Complete Chess Strategy 2: Principles of Pawn Play and the Center - Softcover

Pachman, Ludek

Softcover

ISBN 10: 4871874915 ISBN 13: 9784871874915

Publisher: Ishi Press, 2012

Synopsis

Continuing his major work on strategy and tactics in modern chess, the internationally renowned Grandmaster, Ludek Pachman, now turns his attention to the play of the pawns and the achievement of control of the center squares. Though the pawns are the weakest pieces in chess, their importance in determining the character of the attack (and defense) and the development of strategic play cannot be underestimated. Pawns are essential to the protection of important squares and pieces. They are the best means of blockading enemy pawns and when correctly deployed, their advance can open vital files and diagonals, thereby creating weaknesses in the opposite position. Despite its limited power, the pawn has one special advantage over other pieces in that it can be promoted when it reaches the eighth rank; a successful pawn advance can completely change the balance of power and the outcome of a game. Pawns have aptly been described as "the soul of chess”. Vital to chess mastery is a basic understanding of the importance of control of the center squares. The effectiveness of the pieces depend upon the strength of their position and center control creates a vital spatial superiority. The pieces gain in power as they exert influence over more spaces. Control not only allows increased maneuverability, but restricts the possibilities open to the opponent. The effective play of the pawns and center control have been touched upon in other works, but seldom with the insight and lucidity revealed in this second volume of Pachman's masterwork.

About this title

About the Author

Ludek Pachman was born in Bela pod Bezdezem, Czechoslovakia on May 11, 1924. Pachman's first big break came at an international tournament in Prague in 1943 with Alekhine and Keres. Pachman came to watch and to play in a subsidiary tournament. When the subsidiary tournament was canceled, Pachman was given a spot in the main event, taking the place of a player who could not make it. Pachman finished in the top half and created a sensation. Ludek Pachman became one of the world's strongest chess grandmasters and one of the world's greatest writers and teachers of the game. He won four zonal tournaments and played in six Interzonal tournaments, possibly a record, but he missed qualifying to the World Champion Candidates Tournament by a half-point twice. Pachman played eight tournament games against Bobby Fischer. Pachman made an even lifetime score against Fischer, +2 -2 =4. His most famous game is his win over Bobby Fischer in Chile in 1959. Ludek Pachman died on March 6, 2003 in Passau, Germany.

Edition details

• Publisher: Ishi Press
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 4871874915
• ISBN 13: 9784871874915
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 196