The purpose of this series is to introduce the reader to advanced
training concepts, using the same methods of presentation and
instruction that were taught to great players by famous trainers
that they have worked with. The series will commence with the The
Passed Pawn and we will examine how to handle such pawns. Every
chess player who wishes to improve his level in the difficult
subject of chess is obliged to study methodically and understand
the existing principles that govern the theory of the opening,
middlegame and endgame. Most chess players focus more on the study
of opening theory than other aspects of the game. The reasons are
probably clear: opening theory is easier to learn and can provide
immediate results, although this is based more on the opponent's
ignorance than our own abilities. Even for a chess trainer, it is
easier to teach some variations from this or that opening or a set
of simple tactical motifs than to engross himself in the exposition
of middlegame and endgame theory. Yes, middlegame and endgame
theory does exist. The great difficulty in approaching it lies in
the fact that it does not follow absolute and clear-cut paths, but
rather involves deep research in the ideas and logic by which
specific types of positions are treated. Moreover, unlike opening
theory, the theory of the middlegame and the endgame does not
change rapidly based on modern developments; it remains almost
intact through the years. In view of the above, any chess player
who wishes to follow a chess career or simply become a better
player must refrain from the commonplace and assume a different
approach. He must develop a good understanding of middlegame and
endgame theory, so as to be able in his games to proceed in a
proper way after his chosen opening has reached its conclusion. The
chess player can differentiate himself only in the opening; there,
each one of us brings forth his own beliefs and convictions, and in
general his own experiences and references. Objectively, no opening
loses - but also no opening wins. The opening is just the beginning
of the journey and serves to offer us a comfortable start. But to
reach the end of this journey successfully we have to count on our
knowledge and experience, as regards middlegame and endgame theory.
Endgame theory teaches us two fundamental issues. First, how to
extract the maximum from a basic theoretical position with little
material, where the experts, from practice comprising thousands of
games, have reached definite conclusions. Second, the way in which
we can handle an endgame, depending on the material remaining on
the board, and the ideas and plans we should employ. This second
issue is significantly more difficult to master because, apart from
making full use of the first one (we must be aware of the possible
outcomes of the endgame in question) it is greatly influenced by
our experience and understanding, which are basically derived from
the images and impressions we have from related positions. A
primary role is played here by the effort we have invested in
studying. In middlegame theory, things are even tougher. We are
obliged to study various types of positions with specific strategic
and tactical attributes, so as to understand the underlying ideas
and be able to employ them ourselves in similar situations. While
many chess players have studied these topics and acquired
knowledge, it is the application of this knowledge in practice that
helps differentiate between them. Chess is not a simple activity,
but it becomes so much more attractive when we acquire this
knowledge.
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