Traps, Tricks & Mistakes: Blind Development

When beginners start learning chess, their coaches repeat “develop your pieces”. That is a fundamental rule in chess openings. Another universal principle in chess is: “Every rule has exceptions”. Although they seem to conflict, actually they do not.

Chess is a battle of ideas between two players. Every opponent’s move has a meaning and the task of the chess player is understand it. Playing mechanically according to ‘general principles’ is sometimes the easy way towards disaster.

In today’s game, the player with white pieces sticks blindfold to the principle of “developing pieces” without considering what the position requires. As a result, the disaster comes in 6 moves!

One of my favourite sentences is this one from Bobby Fischer: “Chess demands total concentration”

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