Your Move...

Chess. Yes, chess. It is probably the most boring game, just under bridge and golf. Why am I talking about it? Because these rules, from the 64 Commandments of Chess, sound like something out of Sun Tzu's The Art of War (with a little tweaking) so I'm going to share them with you.

results guaranteed!

by Bruce Pandolfini

• Be aggressive, but play soundly. Don't take unnecessary chances.
• Make sure every move has a purpose.
• If you know your opponent's style, take advantage of it. But, in the final analysis, play the board, not the player.
• Don't ignore your opponent's moves.
• Don't give needless checks. Check only when it makes sense.
• Answer all threats. Try to do so by improving your position and/or posing a counter-threat.
• Play for the initiative. If you already have it, maintain it. If you don't have it, seize it.
• When exchanging, try to get at least as much as you give up.
• Take with the man of least value, unless there is a definite reason for doing otherwise.
• Cut your losses. If you must lose material, lose as little as possible.
• If you blunder, don't give up fighting. After getting the advantage, your opponent may relax and let you escape.
• Never play a risky move, hoping your opponent will overlook your threat, unless you have a losing position. In that case, you have nothing to lose.
• Rely on your own powers. If you can't see the point of your opponent's move, assume there isn't any.
• Don't sacrifice without good reason.
• When you can't determine whether to accept or decline a sacrifice, accept it.
• Attack in number. Don't rely on just one or two pieces.
• Look for double attacks.
• Play for the center: guard it, occupy it, influence it.
• Fight for the center with pawns.
• Don't make careless pawn moves. In the opening, move as few pawns as necessary to complete your development.
• If feasible, move both center pawns two squares each.
• Develop your pieces quickly, preferably toward the center.
• Develop purposefully, and not just for development's sake.
• Don't waste time or moves. Try to develop a new piece on each turn. Don't move a piece twice in the opening without good reason.
• Try to develop with threats, but don't threaten pointlessly.
• Develop minor pieces early. King-side pieces should usually be developed sooner than Queen-side ones, and Knights before Bishops.
• Develop during exchanges.
• To exploit an advantage in development, attack.
• Try to give as much scope to your pieces as possible.
• Seize open lines.
• Determine whether you have an open or closed game, and play accordingly.
• Trade when ahead in material or when under attack, unless you have a sound reason for doing otherwise. Avoid trades when behind in material or when attacking.
• Choose a plan and stay with it. Change it only if you should or must.
• If cramped, free your game by exchanging material.
  
• Trade bad minor pieces for good ones.
  
• If the position is unsettled, disguise your plans: make noncommittal moves.
• If behind in development, keep the game closed.
  
• Try to accumulate small advantages.
• Use the analytic method. When you don't know what to do, first evaluated the position (as best you can), then ask pertinent questions about your analysis

Results guaranteed!

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