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Chess Terms

Chess has its own Terminology, the so-called Chess Terms.

The Pin

You have to differentiate between the absolute pin and the relative pin.

The Absolute Pin

If a piece is pinned against the king, then this is an absolute pin because the pinned piece cannot legally move as it would expose the king to check. See diagram below

chess terms

In the above position the knight at c3 is not allowed to move as this would be against the rules. So this is an absolute pin.

The Relative Pin

If the piece is pinned against the queen then this pin is relative, because you are legally allowed to move the piece. The pinned piece might move, when the situation is favorable. See below

chess terms

In the above position the knight at f3 is pinned against the queen but you can move it. But to move the knight would be a bad move as you would lose the queen after that as bishop captures the queen.

Perpetual Check

If you can give an endless series of checks then you can claim a draw.

perpetual check

In the diagram above Black can give an endless series of checks and force a draw.

Patzer

A patzer is a chess player who often loses pieces or pawns without compensation while playing a game, as he leaves them on the board unprotected. He makes oversights a lot of times, ruins his position fast and loses quickly.

Blunder

A blunder is a gross oversight (a disastrous mistake) while playing a game of chess.

Poisoned Pawn

An unprotected pawn that causes positional problems or material loss when captured. Often chess players leave pawns unprotected because they know that if captured they will get a strong position based on active piece play. So always use your brain before you capture an unprotected pawn or you might lose fast.

Positional Play

There are chess players who prefer long-term maneuvering for advantage and dislike short-term attacks and threats based on extensive calculation of variations.

Prophylactic Chess

Many masters like Anatoly Karpov play a prophylactic playing style that means they spot plans or strong variations of the opponent on time before they happen and prevent and ruin these beforehand. They are constantly alert and out to frustrate the opponents chances. This is a very successful approach to chess.


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