Pandolfini's Chess Complete The Most Comprehensive Guide to the Game, from History to Strategy

by Pandolfini, Bruce

• ISBN13: 9780671701864
• ISBN10: 067170186X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1992-11-01
• Publisher: Touchstone

Summary

The perfect, and necessary, addition to any personal chess library, Pandolfini's Chess Complete is a comprehensive, accessible reference. National Master Bruce Pandolfini has covered every aspect of the game, from chessboard and pieces to history and strategy, and has responded to virtually any possible question or situation that could arise.

Author Biography

Bruce Pandolfini is a National Master in U.S. chess competition and one of the most experienced chess teachers in North America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	7	(6)
Introduction	13	(2)
So You Think You Know It All	15	(6)
The Chessboard: placement, lines, sectors, colors, diagrams
Pieces: names, starting positions, sizes, designs
As Noted by the Rank and File	21	(11)
Grids
Abbreviations
Notation: algebraic and descriptive
Scoresheets
Writing down the moves
Moving with the Rules	32	(20)
General rules
White and Black
Jumping moves
Captures
Units
Check and checkmate
Castling
En passant
Promotion and underpromotion
Draws: agreement, stalemate, fifty move rule, insufficiency, threefold repetition, perpetual check
Material Evidence	52	(18)
Captures and recaptures
Trading
Gaining time
Relative exchange values
The exchange
Material advantages
Counting and comparing material
Sacrifices
Bishops vs
knights
The minor exchange
Two bishops
Opposite-color bishops
Promotion and underpromotion
Check the Mate	70	(9)
Forcing variations
Checkmates: support, back row, smothered
Mating attacks and nets
Insufficiency
Basic mates: king and queen; king and rook; king and two bishops; king, bishop, and knight
Pieces vs. pieces
Zugzwang
The 50-move rule
Principal Principles	79	(21)
Phases
Opening aims and plans
Development
The center and centralization
Time and the initiative
Double-king-pawn openings
Castling: kingside, queenside; when to do it and when not to
Plots, Plans, and Machinations	100	(30)
Spatial advantage
Cramped positions
Open files
Batteries
The 7th rank
Knights vs.bishops
Pawns: passed, outside, connected, supported, split, backward, candidate
Pawn majorities
Capablanca's rule
Pawn chains
Closed and open centers
Planning and the analytic method
Weaknesses
Winsome Attacks	130	(9)
Strategy and tactics
Forced moves. Tactics: forks, pins, skewers, discoveries, underminings, multiple threats, combinations
How to study tactics
Star's End	139	(20)
Endgame principles
Theoretical draws
Chief characteristics
Passed pawns
Pawn races. Square of the pawn
Turning maneuvers
The squeeze
Rook-pawn problems
Fortresses
Critical squares
The opposition: direct, distant, diagonal, rectangular
Corresponding squares
Extra minor pieces
Pieces vs. pawns
Opposite-color bishops
The active rook
Behind a passed pawn
Flank attacks. Cutoffs
Building a bridge
Checking distance
Philidor's draw
Queen centralization
The exchange
Situational Psychology	159	(13)
Blunders
Luft
Asking questions
Intuition
Move choice
Counting
Chess talent
Typical practical problems
Quantum chess
Playing the board
Keeping Score
Best moves
Teaching techniques
Courses
Computer lessons
Analysis
Study Programs
Opening repertoires
Where and whom to play
Combat and Competition	172	(11)
Speed and blindfold chess
Odds games
Elo ratings
Chess Life
Touch move
J'adoube
Move completion
Scoring
Draws
Tie-breaking
50-move rule
The clock
Time trouble
Grandmaster draws
Chessamatics	183	(5)
Compositions
Beauty
Art and science
Numbers and possible moves
Eight-queens problem
Diversions
Put In Perspective	188	(43)
Myths
Age and invention
Chataranga
First international tournament
World champions: oldest, youngest, winningest, and best
Prodigies
Grandmaster title
Hypermodern chess
Computers
APPENDICES
A. Pandolfini's Short Chess Course	215	(5)
B. Middlegame Strategies	220	(2)
Endgame: Principles and Advice	222	(2)
D. Tips for the Nationals and Other Tournaments ---- Level One	224	(3)
E. Tips for Nationals and Other Tournaments --- Level Two	227	(4)
Glossary	231	(12)
Index	243