Chess Tutorial : Maximize the Usefulness of Your Moves

The Difference Between a Very Good Move and a Good Move

White to move

You can see that Black's light squared Bishop is still sitting on its initial square. In fact, it moved off this square and Black had the opportunity to exchange it, but instead allowed the exchange of the Knight for White's light squared Bishop. Bishops of opposite color are often an easy path to draw, but here Black has misjudged the effect of the Rooks.

White now has the choice between Bc5 and Bd4. Bernstein chose 25.Bc5, and Chernev commented, 'dominates every important square on the board!' Let's count the number of objectives this move achieves. It not only

• Safeties the Bishop.

• Prevents Rh8-f8, Ra6-b6, Ra6-a7, and Kd7-d6.

White's only other good move, 25. Bd4, probably wins also although it blocks the path of the White King on the dark squares. The White King ultimately advanced as far as g7 and forced the win of Black's Kingside Pawns.

Index: Chess Tutorial : Maximize the Usefulness of Your Moves

1. Principle of Maximum Usefulness
2. An Example from the Early Opening
3. An Example from the Later Opening
4. Attack and Defend Simultaneously
5. The Difference Between a Very Good Move and a Good Move
6. Knights Can Also Fork Squares
7. Multiple Attacks Create Multiple Weaknesses
8. Never Play Obvious Moves Automatically
9. Maintaining the Pressure Is Worth a Pawn
10. A Principle for Everyone, Not Just for Masters