Positional

1. Initial pawn movements facilitate the development of your minor pieces. Do not get distracted from this objective.

2. In the opening phase, avoid moving the same piece twice (unless forced to do so and learn to avoid those kinds of positions). It loses you tempo.

3. You gain tempo when you can achieve two objects in one move. For example, a pawn move may attack some piece while opening a line for your own pieces.

4. Look for such opportunities.
   Try to seize control of the center (d4, d5, e4, e5 squares) as this will give you more play and better attacks. Of course, some opening strategy, particularly for black), may deliberately surrender some control in the center to gain more play in the flanks to neutralize opponent’s advantage.

5. Don’t be greedy! Sometimes you may find an easy pawn to pick up but it may be a trap (‘poisoned pawn’). Accepting it will often allow the opponent to launch a powerful attack and often the best way to neutralize is to return that material instead of trying to hold on to it.

6. Do not launch a premature attack. Develop your pieces such that they coordinate well with one another and then plan your attack. Unless you do this, you may find your attack to lose steam and that may put you at a disadvantage.

7. A locked center (your and opponent’s pawns facing each other without being able to capture any) restricts movement of pieces in the center and thus facilitates flank attack without fear of counter-play at the center. Keep this possibility in mind.

8. Check which of the opponent’s pieces is controlling the play. Try to capture it at the earliest.

9. Exchanging your inactive piece with a similar but active piece of the opponent gives you an advantage.
   Try to avoid such exchange if the reverse is true.

10. When in trouble, remember that attack is often the best form of defense. Look for such possibility.

11. Since coordination of pieces gives advantage, try to cut off communication between opponent’s pieces e.g. by advancing a supported pawn in the opponent’s line of communication.

12. Be aware of pins and how to create one. Properly handled, they can yield significant advantage.

13. When cornered in the end game, look for opportunities to get into a position allowing stalemate and draw. Sometimes, a piece sacrifice may offer you this opportunity in an otherwise desperate situation.
    When you have an upper hand, guard against the opponent taking this route to draw the game.

14. Whatever openings you normally adopt, learn the ideas behind the moves and the targets to be achieved. Without this focus, you will only create weaknesses for yourself.

15. In general, King’s pawn openings lead to more open games and direct attacks on the king. Queen’s pawn openings create somewhat closed positions that need more maneuvering and positional play to launch indirect attacks.

King

1. Always a liability, is it? It becomes more so, if it is at its original position. Aim to castle at the earliest opportunity.

2. Both kings castled on the same side normally do not get an immediate early attack. You have to maneuver through the Queen’s side. But castled on the opposite sides allow both players to launch direct attack through pawn advances.

3. Kings come into their own in the end game with major pieces removed from the board. Try to keep king near your pawn group for their advance. Be aware of the ‘Square’ and ‘Opposition’.

4. In the endings with King and Pawn vs. King, make the king lead the pawn, not the other way.

5. Make yourself familiar with the standard strategies for handling different types of endings with pawns, minor pieces, rooks etc. Learn to identify situations that may give win or only a draw.

Queen

1. Even though it is the strongest piece, it needs a rook or some minor pieces for its most effective use.

2. Avoid taking the queen too far out during the openings as it is likely to get ‘harassed’ by opponent’s minor pieces to cause you a loss of tempo.

Apart from winning the tournaments, Magnus is also remembered for his jumps over the ropes in Samarkand :)

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Maximum self-confidence! Self-confidence plays a key role in achieving success and happiness. It helps you make decisions, overcome challenges, establish healthy relationships, and realize your potential. #chess #chessgame #chessjoke #шахматы ...

Final Standings #FideCandidates

1. Gukesh 9 points
2. Hikaru 8.5 points
3. Nepo 8.5 points
4. Fabi 8.5 points
5. Prag 7 points
6. Vidit 6 points
7. Alireza 5 points
8. Abasov 3.5 points

P.S In case Ding Liren pulls out, Gukesh will have to play against Hikaru who came in second due to tiebreaks (most number of wins).

Oh my God! What a tournament! What a last round! Today’s results are all in and we are in for a treat tomorrow!

R13 results:
Nepo 1/2 - 1/2 Hikaru
Pragg 0-1 Fabi
Vidit 1/2 - 1/2 Abasov
Gukesh 1 - 0 Alireza

Standings before the final Round:
1. Gukesh 8.5/13
2. Hikaru 8/13
Fabi 8/13
Nepo 8/13
5. Prag 6/13
6. Vidit 5.5/13
7. Alireza 4.5/13
8. Abasov 4/13

R14 Pairings:

Hikaru (8) vs Gukesh (8.5)
Fabi (8) vs Nepo (8)
Alireza (4.5) vs Vidit (5.5)
Abasov (4) vs Pragg (6)