Well, there are plenty of books on how to do them, but no books on how to defend against them. I often find on blitz games I am a victim of knight sacreficing tactics, they use their knights as penetrators, and it works. Ppl say to drive these knights out ASAP, but sometimes that makes things worse when you chase after this illusive and maneuverable peice. De LaMaza, suggests, that at my level of play, even if I think it's a bad move or the knight can be chased off, that I should simply place my knights in the center irregardless (unless they can be captured for free, of course), whenever possible, because that increases the chance of a tactical oversignt that is common at my level. Being victim to this so often, seeing a knight in the center that looks quite harmless, all but to die 5 moves later to some crazy sacreficial 3-4 move combination (it's usually an attack of some sort against the king, and he isn't safe anywhere when a knight is in the center of your camp), I'm starting to think he may be on to something.
He may be right, that the big difference beteewn say, a 1600 rater like myself, and becoming a 2000 rater, is studying how the knight moves and messing around with it, as well as trying to limit the mobility of your opponents knights. While this simple thought probably won't work well if you are a GM, he claims it does at class level.
So, is he on to something? Should I always:
A) place my knights in the center, irregardless, if I can, and look for sacreficial tactics each move the knight is still stuck there
B) prevent my opponents knights from moving forward at all costs
And, as much as I can learn to use these tactics, how do you defend against them? It's very hard to not allow at least one knight penetration against you a game. I often try reducing the damage when this happens, defending the obvious tactics, but sometimes my opponent has a plan B when he does this involving a positional sacrefice, usually by capturing an important pawn.
Originally posted by mateulosei have just started reading "how to reasses your chess" and i found this rule that could be helpfull to you:
Well, there are plenty of books on how to do them, but no books on how to defend against them. I often find on blitz games I am a victim of knight sacreficing tactics, they use their knights as penetrators, and it works. Ppl say to drive these knights out ASAP, but sometimes that makes things worse when you chase after this illusive and maneuverable peice. ...[text shortened]... an B when he does this involving a positional sacrefice, usually by capturing an important pawn.
one of these factors must exist if a combination is to work
1.open or weaked king. also inculdes stalemate
2.undefended pieces (this does not include pawns)
3.inadequately defended pieces.
so tactics can only work if these factors exist! (sometimes it will be hard to spot them)
Originally posted by LordOfTheChessboard"1.open or weaked king. also inculdes stalemate
i have just started reading "how to reasses your chess" and i found this rule that could be helpfull to you:
one of these factors must exist if a combination is to work
1.open or weaked king. also inculdes stalemate
2.undefended pieces (this does not include pawns)
3.inadequately defended pieces.
so tactics can only work if these factors exist! (sometimes it will be hard to spot them)
2.undefended pieces (this does not include pawns)
3.inadequately defended pieces."
Well, often tactics are performed on me when none of that matches that criteria. I am very positional, and I don't leave peices undefended, and I usually tuck my king early, yet still, it happens, usually from a knight sacrefice.
Originally posted by mateuloseyou should get acquainted with all the squares a knight can move to within two or three moves... for instance it can make a for with pieces three square apart on the same row or 1 square apart diagonally etc. that will help you see possible knight threats two or three moves in advance.
"1.open or weaked king. also inculdes stalemate
2.undefended pieces (this does not include pawns)
3.inadequately defended pieces."
Well, often tactics are performed on me when none of that matches that criteria. I am very positional, and I don't leave peices undefended, and I usually tuck my king early, yet still, it happens, usually from a knight sacrefice.
Originally posted by LordOfTheChessboardIn that vein, have you read NM Dan Heisman's old novice nook article "seeds of tactical destruction?" Get it at http://www.chesscafe.com. Read it.
i have just started reading "how to reasses your chess" and i found this rule that could be helpfull to you:
one of these factors must exist if a combination is to work
1.open or weaked king. also inculdes stalemate
2.undefended pieces (this does not include pawns)
3.inadequately defended pieces.
so tactics can only work if these factors exist! (sometimes it will be hard to spot them)
Originally posted by mateuloseif spooky knight sacrifices are really that much of a problem, then I'd guess you miss line clearing tactics.
"1.open or weaked king. also inculdes stalemate
2.undefended pieces (this does not include pawns)
3.inadequately defended pieces."
Well, often tactics are performed on me when none of that matches that criteria. I am very positional, and I don't leave peices undefended, and I usually tuck my king early, yet still, it happens, usually from a knight sacrefice.