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
    • iChess
    • ChessTeacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman`s Chess Lab
    • Foxy Series
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

Positional Chess: 10 Reasons to Work on It

FM Zaur Tekeyev
FM Zaur Tekeyev
01.22.2021
Category: General Information
Tags: Alexander Alekhine, FM Zaur Tekeyev, middlegame, positional chess, positional understanding, tactics,
Positional Chess: 10 Reasons to Work on It

Positional chess is often what makes the difference between a strong player and an amateur, although solving tactic exercises is easier than working on positional understanding and that might be the reason why so many people don’t pay enough attention to the latter one. Chess masters can easily spot weaknesses in a position and target them. They see how to improve their pieces and also stop their opponents’ plans.

No one should discard working on positional chess and here are 10 reasons why.

1. It makes you a better player

This is direct, obvious, and clear. If you make fewer positional mistakes, the quality of your games increases and you show better results.

2. Positional Chess: It helps navigate in unfamiliar positions

The ability to spot weaknesses, improve your pieces and other positional factors are the key to why strong players often can play new openings without deep preparation. Positional understanding helps navigate and find good moves in any situation.

3. It will be harder to play against you

Good positional players know how to restrict their opponents’ possibilities and prevent their plans in advance. This is a very important chess skill that can make you an unpleasant opponent to meet.

4. Positional Chess: You will get more tactical possibilities in your games

Good piece placement is the necessary foundation for tactics. Alexander Alekhine, the fourth World Champion, had finished a lot of games by brilliant combinations. Some of his contemporaries once admitted that they were able to find the same tactics too, but never could get the positions with such possibilities! Alekhine’s ability to find the right places for his pieces is what made the difference. To create an attacking masterpiece on a chessboard, you need not only tactical skills but also positional mastery.

5. You will miss fewer tactics

When your pieces are well placed and everything is protected, it is difficult to lose tactically. In such situations, it often happens that even if you accidentally blunder, the good coordination between your pieces luckily still plays its role and you keep good chances of holding the balance.

6. Positional Chess: You will lose less

Strong players often prefer to play with no risk and opt for positional ideas to beat lower-rated opponents. By excelling at positional aspects of chess, you will be able to play more solidly and resist their pressure more successfully. Work on your chess even more, and you also might become that kind of strong player.

7. Positional style is low-energetic and less stressful

Imagine that you didn’t sleep well and feel tired before a game. Playing sharp positions would require full concentration and a lot of energy from you. It is quite likely that at some point you will run out of energy and lose control over the game. In such situations, it is better to avoid complications and play calm chess. This is where you would definitely appreciate your positional skills.

8. Positional Chess: It is something that the best players keep doing

All the top grandmasters have a great understanding of chess, but even they from time to time commit positional mistakes. At that level, it often leads to painful losses. But I believe that if something had led them to the highest level, it was hard work and a constant process of improvement. They always learn from their mistakes and come stronger next time.

9. Your pieces will be grateful 🙂

Proper work on positional chess will make you able not only to identify bad pieces in your camp but also find effective ways of improving them. Find good places and jobs for your pieces, and they will thank you by bringing more victories to you.

10. Positional Chess: You will enjoy the beauty of chess

Subtle positional ideas often impress even more than straightforward attacking sacrifices. It is important to keep the motivation on when improving at chess, and beautiful games and ideas are going to serve this purpose and inspire you.

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

  • 8 Questions to Ask Analyzing Your Own Games8 Questions to Ask Analyzing Your Own Games
  • 10 Reasons to Study Chess Middlegame10 Reasons to Study Chess Middlegame
  • 10 Reasons to Learn Endgames in 202110 Reasons to Learn Endgames in 2021
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