master
of clichés. Comments about the moves of a game. Written
comments about a game or position. May
include variations from the main line of play.
Announced Mate
It was once the practice to loudly proclaim an inevitable checkmate. Now it is considered very poor form and is
not permitted by the rules
of chess. In any event, it is unwise
to make such pronouncements - one might turn out to be wrong and subject to
great embarrassment.
Anti-positional
Against good strategical principles, as opposed to
being a tactical oversight; Fischer famously described the Winawer Variation [link] as “anti-positional”,
as it gives up the good BS and weakens the King’s-side.
Arbiter
Chess does not have referees or umpires, it has Arbiters
for the enforcement of the rules,
and Directors for the organization of tournaments (a distinction recognized
in America). See ‘Controller’.
Artificial castling, or castling by hand
To exchange positions of KI and RO by other means than normal castling e.g. by playing A-KI-E01/F02,
A-RO2-H01/E01, A-KI-F02-G01 as in the main line of the Benko Gambit [link].
Artificial manoeuvre
Trying a bit too hard, or
making an odd use of pieces. Simple
examples might include blockading a PA with a QU or developing the RO by H02/H04 and
RO2-H01/H03. Capablanca’s style was the opposite of artificial - his games have a
natural, graceful feel which is easy to recognize (but hard to do).
* (Set play)
Play before the first move
of the solution, i.e. in direct ‘two-mover mates’, set for black moves before
the key. In helpmate: the line which would solve
the problem if white is to play, but cannot be realized due to the lack of
black tempo-move.
Attack
A
threat against an enemy piece.
Attack To move with a threat e.g. so that an opponent’s piece may be taken; more
generally, to move pieces towards e.g. the king’s
side in the hope of mate. Also used
to describe some opening
systems initiated by :A
,
e.g. King’s Indian Attack. To play an
aggressive move, or series of moves in a particular area of the board. Attacks often include threatening to take a
piece or threatening checkmate so the opponent is forced to react. Attacking Moves:
moves that my opponent seems to make much more frequently than I do!
Attack
01) A situation in which a piece could capture an enemy MP/mp - after…….
01A-PA5-E02/E04
01B-PA4-E07/E05
02A-QU1-D01/H05,
the White A-QU1 attacks the PAs on E05, F07 and
H07. The word is also sometimes used
in the same sense as threat.
02)
A plan of campaign against a specific target: we may talk of a kingside attack, a queenside attack and so
on.
03)
A name given to some openings or variations chosen by White, for instance the
Fried Liver Attack.
Artificial
Intelligence
Glossary-B
Abbreviation for bishop - BS.
B-->
“Black begins”. Overrides default direct mate or selfmate
convention that white plays first.
b), c)... (twins)
Twins are two or
more positions of the same problem which differ in a small detail, i.e. changed
position of one piece, added or removed piece, exchanged places of two pieces,
piece replaced by another end similar.
For instance…….
b)
WKb1-->C02:
position (b)
arises from diagram position when white KI is moved from B01
to C02;
c) –WPD04:
position (c) arises
from diagram position when white PA is removed from
D04;
+c)
WRA04=WS:
position (c)
arises from position (b) when white RO A04 is replaced
by white KT;
+c) WSA04:
slightly extended
meaning - whatever was on A04 is now replaced by WS;
b) +BPD06:
position (b)
arises from diagram position when black PA is added on D06;
b)
WBD04<-->BBF06:
position (b)
arises from diagram position when two BSs exchange their
places; etc., etc.
Back rank
The rank behind your PAs. After castling the KI’s movement forward
is often blocked by PAs on the F, G and H files, and if the ROs are played
forwards you may fall into a back rank mate. In order to avoid this, players may create ‘Luft’ (airhole) by a move like
H02/H03. There are examples of back rank
mates [link] in the Tactics section of the
Canon.
Back rank mate
A checkmate carried out by a QU or a RO on the first or eighth rank. Back Rank
Mate: A ++CM by QU or RO along the back rank, typically, but not necessarily, with
the PAs in front of the KI unmoved. For instance, White RO on A08, Black KI on G08, Black PAs on F07, G07, H07.
Backward pawn
A PA which cannot be
guarded by a PA, or which cannot advance to such a position. A PA
which has “fallen behind” the other PAs and it thus left without the protection
of other PAs. PAs are generally much
stronger when they are side by side, rather than background or fragmented in
other ways. Backward PA:
A PA which, though not isolated, has no PA of the same colour on an adjacent file either on the same rank or behind it. If
this PA is on a ‘half-open-file’ and cannot advance it can become a target of
attack. Place an A-PA on E04 and B-PAs on D06 and E05.
If there is no B-PA6 on the board, or if it is on, say, C05, then B-PA5
is backward.
Bad Bishop
If a BS is hemmed in by PAs, and
therefore has limited mobility, it is considered
bad. Bad
bishop: a BS hemmed in by its own PAs, on the same colour
cells/squares. Examples in the Bishops [link] handout and in the Canon. A BS which runs along the same diagonals as ones which its own PAs are on and thus block it in and
keep it from reaching its full potential.
Bad
BS: the one that you still have left on the board!
Bare King
A KI which has none of its army (MPs/mps) left.
Base of pawn chain
The very last PA in a diagonal chain. It is the weakest point due to it
not being supported by another PA.
Battery
Placing a number
of pieces on an open diagonal, file or rank. Pieces are generally much stronger when
placed in a battery. QU and ROs go well on files,
BSs and QUs on diagonals. A lineup of pieces that move similarly on a single file or
diagonal, usually pointing toward a critical point in the enemy’s camp. Batteries can be created by QU and ROs on
a file or rank, and QU and BSs on a diagonal.
BCE
Basic Chess Endings
BCF
British Chess
Federation
BCO
’Batsford Chess Openings’, the standard one-volume reference work on opening :L01 strategy.
Berserker
A rash playing style characterized by
frenzied attacking with one or two pieces, perhaps with little regard for strategy or danger.
Bind
A ‘grip’ on the position, usually
held by PAs, e.g.
the Maroczy bind. [link]. Where a player is so tied up he has trouble finding useful moves. See ‘Squeeze’.
Bird’s Opening
A-PA6-F02/F04. Opening named after a strong
but nearsighted English master who frequently reached for the wrong PA.
Bishop Pair
The situation where one player has
both BSs whereas the other
does not. In many positions, especially
those of an open nature, this is said to represent a strategic advantage. Refers
to two BSs of one colour playing against a single BS and KT or two KTs. Two
BSs are often stronger than one alone because they can control diagonals of both colours.
The two compliment each other. Two
BSs against a BS and KT or KTs. Two BSs are effective together because they
control diagonals of both colours, and work very well in open positions. See ‘Opposite colour BSs’.
Bishops of
opposite colour
A situation where each side has only one BS left and those BSs travel on cells/squares of the opposite colour. The significance of this situation is that
it often brings about a drawn
endgame, even if one side has extra PAs.
Black (white) square weaknesses
Having holes on the black cells/squares. Examples include Bernstein-Mieses and
Znosko-Borovsky vs. Mackenzie in the Strategy/Themes [link] section of
the Canon. Black-cell/square Weakness: a
term usually given to describe the state of the dark coloured cells surrounding ones own KI (cf. white cell/square Weakness)!
Black square
complex
A network of black cells/squares. Examples include Bernstein-Mieses and
Znosko-Borovsky vs. Mackenzie in the Strategy/Themes [link] section of
the Canon.
Blindfold Chess
Chess played
without sight of the board. Some
players have been able to take on dozens of opponents simultaneously in this fashion. Blindfold Chess: a skill, through
which minor masters can gain a world-wide reputation; outlawed in Russia because Morphy and Pillsbury died crazy! Blindfold Chess: a game in which the
players play without a board, calling out the moves to each other.
Blindfold Simultaneous Display
A simultaneous display in which the
player giving the display cannot see the boards but has the moves called out to him
on each board in turn.
Blitz
Another
name for rapid, or lightening chess. Blitz: an extreme form of rapid
transit chess, where the players move faster than they can think - thus ensuing
the game a rare profundity! See ‘lightning chess’.
Block
Problems without threat but each black
move carries the weakness which white can
utilize.
Blockade
The blocking of a
PA or PAs by a piece or pieces. e.g. KT1-B02/D03! (Nd3!). Blockade: usually of PAs - a PA may be blockaded by an enemy piece
or PA standing in front of it. The same
effect may be achieved by good control of the cell/square in front of it so
that it would be taken without
compensation if it advanced. example? [link]. The act of placing a piece in front
of an opponent’s PA to prevent it from moving, KTs are usually ideal
for this job. Immobilization of an enemy PA by
placing a piece (preferably a kt) on the cell/square directly in front of
it.
Blockaded PA
A PA where the
cell/square in front is occupied (or strongly controlled) by opposing
pieces. An isolated
pawn on C06 can be blockaded by KT-C05; there are
lots of examples in the Pawn
mobility handout [link].
Blockading
square
The cell/square directly in front
of an isolated or backward
PA. This cell/square can also
serve as an outpost cell/square, as
an occupying piece cannot be chased
away by PAs.
Blunder
A very bad move. A typical excuse for a game one has lost is
“He didn’t outplay. I simply blundered”. Such excuses are not considered good
form. Blunder: An oversight; the Tactics [link] section of
the Canon is full of them. A horrible
move giving up a lot of material or even the
game. Don’t make blunders, enough
said. A horrible mistake where material is lost, serious tactical or positional concessions are made,
or the game is lost.
Bobby Fischer
A player who makes an appearance every twenty
years to defeat Spassky in a match!
Book
Often taken to stand for the current
theoretical opinion. A book move is a
move which is expected to be played, based on recent chess articles or
theoretical manuals. Book-Player: a chess slave, who
fills a relatively empty head with information that makes it even emptier. BOOK: The written body of high-level
chess play. ‘Book’ moves
are standard. A book player memorizes
openings
and their variations,
and goes to pieces if his opponent strays from the accepted line. 01 Published opening theory. 02 The library
of opening moves maintained by a computer
chess playing program.
Book Player
A person who memorizes
opening theory. Taking someone “out of book” refers to
avoiding theory and playing a new or unorthodox move, which may
confuse a book player.
Botvinnik
A Russian KI, revered by communist society.
Break (PA break)
A PA move with the hope or
intention of opening lines, particularly files. In blocked positions like the French
Defence [link] it’s important to organize your own PA break. A PA move that proposes a PA trade in order to increase space or relieve
a cramped position.
Breakthrough
The breaching of an
apparently secure formation, often with sacrifice of material, as in the
Pillsbury-Lasker game in the French
Defence [link]. When a
player is able to penetrate directly into the camp of the opponent. Penetrating the enemy’s position, whether by a ‘PA break’ or the
sacrifice of pieces or PAs.
Break-up sacrifice
A sacrifice to disrupt the defences e.g. BS*H06, PA-G06*H06,
an example of which can be found in the Attacking section of the
Canon [link].
Brilliancy Prize
A prize given for the most exciting game, or most artistic combination. Brilliancy:
a combinative sequence which is understandable to anyone once the solution is revealed! A game containing a very deep strategic idea, a beautiful
combination, or an original idea or plan.
Broad PA Centre
Three or four centre PAs abreast, which
indicate very aggressive intentions.
The opponent of such a ‘big centre’ must look to restrain it and break
it up.
Bughouse Chess
A game gaining in popularity since
you can always blame all of your losses on your partner’s
play.
Building
a bridge
Nimzovitch’s description of
how to win the Lucena position (q.v.) in a Rook
ending [link].
Building a House
The act of placing
your BS on G or B02, your
KT on C or F03 and castling to that
side. See also fianchetto [link].
Buried Piece
A piece hemmed in by
friendly pieces and PAs. Such a piece will have a difficult time
actively participating, and may also interfere with the development of other pieces.
Bust
The refutation of an opening
strategy or combination.
Bye
In Swiss System tourneys, a full
point given to an odd player.
Glossary-C
Caissa
The legendary muse of chess, invented by the poet Vida
in the 16th century poem,
Scacchia Ludus. She was popularized
by the orientalist Sir William Jones in the poem Caissa.
Calculation of Variations
The working out of variations mentally, without
moving the pieces. Calculating strings of moves without moving
the pieces. Mikail Tal was famous for
his ability to calculate variations of moves with
ease.
Candidate Move
A move considered as a starting point
in the analysis of variations.
Candidates’ Tournament/Match
A tournament or match to decide the
challenger for the World
Championship. Candidates’ Tournaments were held between 1950 and
1962. Since then the challenger for
the World Championship has been decided by Candidates’ Matches.
Capped Pawn
A marked PA with which a
player engages to deliver checkmate, in giving
extreme odds to a weaker opponent.
Capture
The act of moving
one of your pieces to a cell/square occupied by one
of your opponents pieces and removing it from the board, out of play. Once a piece is captured, it may never return
to the game.
Candidate
A PA that may be promoted; also, a player
in competition to become the challenger for the world
championship(s). See the game Marshall-Capablanca in the handout on
Pawn
mobility [link].
Candidate move
A move considered as a starting point
in the analysis of variations. This term was made popular by Kotov’s
classic Think
Like a GM [link], the first chapter of which has been very
influential; there are some examples in the Analysis [link] section of
the Canon. O ne of a number of possible realistic moves. There may be a number of legal moves available but only moves that can achieve something positive
within the framework of the current game can be called candidate moves.
Castle
Sometimes the RO is referred to as
a castle, but this refers to a special move in chess in which you move two
pieces (the only move allowing you to do this) and get your KI to the safety of
the wings behind a row of PAs and get your RO
to the center in one move. A player will nearly always castle during a
game, often in the opening and without a
player castling the game is usually quite irregular. A combined move of KI and RO permitted once for each side during a
game. The KI moves two cells/squares to either side, and the RO toward
which it moves is placed on the cell the KI
passed over. This is the only
move in which the KI moves more than one cell at a time and in which more than
one piece is moved. Castling cannot be done when the KI has
already moved, when the affected RO has already moved, when the KI is in +CH, when the cell over which the KI
must pass is under attack, when the KI would be in check after the move was completed, or
when any of the cells between the KI and the affected RO are occupied. 01 The act of moving the KI and RO
simultaneously. This is the only time in the game where two pieces can be moved
in the same turn. Castling consists of moving the KI two cells either right or
left, and placing the RO on the cell beside the KI closest to the centre. There must be no pieces between KI and RO,
neither piece may have already moved, and the KI may not move out of check,
over it, or into it. Castling is
usually worthwhile because it moves the KI to a safer position in the wings
behind PAs, and the RO to a more powerful position in the centre of the board
at the same time. 02 Unsophisticated term for RO. Castle long:
Queenside castling. Castle Short: Kingside castling.
Castling
A move in which the KI and a RO move
simultaneously and the only move where the KI is allowed to move more than one
cell. It may only be carried out if
neither the KI nor the RO concerned have not previously moved at any time in
the game and provided the KI and none of the cells involved are currently under
direct attack by an opposing piece.
However, when castling the RO can immediately give check as a result of
the move should the opposing KI be on E01 or E08, as appropriate, and there are
no other pieces on the E-file. Castling kingside with the white [:A] pieces takes the
KI from E01 to G01 while the RO from H01 moves to E01, replacing the KI. Castling queenside takes the KI from E01 to
C01 while the RO from A01 moves to E01.
Castling with the black [:B] pieces is
self-evident from the foregoing explanation.
Once this move has been employed in a game the pieces involved resume
their normal moving powers and castling cannot be repeated even if the pieces
resume their original positions. A defensive move played by a
cowardly opponent.; a special move solely done for KIs safety only to be
dismantled by your opponent later! A
double move in which an unmoved KI moves two cells towards an unmoved RO and
the RO moves over the KI to the next cell.
If white castles kingside his KI goes to G01 and the RO to F01. If black castles queenside the KI goes to
C08 and the RO to D08. Castling is
not possible if the KI is ‘in check’, moves ‘through check’ or moves ‘into
check’. You castle by moving your KI
first or both pieces together. A player
who touches the RO first may not castle but instead has to play a RO move.
Casual game
A non-tournament encounter.
Correspondence
chess (also known as postal
chess, although e-mail
chess is catching up!)
Centralisation
To move pieces towards the centre - a good idea if
there is no obvious alternative plan. Example in the Strategical
Themes [link] section of the Canon.
Centre
Cells D04, D05,
E04 and E05 - the four cells in the very centre of the board. Centre: the central
four squares E04, D04, E05, D05 (block-A) or the sixteen cells including these and those next to
them (Block-A and B. The E and D-files are referred to as the center files. See also Extended
Center [link]. The middle of the board. In the opening, both players should strive to occupy or control the
centre. The
four cells in the geometrical center of the board. The opening moves are meant to gain control
of the center. The area bounded by
C03, C06, F03 and F06 is also considered central. The centre of the board is of great strategic
significance, as pieces placed there generally have the greatest scope. Centre Break: the attack on two or more PAs
abreast on the 4th rank by an opposing PA in order to break up their
formation. Centre Fork
Trick: a series of moves where a KT
is sacrificed
for a centre PA, knowing that it can be recovered by a PA fork and the enemy’s
central PA structure will be destroyed by doing so. Centre PAs: the KIs
and QUs
pawns. Centralize: placing of pieces and PAs so they both
control the centre, and influence other areas of the board. Pieces usually have maximum mobility
(and therefore power) when centrally placed.
Challenger’s Tourney
A tournament to decide which Russian will play another
Russian for the world championship!
Champion
Someone who has
attained success in chess only
because s/he has had more time to devote to the game than you have!
Cheapo
A
phrase coined by U.S. Master Dr. Karl Burger, who has won a large
percentage
of his games by such a manoeuver; a move which threatens something so
obvious that only an idiot would fall for
it, and he does! Slang
expression for an invitation to a blunder, usually
played in desperation by a player who is loosing badly.
Check
When the KI is directly
attacked. The game is lost unless the
KI can be moved out of check, or another piece can be placed
between the KI and the attacking piece, or the attacking piece can be captured. The act
of attacking one’s opponent’s KI. When +CH takes place, a player usually will call out “check” to
his opponent so that he is aware of the threat. See the check [link] section of the tutorial. An attack on the KI. In games between inexperienced players it is
usual to announce “+CH” to your opponent when attacking h/er KI. If you play in adult tournaments you will
find that your opponents will probably not do this, expecting you to see for
yourself if you are in check. The
act of attacking the opponent’s KI.
When check takes place, a player usually calls out “check” so the
opponent is aware of the threat. The
opponent must get out of check on the next move, either by moving the KI,
capturing the attacking piece, or moving another piece between the KI and the
attacking piece.
Checkmate
If the KI is in check and
there is no legal move that can get
h/er out of check he is checkmated and the game is lost. An
attack on one’s opponent’s KI from which it cannot escape using one of the
three methods. When checkmate occurs,
the game has ended and the person playing the checkmate has won. See the check [link] section of this tutorial. A self-inflicted torture by novices
who don’t know the word “resigns”! A check
which cannot be parried by moving the KI to a safe cell, blocking the attack or
capturing the checking piece.
++CM ends the game: the player who is checkmated has
lost. Mate has the same meaning as checkmate and is frequently used
in its place. Threatening
the capture of the enemy KI such that it cannot escape. This wins
the game for the attacking side.
Chess
A most intriguing intellectual challenge, played in a
cultured manner according to strict rules and
regulations. The object of the game is
to crush your opponent! Chessmen: Pieces.
Chess Clock
A timing device used in tournament play. After making a move, a player depresses the
button on his side of the device which stops his timer and starts that of h/er opponent. Beginners are often intimidated by chess
clocks but one quickly adjusts to their use, without which many games could
drag on for hours, days, weeks or even months.
Chess Fever
A disease common among adolescent
members of the Manhattan Chess Club; characterized by jagged fingernails,
bulging eyes, and an unsteady hand.
Chess Life
A magazine that comes out
late once a month.
Chess Problem
A position on the chessboard with
associated stipulation, i.e. Mate in 2 moves, Helpmate in 3 moves
etc. Normally, there should be only one
way to satisfy the stipulation, otherwise problem is unsound (cooked). Sometimes, typically in helpmates, there are
two or more solutions stipulated. ‘Mat Plus’
accepts direct mate, helpmate and selfmate original problems.
Classical
When referring to
a player’s style, it means that the player bases h/er play on a full PA center. It also refers to an era where all players
used this style and those that did not were considered irregular. 01 a playing style based on the formation of a full PA centre. The strategic concepts involved are seen as
ultimate laws, and therefore rather dogmatic.
Clearance sacrifice
See vacating
sacrifice The act of giving your opponent one of your pieces because it is
blocking a cell that would be advantageous for another piece
to be placed there. Clearance: moving a piece, often as a sacrifice,
in order to make way for another piece.
A move that
clears a cell for use by a different piece.
The new piece can use the cell to better advantage. A “clearance sacrifice” is where the
vacating piece is sacrificed to make room.
Clock, Chess
In serious tournaments and matches each player has a
fixed amount of time to play either a
certain number of moves or the whole game.
A player who exceeds the time limit loses as long as h/er opponent has enough material left to get checkmate. A chess clock has two faces. On making a move the player presses the
button on top of his clock to start his opponent’s clock ticking. Digital clocks are now being used in many
tournaments. A mechanical device used to
time tournament games which no one ever pays attention to until that little red
marker is about to fall!
Paired clocks used in all official tournaments and in club games. After a player moves, s/he depresses a lever
that stops h/er clock and starts h/er opponent’s. Each clock, therefore, registers only the
elapsed time for one player. If a
player exceeds the time limit set on h/er clock, a flag falls and s/he loses
the game, even if s/he has a clear winning position. Paired clocks used in all sanctioned
tournaments and in many club games.
Close game or closed opening
Often slow, partly blocked positions,
often arising from e.g. 01A PA4-DO2/D04
01B PA5-D07/D05, with locked chains
of PAs. There are
several examples discussed in the Pawn
formations [link] handout. A position where the PA structure is fixed, the centre
cluttered with interlocked PAs. KTs thrive in such positions, and play
is generally focussed on the flanks.
Closed
Refers to the type
of position being played. A “closed
game” is one in which the center is cluttered with PAs that are
interlocked. Play usually focuses on
the wings. Closed game: one in which the maneuvering is tight
and the pieces, as a rule, lack long-range
operating space. Such games are
sometimes called “positional”, because they are quiet, with the opponents
struggling for subtle advantages, rather than open and alive with tactical possibilities.
Club, Chess
A group of devotees of the Royal Game, whose meetings
are characterized by brotherhood and good sportsmanship and where never is
heard an encouraging word!
Combination
A forcing
sequence involving threats (of capture, check and/or mate), probably
involving a sacrifice. There are examples in the Tactics and Attacking [link] sections
of the Canon. Any long series of moves that
the average player cannot understand!
A sequence of moves involving a sacrifice played in order
to gain a specific advantage, usually to win material or to force checkmate, sometimes to
force a draw from an inferior
position. A series of moves which, unless the
player has miscalculated, will force an immediate win or an overwhelming advantage. A combination sometimes starts with a
sacrifice of material. A sacrifice and
forced sequence of moves to gain a certain advantage.
Compensation
Something that I tell myself that I have for being
down that PA! An equivalent advantage that offsets an advantage of the enemy’s, for example material versus development, space versus superior KT or BS, or three PAs versus KT.
Complementary
sacrifice
A sacrifice which follows up
a previous sacrifice - e.g. the double bishop sacrifice
BS*H07/BS*G07,
(Bxh7/Bxg7), or two others like RO*F06/KT*H07 (Rxf6/Nxh7) (see Lasker-Bauer link).
Composition
One of the most artistic aspects of chess is the
composition, which is an artificial position composed by a problemist. There are many rules governing the
creation of a composition, one of the most important of which is that only a
single solution is allowed.
Concentric
Towards the centre
Congress
See tournament.
Connected Passed Pawns
Two or more PAs which are
unobstructed by enemy PAs and thus have the threat of queening. These PAs rest on files beside one
another and thus are more dangerous because they each provide support of the
others. Two or more same-colour passed PAs on
adjacent files. See Passed
pawn.
Connected pawns
PAs which can protect
or be protected by a PA on an adjacent file. Connected passed PAs are considered most
valuable in the endgame. Connected PA: a PA with a PA on an adjacent file; a group of connected
PAs form a pawn island. There is a nice
example from Capa in the handout On
manoeuvres [link], and another from
Karpov in the style [link] section of the Canon. PA-Island.
Connected Rooks
When the two ROs (RO1 and R02) are
on the same rank or file, with no pieces or PAs between
them. ROs are very strong when they
are connected, as they support each other.
Connoisseur, Openings
An understanding authority, who
thinks one opening is better than
another!
Consolidating manoeuvre
To shore up a
point e.g. RO-E08, QU-E07, KT-F06/D07
(Re8, Qe7, Nf6-d7) to protect
E05.
Consolidate: taking care of your position before
continuing active operations. This could mean adding protection to critical PAs or cells, improving the
placement of pieces, or making the KI safer.
Control
A player controls a cell by occupying or by having more pieces which
can occupy it with a single move than h/er opponent. To
dominate an area or aspect of the board.
You can control the light diagonals, an open file, or sector of the board. You can even control a particular cell. The domination or sole use of a
cell, group of cells, file or diagonal. One is also “in control” when one has the initiative.
Controller
The person who oversees a tournament or
match
and who has the responsibility of ensuring that the Laws of Chess
are obeyed. Also arbiter.
Control of
centre
The controlling influence of one side
over the central
squares. See the rules for openings, and the opening section and under
centralisation [link] sections
in the Canon. The hypermoderns [link] pointed
out that need not mean its occupation.
Cooperation/coordination
A general term
used to describe the way pieces work together -
for example, in an endgame, QU+KT coordinate better
than QU+BS, a circumstance
in which it is no disadvantage to have a KT while the opponent has a BS (see minor exchange). There are some nice examples of
coordination in the Strategy/Themes [link] section of
the Canon.
Coordinates
Unique cell identifiers, made
up of a number indicating rank and a letter
indicating file.
Correspondence Chess
Chess played by post or by electronic
transmission. A system of play which in
gaining in popularity because you cannot lose USCF rating points in this sort of
competition; a method of play to determine who owns the strongest chess computer.
Chess played by post: the
players take it in turns to send their moves to each other by letter.
The term is also used loosely for chess in which moves are communicated
by other means, for instance phone, radio or fax.
Counter Attack
When a player who
is being attacked counter thrusts with an attack of h/er own
rather than defending. A move which replies to
the opponent’s threat by setting
up a threat of its own. A name given to some openings or variations of an attacking
nature selected by black
:B. The launch of an attack by the defender, rather than making more defensive moves. Designed to place the opponent on the
defensive. Counter Threat: See “Counter attack”.
Counter-gambit
A gambit
played by black,
for instance the Falkbeer Counter-gambit.
Counter Play
When a player who
has been defending for several moves begins an attack of h/er own. Aggressive actions by the defender.
Counterplay may equalize the chances, may be not quite enough to
equalize, or may seize the initiative and gain an advantage.
Cramp
Lack of mobility. See the examples on Space in Strategy/Themes [link] section of
the Canon. Disadvantaged in space, leading to a
reduction in mobility of one’s pieces.
Cramped
[Position]
A player is said
to have a cramped position or is cramped when s/he is at a disadvantage in
space and thus very little room to move h/er pieces around in. That which you must obtain as a
necessary preliminary to freeing your game.
Critical
Position / Move
A very important
move in the position which the game may be decided on. If played poorly the player will lose, if played well,
they will win. A point where the evaluation of the position will obviously
favour one side, or where it will equalize.
The position is delicately balanced and the slightest mistake could be disastrous.
Cross-check
A +CH in reply to a check, typical of QU endings. See the second Nimzo game in the handout On
Manoeuvres [link].
Glossary-D
Decentralise
To move away from the centre, often an
anti-positional move. There are
examples in the handouts on Bishops
Italian
Game [link].
Decisive
A move which
alters or makes certain the result of a game: a decisive move may make an advantageous position a winning one, a decisive error may lose the advantage, or the
game. Examples are to be found in the
handout on Planning [link] and Kotov’s Think
Like a GM [link]. A move which alters or makes certain
the result of a game.
Decline
To leave an
offered PA or MP, e.g.
01A-PA5-E02/E04
01B-PA4-E07/E05
02A-PA6-F02/F04
02B-BS1-F08/C05
e4
e5
f4 Bc5
King’s
Gambit Declined.
Antonym: accept.
decoy:
A diversion, as in the model
game [link] Morphy-Meek. Decoy. A tactic in which a player
tries to lure an opponent’s piece to a cell that is
particularly vulnerable. These sequences
can sometimes be forced. To force an
enemy piece either away from
or to a particular cell or line, often by means of a sacrifice. Some authors use ‘decoy’ only for forcing ‘to’
a cell or line and ‘deflection’ for forcing
‘away from’ a cell or line. The offering of material in order to get an enemy piece to move.
Decoy sacrifice
A sacrifice to remove a MP, e.g. to play BS-A05 when B-QU1-C07*A05 (...Qc7xa5)
means that the KI will lack an
important defender (see decoy).
defence:
To move to defend against a threat, e.g. to protect
a piece that is attacked;
more generally, a period of the game where the player is meeting and
anticipating threats during an attack. Also used for opening
systems chosen by :B, e.g. King’s
Indian Defence. There is a
section in the Canon on Defence [link]. Defence. A move or series of
moves that are played to stop an opponent’s attack. An answer to a threat, or that which
prevents an attack from being a threat.
After 01A PA5-E02/E04 01B
PA4-E07/E05 02A
QU1-D01/H05, the RO on H08 provides a
defence to the attack on H07 and the KI provides a
defence to the attack on F07. A good
move for black would be 02B... KT2-B08/C06,
providing a defence to the threat of QU1-H05*E05+CH. A name given to an opening or variation chosen by
:B. For instance the Sicilian
Defence or French
Defence. Any move or plan that is intended to meet or stop an enemy’s threats or attack. Name used for openings initiated by black,
such as Petroff Defense, French Defense etc. These systems are called defenses due to black
having the second move, and being forced to respond to white’s first move.
deflection:
To distract a MP or PA away from a task example? [link]. A tactic which forces an opponent piece off of a cell where it had to
be, either because it was defending a piece or cell or because it was blocking
a threat.
deflecting sacrifice
A sacrifice to deflect a defending MP e.g. to play A-RO-E01/E04 (Re1-e4)
to deflect B-QU1-B04 (black Qb4) away from
attacking cell B02. example? [link].
Demonstration
Board
A large display used to show games in progress, or analysis, to an audience.
denuding
sacrifice
A sacrifice to strip away a
defending PA shield e.g. BS*H06 (Bxh6) from
the Attack [link] section of
the Canon.
Descriptive
Notation
An antiquated form
of notating a chess game,
employed in the English and Spanish-speaking worlds to some extent. It has
almost disappeared from contemporary use, but there is much great literature
written using it, so it is worthwhile to learn it. A typical example is 1. P-K4 (1. pawn to King four) for 1.
e4. Descriptive
Notation.
Desperado
A slang word for a piece that cares
nothing about its safety, such as one that
moves into a threat. Typically, the desperado is a piece that
opens a line with a serious threat.
Destroy
To capture a
defending piece,
often as a sacrifice.
Destructive Sacrifice
Sacrificing material to destroy the PA cover or other
protection around the enemy KI. Usually a point of no return.
Development
The art of bringing out
one’s forces. The
bringing-out of pieces at the start of the game - one of the aims
of the opening [link]. Examples in the Openings [link] Canon. Development. The act of moving
pieces from their original cells to places where they are more effective, usually in the center, and have more mobility. To develop a
piece is to move it from its starting cell to a more effective position. In the opening both players strive for rapid
development. The process of moving pieces from their
starting positions so they can protect their own territory and put pressure on
the opponent. The moving of pieces from their starting
positions to new positions where their mobility and activity are
increased. To bring pieces into play.
diagonal:
The chain of cells/squares of the same colour running diagonally across the board:
A01/H08 and A07/G01 are diagonals example? [link].
A line on the chess board from North East to South West or from North
West to South East, as traversed by BSs and QUs. The diagonals from corner to corner are the
‘long diagonals’. A row of cells running obliquely
across the board rather than up and down (a file) or side to side (a rank) or a block.
A diagonal row of cells.
Diagonals are named by the coordinates of their starting and ending
cells.
Diagonal mate
Mate where the
decisive check is delivered
along a diagonal, as in Fool’s
mate
01A-PA7-G02/G04
01B-PA4-E07/E05
02A-PA6-F02/F04
02B-QU1-H02/H04++CM
1. g4 e5
2. f4 Qh4#
Diagram
A pictorial representation of a chess position.
Direct mate problems
In direct mate problems white [:A] plays first and
for every black [:B] defence mates not later
than in given number of moves. The
stipulation is “Mate in n
moves”, or shorter “Mate in n”,
or symbolically “#n”.
discovered
attack:
To attack by moving a MP or PA out of the way of
a ‘Line-Piece’ such as RO, BS or QU. 01A-PA5-E02/E04 (e4) discovers an attack on
B05 and H05. There are examples in the
Tactics [link] section of
the Canon. Discovered
Attack. An attack which
occurs when a piece moves out of the
way of another piece. This can be
particularly effective if the piece that moves to discover the attack can
attack something as well, thus revealing two threats in one turn. A move which opens up an attack from a BS,
RO or QU etc (see ‘table
of monograms’). After the
moves 01A PA5-E02/E04 -
B-PA4-E07/E05 02A QU1-D01/G04?, a move by B-PA4 would be a
discovered attack on A-QU1. Also called an ambush. The creation of an attack from one piece caused
by the moving away of another piece that was masking it. These are potent moves, as they may enable
a piece to move away from a threat in safety, or enables two attacks to be
launched simultaneously.
Discovered check
A +CH delivered by a piece whose line of attack has previously
been blocked by a member of the same side which has moved away on the given
move. discovered
check: to deliver +CH by moving a MP or PA out of the way of
a ‘line-piece’ such as RO, BS or QU. There are examples in the Tactics [link] section of
the Canon. +DC. A move which opens up an attack from a BS,
RO or QU on the opponent’s KI. A player, by moving a piece, uncovers an attack on an opponent’s piece. If the attacked piece is the KI, the move is
called discovered check. Check given
by one piece as the result of the moving away of another piece that was masking
it.
Disjunction
Separation of MPs or PAs example? [link].
Dislodging
manoeuvre
A move to upset a defensive formation example? [link].
Disorganisation
Where pieces fail to protect key squares or each other,
the opposite of coordination. See the booklet on Italian
Game [link].
Distance
The number of cells between two pieces. This is a crucial calculation in endgames to determine
whether a KI can stop a
hostile passed
PA.
Distant opposition
KIs separated by more
than one rank (or file) but which still
have the relation of opposition e.g. KIs on G01
and G05. See also the booklet on King
and pawn endings [link].
Distant/outside
passed PA
A passed Pawn on the other side
of the board from the defending KI or other pieces -
usually winning in a KI and PA ending example? [link].
diversionary
sacrifice:
Sacrifice in order to decoy example? [link].
Double PAs
To force enemy PAs to become doubled, as in the
booklet on Pawn
mobility [link].
Doubled Pawns
PAs on the same file, often one
obstructing the other, as in the booklet on Pawn
mobility [link]. Two PAs in tandem on the same
file. Ordinarily, a liability because,
unable to protect each other, they are vulnerable.
double
(of Rooks):
ROs on the same file; if the QU is also on that
file the MPs are tripled. We can see doubling in the handout on Rooks [link], tripling
in the one on Pins [link]. Two ROs in tandem on the same file.
Because they protect each other and act in concert, their power is more
than double the power of a single RO.
double
attack:
To attack two pieces at the same time
with one move; 01A-PA5-E02/E04
attacks D05 and F05. Chernev and
Reinfeld say that this is one of the two central themes of tactical play (the other being
concentration of force). Lots of
examples in the Tactics [link] section of
the Canon. An attack against two
pieces on the same turn. The launch of two threats simultaneously. It is different from a fork in that either or both threats need
not be a capture.
double Bishop
sacrifice
Two complementary BS sacrifices, e.g. on G07 and
H07, as in the famous game Lasker-Bauer [link]. Double
BS Sacrifice.
double
check:
+CH from two pieces at once, always
obliging a KI move. Examples in the Tactics [link] section of
the Canon. +DO. Similar to the discovered
attack, only the piece which the attack
is revealed upon is the KI. Occurs
when the KI is checked twice on the same turn.
This can only occur by discovery. It can be extremely effective because the
only response to a double check is fleeing.
This can sometimes lead to an unexpected mate. A check from two pieces at once. A discovered check where the piece moving away itself gives
check. A double check can only be met
by a KI move. A simultaneous check given by moving
one piece to give check, thereby also unmasking another piece which also gives
check.
Double
fianchetto
Both BSs developed in fianchetto, as the Hypermodern [link] Reti was fond of
doing.
Double
RO sacrifice
Typically to allow
a QU to play B-QU1*A01+CH, KI moves, QU1*H01
(...Qxa1+, K moves, Qxh1), hoping to decoy the QU away from defence. The Immortal
Game features such a sacrifice, included in the attacking [link] section of
the Canon.
Double attack
An attack against two enemy pieces at the same time. If a single piece is attacking two enemy
pieces, it is a fork.
Doubled
pawns
Two PAs of the same colour on the same file. These are generally considered a
liability. A characteristic of PA structures that occurs when more
than one PA of the same colour reside on the same file. Doubled
PAs occur as a result of a capture. Three PAs of the
same colour on the same file are tripled PAs. Such PAs can
often become targets of attack. Two
PAs of the same colour on the same file, put there by a capture. These PAs are generally considered to be weak,
but they can control valuable cells and create open or half-open files.
Draw
A game in which neither side wins. Draws can occur by mutual agreement or in
accordance with specific rules of chess, such as
stalemate. A tied
game in which neither side wins. See
the Interesting
Cases [link] section of this tutorial. A game that ends in a tie,
where each player is awarded half a point.
A draw occurs when…….
Draw Offer
The suggestion by
one player to the other that they agree to call the game a draw. When playing manually, the correct way to
make a draw offer is to make your move, say clearly ‘Draw?’, and then start
your opponent’s clock. Never make a draw offer when it is your
opponent’s turn to move.
Drawn position
A position in which normal play would lead to an outcome in which neither side wins.
Deep
Thought
DT II
Deep
Thought; next version
Duffer
Anybody who can beat you three times
in a row! A novice (bad) chess
player.
Duplex
Stipulation for both sides, i.e.,
“h#2 duplex” means it is also requested to find how white [:A] can begin and
help black [:B] to mate h/er (white) in
two moves.
Dynamic
Dynamics are represented by the
aggressive potential in a move or position. Dynamic Play:
Dynamic play occurs as a result of frequent structural changes that demand
constant reevaluation of one’s strategy. These changes are usually as a result of tactical
threats or significant
changes in the PA structure.
Glossary-E
Eccentric development
Moving a piece to an unusual cell e.g.
KT2-G01/H03
Ng1-h3
Echos
Two functionally
identical positions on the same board, one the mirror image of the
other, due to the arrangement of the defender’s pieces being effectively
symmetrical. This allows the same attack to be made down either side of the board.
ECO
Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, the
standard multi-volume reference work on opening
strategy.
Egotist, Chess
Someone who is more interested in
describing h/er own victories than in listening
to yours!
elimination
sacrifice
A sacrifice to remove an
important defender e.g. B-RO-C08*C03-KT1
(...Rc8xNc3). Compare with examples of
‘removing the guard’ from the Tactics [link] section of
the Canon, which are without sacrifices.
Rating using Professor
Arpad Elo’s rating
system. A system in which players all
over the world are ranked according to their skill. It was devised by Arpad Elo (hence the name
of the system) in 1970 and continues to be in effect today [:L01]. An internationally accepted mathematical system for ranking chess
players, created by Arpad Elo. International Grandmasters are typically in the range 2500+ to
2700, world
champions
often 2700+. The standard deviation is
200 points. The scale is such that a
player at 1800 would be expected to beat one at 1600 by the same margin as a player
at 2600 against one at 2400. Many games must be played before an Elo rating
can be estimated with confidence. The
Elo rating is the foundation for the award of FIDE titles.
Endgame
The last stages of a game, involving few
pieces, usually without QUs for either side. A game where several pairs of pieces have been exchanged, probably including the Queens, and where play is concerned not with checkmate or tactics as much as with gaining, and promoting, Pawns. See Endgame
Handouts [link].
The final of three phases of the game.
Although it is a very definite phase of the game, it is very difficult
to tell when you have left the middle game and entered the endgame. The endgame is
said to be when there are few pieces left on the board and usually after the
QUs are exchanged. This is the final
phase in a chess game. Your last opportunity to miss a
win or a draw! The final stage of a game of chess, when there is little material left on the board; where most of the pieces (but not
necessarily the PAs) have been captured. The
final stages of a game. Most pieces
have disappeared from the board, and the KI,
instead of hiding, becomes an active participant. The endgame generally starts after QUs have
been exchanged or when the immediate goal
is to promote a PA.
Endings
Another name for the Endgame.
En
Passant
In passing: a special
PA
capture which can only be effected once by each side in a game. If, for example, black [:B] has a PA on his fifth rank (say E04) and white [:A], taking advantage of the facility to move a PA two cells forward on its first move, moves (say) PA4-D02/D04, black can capture this PA - but only on the very next move - placing the capturing PA on
D03. A most modern rule in the game of chess [:L01]. It is a French phrase which literally means
‘In Passing’. The rule comes into effect when a PA, on
its first move goes up two cells and lands beside an enemy PA. When this happens the enemy PA is allowed to
take the PA as if it had only advanced one cell. It was introduced because when a PA landed
on the fifth rank and an enemy PA used the two
cell move, it could dodge the fight of the enemy PA which was deemed
unfair. This move is only allowed to be
invoked the instant the PA moves two cells, afterwards it would be too hard to
tell which PA had moved two cells or had moved one cell and then another,
etc. A PA capture in which a PA on its
fifth rank can capture a PA on an
adjacent file moving from the second to the
fourth rank as if it moved only one cell.
After the moves 01A-PA5-E02/E04, 01B-PA4-E07/E06, 02A-PA5-E04/E05,
02B-PA5-D07/D05, white may, if s/he chooses, capture B-PA4 by ‘en passant’, but only on h/er next
move. A-PA5 will move to D06 and B-PA5
will be removed from the board. From the French, ‘in passing’. Abbreviated :ep. One PA can capture another :ep if the capturing PA
has reached the fifth rank and the captured PA is moved two cells forward on an
adjacent file. The capture is made as
though the opponent’s PA had moved only one cell forward. It occurs when a PA moves two cells from its starting
position, and
passes an enemy PA that has advanced to its fifth rank. The advanced PA on the fifth rank may choose
to capture the PA as if the PA had only moved forward one cell. This capture must be made immediately after
the two cell advance, or else the right to capture “en passant” is lost. In the Chesmayne
notation
an en passant capture is labelled
:ep.
En prise
This is said of a piece (other than the KI) which can be
captured. en prise: In a position to
be taken. ‘En Prise’, ‘To Leave’: a method of
relieving oneself of extraneous material! French. A piece is en prise when it is left exposed
to capture with nothing to show for it.
French “in take”. A piece or PA that is unprotected and exposed to
capture.
Equality
A situation in a
chess game where neither side has an advantage, or when each
players advantages compliment each other.
Where neither
player has a discernible advantage over the opponent.
equilibrium/balance
of position
An equal but not lifeless position is
in balance or equilibrium; if this is not disturbed the correct result should
be a draw. However, unduly slow or unduly rash moves
may disturb the balance and give the opponent the advantage. See latitude
of the draw.
error:
A mistake in analysis or assessment; a
gross oversight is called a blunder. There is a section on errors [link] in the
Canon.
Ethics, Chess
Undefined - we
could find no examples of this after a very long search!
Euwe, Max
That Dutch master whose name I
can’t pronounce.
Exchange
The capture of pieces belonging to both
sides during the course of a few moves. (See
also ‘Winning the Exchange’). exchange: used in two senses - to swap off for equal material, or unequal material.
To lose the exchange
usually means to lose RO for BS. The minor exchange refers to the loss of BS
for KT, but this is not always a disadvantage. example? [link]. The
trading of pieces, where one piece captures another and then this piece is
recaptured back. You are said to have
‘won the exchange’ when the trading of pieces results in you winning more
material, based on the points system (i.e. RO - 5 points, for BS - 3
points. The Exchange:
trading pieces of equal value: for instance, QU for QU, RO for RO, BS for KT. The advantage of gaining a RO for a BS or a
KT. If you win RO for BS or KT you are
said to ‘win the exchange’ while your opponent ‘loses the exchange’. If you give up RO for BS or KT deliberately
you ‘sacrifice the exchange’. The
trading of a piece (BS or KT) for a RO.
A trade of pieces. See ‘Point
count’.
Exchange Sacrifice
Where a player willfully trades a RO for a KT or BS in return for
compensation of some kind. See
‘Compensation’.
Expansion
Increasing the amount of space
directly under your control. To expand,
push PAs forward in an
attempt to increase the boundaries of your territory.
Extended fianchetto
To fianchetto with e.g. PA2 to
B03 and BS1 to A03. Also used for
fianchetto with PA2 to B04 and BS1-B02. example? [link].
Glossary-F
Fischer-Spassky match held Sept-Nov
‘92 (Fischer won 10-5)
fairy chess:
Chess with newly invented pieces, usually seen in
‘studies’ but can be played as a new game.
example? [link].
family
check:
A +CH with other pieces attacked at the
same time e.g. to play KT-C07+CH (Nc7+)
with B-KI-E08, B-RO-A08, B-QU-D05 (black Ke8, Ra8,
Qd5). There is an example in
Capablanca-Treybal in the handout On
manoeuvres [link] and in the Canon.
Fianchetto
An Italian term, now in
general use, to describe the positioning/development of a BS in the
penultimate cell of the ‘long
diagonal’ (ie white’s [:A] B02, G02, black’s [:B] B07, G07). fianchetto: to develop a BS to the long diagonal by e.g. PA2-B03 and
BS-C01/B02. An Italian method of developing
BSs; popularized by Russians! The development of a BS on the ‘long
diagonal’. A BS played to the side
of the board
is said to be fianchettoed. Usually,
the BS is played to G02 or B02 (G07 or B07 for black),
from which position it sweeps along the ‘long diagonal’ to the opponent’s A08 or H08 (A01 or H01 for black) cell. The
word is from the Italian fianco - the flank or side. Italian ‘on the flank’.
FIDE
Federation Internationale des
Echecs. Short for the ‘Fédération Internationale des Échecs’,
or, in English, ‘The International Chess Federation’. They govern over world
champions [:L01], master, IMs, GMs, etc. See also IM;
GM [link]. The ruling body for traditional western
chess. FIDE Master (FM): the lowest master title awarded by
FIDE, below the rank of ‘International Master’. Players qualify for this title by performing
at a specified level in ‘Master Tournaments’. The title of FIDE Master is also awarded to
World Junior Champions. FIDE also
award the title of ‘Woman FIDE Master’, with a lower level of qualification. Founded in 1924, it organizes world
championship
competitions, draws up rules of the game, and awards the international titles
to top players.
Fifty Move Rule
This rule states that if fifty
moves have been played since the last capture or PA move the game is a draw. It can only be enforced if the players are
recording their moves (or, in junior chess, counting their moves). Contrary to popular opinion it has nothing
at all to do with one player only having a KI left. The ‘50-Move-Rule’ was extended for certain
positions in the 1980’s but in 1992 it reverted to fifty moves for all
positions, except if announced in advance by the tournament organizer. A game can be drawn when fifty moves have been made by
each player without a capture or PA
advancement.
File
The row of cells from the first rank to the last. file: the columns of cells, e.g. A01-A08 is the A-file (QUs-RO file). The
vertical columns of the chessboard which, in Algebraic
Notation are each assigned a letter, beginning with A-file, B-file,
etc. A vertical line of cells on a
chessboard. The eight files are
assigned the letters from A to H, so, for instance, the file on which the KIs start is referred to as the E-file. The rows running from player to
player, named for the pieces
that occupy them at the start of the game.
From left to right they are, for white
[:A],
the QU-RO file, QU-KT
file, QU-BS
file, QU-file, KI-file, KI-BS file, KI-KT file, KI-RO File. The order, read from right to left, is
correct for the black
[:B]
side. A row of eight cels from one end
of the chessboard to the other. In
Algebraic Notation these are labelled A to H, starting from the queenside
of the board.
Fischer, Robert
An American chess veteran who had
been U.S. Champion eight times. His
victims accused him of bad manners; his conquerors thought of him a fine
sport!
Fish
A player who falls for all your traps and still wins!
Fixed
Obstructed or restrained: see the Pawn
formations [link] handout.
Fixed Centre
Where the centre of the board is
occupied by multiple PAs and some of them
are fixed in place by opposing PAs. In
some cases, PA movement is possible but the advancing PAs will be subject to capture.
Fixed Pawn
Structure
PA set-ups where there
is little or no possible mobility. Since there will be little PA play, strategies are easier to
determine.
Flank
The A, B, C, F, G and H files. The
files that do not belong to the center: the A-, B- and C-files on the queenside and the F-, G- and H-files on the kingside. Certain
openings
that focus on flank
development
are called ‘flank openings’. Typical
first moves for these openings are 01A-PA3-CO2/CO4;
01A-PA2-B02/B03; 01A-KT2-G02/F03; etc.
Flank Attack
Attacking on either the kingside or queenside. Such attacks are much more
successful when the centre is closed.
flank opening
Slower openings aiming at control
of the centre rather than its
occupation - for :A, this includes
the English 01A-PA3-C02/C04
(1.c4), Reti 01A-KT2-G01/F03 (1.Nf3), and Catalan:
01A-PA4-D02/D04
02A-PA3-C02/C04
03A-PA7-G01/G03
(1.d4,2.c4,3.g3) openings.
See the handout on the hypermoderns [link].
Flight square
A cell available for a King to move to. If a KI has no flight
cells, a check may give
++CM. See the game against Terry Gray
in
the Defence section of the
Canon [link]. A cell/ to which the
KI can move, a prime consideration in
a KI-hunt and in
problems.
Fluid Pawn
Structure
Structures where future PA movement is
likely. Strategy may be
difficult
to determine, as a change in the PA
structure necessitates a change in
strategy.
FM
Force
Loosely, material. Chernev and Reinfeld see this as the other
great defining theme of tactical play. See the model
game [link] by Kasparov in the
Canon. Usually defined as
material. One is said to have an advantage in force when
they have more material than their opponent. However, you can also be said to have an
advantage in force if you have a number of pieces directed at a certain part of
the board where the enemy pieces are not.
Thus, you control this area of the board. Your army. All PAs and pieces are units of force.
Forced
A forced move or series of
moves are ones which must be played, either legally, or because if
the opponent does not play them, h/er position will be destroyed. A move or series of moves that must be played to avoid loss of the game or catastrophic loss of material.
Forced move
A move which must be made lest the
player lose material or even be checkmated. Forced Move. The
only legal/reasonable move in the position. A move which restricts the opponent’s choice
of reply: a threat, check or capture. A
move which leads the opponent
into a forced move or moves.
Forepost
An advanced cell which cannot be
attacked by a hostile piece of inferior rank.
Foreposts are ideal cells for attacking KTs as they have a
short range. An absolute forepost is
where the position is unassailable. A
contingent forepost can only be attacked at the cost of creating a weakness elsewhere.
Foresight
The ability to play in only
those tournaments you are sure of
winning!
Forward Pawn
A PA that is at
the very front of a PA chain. It is the only PA contained in the chain
that does not protect another PA.
Fork
An attack made on more than one enemy
by piece by a single
piece. fork: to
attack two pieces, usually with a KT e.g. KT-F07
(Nf7) attacking QU-D08 and RO-H08 (Qd8 and
Rh8). Examples in the Tactics [link]
section of the Canon. A move in chess in which, on one move, a piece attacks two
of its enemy’s pieces at the same time.
An
instrument used chiefly for the purpose of putting dead animals in one’s
mouth! (A. Bierce). Family Fork. A situation in
which one piece threatens two enemy pieces (or cells). For instance: 01A-PA5-E02/E04,
01B-PA6-C07/C05 02A- PA4-D02/D04, B-PA6-C05*D04-PA4, 03A-KT2-G01/F03, B-PA4-E07/E05, 04A- KT2-F03*E05?, B-QU1-D08/A05+CH is a
QU-fork: a +CH and a threat. A KT-fork threatening KI, QU and RO is known as a
‘family fork’. An
attack on two or more pieces simultaneously.
Though any chess piece - except a RO-PA can execute a fork, the KT makes
a specialty of it. A form of double
attack where one piece threatens two enemy
pieces at the same time. In a triple
fork, three enemy pieces are threatened.
Fortress
A defensive blockade, keeping out the
enemy forces, especially the KI. One of the earliest known examples is the
fortress :A-KI-C01, PA4-D03,
RO-E03 (white Kc1, Pd3, Re3)
which can hold the ++DR against B-KI-C08,
QU-D08 (black Kc8, Qd8. Try it!).
Forward Pawn
A PA that is at the
very front of a PA chain. It is the
only PA contained in the chain that does not protect another PA.
Frontal Assault
A direct attack on an enemy PA that is located
on the same ‘half-open file’ as your heavy pieces.
Glossary-G
Gambit
A sacrifice in the
opening. gambit: usually to sacrifice a PA in the opening to gain development. Examples in the
Openings [link] section of the Canon. A gambit occurs in the opening when a player voluntarily gives up material (usually a PA) for a positional or developmental superiority over their opponent. They tend to be
very risky and lead to very interesting games. An opening or variation in which one player,
usually white [:A] sacrifices for the sake of a lead in development or
occupation of the centre. Examples are
the KIs
Gambit and the Danish
Gambit. Openings where black [:B] makes the sacrifice are sometimes known as ‘counter
gambits’. An
opening maneuver in which a PA is offered in return for a strong position or a
chance to attack. Italian ‘a trip-up’.
General Principles
Basic rules that serve as
guidelines for less advanced players.
Basic rules don’t apply to all situations, and more experienced players
learn when to apply them in each specific position.
Ghosts
Threats created in the mind of inexperienced
players due to lack of confidence or fear of their opponent.
Giuoco Piano
Playable, but not quite so good as a
Steinway!
GM
Short for Grand Master.
Good Bishop
A BS that is not on
the same colour as its own PAs, thus it has
great mobility and its PAs do
not obstruct it. Your opponent’s BS!
A
BS free to operate without interference from its own PAs. A BS with adequate scope.
Grab
Capture a piece, perhaps
making a positional concession in the process.
Grading
A number indicating a player’s
strength. FIDE and national
chess organisations issue regular lists of grades. The system used in England is not the same
as the one used both by FIDE and in most other countries. Grades are more often known (in most
countries except England) as ratings.
Grande Combination
French for large combination: a combination
which is carried out over several moves and is sometimes
very subtle. They tend to feature many
types of tactical themes.
Grandmaster
A very strong chess player. The title of Grandmaster is awarded by the
World Chess Federation - FIDE. GM = Grandmaster A title
awarded by the FIDE for outstanding international play. A player must meet a number of standards and
once this status is reached, it cannot be taken away, even if the player’s rating drops. Anyone who has reached the
point in chess where s/he is acclaimed for drawing all h/er games! Grandmaster Draw: a friendly conclusion due
to mutual fear! The
highest title awarded by FIDE, sometimes also called ‘International
Grandmaster’ and abbreviated to either IGM or GM. It is awarded to players who perform at a
specified level in Grandmaster Tournaments. The title of
Woman International Grandmaster (WGM) is awarded to women and has a lower qualification level. Separate Grandmaster
titles are also awarded for Correspondence Chess. The
highest title (apart from World Champion)
that a chess player can achieve. It is
bestowed by FIDE upon players who have achieved certain performance norms. Abbreviation GM. Other titles (in order of importance) are
International Master and FIDE Master.
Grandmaster Draw
A quick,
uninteresting draw.
Glossary-H
Half-open file
A file with PAs of only one colour. Look at the handouts on Rooks [link] and, if
you are brave, the ‘Minority Attack’ section of the handout on Pawn
mobility [link]. A file
that contains only one colour of PAs because of trades or captures. This file is closed to the PA owner, and open to the other player.
Half-passed pawn
30 minutes after PA o’clock. example?
[link].
Hanging
Pieces are said to be
‘hanging’ when they are unprotected and vulnerable to attack. Also referred to as En Prise. A PA or piece subject to immediate capture.
Heavey Pieces
ROs and QUs, also known as
MPs, ‘major pieces’ or ‘heavy
artillery’.
Hedgehog
A solid defensive arrangement with PAs on the third rank e.g. PA-B06, C05,
D06, E06, G06, BS-B07, KT2-B08/D07, KT1-G08/F06 and BS-E07 or BS-G07 (Pb6, c5,
d6, e6, g6, Bb7, Nbd7, Ngf6 and Be7 or Bg7).
There is a comment [link] on the potential of this formation under
Nunn-Olafsson in the planning section of the
Canon, and an example game Webb-Hartston elsewhere in the Canon.
Helpmate
problems
In helpmate black [:B] begins and helps white [:A] to mate in a given number
of moves. The stipulation is “Helpmate in n moves”, or shorter “Helpmate in n”, or symbolically “h#n”.
Hold
To hang
on, to allow a successful defense.
Hole(s)
Openings in the defensive front are called holes - usually holes
cannot be defended by PAs. To play B-PA7-G07/G06 creates a hole at
H06. See Steinitz-Blackburne in the Strategical
Themes [link] section of the Canon. A cell in a player’s
position which cannot be defended by a PA and thus is vulnerable. A player must learn to find holes and take advantage of these
cells. A cell that cannot
be guarded by one’s own PAs. Holes can
become outposts for KTs. A cell that is undefendable by PAs.
Such a cell serves as an excellent home for enemy pieces, especially the KT.
Hypermodern(s)
The treatment of
the opening by the Hypermodern
school, a description given them by Tartakower - booklet [link] on the
treatment of this opening. A type of
player that believed that placing a PA in the center would make it
vulnerable (the exact opposite of classical players). Hypermoderms tend to try to control the
center indirectly from the flanks rather then
directly. Richard Reti and Aaron Nimzovich are examples or
hypermodern players. Any opening system where an early checkmate is impossible!
Glossary I
ICS
Internet Chess Server
If-move
A method of shortening a typical correspondence game from nine
months to just eight months and three weeks!
see GM
Illegal Move
A move made contrary to
the rules of chess.
IM
International Master. Short form for International Master.
Imbalance
A noticeable difference between the white [:A] and black [:B] armies. This may include material advantage, superior PA structure, space,
development, the initiative, or a superior KT or BS.
Impossible Move
A move which has obvious
unfavourable results, and so is to be avoided.
Inactive Piece
A piece not directly
involved in the flow of the game.
Indian Defenses
A family of openings in which black [:B] replies 01B-KT2-G08/F06 to
white’s [:A] 01A-PA4-D02/D04 (1...Nf6 to white’s 1. d4). There does not seem to be much agreement on
the origin of the term, but most historians believe it
derives from the style of play in India where - because
PAs did not have the right to make a two
cell initial move - games tended to be
leisurely and conservative.
Initiative
You possess the initiative when you are able
to make threats to which your opponent must react. It was said by Steinitz that the person who
possesses this initiative must
willingly go over to the attack. The player that is on the attack, or otherwise applying pressure to the
opponent on the defensive, is said to ‘have the initiative’.
Innovation
A novel move or
idea in an established line of play.
Insufficient Material
When neither
player has enough pieces to mate their opponent. A draw is declared.
Interference Move
A situation in which a piece is
played - often as a sacrifice -
to a cell in
order to cut off a line of defence. A move which obstructs the line of attack of an enemy piece.
Intermediary
manoeuvre
An in-between move or apparent diversion from the main
line of events. The term appears in the
Tartakower-duMont book, in an annotation to the Tartakower-Capablanca game which is
included in the Tactics [link] section of
the Canon.
Intermezzo
See Zwischenzug.
International Master (IM)
A title awarded by FIDE to players
performing at a specified level in Master Tournaments. It is abbreviated to IM. It ranks above FIDE Master and below Grandmaster. The title of Women’s International
Master (WIM) is also awarded, with a lower qualification level. Separate International Master titles are
also awarded for Correspondence Chess. The next highest title below Grandmaster. Abbreviation IM.
Internet Chess
A method of playing chess in which you can pay a monthly fee, tie up your
phone line, all to play your neighbour across the street!
Interposition
The act of placing
a piece in between an
enemy attacking piece and the actual attacked piece. To place a PA or piece between an attacked KI and the attacking piece. Placement of a piece between an attacking
enemy QU, RO or BS, and the piece being attacked.
Intuition
The ability to find the
correct move or strategy to play or in a
certain position based on a “feeling” or hunch rather than actually calculating
a sequence of moves. A ability of an experienced player to
decide on a move or plan by feel, rather than by extensive analysis.
IQP
Isolated
QUs PA.
Irruptive
sacrifice
To break into the defences with a sacrifice e.g. BS*H07+CH (Bxh7+), of which
there are examples in the Attacking [link] section of
the Canon.
Isolani
Nimzovitch’s term for an isolated
pawn. Isolani. A PA with no friendly PAs on immediate files, sometimes called an ‘isolani’.
Isolated PAs and isolated groups of PAs were termed ‘island’ by Capablanca.
Isolated pawn or
isolani
A PA with no friendly
PAs on the next-door files. There are always negative features, but may
be compensating advantages - and these
benefits are seen in the most positive light with an isolated
QUs-PA. See the many
examples in the Planning [link] section of
the Canon. A PA is said to be isolated when there are no PAs of the same army on
adjoining files. Generally, isolated
PAs, or isolani's, are considered to be weak.
A
PA that will QU in the endgame (cf. Passed
PA). A PA with no PAs
of its own colour on the files
either side of it. A PA with no friendly PAs on the
adjacent files. It cannot be protected
by PAs, and the cell directly in front of it can be a
safe haven for enemy pieces as they cannot be threatened by
PAs.
Isolated Queen’s
Pawn
An isolated
pawn on D04 or D05 - here the compensating extra space and influence over the
centre are at their
maximum and can compensate for its weakness in the middle game. IQP positions often arise in the early middle-game from the QGD (QUs
Gambit Declined) and Caro-Kann. See the
many examples in the Planning [link] section of
the Canon.
Italian
diagonal:
The diagonal A02/G08 dominated
by BS-C04 or, B-BS-C05
(Bc4 or ...Bc5), the favoured development of the Italians
of the Modenese
school. See the booklet
on Italian
Game [link].
IWM
International
Arbiter
A referee at international chess
events.
International
Master
An internationally recognised chess expert.
This title is immediately below that of Grandmaster.
Isolated
pawn
A PA is said to be isolated when there are no PAs of the
same army on adjoining files. Generally, isolated PAs, or
isolani's, are considered to be weak.
Glossary-J
J’adoube
This is a legal way of announcing
that one is going to adjust the pieces without making a move. A phrase customarily emitted when you
are caught starting your opponent’s clock on your move! French for “What the hell am I doing? If I move that piece I’m dead!”
French for “I adjust”, an expression
signifying one wishes to reposition a MP/mp on the center of a cell without incurring the ‘touch-move’ rule. A
warning (in old French - there is no such word in modern French) to your opponent that you are going to adjust a piece which is not in the
centre of its cell rather than make a move with it. It must be announced ‘before’ you touch the
piece. The English ‘Adjust’ is often preferred.
French ‘I adjust’.
Expression used prior to a piece being adjusted on its cell.
Traditional
Western Chess
Glossary-K
K
Abbreviation for KI.
Key move
The move that solves the
problem (or triggers the solution of the problem).
KIs
Indian Attack. There is
some commentary on this opening in relation to
the Sicilian Defence here [link].
Kibitz
To offer advice as a spectator -
a dangerous pastime. Someone who gives good advice
to your opponent and bad advice to you!
KIs
Indian Defense. A session based on this system and the example
games used are filed under the Planning [link] section of
the Canon.
king hunt sacrifice
A sacrifice which exposes the
KI in a way that it
cannot retreat e.g.
QU*H06+CH,
KI*H06,
RO-H03+CH,
KI-G05
and the hunt is on!
(Qxh6+, Kxh6; Rh3+, Kg5).
King hunt
A chase of the KI across the board
- which often arises after a sacrifice. example? [link]. Examples in the Attacking [link] section of
the Canon.
KIs field
combination
A combination involving the cells directly attacked
by the KI directly e.g.
involving KT*F07 (Nxf7). Examples in the Attacking [link] section of
the Canon.
King’s Indian -
Reversed
Naidni sgnik!
King’s Pawn
Opening
The move 01A-PA4-E02/E04 (1. e4.). Bobby
Fischer’s favourite opening. Moving A-PA5 opens lines for BS2 and QU1, occupies a key
central cell and prevents the opponent from occupying
cells diagonally in front of
PA5.
Knight defender
The stalwart KT on F03/F06 in
front of the castled KI.
Knight On The Rim
A KT on the edge of the
board. Unless it is
performing a specific duty, its future is said to be ‘dim’, as it attacks very
few cells, none in the centre. It may even become trapped on the edge.
knight wheel
A five-move
circling motion of the KT to attack the cell next to it, e.g.
KT1-A03,
C04, E03, D01 to attack B02.
(Nb1-a3-c4-e3-d1 to attack b2).
A game Capablanca-Yates is an example? [link[.
Kibitzer
A spectator at a chess tournament.
King
A chess piece - KI.
Kingside
The E to H files. One half of the board which belongs to the E-, F-, G-, and
H-files. It is called the kingside
because it is the half of the board which the king is on. See also queenside [link]. KIs Side. The side of the
board on which the KIs start: the E, F, G and H files. We talk about ‘castling KI-side’, or playing a ‘KI-side attack’.
Glossary-L
Latitude of the
draw
To retain enough access and control
over all disputed areas of the board to avoid the risk of losing, assuming with fair
play on both sides. It may be that
commitment to an attack in one area risks
losing the game because of loss
of control elsewhere. This is an
underlying theme of the Averbach-Keres game in the Errors [link] section of
the Canon.
Legall’s Mate
A mate in the early
stages of the game following a QU sacrifice by moving a pinned KT. An example is…….
Lightning Chess
Speed chess: there are two
varieties. It can be played with a clock, with, say, five
our ten minutes per player for the game, or with a buzzer
when moves have to be
played, say, every ten seconds. Also
known as blitz chess.
Line piece
QU, RO or BS. Line piece.
A piece which moves in a
straight line.
Line-clearance sacrifice
A sacrifice to open up a line
e.g. KT-F04 when
B-PA4*F05 (Nf4 when ...exf5) opens up a
line for a BS on B02. The move PA-D06 model
game [link] Morphy-Meek is both a decoy and a
line-clearance sacrifice of a PA.
Liquidating sacrifice
A sacrifice, perhaps only
temporary, to secure exchanges. The 45th game of the first Karpov-Kasparov match in the Defence [link] section of
the Canon is a superb example of this.
Liquidation
Exchange of several pieces in succession,
perhaps involving a forcing or temporary sacrifice. The examples given in the Bishops [link] handout
feature the Stahlberg/Capablanca manoeuvre, the
aim of which is a defensive liquidation. A series of exchanges that are done to slow or
halt the enemy’s attack.
To trade off in order to enter a drawn or won
endgame.
Little center
The cells E04, D04, D05 and
D05. Also known as the basic
centre.
Locked Centre
Similar to a fixed
centre except that no PA movement is
possible.
Long diagonal
Either of the diagonals A01/H08 or
H01/A08. A BS developed in fianchetto (q.v.) sits on the long diagonal, and
influences the ‘little centre’
(q.v.). Long diagonal.
The diagonals from corner to corner (A1 to H8, H1 to A8) on the
chessboard.
Long side
For a passed
PA on D06, the long side is the files E-H, important in
Rook
endings [link].
Lose a tempo
To use one more move than necessary
in development or manoeuvre,
thereby disadvantageously falling behind in development or in a PA race. See the rules [link] and
examples from the Canon. Contrast with losing the
move.
Lose the
exchange
To lose a RO for a BS or a KT.
Lose the move
To use more moves than necessary in development or manoeuvre,
thereby advantageously gaining the opposition or creating Zugzwang.
Contrast with losing a tempo.
Lost Game
Something your opponent had before s/he won!
Lucena position
An important winning position in a Rook
ending [link].
Laws of Chess
The official rules (:L01) of the game as governed by the World
Chess Federation (FIDE).
Legal
move
A move made in accordance with the Laws of Chess.
Line
A general term used for a rank, file or a diagonal.
Luft [looft]
A German word for air.
When referring to chess, luft means to move a
PA that is in front
of a castled
KI so that a back rank
mate is
prevented. You literally give the KI room to
breathe. German
for air, usually for the KI to
breathe - that is - a flight cell. Moving a PA so the KI has an escape cell to prevent back-
rank mates.
Glossary-M
Main line
In analysis, particularly of
the opening, the principal variation used or
analysed. See the Analyis [link] section of
the Canon.
major pieces:
The KI, QU, RO, BS, KT etc. Major Pieces.
PAs, GUs etc are minor
pieces in Chesmayne.
Because of
the number of cells they command (a QU can command 27
cells, not counting the one she occupies, a RO 14) they are considered the
heavy artillery of chess.
Other MPs may also be used to
play chess – see ‘Monogram-AZ
list’
for details of other pieces used to play chess?
Majority
More PAs on one side than
the opponent, e.g. four PAs on
the E, F, G and H files against three PAs
on F, G and H, with an open D-file. A player has a PA majority when s/he has more PAs on one side of the board than h/er opponent.
Majority attack
The attack with a majority
of PAs, to create a passed pawn or break through
to attack. See Marshall-Capablanca and Alekhine-Marshall in the Pawn
mobility handout [link].
Manoeuver
A series of quiet moves designed to
redeploy your pieces more favourably.
Marshall Counterattack
An aggressive defense to the Ruy Lopez, devised by
Frank. J. Counterattack!
Master
A title awarded by National
Federations affiliated with the World Chess Federation. A
general term for a strong player. FIDE awards Grandmaster, International Master and FIDE Master titles. Countries
can also award National Master titles. The
highest rankings in chess, earned by competing in major tournaments. There are under a 1,000 grandmasters in the
entire world. A player whose Elo rating
is 2200 or higher. If the player’s
rating drops below 2200 the title is revoked.
Match
A series of games between two
players, for instance, a World
Championship Match. An encounter between two teams, usually
playing in order of strength with the strongest players on each side playing
each other and so on, all the way down. Teams may represent, for example,
schools, clubs or countries.
Mate
See ‘checkmate’. A position in which a KI is attacked and cannot escape. The end of the game.
Mating Attack
An attack against the enemy
KI that leads to
possible checkmate, or where mate can be averted by
the enemy sacrificing material. Either way, a winning advantage is obtained by
the attacker.
Mating Net
A position or series of moves that
leads inexorably to one in which the KI must be mated. A mating attack that leads to mate with
correct play, no matter what
the enemy does. A forced mating
attack.
MCO
Modern Chess Openings. M.C.O.: Modern Chess Oblivion!
Median System
A way of breaking Swiss System ties which
requires a knowledge of mathematical
statistics and algebra, but which is
much simpler than any other system!
middlegame:
The game after the
players have wholly or mostly finished development. In postal
chess, the first move after published analysis is exhausted! The phase of the game following the
development, and the one in which much of the action takes place. With many pieces on the board and possibilities of
attack on all sides, the KI normally stays well hidden in this
phase. The phase of the game between
the opening and endgame.
The middlegame generally commences after development has been completed
by both sides.
Mine
A cell which when
occupied triggers a combination example? [link].
minor exchange
To lose BS for KT (not always a disadvantage). See the bishops [link] handout.
minor
pieces:
KTs and BSs. A KT can command 8 cells, a BS 13.
Minority
Fewer PAs on one side than
your opponent, e.g. two PAs on
A+B-files against three PAs
on ABC.
Minority attack
To attack on a side where
you have fewer PAs, to create a weakness in the
majority. A difficult but important
theme in the Pawn
mobility [link] handout. An advance by a small number of PAs against a greater number. An attack on a PA majority by a PA
minority. This usually occurs on the queenside.
The idea is to force a PA trade that creates a PA weakness in the enemy
PA structure.
mobility:
Freedom to
manoeuvre, often because of control of ‘space’, an important Strategical
Theme [link]. The ability to move about freely on the
board. How much freedom of movement
the pieces have. A piece’s value is increased when it has more mobility, as it has more attacking
power. See ‘Scope’.
Modesty
A virtue that grandmasters rarely
cultivate. “When I am :A I win because I am :A; when I am :B, I win because I am Bogoljubov.”
mysterious
Rook move:
A purposeful move
of a RO to a file which is not at
present open (but may become so); one of Nimzovotch’s colourful
usages. example? [link].
Majority
A player has a PA majority when s/he has more
PAs on one
side of the board than h/er opponent.
Master
A title awarded by National Federations affiliated with the World Chess
Federation. A title given to players who achieve a rating of 2200 or more. If the player’s
rating drops below 2200, the title is revoked.
Mate
Short for checkmate. A slang
term for checkmate. See also checkmate [link].
Material
Any chess piece or pieces other than the KI. The value of the pieces on the board: counting QUs as worth 9
points, ROs as 5, BSs and KTs as 3, PAs as 1 and GUs as 2, if you have RO
against BS and PA you are ahead on material: you have a material
advantage. Your
pieces and PAs (excluding the KI). See
‘Force’.
Middlegame
The portion of the game between the opening and the endgame. The
second or three phases of a chess game.
This is the most complicated phase of the game and often involves a lot
of tactics and strategy to play well.
That part of the game between the opening and the ending, when the
pieces have been developed and the amount of material left on the board is not reduced enough for the position
to be considered an ending.
Minor piece
In Chesmayne these would include the PAs,
GUs, FSs, BQs etc. See ‘minor pieces’.
Minority attack
An advance by a small number of PAs against a greater number.
Mobility
Refers to how much
freedom of movement the pieces have. An advantage in space means
that the player’s pieces have greater mobility than their opponent’s.
Moral Victory
Any victory less than a total
victory. The term is usually used to
make a loser feel better.
Move
Move: a turn of play, or what one does on it.
Glossary-N
N
Abbreviation for KT.
N
Novelty (see TN)
Nimzo-Indian Defense
One of the Indian
defenses, characterized by
the sequence…….
1. d4
Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4.
Named after Aron
Nimzovitch, author of a book modestly titled ‘My System’. One of the many stories
about Nimzovitch is that, in a losing position, during a tournament, he swept the pieces off the board and
thundered, “Why must I lose to this idiot?”.
n111... (n solutions)
In helpmate: there are n different lines starting with first
move of black that solve the
problem.
1n11... (n variations)
In helpmate: there are n different lines starting with first
move of white that solve the
problem.
11n1... (n variations)
In helpmate: there are n different lines starting with
second move of black that solve the problem.
0111... (n variations)
In helpmate: alternate symbol for Set
play, or for stipulation “white begins”.
NM
National Master
Notation
Methods of recording moves. The notation for chess moves used here is known as algebraic or ‘Standard Notation’.
Long Algebraic and Short Algebraic are also used. Descriptive Notation would record e2-e4 as
P-K4. These
various notations use different systems of symbols and coordinates for
recording the moves of a game.
Glossary-O
Obstruct
When a piece moves in front of
an enemy PA it obstructs its
advance - see blockade - example? [link].
Occupation
Placement of a RO or QU on a rank or file, or a BS or QU on a diagonal, to exert control
over it. Placement of a piece safely on a cell to exert pressure
from it.
Occupation of
center
To move MPs and PAs toward the centre e.g. to play A-PA3-C02/C03,
A-PA4-D02/D04, A-PA5-E02/E04, A-KT2-G02/F03, A-BS2-F01/C04 etc. (Pc3,d4,e4,
Nf3,d2, Bc4,e3). Several examples under
centralization in the Strategical
Themes [link] section of the Canon.
Offside piece
A MP on the side of
the board, possibly distant from the main theatre of combat. A couple of
examples in the Strategical
Themes [link] section of the Canon.
Olympics/Olympiad
The Chess Olympics
are held every two years: every country affiliated to FIDE is
allowed to enter a team in both the Open and Women’s competition.
Open
A type of position - see ‘Open Game’ - or file - see ‘Open
File’. A type of tournament in which any
class of player can participate.
Open File
A file cleared of PAs. It offers a corridor for attack, especially if
occupied by doubled
ROs. A file where no PAs are
present. ROs are at their strongest
when placed on open files.
Open game
A position without
locked PA
chains in the centre, often arising from
01A-PA5-E02/E04
01B-PA4-E07/E05
(1. e4 e5);
see the Pawn
formations [link] handout, and material on example openings [link]. A position where there are few centre PAs, and many open attacking
lines. A lead in development is crucial to exploiting an open
position.
opening
trap:
A trap
in the opening. The Traps [link] section of
the Canon is full of them.
opening:
The first moves of
a game where the players
are completing their development. The more-or-less standardized and analyzed
patterns of moves that both sides make at the start of
a game. Some are named after people (Ruy
Lopez),
some after places (Budapest
Counter-Gambit), some after pieces or moves (Four
KTs Defense). Some are descriptive (Giuoco
Piano,
or quiet game). The beginning phase of
a game, usually the first 10-15 moves.
It is characterized by rapid development of forces, control and/or
occupation of the centre, and getting the KI to safety. The real purpose of the opening is to create
an imbalance in the enemy’s camp, and development of pieces to exploit this
imbalance.
Opening Book - Library
See ‘Book’.
Openings
A specific sequence of moves which
have been catalogued over time.
Specific openings are often played
because players have analysed them thoroughly
and believe they are the best way to achieve the initiative. There are 1,000+ openings and many, many
more variations. Most are named after the player, region or
type of moves that are played, such as the Alekhine
Defense, King’s
Gambit and Sicilian
Defense.
Opposite
coloured bishops
Having one bishop each which travel
on different coloured cells; makes defence harder in the middle game, easier in the endgame. Examples, as always, in the Canon
[link],
but there is also a handout on Bishop
endings [link]. Where each side has only one BS that
travels on cells of a different colour from that of the enemy. This can be effective during an attacking
middlegame, as the defending BS cannot control the cells the attacking BS
travels on. In an endgame, opposite
colour BSs generally signal a draw, as the defender can put h/er KI and PAs on the opposite colour of the
attacker’s BS.
Orientation
The way the board is positioned. The correct way has each player with a white cell in their right
hand corner (:L01). In Chesmayne the cell in the
corner can be either black or white! See XD, XL, etc.
Over-the-board - OTB - as opposed to correspondence/postal
chess).
Outflanking
A manoeuvre in the endgame with KIs where one makes
forward progress up the board while not allowing the opponent to gain the opposition, or temporarily
giving up the opposition in order to achieve a certain goal.
outpost:
A cell which cannot
easily be attacked by PAs, suitable for
occupation by a KT or other MP.
01A-PA5-E02/E04
01B-PA4-E07/E05
1. e4 e5
creates potential outposts on D05/F05 for :A and D04/F04 for :B. KT-C03/D05 (Nc3-d5) may be
met with ...C06, but if :A plays KT-D02/F01/E03/F05 then :B (Nd2-f1-e3-f5)
may hesitate before playing ...G06 which may create holes in front of the KI. See
the Knights
handout [link]. A safe cell near or in enemy
territory that is protected by friendly PAs or pieces, and subject to effective
occupation by one of your pieces.
Outside Passed
Pawn
A passed PA on the flank which is far from
all the other PAs on the board.
Outside the square
When chasing a passed pawn, the KI needs to be close
enough to catch it - it will be close enough if it is inside a square drawn
with the PA at the corner and the ‘home run’ to the last rank as the side. So for a PA-C05 the square is
C05-G05-G08-C08, and if the B-KI is outside
(and cannot move in on the next move), the PA will queen.
Overextended
The position after
a failed offensive or advance, in which a player’s position is left with
various weaknesses and no
compensation for them.
Overload
A MP or PA with too many
defensive tasks is overloaded. There are examples in the Tactics [link] section of
the Canon.
Overloading
sacrifice
A sacrifice to overload a
defender e.g. KT*H07 (Nxh7) may
overload a KT-F06 (Nf6) which
defends H07 and E08. There are examples
in the Tactics [link] section of
the Canon.
Overprotection
To over-defend a
point e.g. E04 is overprotected with BS-C02, KT-D02, RO-E01, QU-E02,
KT-G03 (Bc2, Nd2, Re1, Qe2, Ng3). The
idea is that after e.g. KT-F05 (Nf5) and an exchange B-BS-D07*F05
(...Bd7xf5), the recapture E04*F05 (e4xf5) will suddenly open up lines for the
patient :A pieces. Nimzovitch seemed to say
that overprotection is an end in itself, but more plausible is that
over-protection may make a strong move like KT-F05 (Nf5)
more decisive. There are examples in
the strategy/themes [link] section of
the Canon. Defending a strong point more times
than appears necessary. The idea is
that the overprotected PA or cell may be causing considerable problems
for the opponent, who would be unwise to try to break
the strong point, because s/he would release the latent power of the protecting
pieces. See also ‘Prophylaxis’.
Occupy
A QU or RO that controls a rank or file is said to occupy
that file while a BS is said to occupy
a diagonal. A piece is also said to
occupy the cell that it sits on.
Odds
A method of using a handicap in chess. RO-odds means that
one player removes a RO before the start of the game. PA-and-move odds means that one
player removes a PA and also takes the :B pieces, thereby
allowing the opponent to move first - :A.
Open file
A file which is not
occupied by any PAs. A
vertical column of a chessboard which does not contain any PAs of either colour. Open files are
ideal for ROs to be placed on. A file cleared of PAs - a
worthy objective since it is then easy to exchange a pair of ROs and obtain an
easy draw!
Open Position
Refers to a
position when the center is not blocked by PA. A lead in development is very important
and vital to win these types of positions.
Opening
The first part of a game, up to point
where play deviates from known patterns. The
first of three phases of a chess game.
It is usually the first 10 to 15 moves of a chess game in which you get your pieces of their starting places and the players may have their first confrontation. See the Opening [link] section of this tutorial. That phase of the game in which
intelligence plays no part!
The first 10-15 moves of
the game, when the pieces are being development. A name given to
a particular sequence of moves at the start of the game, like the Giuoco Piano
or Ruy Lopez. Some may have the word ‘Opening’, ‘Game’, ‘Defence’, ‘Attack’ or ‘Gambit’ attached to them.
Opening Repertoire
A set of openings that a player
prepares in advance to get to a preferred middlegame position in which
s/he feels comfortable playing.
Open Tournament
A tournament open to all; a
weak tournament!
Opponent
A slimy individual with an ugly face
that only a mother could love!
Opposite-Coloured Bishop
When players have only one BS each and they are
on different coloured cells.
Opposition
Opposing KIs on E04 and E06
cannot pass without one giving way - but the one that gives way is the first to move, e.g.
01A-KI-E04/D04,
01B-KI-F05
02A-KI-D05,
02B-KI-F04
(1.Ke4-d4, Kf5; 2.Kd5, Kf4)
and :B passes with gain
of tempo. This is described briefly in King
and Pawn endings [link]. See
also conjugate
cells. A position in which opposing KIs stand on the same rank, file or diagonal, separated from each other by only
one cell. The player whose move brings
the KIs into opposition holds an advantage that, in an endgame, can be
decisive. An endgame term meaning the
KI is not forced to move. Where the two
KIs stand on the same file or diagonal with an odd number of cells between
them, the player that doesn’t have to move is said to ‘have the
opposition’. This is important in KI
and PA endings as the player who can secure
the opposition can effectively guard certain spaces or drive the opposing KI
back.
Orthodox
A conservative style of play which emphasizes traditional moves and strategies.
Outpost
A hole in the enemy
position which can be occupied by a BS or KT, or sometimes by
a RO. A cell in or close to enemy territory which can never be
attacked by an enemy PA and which is (usually) supported by a friendly PA. For instance, the cell in front of a backward-PA can be an outpost: with :A-PA5 on E04, black PAs on E05 and D06 and no
:B-PA3 (c-pawn), then D05 is an outpost for :A (white). KTs are particularly effective stationed on
outposts.
Outside Passed Pawn
A passed PA which is a far
distance from all of he other PAs left on the board. Outside
passed PAs are not located in the center.
Overextension
When space is gained
too fast and may create permanent weaknesses in a player’s
position. Overextension usually occurs
with the PAs begin rushed
forward and thus create weak
cells left behind. The
actual rushed pieces can also become
vulnerable. Players can also have an
‘extended center’.
Overloading
Giving a piece more duties (usually in defence) than it can cope with.
Overprotection
First emphasized by the well-known
theorist Nimzovich, this positional
theme symbolizes Nimzo’s relationship with his mother!
Overworked Piece
A piece which is required
to do too much, i.e. defend too many pieces or points in a camp or blockade. These pieces are very weak to attack
because the moving of these pieces leads to a number of weaknesses in the enemy
camp. A piece which has to, but is
unable to, perform two defensive tasks at the same time. Such a piece can be decoyed to advantage. A piece which is required to do too much, defending too many pieces or
cells at once. These pieces are open to
attack, because moving them leads to a
number of weaknesses being exposed.
Glossary-P
P
Abbreviation for a PA.
passed
pawn:
A PA with no opposing
PAs in front or to the sides, which can therefore advance without being
exchanged by a PA; often the only way to win once QUs are exchanged. See the Endgame
advice [link]. A PA that never QUs. (cf. Isolated
PA)! A PA with has no
enemy PA either on its file or on adjacent
files on the ranks in front of where
it now stands. A PA unopposed, on its own or
adjacent files, by a PA of another colour. By being advanced to the eighth
rank it can become any piece its owner chooses. A passed
PA,
therefore, is a source of worry for the other side and a precious advantage for its owner. Two united passed PAs on adjacent files
constitute a formidable weapon. A PA
that has advanced past any enemy PA that could hinder or capture it. Passed PAs are what are needed
to promote.
Passive
An inactive move or plan that doesn’t
fight for the initiative. A passive position has no hope of
counterplay or active possibilities. A
passive player favours defense rather than attack.
Patzer
A good-natured term with which you
describe anyone you can beat; but an
insulting epithet when used by certain wise guys to describe you! A player who lacks ordinary skill, a duffer.
Pawn Centre
PAs based in the centre of the board,
primarily on D04, E04, D05 or E05.
pawn chain:
Connected PAs which protect
each other e.g. C03-D04-E05. See the Pawn
formations [link] handout. Two or more similarly-coloured PAs
linked on a diagonal. The weakest
point
of such a chain is its base, as that PA cannot be
defended by another PA.
Pawn Contact
Opposing PAs are ‘in contact’
when they are able to capture each other.
Capturing resolves the tension in the position; maintaining contact maintains
the tension.
Pawn Duo
Two PAs of the same colour that are side by side
and touching each other.
Pawn Grabber
A player who captures PAs
indiscriminately.
pawn
islands:
Capablanca’s term for groups
of connected PAs, separated by
half-open files. :A [white] with PAs on A02,
B02, D03, E04, F04 and H03 has three PA
islands. There is an
example in the handout On
manoeuvres [link]. A group of PAs of the same colour separated from the next PA by at
least one open file. More islands
indicates a weaker PA structure.
Pawn lever
Kmoch’s term for a PA move that tries to
open lines, especially a file. See ‘PA
Break’.
Pawn majority
A greater number of PAs, usually on a wing e.g. :A-PA-A02, PA-B02,
PA-C02. :B-PA-A06,
PA-B05. See ‘majority attack’.
Pawn race
In an endgame
where
PAs on each side race
to promote - usually in a King
and Pawn endgame [link] where the PAs cannot be captured or
obstructed.
Pawn sacrifice
A sacrifice of a PA, often called a gambit in the opening.
Pawn-Snatcher
A defensive genius!
Pawn Storm
Advancing one or more PAs towards the enemy
KI with the intent
of ripping up his PA cover. Often used
when both players have castled to opposite sides.
Pawn Structure
The position of all the PAs.
Penetrating sacrifice
A sacrifice to get into the
heart of the defences e.g. KT-G05*F07 (Ng5xf7) against a KI castled behind a fianchetto. There are examples in the Attacking [link] section of
the Canon.
Perfect Game
A way of
describing all of one’s victories!
Perpetual Check
A situation in
which one player is checking his opponent continuously and
his opponent is either unable or unwilling to evade the +CHs. Perpetual
Check is not a rule of chess but will
eventually lead to a draw by repetition. A sort of infinite cycle in which one side gives check, the other side
gets out of check, the first side checks again in the same way - being unable
to do otherwise without risking the loss of the game - and so on. It constitutes a draw. Unremitting attack on a KI, without checkmate. Under some rules
this may result in a draw.
Petite Combination
A combination involving only a
few moves and often only
one tactical theme.
Petrosian
See Grandmaster draw!
phalanx:
A triangle of PAs e.g.
B03-C04-D05-E04-F03 in the KID and Colle
System [link].
Philidor position
Usually, the important drawing
position in a Rook
ending [link]. Also, a
winning position in the ending of RO and BS against RO.
Piece
Any chess
piece
(also chessman or man). In the game of Chesmayne: a ‘Major Piece’ [KI, QU, RO, BS and KT] or ‘Minor Piece’ [PA, GU, FS, BQ
etc]. Sometimes used in a particular sense to refer to any
piece other than a PA.
pin:
A MP standing between
an opponent’s line-piece (KT, RO or QU) and a MP of your
own of a higher value is pinned. After…….
01A-PA5-E02/E04
01B-PA5-D07/D06
02A-KT2-G01/F03
02B-BS2-C08/G04
the KT on F03 is pinned.
(1. e4 d6 2. Nf3 Bg4 the Nf3). There’s a handout on Pins [link].
A sharp move! A situation in which a piece
is shielding another piece from attack by a ‘Line Piece’. After the moves…….
1. d2-d4 Ng8-f6
2. 2. c2-c4 e7-e6
3. 3. Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4
4. 4. Bc1-g5.
…….the KTs on C03 and F06
are both pinned. The KT on C03 is pinned against the QU, and is not
allowed to move. The KT on F06 is
pinned against the QU, and is allowed to move, but doing so would give :A (white) the opportunity
to capture the QU. A position in which a piece may not be moved because another
piece would be subject to capture. If
the piece subject to capture is the KI, the pin is absolute and the pinned
piece cannot legally be moved. At attack by a QU, RO or BS on a piece which cannot move without exposing
a more important piece or cell.
The pinned piece is said to be ‘masking’ or ‘screening’ the more
important piece or cell. An ‘absolute
pin’ is where the screened piece is a KI, therefore it is illegal for the
pinned piece to move as it would expose the KI to check.
A ‘relative’ pin is where moving the pinned piece would result in a loss
of material or other unfavourable effects. A special chess tactic, illustrated below. A situation
where a piece is attacking an enemy piece, but this enemy piece cannot move because a
higher value piece is in the same line of fire behind it. A pin occurs when a
player places a piece on a cell that would be
attacking an enemy piece, but there is a piece of lesser value in between the
two. Should this piece move, the
greater value piece will be captured, rendering the
pinned piece inoperable. The most
powerful type of pin is one against the KI, called an ‘absolute pin’ because the piece
is not allowed to move. Period. All other pins are called ‘relative pins’ because the
piece can move, but at the cost of exposing the piece behind it. The pin is by far the most common tactical
theme.
Pinned Piece
The piece under attack
which cannot or should not be moved because of a pin.
Planning
The period of time where in the beginning you are
hoping for a mate, by the middlegame you are hoping to
have an advantage, by the endgame you are hoping
not to get killed, and by the next morning you are hoping that they will not
laugh at you! A short or long term goal which a player bases h/er moves on.
The goal may be to attack a weak
spot in the camp or to checkmate the opponent. Formation of a solid plan is vital in a game of chess.
Point Count
A way of determining the worth of the
pieces by assigning them
a numerical value. Typically the QU is worth 9
points, ROs 5 points, BSs 3 or 3.25 points
(depending on who you talk to), KTs 3 points, PAs 1 point and GUs 1.5 to 2
points. A higher point count denotes material superiority.
Poisoned PA
An undefended PA, apparently free
for the taking, whose capture leads to disaster
for the capturing colour. A PA that, if captured, would cause
serious disadvantage to the
capturing side.
Position
The arrangement of
the pieces on the board at any given moment.
Positional
A move, series of moves,
plan, or playing style
concerned with exploiting small advantages.
Positional
Mistake
A mistake with no immediate
tactical repercussions,
but will lead to a disadvantage by surrendering
control of critical cells, losing time or space, or
creating a structural weakness.
Positional Chess
A style of playing
which emphasizes aspects of chess such as PA weaknesses rather than tactics. See ‘closed game’.
Positional
sacrifice
A sacrifice played for
long-term positional gain e.g. in the Sicilian defence
:B-RO-C08*C02-KT
...Rc8xNc3
…….to double the :A PAs and weaken
D05/E04; a nice defensive positional sacrifice was made by
Petrosian against Reshevsky, collected in the Defence [link] section of
the Canon. A move so profound that if the annotator isn’t your friend s/he calls
it a blunder!
A
sacrifice that has no immediate tactical results, but will lead to a
positional advantage.
Postal
Chess
See ‘Correspondence Chess’.
Premature
A hasty move or series of
moves or plan, or to act
without enough preparation.
Prepared
Variation
A very well
researched opening
variation, often
strengthened by new moves. It is common for grandmasters to prepare
certain opening lines before playing.
Preventive
retreat
A retreat made in
anticipation of an attack (rather than
reacting to it) example? [link].
Principles of Chess
An archaic term; shown to be useless
by Mikhail Tal!
Problem, Chess
Any chess position that could never
occur in an actual game!
Problem Child
A blocked in BS1.
Professional Chess player
Anybody who cannot make a living at
chess (cf. amateur)!
Prophylaxis
Prevention. Nimzovitch talked about this
rather as an end in itself, which is misleading. example?
[link]. A strategy explored by Nimzovitch, where you
prevent your opponent from taking action in a certain area
for fear of reprisal. Overprotection is
a form of prophylaxis.
Propitiating
sacrifice
A defensive sacrifice, hoping to slow
up the attack long enough to
organize a defence example? [link].
Passed pawn
A PA which has no
enemy PAs ahead of it on the same or adjacent file. A PA which does not have any PAs that will be able
to stop it from reaching it’s last rank, making it a promotion threat. These are
so valuable because officers of the enemy camp must be assigned to stop a wee
little PA, making it almost out of play so you can turn your attention to the
enemy KI, or even force the PA to QU.
Passive
A player or game
where a player did not play very aggressively and defended often.
Pawn Chain
A PA chain is any group of
PAs which touch each other on the same colour cells on a diagonal. It is said to be a chain because each PA
protects another PA and thus are quite strong, except for the base PA which is
the only that is not protected.
Pawn Duo
Two PA that are of the
same colour that are side by
side and touching each other.
Pawn Structure - Skeleton
Any arrangement of
PAs for one colour. When analyzing the PA structure or
skeleton you look at peculiarities in the PAs such as backward
PAs, weak
cells not protected by PAs and doubled or tripled PAs. All of these things may be weaknesses you can
exploit.
Perpetual check
A situation where one player can give check to the enemy KI indefinitely, resulting in a draw. Occurs
when one colour can put the other’s KI into check forever. The game is declared a draw by perpetual
check.
Perpetual Pursuit
Occurs when one colour can attack one of the
other’s pieces forever so that
if the player would not like to lose material, it must continue
to move. The game is declared a draw by ‘perpetual
pursuit’.
Piece
Generally this term refers to a QU, RO, KT or BS.
Plan
A short or long
term goal which a player
bases h/er moves on. The goal may be
to attack a weak
spot in the camp or to checkmate the opponent. A formation of a solid plan is vital in a
game of chess. This is our advantage
over computers: they can’t form
a plan.
Point Count
A system devised to help players tell whether
to exchange pieces or
not. Pieces are assigned
numerical value in accordance to
how valuable the piece is. The system
is as follows…….
KI - infinite (you
can’t exchange your KI).
QU - 9 points,
RO - 5 points,
BS - 3 points,
KT - 3 points,
PA - 1 point.
GU – 1.5 to 2
points.
The system is very loose and you must
use your own judgement is some situations but these are the basic guidelines. The basis of points for BS and KT however
is a little less concrete. In certain
positions one is less valuable than the other so use your judgement.
Position
A term to describe any arrangement of chess pieces on a chessboard.
Positional
As opposed to tactical play, positional play has more to do with moving pieces
into advantageous position than with direct attacks or winning of material.
Promotion
When a PA reaches the eighth rank it
can be promoted to a KT, BS, RO or QU. The act of promoting a PA which has reached it’s last rank
to BS, KT, RO or QU of the same colour.
Promotion to anything other than a QU is known as underpromotion. Usually a QU is chosen, so we talk about
either promoting or queening a PA. If a
lesser piece is chosen we talk about under-promotion. When a PA reaches the final
rank, it can be turned into another piece (except a PA or KI), usually a
QU. Also known as ‘Queening’. See also ‘Underpromotion’.
Prophylaxis
The art of setting up a defence before an attack is actually launched.
Protected Passed Pawn
A passed PA which is
supported by another PA. These are
double the threat because the officers which guard them cannot capture them
without loss of material. A passed PA that is protected by
another friendly PA.
Glossary-Q
Q
Abbreviation for a QU.
QGA
Queen’s
Gambit Accepted
Queen’s Gambit Declined
Queen hunt
To chase and close down the space
available to a QU, with the aim of
winning it - see the handout on Kings
and Queens [link], and the tactics section.
Queen
A chess piece.
Queening
square
The cell on the eighth rank on which a PA may be promoted. The
promoting of a PA that has reached the eighth rank. Ordinarily, a PA is made a QU,
since this is the most powerful piece. But
sometimes a PA is promoted to a lesser rank, especially if promotion to a QU
would bring about a stalemate.
Queenside
The A to D files. The
half of the board which takes up the A-, B-, C-, and D-files. It is said to be the queenside because this half of the board is where the QU resides. QUs-side. The side of the board on which the QUs start. We talk about ‘castling QU-side’ or playing a ‘QU-side-attack’.
Quickplay
See ‘Rapidplay’.
Quiet Move
A move that is not
a check, threat or capture is said to be quiet. A number of quiet moves are said to be
passive. A move that neither captures
anything, checks, or directly attacks an enemy piece.
Glossary-R
R
Abbreviation for a RO.
rank:
The rows of cells, e.g. A02 to H02
is :A’s 2nd
rank, :B’s 7th. A horizontal line of cells on a
chessboard. The eight ranks are
assigned the numbers from 1 to 8. The
rank on which the :A (white) pieces start is,
from white’s point of view, the first rank, and, from black’s point of view,
the back rank. A row of cells running from side to
side of the board. Each side numbers
the ranks from one to eight, starting with the rank nearest h/er and running to
the rank nearest h/er opponent.
A row of eight cells across the
chessboard. In Algebraic
Notation these are labelled 1 to 8, starting
with the rank at :A’s (white’s) end of the board.
Rapidplay
A game or
tournament
played at a time
limit of, say, thirty minutes per player per game: slower
than ‘Lightning
Chess’ but faster than normal, or slow play chess. Also known as ‘Quickplay’.
Rating
A number given by an organization
which indicates the strength of a player.
The higher this number, the stronger the player is. It was designed so that people can easily
find a suitable match. An objective method of ranking
chess players’ which does not take into consideration the inherent beauty of a
rose! See ‘Grade, Grading’. A measure of a player’s skill, calculated as a number using a generally
accepted formula by an official organization.
See ‘Elo rating’.
Redeploy
To manoeuvre a piece onto a more
effective cell, file or diagonal.
Refutation
A move or series of
moves that demonstrates a flaw in a game, move, plan, variation, or analysis.
Repetition
A game is drawn by repetition if the same
position occurs three times during the game with the same player to move. The correct procedure in tournaments is that a player
who wishes to claim a draw by repetition, instead of making h/er move stops the
clock, calls the
‘controller’ and tells h/er that s/he is about to make a move which repeats the
position three times. Note that the rule concerns
repetition of position, not of moves, and that there is no such rule as perpetual
check.
Reshevsky, Sammy
An eighty-year-old chess
prodigy!
Resign
To give up a losing game before mate. It is polite to do so, and perhaps less
painful for yourself, but some players play on in the hope of their opponent blundering. To give up the game because you have
a hopeless position. You can either tip
your KI over as a symbol of it being checkmated soon and it’s
helplessness or simply say, “I resign”. When you first begin playing, do not resign. Play every game to it’s fullest to learn how
your opponent beat you. A way of terminating a game, unknown to weak players! A player may resign at any time
during a game if s/he thinks h/er position is hopeless and s/he is sure to lose. When a player sees h/er position is hopeless, and ends the game before
checkmate.
Restrain
Controlling the enemy pieces in order to keep
them from becoming active.
Restricted center
Adopting a modest central formation
with PAs on e.g.
E06/D06. See the Pawn
formations [link] handout.
Retrograde
manoeuvre
To move backwards - e.g.
:A-KT1-C03/D01 (Nc3-d1) so as to play C03.
There is an example of this by Botvinnik in the style [link] section of
the Canon.
Rank
A horizontal row of cells. There are 8 ranks on a chessboard. Each are given
a number (1-8) in algebraic
notation.
Recapture
If a player responds to the opponent’s capture of one of h/er pieces by
capturing the enemy piece involved, s/he is said to
have recaptured the piece.
Resign
To give up a game – resign.
Risk
A move or series of
moves designed to gain an advantage but which has a
chance of causing a disadvantage.
Rook
A chess piece. The piece that looks like and is sometimes called a castle. This can be confusing, because ‘castle’, in
chess, is a verb.
Rook Lift
Moving a RO off the bank
rank, and up a few cells, in order to
slide it to a new file so it can help in
the attack without being
blocked by its own PAs.
Romantic
When referring to
the era, it was the time when all players attacked and sacrificed. If a sacrifice was offered, it was
considered cowardly not to take it.
When referring to a player, it is one which enjoys attacking and
sacrificing. They are said to be a
romantic. A romantic player is one who enjoys
attacking and sacrificing.
Round-Robin Tournament
A competition in which you cannot
talk the tournament director out of
pairing you with someone you are afraid of!
Royal Fork
A fork against KI and QU - not a good
thing to have played on you.
Running
Rapidly transferring the KI from one sector
of the board to another in order to evade attack.
Ruy Lopez
A Spanish BS, usually placed on B05!
Glossary-S
Sacrifice for
draw
A sacrifice which has a draw rather than a win as the aim, e.g.
to sacrifice KT-*G05 (Nxg5) for
one of two PAs in the ending,
leaving a BS on D03 unable to
support a PA on H04 against a KI on G07/H08, or to
achieve a perpetual
check. See the Defence [link] section of
the Canon.
Sacrifice for
space
To play e.g. the
Cochrane Gambit in the Petroff
[link]…….
which gains time to secure the
advance of the central PAs.
(1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4.Nxf7).
sacrifice:
To give up material - if you can see
how you can win back the material
quickly, it is called a combination or ‘sacrificial combination’, if
you are just hoping to get a lasting initiative and cash in
later, it is sometimes called a ‘speculative
sacrifice’ or, following Spielmann, a real
sacrifice. Spielmann referred to
sacrificial combinations as ‘sham’ sacrifices.
Tartakower and DuMont describe a dozen types of sacrifice, found
elsewhere in this glossary. Any piece left en prise.
A deliberate loss of material with the intention of procuring a short-term
or long-term gain. Often abbreviated
to ‘sac’. Voluntarily offering material in
exchange for a perceived favourable advantage other than the material.
Sans Voir
French ‘without seeing’. Playing chess blindfolded.
Scholar’s Mate
Checkmate in the manner
of…….
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Qh5 Nf6
4. Qxf7*
Scope
The number of cells to which a piece can move. See ‘Mobility’.
Screened Piece
The piece which is guarded
from attack in a pin.
Sealed Move
At an adjournment the player whose
turn it is to move writes down h/er
next move and seals it in an envelope so that h/er opponent cannot see
it. This is a sealed move.
Sector
One of three areas
of the board, being the queenside, the centre, and the kingside.
Selfmate
problems
In selfmate problems :A (white) plays first and
for every :B (black) defence forces :B (black)
to mate h/er (white) not
later than in a given number of moves. The stipulation is ‘Selfmate in n moves’, or shorter ‘Selfmate in n’, or symbolically ‘s#n’.
Semi-Open Game
A position that contains some open and closed qualities.
Seventh
Short for the 7th rank (A02-H02 or
A07-H07) - a good place for a RO.
Seventh rank
The rank A07-H07 (or
A02-H02 from :B’s side), which may
be powerfully occupied by a RO in the ending. A famous example Capablanca-Tartakower is
given in the appropriate handout [link]. Nimzovitch used the term ‘Seventh Rank Absolute’ for control of the
7th rank by a RO, with the enemy KI trapped on the
back rank, as in that game. Discovered by Nimzovich!
Sharp
Bold, aggressive moves or
positions. A sharp player is a player
who revels in dynamic, tactical situations.
Short side
For a passed
PA on D06, the files A-C are the short
side - crucial in Rook
endings.
Shot
A strong and
unexpected move made possible by
the opponent’s previous
move. A shot often exposes an error. A strong move that was not
expected.
Sicilian Defense
Probably the most frequently played :B (black defense) to
01A-PA5-E02/E04 (1. e4). Its characteristic move is 01A-PA6-C07/C05 (1...c5). The theory behind the tactic is that it is an
aggressive attacking move, involving, ultimately, the opening of the QU-BS file for black. The Maroczy Bind (named after Geza Maroczy, a
Hungarian master) is a variation of the Sicilian. A defense originated by members of the mafia, embodying their highest
principles!
Simplify
Exchanging pieces in order to reach
a winning endgame, neutralize your enemy’s attack, or clarify the
position.
Simultaneous Display
An event in which a Master or expert plays a
number of opponents at the same time.
The participants are seated on the outside and the expert goes round the
inside playing a move on each board in turn.
Often abbreviated to ‘simul’. A player contesting a number of games
against a number of players at the same time.
A
demonstration of ego, where one individual seeks to display h/er chess prowess
by beating 40 beginners simultaneously!
skewer - X-ray attack
Attack by a line MP on an enemy piece
behind which is another enemy MP e.g. :A RO-D01, :B-BS-D05, BS-D07. There are examples in the Tactics [link] section of
the Canon. A situation where a ‘line
piece’ attacks two pieces along the same line of attack. Unlike a pin, the more
valuable piece is in front and has to move, allowing the less valuable piece to
be taken. Place A-RO on H01, B-KI on E01 and B-RO
on A01. The A-RO skewers the B-KI and
RO. A tactic where an enemy piece is attacked and
forced to move, exposing another enemy piece behind it to capture.
SM
smothered
mate:
A KI mated usually by a KT when all the
escape cells are occupied by
friendly men e.g…….
KT-F07+CH with KI-H08, RO-G08, PA-G07/H07
(Nf7+ with Kh8,Rg8,Pg7/h7)
See the handout on Basic
Mates [link]. A ++CM in which the
cells around the KI are occupied by friendly pieces. With B-KI on H08, B-PAs on G07 and H07 and a
B-RO on G08, A-KT on F08 would give smothered
mate. Checkmate by a KT, all cells adjacent to the
KI being blocked by its own pieces.
Sound
A safe, solid
position, or a correct plan or move.
Sportsmanship, Good
Concealed hatred for a victorious opponent!
Squeeze
Exploiting a bind by the gradual
build-up of pressure upon the enemy’s position. This is done by creating more new threats until your opponent cannot meet them
all.
stalemate:
No ++CM
, but
no possible (legal) moves for one
side is stalemate - often occurs with a lone KI when the attacking side overlooks the idea e.g.
A-KI-F06, A-QU-D06 with B-KI on E08
(Kf6, Qd6 with K on e8)
To move is stalemate. See the handout on Basic
Mates [link]. A
position in which the player whose turn it is to move is not in +CH but has no legal
moves; for instance B-KI on A08, A-PA on A08 and A-KI on A06: with :B to move this is
stalemate. The result is a draw. A situation in which one side is unable to make a legal move although the
KI is not in check.
A stalemate is a draw. A
position in which the player who’s turn it is to move has no legal move but is
not in check. A drawn
position.
Staunton
A pattern of chessmen - the
ordinary design found in plastic, wood, jade or whatever - named after Howard Staunton (1810 - 1874), a
British chess champion who was challenged by Paul
Morphy, the New Orleans-born chess genius. Staunton was more or less the unofficial world
champion, but if his willingness to meet Morphy over the board is
any indication, he kept his title more by footwork than by chessboard
skill.
Strong points
Cells where you
dominate e.g. the cell E05 is often a strong point for :B after playing…….
PA-E05, RO-E08, KT-B01/D07 and PA-D06
or BS-D06.
(Pe5, Re8, Nbd7 and Pd6 or Bd6).
A hole for your opponent
may be a strong point for you; this is mostly clearly seen with respect to Knight
outposts [link].
Sacrifice
A move which gives up material in order to gain
some positional or tactical advantage. The act
of giving up material for some sort of compensation. Perhaps positional, or even to checkmate the KI. Sometimes a sacrifice is only temporary because if the material is accepted, it
will be recovered shortly after.
Score sheet
The piece of paper on which moves are recorded.
Simplification
The reduction of pieces on the board through exchanges.
Simplify
The act of trading
pieces to ‘calm’ a
position down or make things easier to understand. They can also be used to decrease an
opponent’s attacking potential.
Skewer
A chess tactic. A
tactical maneuver in which you attack a piece so that it is forced to move so that you can capture a piece that was laying in behind.
It is quite appropriately named.
Skittles
Informal chess games.
Smothered Checkmate
Refers to when an
enemy KI has no legal
moves because it’s own pieces surround it and then a KT gives check, also giving
checkmate as a consequence. The KI is
literally smothered by it’s own
pieces.
Solution
Key move, threat and all variations starting with :B (black) moves
which are defences against the
threat. In block problems each black
move starts a variation.
Space
The territory
which is controlled by a player. The
more space a player controls, the less their opponent controls, hinders the
opponent’s movement. The amount of area of the chessboard
controlled by each side.
Space Count
A method of counting the cells controlled or
attacked by each side’s pieces. A cell can be attacked more than once. The player ahead in the space count has a spatial
advantage, and thus more mobility.
Speculative
A risky or unclear move or plan.
Stalemate
A stalemate occurs when one
player has no legal moves and it is
their turn to move and h/er KI is not in check. The game is declared a draw.
Strategy
A long term plan. The
reasoning behind a move, series of moves, a plan, or even an idea. These are the moves that you make when there
are no tactics to play in the position. Long-term planning, as opposed to
tactics. The
‘master plan’ of a game, as opposed to the tactics - the carrying out of that
plan. The formation and execution of
an overall plan. Any idea longer than one move
deep (cf. Tactics)!
Study
A make-believe
position, usually created by GMs, that highlight tactical themes.
Style
Refers to the type
of player one is, characteristic of the moves they play. ‘Attackers’ will be aggressive while
‘classical players’ feel comfortable with a large center, some enjoy closed
positions, etc. Preferring certain types of position
and moves. Typically opponents will
have different styles (such as preferring open or closed types of positions),
so both fight to determine the type of position that is reached.
Support Point
A cell that serves as a
home for a pieces, usually a KT, because they
can’t be driven away from it by a PA.
Swindle
A combination played by a
player who has a ‘lost’ game - usually
involving a trap which the opponent could avoid but
doesn’t - and the ‘lost’ game is saved.
The
only way anyone can be defeated! A
trick pulled from an inferior position.
Swiss-System
A method of organizing a tournament in which many
players can compete over a few rounds.
In its simplest form, in each round a player is paired as far as
possible with an opponent with an identical score. The players also alternate :A and :B as far as
possible. Most tournaments below Master level and many
Master Tournaments are run on the Swiss System. A Swiss System Tournament in which anyone
can take part, from master to beginner, is called an ‘Open Swiss’. A pairing system full of holes, like
some other Swiss products!
Symmetry
Where both armies,
or both sets of PAs, are identically placed
on their respective sides of the board.
Glossary-T
Tabiya
Arabic: originally one
of the conventional starting
formations for play, now used to describe key positions arising from
the opening. The examples given under transposition [link] in the Canon
are good examples. See Shatranj.
Tactics
A move or series of
moves that take advantage of short-term opportunities
in a position. A tactical position is one
which has a number of tactics and traps involved. A one-move threat.
Short-term threats, attacks, variations and combinations as opposed to
strategy. A position where many combinational
ideas are present is a ‘tactical position’.
TD
Tournament Director
tempo:
A move lost or gained,
often used in discussing the opening. example? [link]. ‘One move’ is considered a unit of time,
‘tempi’ is plural. You are said to
lose a tempo when you move a piece twice when you
could have only moved it once. Tempi
are even more vital in the opening. As in music, time. Plural – ‘tempi’. In chess, there are basically three
elements - space, time and material.
Space and material are self-evident.
Time, however, is more subtle.
Initially, :A (white), having the first move, has
a time advantage (and thus, the initiative).
But :A can, by making useless moves, waste
time. To make a wasteful move is to
‘lose a tempo’. Over the board, tempi,
space and material can be exchanged back and forth for one another. A unit of time represented by a move. For example, forcing the opponent to move a piece twice in the opening
can gain a tempo.
Tempo - fight
for tempo
For example, after…….
01A-PA4-D02/D04
01B-PA4-D07/D05
02A-PA3-C02/C04
(1. d4 d5 2. c4)
If :B plays PA5-D05*C04 (...dxc4)
:A will play E03 and BS-F01*C04
(Bf1xc4).
If :B waits until :A has already
played EO3 and BS-D03, and then plays
B-D05*C04, :A (...dxc4), :A will of
course play BS*C04 (Bxc4) but
will have lost a move BS-F01/D03*C04 (Bf1-d3xc4).
So :A will try to wait, and :B will
also wait - hence the ‘Tempo Struggle
Variation’
1 d4 d5
2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. Bg5 Be7
5. e3 O-O 6.
6. Nf3 Nbd7
7. Rc1 Re8
8. Qc2 c6
9. a3 a6
10. h3... where :A won’t yet play BS-D03 and :B won’t yet exchange.
Temporary
sacrifice
A sacrificial combination where the regain
of material can be foreseen example? [link].
Tension
A position where pieces and/or PAs face off against
each other without capturing. Such positions require precise calculation,
and nerves of steel.
Territory
See ‘Space’.
The board is set up wrong
Quote invariably heard mentioned by
any chess player when watching any movie or television
show which shows a chess set!
Theoretical Novelty – TN
A new or long forgotten move which always causes a master to get
excited!
Theory
Well-known
positions that are documented in books. Chess information and knowledge to be found in
books, based on the games and study of Masters. Books on openings contain ‘opening theory’: moves of
Master games with comments and evaluations. There is also a lot of ‘endgame theory’. Known and played variations and positions in any phase of the game.
Opening theory is also known as the ‘book’.
Threat
The line which would solve the
problem after illusive black random (or non-defending) move. Threat/Threaten:
A threat is a move or plan which a player
intends to carry out unless h/er opponent stops h/er.
After…….
01A-PA5-E02/E04
01B-PA4-E07/E05
02A-QU1-D01/H05
(1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. Qd1-h5)
:A (white) attacks E05, F07 and H07,
but only :A-QU1-H05*E05-PA4 is a
threat:
(Qh5xe5)
:A (white) threatens to take the :B-PA4.
A move or plan, that, if allowed, leads to immediate reduction of the enemy’s
position.
Three Repeats
Rule
A game can be drawn when the same board
layout occurs three times during a game.
Three Time Repetition
of Position
This is one of the
many types of draws. It occurs when the same position on the
board (same pieces on the board, same locations, etc.) occurs three times. They do not have to be consecutively and
this is why moves in tournaments are catalogued,
so you can prove the draw.
Time Control
A set number of moves that must be
played in a certain amount of time to prevent players from using too much time. If time controls were not in affect, games
might take days and weeks. If a player
uses all their time and have not completed the required moves, they must
forfeit the match, losing the game, no
matter whether s/he is winning or losing! The period allotted for playing the game. Whether a particular action can be stopped
(‘He doesn’t have time to create a defence against this attack’).
A measure of development.
A development advantage is an advantage in time. The rate at which an attack can be
prosecuted or defended. Used to limit
the length of a game. It is the time
allotted to reach a certain number of moves.
Most GM games are 40 moves in 2 hours, in
which case a player forfeits the game if they have not played 40 moves in the
first two hours.
Time Pressure
When one player
only has a small amount of time left to play
several moves. This is usually where blunders occur. When one or both players has used most of their allotted time, and must
make moves with little or no thinking.
This should be avoided if possible, as it often leads to mistakes or game
losing blunders.
Theoretical
Novelty: a new idea in an opening line (usually
used when a GM first tries
it).
Tournament
A chess competition in which players
or teams play against each other to determine a winner. A number of tournaments at the same time
in the same place is a Congress.
Tournaments may be open only to players below a certain age or Grade,
only to girls or women and so on. Individual tournaments are usually scored
by giving the winner of a game one
point and the loser no points. A draw scores half a
point each.
Tranposition
An opening has a set series
of moves, but that is not
the only sequence to reach that position.
If you reach a set opening variation, but did not follow
the actual line, you are said to have transposed into the opening. Reaching an identical position from a different sequence of moves.
Transition
Changing from one phase of
the game into another; i.e. from the opening into the middlegame, or the
middlegame into the endgame.
trap:
The act of luring
your opponent into a tactic, mistake, or blunder.
A plausible move that loses to a hidden
or unexpected combination - e.g.
01A-PA5-E02/E04
01B-PA5-E07/E05
02A-PA6-F02/F04
02B-BS2-F01/C05
(1. e4 e5 2. f4 Bc5) is a simple trap, since the obvious…….
03A-PA6 on F05 captures B-PA5 on E05
fails to 03B-QU1-H04+CH.
:B-BS to C05 (3.
fxe5 fails to 3...Qh4+. 2...Bc5) is also a
well-motivated move in its own right, and is to be preferred to playing poor
moves for the sake of setting a trap that the opponent may spot. The Traps [link] section of
the Canon is full of both sorts! Something you saw but forgot
about until you fell into it!
A
hidden method of luring the opponent into making an error.
The lure or bait must be just enough to entice, without making the
opponent suspicious - PAs are usually used. Traps should only be laid if they fit into
an overall strategy, so even if the trap fails your
position is improved or at least maintained.
Always assume an opponent will see the trap: simply playing for traps is
bad strategy.
Trebuchet
A common Zugzwang position, e.g.
:A-KI-E05, PA-D04
:B-KI-C04, PA-D05.
white Ke5, Pd4;
black Kc4, Pd5.
Triple
To move all three MPs onto a file, as in the Alekhine-Nimzo game in the
handout on Pins [link].
Two bishops
Having both BSs where your opponent has only two KTs or a BS and a KT;
normally an advantage. See the handout on Bishops [link].
Tactics
Short term manoeuvres which have specific goals.
Tempo
A measurement of time as it pertains to chess. To waste a tempo is to take two moves to get a piece to a cell which it could have reached
in a single move. For example, moving a
PA from A02-A03-A04 instead of
directly from A02-A04.
Text
A word used to imply orthodoxy (also see ‘Book’).
Time limit
Most games in chess tournaments are played at specific rates
of play, the most common being 40 moves by each player in two hours each.
Transposition
A single position can sometimes be
reached by a variety of paths. Play
transposes into a given variation when a position
is reached via a route other than the one given in standard reference
works. For example…….
01A-PA5-E02/E04
01B-PA4-E07/E05
1. e2-e4 e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3
is a normal series of moves, but
01A-KT2-G01/F03
01B-PA4-E07/E05
02A-PA5-E02/E04
1.Ng1-f3 e7-e5
2. e2-e4
would be a very strange
transpositional path since…….
02A-KT2-F03*E05-PA4 was a possible
alternative.
2. Nf3xe5
Trap
A situation where a superficially tempting move is left available
for an unwary opponent. If s/he takes the bait it usually results in
an advantage - even a win - for the player
who set the trap.
Glossary-U
Unclear Position
A position where both players have
absolutely no clue as to what is going on.
This usually results in a draw! An uncertain situation in which
is it not apparent whether either side has an advantage.
Underpromotion
Promotion of a PA to anything other
than a QU. The act of promoting your PA, when it gets to the 8th rank, to
anything other and a QU.
Undermining sacrifice
A sacrifice to remove a guard
e.g. KT*D06 (Nxd6) removing the defender of E05, or PA-H05-H06 to
undermine a KT on F06 example? [link].
Unmasking
To uncover an attack (or defence), e.g. KT-F03-E05
(Nf3-e5) may unmask the fianchettoed BS-G02. In the Tactics [link] section of
the Canon there is an example of each, one under overloading, the other under
unmasking defence.
USCF
United States Chess Federation
Unorthodox opening
An opening which is not commonly seen in
Grandmaster play.
Unsound
A term used to describe a failed stratagem or tactic.
Glossary-V
v (Try)
In direct mates and selfmates: a move which almost
solves the problem, but just fails to unique :B (black) defence. In helpmates: a sequence of moves
which fails due to the lack of tempo move(s) in the
course of play.
Vacating sacrifice
To sacrifice a MP thus releasing a cell for a more
powerful MP e.g.
KT-H05*G07 (Nh5xg7)
allowing QU1-E02/H05
(Qe2-h5).
PAs are the commonest
sacrifice made for this reason. example? [link].
Vacation
To leave a cell so that another piece may occupy it,
e.g. RO-F01-E01 and BS-B05-F01 is sometimes played. example? [link].
Value
The worth of a piece. Static value is the nominal
value of a piece (see ‘Point count’).
Dynamic value is the value of a piece in its current position,
accounting for such factors as mobility, attacking
strength, defending ability etc.
Valve
A move which
simultaneously opens one line of play while closing another.
variation:
An alternative
line of play: see analysis. One line of analysis of a position. You have to calculate these variations in your head and
are not allowed to move the pieces. Departures from the accepted or standardized lines. But variations - if they have any value -
often end up standardized themselves. A
line of play that is an alternative to the moves actually played. One possible line of play calculated by a
player prior to making a move. A series of moves based on, but differing from, a standard position.
Visualisation
(sight of the board)
The ability to picture and assess a position, as might arise in analysis of a possible variation; a common source
of error.
Glossary-W
W-->
:A or, ‘white
begins’. Overrides default helpmate convention that :B (black) plays first.
Weak pawn
A PA that cannot
easily be defended, e.g. a backward
PA. There are
examples in the Strategy/themes [link] section of
the Canon.
Weak pawns
Generally, a
collection of PAs which have some
of these features: doubled,
isolated,
backward. There are examples in the Strategy/themes [link] section of
the Canon.
Weak square
A cell that cannot
easily be defended, and may become a hole or outpost for the opponent. There are examples in the Strategy/themes [link] section of
the Canon. A cell in your or your
opponent’s position which cannot be defended by a PA and thus makes it
a perfect outpost for a piece. Also referred to as a hole.
Weakness
A weak PA or weak cell. There are examples in the Strategy/themes [link] section of
the Canon. A PA or cell that is difficult to
defend.
Weekend Tourney
A tournament for which a player
travels 300-500 miles in order to be paired with players from his home
town!
WGM
International Woman Grandmaster
White
Since recent Supreme Court decisions,
not so big an advantage as it once
was!
White-square Weakness
A term usually given to describe the
state of the lighter coloured cells surrounding my KI (cf. black-cell weakness)!
Wild
Extremely unclear position or move,
with almost unfathomable complications.
Win
To make an enemy!
Windmill
An alternation of +CHs and captures e.g. :A RO-G07,
BS-F06, :B KI-H08 (white Rg7, Bf6, Black Kh8) - the famous Torre-Lasker game is
in the Tactics [link] section of
the Canon. A situation in which one
player is repeatedly forced into a discovered
check which enables his opponent to win material.
Won Game
Any game you lost! A position in which one side, if it
should not blunder, ought to go on to checkmate the other. Winning a won game
is sometimes impossible for beginners, but ought to be a foregone conclusion
for grandmasters - which is why grandmasters often resign in positions that do not look hopeless to beginners.
Woodpusher
A way of describing one’s play so as
to make opponents
overconfident!
World Champion
A title that is lately being given to
a number of players, some of which haven’t played a single game in years!
Wrong bishop
A BS which does not
control the Queening cell of a PA, e.g.
:A KI-G03, BS-F03,
PA-G04, PA-H04
:B KI-G08, KT-F06
(white: Kg3, Bf3, Pg4, Ph4, black
Kg8, Nf6)
the move…….
:B-KT*G04 (...Nxg4) draws for :B
despite the loss of the piece. See the
Bishop
endings [link] handout.
Waiting Move
A move that, while not achieving
anything positive, does not weaken the position.
Weak
square
A cell which cannot be guarded by a PA and upon which an enemy piece can be placed to h/er advantage.
Wing
A flank.
Winning
the Exchange
A term used to describe a situation in which a KT or BS is traded for a QU or RO.
Glossary-Z
Zeitnot
German - time trouble example? [link].
Zugzwang
German - where a
side is satisfactorily defended, but any move will upset the defence - and they must move! This is not unusual in Rook
endings [link] and other simplified positions - indeed, the opposition and Trebuchet are examples of
Zugzwang - but it is most unusual with more pieces on the board,
although Nimzovitch famously managed
it against Samisch, a game found in the Pawn
Mobility [link] handout. A
German word which means compulsion to move
which refers to a position where a player would prefer to pass their move
because every move they make will lead to a worse position, but by the laws of chess they must
move. A position in which the player
whose move it is has to make a move which worsens h/er position. Place the :B-KI on E08, a :A-PA on D07 and the
:A-KI on D06. If it is :B’s move -
s/he is in zugzwang- h/er only move is KI-E08/F07, when :A will queen h/er PA in two moves
time. With :A to play s/he must either
play KI-D06/E06, which is stalemate or move h/er KI
away from the PA, so :A is in
zugzwang. A situation in which a player would
prefer not to move at all. Since the
rules require a move on h/er turn, the player is forced to weaken h/er position. German ‘forced to move’. A position where a player would prefer to
pass h/er move (but of course cannot, as it is illegal) as any move damages h/er game. An uncomfortable
position in which one would be in no difficulty were it not for the fact that
one has to make a move in a situation where all legal moves lead to
trouble.
Zwischenzug
German -
literally, in-between move. When, for
example, a re-capture is delayed for a
move to make a capture, check or threat elsewhere. example? [link]. A German word meaning in between move which refers to a move in
which you play a surprising move during a sequence of exchanges which alters the
outcome of the exchange. These can appear very subtle and are often quite
complicated. An in-between move, for
instance when a player, instead of completing an exchange, stops to threaten
checkmate before recapturing the piece.
An unexpected
move tossed into an expected series of moves.
A move played in response to a capture which is not a
recapture, but which forces the opponent to make a reply which cannot avoid
eventual capture. Most Zwischenzugs are
checks.
Chess Coaching Page - Dr. Dave - The player who put
the gloss in glossary.
“Wipe
your glosses with what you know” -
Joyce.