What's the Basic Strategy for White? 
White intends to attack Black’s queenside via
c5/cxd5 followed by the maneuvers b2-b4-b5/
a2-a4-a5. Please observe how the g2 bishop
is ideally placed to assist in this assault.
In the center, he wants to break through with
e2-e4. However, he needs to prepare for it by
transferring the f3 knight to d3 followed by
f2-f3.
What's the Basic Strategy for Black?
Black, on the other hand, plans to assail
White’s kingside by way of … Nf6-e4, ... g5,
... Qe8 and ... Qh5. However, if White preludes
his queenside attack with c5 instead of cxd5,
Black should give preference to the counter-
thrust ... e5. Please bear in mind that the
"bad" c8 bishop could become a liability in the
endgame. That’s why a third plan is to develop
it via ... b6, ... Bb7 and ... c5. Another weakness
in Black’s position is e5. White therefore frequently
plays Bf4, keeping the square under observation and
preventing ... e6-e5.
Learn More About The Dutch Defense
Understanding the Pirc Defense
1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 g6 4 Be2 Bg7
5 h4 Line
What’s the Game Plan for Black?
• … c7-c5, d4xc5, … Qa5.
• Following h4-h5, capture h5 with the knight.
• After Be2xh5, play … Bg7xc3.
WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
Sicilian Mongoose
Owen's Defense
Dutch Defense (Stonewall Variation): A Tribute To The King
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Defense (Najdorf Variation) Part I
1 e4
Controlling the central square d5 plus
near-central square f5, and, opening
up a diagonal for both the Queen and
f1 bishop.
1 ... c5
The d4 and b4 squares are now under
Black's influence, and his Queen also
gets breathing space along the a5-d8
diagonal.
2 Nf3 
White prepares for d4 so as to
challenge Black's hold on that
key square.
2 ... d6
Shielding e5 from a prospective
e4-e5 advance. Please remember,
the acquisition of e5 is a
critical theme for the defense.
This move also opens up a
diagonal for the c8 bishop.
3 d4 cxd4 
By trading his c-pawn for White's
d-pawn, Black guarantees pressure
down the half open c-file and
chances to mold his central pawn
majority into a strong center.
4 Nxd4 
In return, White gains a developmental
lead, the half open d-file and an edge
in space.
4 ... Nf6
The e4 pawn now needs protection,
and so White responds with:
5 Nc3 
5 ... a6
\
Initiating the Najdorf Defense.
Black achieves two goals with
this move:
(i) He deters White's pieces from
intruding on the b5 square.
(ii) He prepares for the ... b5 break,
which, in turn, initiates queenside
action and makes room on b7 for the
c8 bishop.
Learn More About The Najdorf
Najdorf Heaven
More Najdorf
Even More Najdorf
Silicon Vision: Najdorf Style
Silicon Vision: A Collective Obsession
Chess: Understanding the Sicilian Defense
(Najdorf Variation) Part V
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6
5 Nc3 a6 6 Be3 e5 7 Nb3 Be6 8 f3 Nbd7
(English Attack)
What's the game plan for White?
White intends to acquire and dominate the
vulnerable d5 square (Qd1-d2, O-O-O,
followed by a timely Nc3-d5). To augment
that objective, he also aims to destabilize
the f6 knight and subsequently eliminate its
d5 influence (g2-g4-g5/h2-h4/Rh1-g1). Finally,
he wants to avail himself of the c5 square
(Qd2-f2/Nb3-c5/Be3-c5), thanks to a more than
likely Rd1-Qd8 x-ray, which prevents ... dxc5.
Chess Openings On-Demand: Smith Morra Gambit Style
Position after 4 Nxc3.
What's the game plan for White?
* Mind the vulnerable f7 square through
6 Bc4.
* Place the rooks on the open c-file and
half open d-file in order to pose develop-
mental problems for the Black Queen.
* Utilize the Nc3-d5/b5 maneuver to
attack Black's position.
* Where possible, aim for a timely e4-e5
breakthrough.
What's the game plan for Black?
Position after 4 Nxc3.
Accept the gambit and consolidate the
position as follows:
* Cover e5 via 5 ... d6.
* Limit the c4 bishop's scope through
6 ... e6.
* Advance 9 ... e5 so as to prevent e4-e5.
Learn More About The Smith Morra Gambit
Chess Openings On-Demand: Giuoco Piano Style
WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
French Defense: Chatard-Alekhine Attack
Petroff's Defense
Petroff's Defense: Cochrane's Gambit
Reti Opening
King's Indian Defense
More King's Indian Defense