**The purpose of this series is to introduce the reader to advanced
training concepts, using the same methods of presentation and
instruction that were taught to great players by famous trainers that
they have worked with. The series will commence with the The Passed Pawn
and we will examine how to handle such pawns.
**
**
**
Every chess player who wishes to improve
his level in the difficult subject of chess is obliged to study
methodically
and understand the existing principles that govern the theory of the
opening,
middlegame and endgame.
Most chess players focus more on the study of opening
theory than other aspects of the game. The reasons are probably clear:
opening
theory is easier to learn and can provide immediate results, although
this is
based more on the opponent's ignorance than our own abilities. Even for
a chess
trainer, it is easier to teach some variations from this or that opening
or a
set of simple tactical motifs than to engross himself in the exposition
of
middlegame and endgame theory.
Yes, middlegame and endgame theory does exist.
The great difficulty in approaching it lies in the fact that it does not
follow
absolute and clear-cut paths, but rather involves deep research in the
ideas
and logic by which specific types of positions are treated.
Moreover, unlike
opening theory, the theory of the middlegame and the endgame does not
change
rapidly based on modern developments; it remains almost intact through
the
years. In view of the above, any chess player who wishes to follow a
chess
career or simply become a better player must refrain from the
commonplace and
assume a different approach. He must develop a good understanding of
middlegame
and endgame theory, so as to be able in his games to proceed in a proper
way
after his chosen opening has reached its conclusion. The chess player
can
differentiate himself only in the opening; there, each one of us brings
forth
his own beliefs and convictions, and in general his own experiences
and
references. Objectively, no opening loses -- but also no opening wins.
The
opening is just the beginning of the journey and serves to offer us a
comfortable start. But to reach the end of this journey successfully we
have to
count on our knowledge and experience, as regards middlegame and
endgame
theory.
Endgame theory teaches us two fundamental issues. First, how to
extract
the maximum from a basic theoretical position with little material,
where the
experts, from practice comprising thousands of games, have reached
definite
conclusions. Second, the way in which we can handle an endgame,
depending on
the material remaining on the board, and the ideas and plans we should
employ.
This second issue is significantly more difficult to master because,
apart from
making full use of the first one (we must be aware of the possible
outcomes of
the endgame in question) it is greatly influenced by our experience
and
understanding, which are basically derived from the images and
impressions we
have from related positions. A primary role is played here by the effort
we
have invested in studying. In middlegame theory, things are even
tougher. We
are obliged to study various types of positions with specific strategic
and
tactical attributes, so as to understand the underlying ideas and be
able to
employ them ourselves in similar situations. While many chess players
have
studied these topics and acquired knowledge, it is the application of
this
knowledge in practice that helps differentiate between them.
Chess is not a
simple activity, but it becomes so much more attractive when we acquire
this
knowledge.
