1780

1 game annotated at this level. Daniel Naroditsky playing as SenseiDanya.

Themes

Each number is a game; it opens the move where he explains the idea. Open a theme to read what it is about.

General

  1. Ask what he is actually threatening

    Before defending, ask whether the threat is real and what exactly it threatens. Often the answer is less than it looks.

    06091115171920
  2. Be obsessed with undefended pieces

    Make it a habit to notice every undefended piece, yours and his, and to count the defenders of every piece that is under attack.

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  3. Make one move do two jobs

    When a task can be done in a way that also does something else, do it that way. Do not tie a piece to one job if another can do it and keep working.

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Piece play

  1. Not every pin is effective

    A pin the opponent can undo with a useful move is no pin at all. Judge a pin by what it holds and for how long.

    1819

Strategy

  1. Convert an extra piece by attacking, not only by trading

    A piece ahead, you can win by trading down or by using the extra piece in an attack on the king; attacking is often quicker.

    1819
  2. Far ahead, a pawn is currency

    When far ahead, a pawn is something to spend, for example on a trade that simplifies. Do not cling to every pawn.

    192122

Attack

  1. The queen leads the battery

    In a queen-and-bishop battery aimed at the king, put the queen in front: the queen at the head threatens mate.

    19

Tactics

  1. Desperado: if a piece has to go, take something with it

    If a piece is going to be lost anyway, take something with it on the way out.

    1921

Games

  1. 19 vs chimzinho (1418) 14 ideas C10 French Defense: 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4, with 3...Nd7 · 1-0