OPENING TIPS: tip076

* (and … winning the game!)

* Knights need to be near the centre and forward; they thrive on outposts (whether absolute = can’t be dislodged by a Pawn, or relative, like on f5, when a pawn move (…g6) would weaken the opponent’s position).

* The struggle of Bishop(s) against Knight(s) is crucial: the Bishops are not always better but in all positions you must strive to make your minor piece(s) better, or make the position suit them more.

Portisch on forming a repertoire: “Your only task in the opening is to reach a playable middlegame.”

o Fight, don’t just react to threats. Mednis calls passive play “awaiting the undertaker”! It is much harder for the attacker to keep their nerve if the defender has active play, and without counterplay your opponent will just keep building up their position. It used to be said of Alekhine that to beat him you had to win three games – once in the opening, once in the middlegame, and once in the endgame. Make the same be true for you.

(Fine) 5. Make one or two pawn moves in the opening, not more.