Plan 5

The key position from this game, between GM Yasser Seirawan and GM Manuel Rivas-Pastor, was included in GM Lev Alburt's "Chess Training Pocket Book" as one of 300 most important positions to illustrate key ideas in chess strategy.  Seirawan also chose to include this game as one of the 22 best games he played on his road to becoming a GM (in his "My Best Games of Chess" DVD).  I really like Alburt's book, by the way.  It looks like a tactics book, but each position actually illustrates a strategic chess idea.  You're asked to study the position and identify the key move.  Alburt's explanations that accompany each position describe the chess strategy inherent in the position.

After voting for the imabalances present in this position, and selecting the move you think Seirawan made, you can see the result (GM Seirawan's actual move) here:  Plan 5 Results
Plan 5 Candidate Moves
Consider the imbalances present in this position. Then, make a plan to: (1) Take advantage of the features present in the position, (2) Create new imbalances that favor White, or (3) Counter existing imbalances that favor Black. Finally, select one of these moves to carry out your plan:
 
 
 
 
Total votes: 71

Plan 5: Material

Black - 20%
Neither - 60%
White - 20%

Total votes: 10

Plan 5: Minor Pieces

Black - 22.2%
Neither - 22.2%
White - 55.6%

Total votes: 9

Plan 5: Development

Black - 0%
Neither - 25%
White - 75%

Total votes: 8

Plan 5: Space

Black - 0%
Neither - 28.6%
White - 71.4%

Total votes: 7

Plan 5: Pawn Structure

Black - 14.3%
Neither - 42.9%
White - 42.9%

Total votes: 7

Plan 5: Files & Diagonals

Black - 0%
Neither - 28.6%
White - 71.4%

Total votes: 7

Plan 5: Key Squares

Black - 14.3%
Neither - 57.1%
White - 28.6%

Total votes: 7

Plan 5: Initiative

Black - 0%
Neither - 40%
White - 60%

Total votes: 5
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Written by Super User. Posted in Uncategorised