WITH THE KNIGHT
Puzzle A
A LITTLE incident yesterday prompted me to reflect on my everyday life.
On my way out to the shop, I stopped to chat with a neighbour who was making bird boxes from scrap wood.
“I’ve got to keep busy or I’d go crackers”, he said almost apologetically. He went on to describe his frustration with the lockdown, and how it was restricting his life, and ending with the thought that I was probably ok because I could pass the time by studying chess.
My reaction was to list what I had been doing. A three-mile walk along the north side of the Tyne starting at Newburn to Wylam, then cross the bridge and walk the reverse three mile walk on the south side of the river
back to my car. Another day I painted some birds using acrylics (not very well!). Each day was dominated by some non-chess related activity.
On Friday night, I did play chess online with two friends from Forest Hall Club and thoroughly enjoyed the games despite losing both. Yes it is time to start some serious study!
So, I have mapped out a programme which includes a good mix of my non-chess related activities with spending time on studying chess.
Maybe many other people have had a similar “holiday” from the game but with the chances of normal life improving, maybe it’s time to start thinking about the chess, but where to start?
I have a couple of books on basic tactics. A few worked examples then loads of test questions – mostly easy – but enough more demanding examples to make it a challenge.
Playing through some instructive annotated games, what did I learn? And, importantly, what could you learn by the same method?
Firstly, if you are already a stronger player you would look for a more challenging book on tactics. Then you would seek annotated games that involve the sorts of positions you like to play.
I found that re-reading these books on basic tactics was worthwhile. It was good fun and encouraging that I could solve most of the problems quickly. I made notes on the few that I stumbled with and identified the com
mon characteristics. It alerted me to patterns that occur regularly that I sometimes missed.
Moving on to the more demanding annotated games, I focussed on how the players created the advantages which make effective tactics possible, while simultaneously preventing their opponents from doing the same.
Yes, it is harder work, and more challenging, but it is a way of improving your game.
Good wins almost invariably emerge from good positions, so creating the good position is the first step (while hindering your opponent from doing the same thing).
These puzzles are phase one. The player to move has reached a winning position, leaving your challenge to play and win. Puzzles A and B are simple tactics. C and D are more difficult.