Again I will talk about the Planning Approach, but from a different angle.
The Planning Approach can give you guidance as to the direction your game could take. But seldom can you completely oversee how things will go. Then it makes sense to draft small plans while keeping your general plan in mind. Check the chuncky video for more!
I found this video to be very helpful as an illustration of numerous important concepts. The emphasis on small plans was important for me. I think in the past I have gotten caught up in believing that I needed an all-encompassing plan. The explanations you provided were, as always, clear and readily followed. I also noted how, regardless of how superior one’s position is, the oppponent has resources and will continue to fight (“we are not playing alone”). When Black began to create counter chances via the pawn sacrifice, my first instinct was to defend/prevent their advance instead of looking at the advantages White had and could use. This trend towards fear and defensive thinking is something I need to work on in earnest. Thank you for a very good lesson.
Hi Greg,
Thank you.
Yes, the trend towards fear and defensive thinking is something pretty recognizable for a lot of players I suppose.
Just as we should not be overly optimistic about our own chances (we are not playing alone) so should we also not be overly pessimistic about them.
What sometimes fails us, is the time to recuperate, or the REALIZATION THAT we should recuperate, after we NOTICE that the opponent is creating counterplay, which makes our brain send signals of “fear”. Especially in time trouble this can be a difficult thing to put to a stop.
It helpes if you have been in similar situations before, so that the Pavlov-reaction of the brain can be reckognized and dosed. After all, practice and training is basically about changing the connections in our brain.
Also it helpes of course to continiously “verbalize” the position to yourself:
Normally an objective breakdown indicates that (in this case White) is the one with the chances.
I think another important factor is that we are not always aware of the fact that the KING, this abstract piece that you are not allowed to take and that should be mated, is also a force to be reckoned with, especially in the endgame!
Taking that into account, the equasion tips in White’s favor!
Congratulations for this fine positional game. It is the kind of game I dream of playing instead of the typical 2 or 3 move flashy winning combination!.