Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.

Winning won positions

  • 12-02-2009 10:31AM
    #1
    cavedave
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,164 ✭✭✭


    When i get ahead on material I usually just start trading off to get to a won endgame. I have started to do computer analysis of all my games and this trading off comes out as a blunder a lot of the time.

    What do you do when ahead on material and with a better position?


Comments

  • #2
    dyl10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,355 ✭✭✭dyl10


    Yeh, I've picked up a habit of doing the same.
    I usually end up with long drawn out games that gets decided by pawn play


  • #3
    Jam-Fly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 549 ✭✭✭Jam-Fly


    eh, need a little more specifics tbh.

    In general, when up on material, it is correct to swap off.

    Are you swapping off into a won ending, or, from a won position swapping off into an ending?
    If your swapping off into a won ending, then that's obviously fine. Just work on your endgame technique!

    If your swapping off into a drawn ending (eg up a pawn in an opposite coloured bishops ending is often drawn), then that's different. Before you start the swapping off, make sure it is a won ending you'll be in. Otherwise just keep the pieces on and grind your opponent down with your material advantage.


  • #4
    cavedave
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,164 ✭✭✭cavedave


    Jam-Fly

    In general, when up on material, it is correct to swap off.

    Are you swapping off into a won ending, or, from a won position swapping off into an ending?
    If your swapping off into a won ending, then that's obviously fine. Just work on your endgame technique!

    I suppose the question is do you always play the best move on the board or do you just do enough to win? You are up roughly two points, a rook for a minor piece or a piece for a pawn say. If you start swapping material you get to a won ending. But is this just laziness?

    But is it the right strategy to just cruise along? Is it not better to play the best moves?


  • #5
    Bubs101
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,478 ✭✭✭Bubs101


    I'm the same as CaveDave, always start swapping off when I'm ahead. One thing I'm very reluctant to do though is swap a Bishop for a knight when the end game is approaching, particularly if there are pawns on both sides of the board


Advertisement