Philidor Defense: Fixed Fortune



Position after 34 ... Kxf6.

The way forward is to march the King to c2
to aid c2-c4-c5-c6-c7-c8=Q. Thanks to the
e2 rook, Black's King can't do much to
prevent White's plan.

PRINCIPLES OF CHESS STRATEGY

In the opening the forces have marched up to battle array. Then, having got into touch with each other, they come into collision. How is the intelligent player to conduct a campaign that is approaching a crisis? His men, at the start so obstructed, are now rich in mobility. Possibilities for attack and defence abound. How, out of the multitude of possibilities that suggest themselves to him, is he to select the right move—or a move that, according to his standards, is intelligent?

His first consideration should be that his moves, to be intelligent, must carry the mark of intelligence, which is Connection and Plan.
A disconnected move is one made uncritically, unreflectingly, and without foresight. It suggests itself probably as being in the nature of a trap, but it is really without force. If the opponent is taken unawares the scheme succeeds, but should the opponent on his part use foresight, the attempt recoils on the schemer.

Lasker's How To Play Chess

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Where is the white king? In Philidors defense.

Chris Kannon said...

Thanks for pointing out the omission!