Notes on Silman's first book on imbalances
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| Imbalance | A dynamic or static difference in a position
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| Use of imbalances | To identify your responsibilities to your position
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| The seven imbalances | Minor pieces, pawn structure, space, material, files and squares, development, and initiative.
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| Imbalance planning shortcut | Identify the imbalances you want to use, and make them better than the ones your opponent wants to use.
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| Imbalances vs. calculation | Never calculate without understanding the imbalances in the position.
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| First rule of minor pieces | Bishops and knights are both worth three points. You must manipulate the position to make one more powerful.
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| Second rule of minor pieces | Bishops are best in open positions where pawns don't block their diagonals.
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| Third rule of minor pieces | Bishops are strong in endgames where both sides have passed pawns, because they are faster than knights
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| Fourth rule of minor pieces | A bad bishop is one on the same color as your center pawns.
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| What to do with a bad bishop | Trade it, move the pawns, or move it outside the pawn chain (it's still bad, but active)
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| Fifth rule of minor pieces | A bishop's weakness is that it is stuck on one color.
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| Sixth rule of minor pieces | Knights love closed positions with locked pawns
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| Seventh rule of minor pieces | A knight on the rim is dim
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| Eighth rule of minor pieces | Knights need support points: secure, advanced homes
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| Knight on the first rank | Purely defensive and innefective
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| Knight on the second rank | Purely defensive and worth less than a bishop
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| Knight on the third rank | Can be defensive or can jump forward
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| Knight on the fourth rank | Fully equal to a bishop
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| Knight on the fifth rank | An attacking unit slightly better than a bishop
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| Knight on the sixth rank | More effective than anywhere else, worth a rook
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| Knight on the seventh/eighth rank | Less effective than sixth due to fewer controlled squares
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| Ninth rule of minor pieces | Knights are more effective in endgames with the pawns on one side (where color shifting beats range)
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| Tenth rule of minor pieces | Steinitz's rule: to defeat knights, you must deprive them of support points.
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| When king safety is important | If your opponent has pieces aimed in his direction
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| The essence of bishop vs. knight | Fighting over support points
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| Effort and imbalances | You have to work to make them real advantages for you, or they will go away.
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| Fixation in Chess | Blinds you to possibilities
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| Two things to expect of your opponent | That they will see your threats and that they will make the best move.
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| When to play tactics | When you can force it.
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| When to play positional | When you can't force a tactic (but gather your forces and keep an eye on tactics)
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| Backward pawn | A pawn on an open file with no pawn next to or behind it.
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| When to attack | When your position is good even after they defend.
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| Single bishop vs. pawns | Force the pawns onto the bishop's color
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| When to create a plan | As soon as possible
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| First rule of the center | A full pawn center gives territory and control of central squares
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| Second rule of the center | If you have a full pawn center you must strive to make it indestructible
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| Third rule of the center | Every pawn move leaves weak squares in it's wake (don't advance too early).
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| Fourth rule of the center | You must attack your opponent's strong pawn center
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| Fifth rule of the center | If center pawns get traded, it leaves open files for rooks to control
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| Sixth rule of the center | If the center is locked, play switches to the wings
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| Seventh rule of the center | If the center is locked, play to where your pawns point (that's where you have more space).
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| Which pawn to push | Generally the one next to your most advanced pawn.
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| Eighth rule of the center | An open center allows piece attacks, a closed center requires pawn attacks (to open files for rooks).
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| First rule of space | When you have more space, exchanges are generally a bad idea.
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| Second rule of space | When you have less space, an exchange or two can open up your other pieces.
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| Third rule of space | Space is a long term advantage. You can take your time to exploit it.
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| Checks and one move attacks | Are useless without follow through. If they are inneffective do not fear them or use them (unless they aid your position).
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| Goal of each move | Positive base and increase the advantages of your position
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| Positional concessions to block threats | A last resort
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| After each opponent move… | Ask why the made that move.
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| Where to look for attacks | In the center.
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| For every threat assume… | that your opponent will see it
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| Before developing your pieces | Develop a plan, and develop your pieces around that plan
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| Keeping your opponent honest | If you see a way to win material and can't see a refutation, go for it.
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| Forward movement | Doesn't always help your position.
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| Space and mobility | A space advantage cramps your opponent. Look to keep his pieces restricted.
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| How to take advantage of space | Eventually you must break into your opponent's position. Locking things up will ruin your advantage.
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| Closing open files | Only do it if you can't take advantage of the file.
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| When to castle | Before the center opens up.
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| Negative of doubled pawns | Lack of flexibility, and one or both (usually lead) is open to attack.
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| Positive of doubled pawns | Open files for rooks, and increased square control
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| Negative of isolated pawns | Cannot be defended by another pawn, and open to attack if on an open file.
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| Positive of isolated pawns | It may give you a half open file
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| To attack an isolated pawn | Control the square in front of it, trade off the minor pieces , keep the queen to keep king off defense, and attack with one or two rooks and a pawn.
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| Isolated queens pawn | If on the fourth rank it give space for pieces and open files for rooks. Calls for dynamic piece play.
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| Negative of backward pawns | A backward pawn is weak if it is on an open file and cannot advance. The square in front of it is it's weakness
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| Positive of backward pawns | They defend the advanced pawn in front of them.
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| Hanging pawns | Two pawns (traditionally c and d) next to each other but not other pawns.
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| Negative of hanging pawns | If static they can be attacked by pieces. Attack them at all costs.
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| Positive of hanging pawns | The control important squares, given territory, and two half open files for rooks.
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| Negative of passed pawns | Can be blocked and become static, and if a knight blocks it the knight is powerful
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| Positive of passed pawns | Endgame insurance, and the threat of advancing it if the square in front of it is controlled by its owner. That square is incredibly important.
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| Weak pawns | Pawns are only weak if you can attack them or control the weak squares they create.
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| Fear of ghosts | Fear of attacks that may or may not be real. Determine if they are real, and ignore them otherwise.
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| Attacking weak pawns | Block and contain them first.
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| Play in closed positions | Where you have more space. Expand that space
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| Pre move question one | Does this move allow any checks?
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| Pre move question two | Does this move allow any captures?
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| Pre move question three | Does this move allow any attacks?
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| First rule of material | Material beats initiative if you can neutralize your enemy's pluses and equalize the game.
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| Second rule of material | Material advantages want to be active, that's when they're an advantage.
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| Third rule of material | The exchange is only an advantage if the rook has an open file
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| Fourth rule of material | Gaining material often uncoordinates your pieces. Bring them back together, tight and safe.
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| Fifth rule of material | Material is a long term advantage. Take your time with it. (Actually part of fourth rule).
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| Two sides of planning | Maximize your advantages, minimize your opponent's.
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| Winning positions | Aren't won. Your opponent can still have play you need to watch for
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| Rooks and passed pawns | Rooks belong behind passed pawns
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| Small material advantages | Require playing for other advantages, and using the material advantage as endgame insurance.
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| When facing two bishops | Trade for one of them, leaving them one bishop
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| Static imbalance | A positionally motivated imbalance. It is long term and can be used immediately or later in the game.
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| Dynamic imbalance | An intangible and short term imbalance. It must be used quickly, to trade for a static imbalance or for a quick knock out.
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| Development imbalance | A dynamic imbalance of having more pieces out than your opponent.
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| First rule of development | You must attack to make use of the imbalance or it will go away as your opponent develops.
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| Second rule of development | A developmental advantage is stronger in an open game because the central files allow for easier penetration
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| Third rule of development | A central king is a prime target for an attack when you have a lead in development. Keep it from castling.
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| Fourth rule of development | A closed position will generally give the player behind in development a chance to catch up, as long as the central pawns can't be busted open.
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| Fifth rule of development | You don't need to mate when you have the developmental advantage. Just get a static advantage out of it.
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| Initiative | Control of the game. It can be based on static factors (attacking a weak point) or dynamic ones (a lead in development). Initiative is dynamic.
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| Initiative in open games | Usually goes to the first person to dominate a central file
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| Games with attacks on opposite wings | Follow your plan with unerring devotion. Some defense is okay, but total defense surrenders the initiative.
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| Minority attack | A pawn attack on the side where you have fewer pawns, trying to undermine your opponent's pawn majority.
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| Defense and offense | When defending, try to make a move that also furthers our own plans.
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| Games with multiple imbalances | The imbalances can interact, voiding some of the rules.
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| Opponent backed up against the wall | Take away any and all potential counter play before going in for the kill.
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| When your opponent can't be active | Don't rush things. Let him sit there and suffer while you increase your advantage and block his counterplay.
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| When you have an advantage | Don't forget to look for ways to get new advantages.
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| Poorly defended pieces | Prime targets
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| Rule #1 | The position beats the rules
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| If you're playing on the wing | Your opponent probably has play on the other one
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| Pawns and minor pieces | Make your pawns conform to the minor pieces you have.
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| Imbalances in the opening | Once one is created, all developing and pawn moves should address that imbalance in some way.
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| Fianchettoed bishops | Want their diagonals to stay open. Only allow them to close if you get compensation.
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| Central pawns and rooks | Advancing the pawns will give you files for the roks.
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| First rule of rooks | Use your pawns to blast open files, in both open and closed positions.
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| Second rule of rooks | Don't open a file if you think that the opponent will take it away from you.
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| Third rule of rooks | Only open files that help your other positive imbalances.
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| Fourth rule of rooks | Open files are only useful/threats if they have penetration points. Take them away or open them up as needed.
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| Stopping your opponent's play | Can give you time to create your own play at leisure.
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| The Mindless Kinghunter | Goes after the king when he has no attack.
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| Decentralization | Moving away from the center. Should be viewed with suspicion
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| Undefended pieces | Are nasty tactical surprises waiting to happen
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| Defending against wing attacks | Counter attack in the center
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| Retreating | Is okay if it accomplishes an important goal
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| Picking a side | Pick one and concentrate on it.
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| The Mandatory Kinghunter | If the position does call for a king attack, you must go for it.
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| Open positions and timing | You must attack quickly in an open position or your opponent will.
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| First rule of mental toughness | Always expect your opponent to see your threat and make the best reply.
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| Second rule of mental toughness | Always play to win against everyone.
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| Third rule of mental toughness | If you have a good plan, don't let your opponent scare you off of it.
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| Fourth rule of mental toughness | Play with confidence. Everyone makes mistakes, everyone can be beaten.
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| Fifth rule of mental toughness | If you're losing, tighten everything up and hang on like grim death. Make him play perfect and work for the point.
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| Sixth rule of mental toughness | If you're opponent is under time pressure, don't play at his pace. That negates your advantage.
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