Understanding Chess Move by Move

Question 1

Out of the first eight moves, as a rule of thumb how many at most should be pawn moves?

Answer 1

Three.

But keep in mind that useful pawn moves might still be more useful than developing pieces (in the book f5 is played to assert control over the center). Use this rule to start questioning making an extra pawn move if there are still pieces to develop.

(Chernin vs Van Der Wiel)

Question 2

Why can pushing pawns and grabbing all space in the center be dubious?

Answer 2

• It could mean the rule of at most three pawn moves in the first eight is violated, which would cost development.
• If the pawn center falls, the undeveloped pieces behind it will stand no chance.
• The pawns can be overextended and leave holes that the opponent can occupy.
• The opponent can undermine the pawn mass by playing pawn pushes (like d3 in the book, getting rid of black’s e4-pawn which can’t be maintained).

(Chernin vs Van Der Wiel)

Question 3

If the opponent threatens my queen, what you be one of the first instincts?

Answer 3

See if I can make a counter threat first.

By counter attacking the opponent’s queen, or threaten to promote a pawn, or mate, or similar. This goes for any attack on any piece.

Always start with thinking “can I ignore this threat and play something else”.

(Chernin vs Van Der Wiel)

Question 4

What is the a good move here, that targets the outposted knight?

Answer 4

g4. It undermines the knight outpost and probably forces it to retreat. Always consider moves like this against outposts.

(Chernin vs Van Der Wiel)

Question 5

Black has pushed his pawns and gained space in the center. What is the main drawback of that in this position?

Answer 5

The a1-h8 and a2-g8 diagonals are wide open and can never be blocked by pawns again. White now has a very clear plan to take advantage of this with their bishops. This was seen a couple of move ago as e3 was played which make a lot of sense as the g2 bishop will maneuver via f1 to c4.

As an added bonus, white has a semi-open g-file to work with in tandem with the eventual bishops.

But note, all this would not be as game deciding if black could castle long here

(Chernin vs Van Der Wiel)