Simplify Chess: Backup Options
Simplify Chess: Backup Options
Chess is a very complicated game! In my opinion, that’s what makes it so fun; though aggravating at times. A key to playing strong chess is to make the game simpler whenever possible. The stronger you are, the more situations will seem "simple" to you.
For instance, I remember the first time I played against an International Master (IM). Back then, I was rated around 1800, an A-player, and I was proud of myself for reaching a King and Pawn endgame while "only" down a pawn. Looking back on that game now, I realize the IM wasn’t sweating at all. For players at that level, it's common knowledge that in most typical King and Pawn endings, being up even a single pawn means an easy win. For instance:
What are Backup Options?
Today, we're going over an idea I like to call "backup options." It’s a concept that can help you discover amazing combinations. What makes this concept so powerful is that you don’t have to calculate the entire combination right from the start. Instead, you can focus on playing strong move after strong move until a more concrete opportunity presents itself many moves later.
If this concept sounds a bit abstract, don’t worry, let's break it down with an example. The full example can be found in my last blog (www.chess.com/blog/NMChesstoImpress/is-it-a-trap-or-is-it-hope-chess) as puzzle #2.
Backup Option Example
26...Rb1+!! is a somewhat difficult move to find, in a vacuum. But there were several factors that made it a little easier to find:
- if 26...Rb1+ wasn't good then my position was very bad, I was incentivized to make sure that 26...Rb1+ wasn't a good option before moving on.
- Because the In your face checkmate is a "simple" mate for me, I didn't have to spend very much time seeing that 27. Nxb1 Rxb1+ 28. Kxb1?? Qb2# was mate, therefore...
- 28. Kd2 was forced.
- At this point I saw that 28...Qxg2+ was good for Black, which means I can confidently play 26...Rb1+ knowing that I at least have the strong back up option of 28...Qxg2+
In the actual game I saw that 28...c3+ was even better than 28...Qxg2+ but I only saw this after getting closer to the actual position.
Backup options are about making moves that maximize your flexibility. You don’t have to commit fully to an idea right away; rather, you keep several possibilities open and choose the right path when your opponent narrows down the possibilities for you. It’s like keeping several doors open in a maze so you can take the best one once you have more information.
Backup Options in Action
Conclusion
Playing chess with backup options in mind simplifies the game because you don’t need to predict the entire future. You save time, energy, and you get further into the line, narrowing the number of lines you have to calculate. Unfortunately, you won’t always be able to use backup options; there might only be one good option. But when you can, try to use backup options to simplify chess a bit. The simpler the game is for you, the better you’ll play! Many combinations arise naturally out of strong, flexible play, and having a backup ensures that you’re always one step ahead, ready to strike at the right moment.
Feel free to comment any game snippets, where you either used or could’ve used a backup option to justify your combination.
And, as always…stay impressive!
NM Craig Clawitter
