Skip to content
TheChessWorld.com
TheChessWorld Facebook TheChessWorld Twitter TheChessWorld Pinterest TheChessWorld YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Training Techniques
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgames
    • General Information
  • Tournaments
  • Academy
  • 21-Day Course
  • Store
    • TheChessWorld
    • TCW Academy
    • iChess
    • Chess-Teacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman Chess Lab
    • Foxy Chess
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
    • Rules Chess Strategies
    • Improve My Chess
    • Others
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

How to play chess in a won position?

Yury Markushin
Yury Markushin
03.03.2011
Category: Chess How-to's
Tags: better positions, chess game, chess win, how to play won, how to win chess, won chess,

Last week I was writing about playing chess in the lost positions. This week’s topic maybe sounding more straightforward, since most players assume (quiet incorrectly) that once position is winning it will stay so forever. These naive players think if their position is winning they are going to win the game automatically. It’s a real world, not an imaginary perfect-world model of a textbook where Bishop and Knight vs. King is a guaranteed win. Nope. In real life, especially on amateur level, this endgame is pretty far from being won. I can say more, some players in a “very lost position” trade down to this endgame, hoping their opponent won’t know how to mate with two minor pieces. It’s a gamble: sometimes they draw sometimes they lose. The point should be clear: even in the “won” position there are plenty of possibilities to get a draw or even to lose. All chess players know that it’s the most painful to lose a won game.

How do you actually define a won position or a won game? Queen vs. Rook endgame is theoretically a won endgame, since there is a straightforward way to win the rook or to declare a mate. But can an average tournament chess player do it? Against a very weak player: maybe. Against somewhat stronger players: less likely. Against a computer: definitely not. So, “won” position for you as a chess player is something that you know how to win. Therefore, if you don’t know how to checkmate with two minor pieces that position isn’t a won position for you, according to our definition.

The things actually get more complicated than that. Even if you have a significant material advantage, think that game is won and your opponent should resign, he can gain the initiative by giving up something to create a counter-play, making you clear won position look very unclear. Remember, you’ve been in his shoes last week, he has nothing to lose. He will setup traps, he will sacrifice, he will use any chance he got in order not to lose. The key idea is to keep the initiative if you want to avoid unnecessary, unpleasant surprises from your opponent. Don’t focus on getting even more material if you are already significantly ahead. Instead, try to keep the position under control and checkmate his king. Remember, the game isn’t over until you checkmate, your opponent resigns or his time runs out. You need to play extra carefully and need to look for cheap shots and traps.

You opponent will try to make the game as complicated as possible in order to confuse you and make you trade a position you know how to win on a position you just think you know how to win. It’s not a good deal for you. You need to avoid complications and keeps things as simple as possible. However, you should not be afraid to play a complicated line, if you see that it clearly wins. I would recommend to double check all your moves (assuming you’re not in severe time trouble); we don’t want that win to slip away.

The most dangerous approach is to assume that position is so good that it will win by itself. Remember, when a player obtains a winning position he gets excited for a moment and then relaxes. This is the most dangerous state of playing chess. This is where the most mistakes occur. At the same time the opponent who is losing, activates his chess abilities and sometimes returns into the game winning some material back or initiative. Follow the old saying “the hardest game to win is a won game”, concentrate and get that well deserved win!

Find this post useful? Share it?
Become a Chess Player You've Meant to Be!
TCW Academy is the fast, fun & convenient way to become a MUCH better chess player.
Join Academy Today!

Related Posts

  • How to Win in Equal Positions: for Club PlayersHow to Win in Equal Positions: for Club Players
  • How to Calculate Like a Grandmaster with GM Marian Petrov [TCW Academy]How to Calculate Like a Grandmaster with GM Marian Petrov [TCW Academy]
  • Chess Fortress – 7 Must-Know PositionsChess Fortress – 7 Must-Know Positions
Related Products
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Login
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Join the FREE Road to 2200 Masterclass (and learn how to Attack Like a Chess Master)
We value your privacy
Supercharge Your Chess in 21 Days!
Join Academy Today!
TheChessWorld.com
http://pogonina.com/
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Customer Support +1 (410) 656-9104
Email Us [email protected]
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2023 • TheChessWorld.com • All Rights Reserved
Cookie Policy | Acceptable Use Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz
wpDiscuz