Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Steinitz' 4 Rules of Strategy

1. The right to attack belongs to the side that has a positional advantage, and that side not only has the right to attack but also the obligation to do so, or else his advantage may evaporate. The attack should be concentrated on the weakest square in the opponent's position.

2. If in an inferior position the defender should be ready to defend and make compromises, or take other measures such as a desperate counter attack.

3. In an equal position the opponents should maneuver trying to achieve a position in which they have an advantage. If both sides play correctly, an equal position will remain equal.

4. The advantage may be a big indivisible one (for example a rook on the seventh rank) or it may be a whole series of small advantages. The goal of the stronger side is to store up the advantages and to convert temporary advantages to permanent ones.

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