Strategy test - answers
Strategy - the magical side of chess
10 tasks to test your strategic skills
Evaluate the position.
Find the best continuation.
Problem 1
White to move
White wins by playing 1.Bd5, forcing the weakening of the opponent’s
pawn structure with 1...e6. After the bishop’s return, the d6 pawn is lost and
the position collapses: 2.Bf3 Kg7 3.Rxd6 Rbc8 4.Bc6. The problem has the
alternative solution: 1.Rh4+ Kg7 2.Qh6+ Kf6 3.Rf4, which is tactical and
requires the calculation of long lines. For a chess engine, 1.Rh4+ is stronger,
for a man, definitely 1.Bd5.
The shuttle - https://www.chess.com/blog/Witaliss/weakening-the-opponents-position-1-3-the-shuttle
Problem 2
White to move
1. White has a better position due to the weaknesses of the “c” pawns and
a bad position of the opponent’s bishop.
2. By playing 1.Rh1, White forces 1...g6, what weakens the dark squares and
cuts off the bishop from defending the f7 pawn. After 2.Rf1, the rook takes
control over the “f” file.
The disappearing move - https://www.chess.com/blog/Witaliss/weakening-the-opponents-position-1-4-the-disappearing-move
Problem 3
Black to move
White has developed more pieces and controls the open d-file. However, Black is better, because he can create and occupy an outpost in the centre. The key to the proper evaluation of the position is the weak d4-square. We should play 1...Ne6 with the plan to clamp on the d4-square with c6-c5 and Ne6-d4, which White cannot prevent.
Occupying the Outpost - Later on the blog
Problem 4
White to move
1. White has advantage due to the unsafe position of the black king.
2. With 1.Nc6+ Kf8 2.Bxd6+ Qxd6 3.Ne5, White has advantageously traded
the dark-square bishops. The knight comes back to the center. Meanwhile,
the black king is placed unfavorably between the rooks.
The shuttle
Problem 5
White to move
1. The position is better for White due to more active pieces and the opponent’s pawn weaknesses on the kingside. Additionally, black bishops are not safe.
2. The strongest move is 1.Bd3, which forces the advance of the e5 or f5 pawn. In either case, it weakens the pawn structure and forfeits to white the f4 or e4 square. After 1...e4 2.Be2 h4 3.Nh5 Be5 4.Nf4, the knight has found the ideal square.
The disappearing move
Problem 6
Black to move
1. The material situation is not bad for White. However, the unfavorable
position of the f7 bishop makes it impossible for White to save the game.
2. By playing 1...Bf3, Black cuts off the white king and the light square bishop at the same time, threatening both 2...Rd4 and 2...Rg7. White cannot defend against both threats at the same time, while after 2.Bh5 Rxg3 3.fxg3 Bxh5 Black is a piece up.
Restricting the opponent’s pieces - https://www.chess.com/blog/Witaliss/weakening-the-opponents-position-1-1-restricting-the-opponents-pieces
Problem 7
White to move
1. Black has built a strong center, while White has a pair of bishops and the
pressure on the c6 pawn. White’s position is better.
2. By playing 1.Bf4 e5 2.Bg5, White weakens his opponent’s pawn structure,
opening the diagonal h3-c8 for his light-square bishop.
The disappearing move
Problem 8
White to move
1. White has a huge advantage in the development. The biggest problem of
Black is the g8 rook, that doesn’t have any move and that cannot be protected.
2. After 1.Qh2, Black cannot defend against Qh7. The attempt to get counterplay with 1...Ng4 2.Qh7 Nxe3 3.Qxg8 Nxd1 would fail to 4.Qxf8 with the checkmate.
Restricting the opponent’s pieces
Problem 9
White to move
1. White is slightly better developed and has a strong center. Black has the
pawn majority on the kingside, that may become dangerous.
2. It is crucial not to let Black play 1...e5, what would strengthen his pawn
structure. That’s why White played 1.e5, even though it opened the h1-a8
diagonal.
Prophylaxis - Later on the blog
Problem 10
Black to move
1. Black has a better position due to a pair of bishops and due to active
placement of the rook and the knight.
2. As the light-square bishop is out of play, Black played 1...Bc8, immediately
creating the threat of Bg4+.
Improving the position of a badly placed piece - https://www.chess.com/blog/Witaliss/improving-the-position-of-a-badly-placed-piece-improving-own-position
("Chess Strategy Explained"-Bartłomiej Macieja Witalis Sapis- Sawit 2021)
"These strategic manuals by two experienced trainers are a must for any instructor!
I recommend using them for students with USCF ratings ranging from 1300 to 2500.
I have read many instructional books since my junior years but never have I come
across such an easy-to-digest way of presenting examples—only a few moves with
simple, clear verbal explanations of the ideas from the players themselves! The
examples used vary in level of difficulty and going through all of them will only
solidify one’s strategic understanding. The exercise chapters (Chapter 3 for Vol 1
and Chapter 7 for Vol 2) add more instructive value as it can be used either as in-class
group exercises or individual homework. Any club leader, camp instructor or chess
coach will be able to find the topical chapters useful when preparing for their regular
lessons. And I won’t be surprised if they improve their strategic intuition as well in
the process!”
GM Julio Sadorra
Coach of University of Texas Dallas Chess Team
