files
- Rooks sometimes sit around in corners at the start of the game, when you really want to get them working for you. To do this, you need an open (or a half-open) file.
- A open file is a file without pawns. Put your Rooks on open files, or both Rooks one one open file. Control of an open file is useful in itself, and is also the route into your opponent’s seventh rank (van Vliet – Znosko-Borovsky).
- A half-open file is a file without pawns of one colour — it’s open from one side. If there aren’t any open files, do put your Rook on a half-open file. The furthest square on a half-open file is an outpost for you, and if your opponent attacks your piece on that square with a nearby pawn, they may be making weaknesses.
- You can use the half-open file to make weaknesses with a minority attack.
- If there aren’t any open or half-open files, you need to open one — by swapping pawns. You will then have either an open file or two half-open files.
- The pawns most likely to be swapped are central pawns, as those are the pawns most likely to be moved, near enough for the opponent’s pawns to meet
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