Contents

1 How Skill Develops - the Most Important Phases

'Attack something - and if it doesn't move, take it'
Both opponents base their play on elementary traps
Tactical operations without regard for the position
Harmonious co-operation of the pieces and combinations
Ability to find the right strategic plan

Typical Mistakes by Young Players

Hasty moves and, in consequence, blunders
Learning openings without understanding the ideas
Reliance on general principles, without a concrete plan
Underestimating the opponent's combinative chances
Disparity between aggressive and defensive ability
Miscalculating variations and combinations
Inadequate knowledge of basic endgames
Implementing a wrong strategic plan
The problem of the clock in practical play

3 Chessplayers of Positional and Combinational Styles

4 Developing a Repertoire 129