Major pieces among themselves

by ChessBase
1/19/2026 – When all the minor pieces have been exchanged but the major pieces are still on the board, the game often takes on a character all of its own. In his article for the current issue of ChessBase Magazine, strategy expert Mihail Marin discusses both elementary positional factors and complex structures. In addition to numerous training exercises, his article includes an introductory video and two interactive training videos. Take a look at this week's CBM sample and find out, for example, what the optimal king position is for this material distribution!
FIDE World Cup 2025 with analyses by Adams, Bluebaum, Donchenko, Shankland, Wei Yi and many more. Opening videos by Blohberger, King and Marin. 11 exciting opening articles with new repertoire ideas and much more.
ChessBase Magazine offers first-class training material for club players and professionals! World-class players analyse their best games and explain the ideas behind their moves. Opening specialists present the latest trends in opening theory and exciting ideas for your repertoire. Master trainers in tactics, strategy and endgames show you exactly the tricks and techniques you need to be a successful tournament player! Available as a download (including magazine as a PDF file) or as a magazine with download key by post.

Included in delivery: CBM #229 as a ‘ChessBase Book’ for iPad, tablet, Mac, etc.! At books.chessbase.com
 

Major pieces among themselves

by Mihail Marin

Free sample from ChessBase Magazine #229

Click on one of the following images to load the sample in your web browser!

Mihail Marin classifies the material of his article into the following categories:

A) Elementary positional factors in positions with (almost) symmetrical structure
B) A central extra passed pawn
C) Complex middlegame structures
D) The (mutual) king's safety

Highlights of ChessBase Magazine #229

Over 7 hours of video playing time with Felix Blohberger, Martin Breutigam, Daniel King, Jan Markos, Mihail Marin, Dr Karsten Mueller, Michael Prusikin, Oliver Reeh, Robert Ris and Dorian Rogozenco. 

FIDE World Cup 2025: Analyses by Adams, Bluebaum, Donchenko, Grandelius, Shankland, Wei Yi, Wojtaszek and many more – Marshal Attack: just develop: Robert Ris praises the modern 11…Bb7!? – “Giri’s Gems”: The world-class player looks back at eight games from top tournaments of 2025  – “Hello e-file!”: Oliver Reeh poses numerous training questions on 33 games and presents four interactive videos in his tactics column – Topalov-Anand 2005: Dorian Rogozenco looks back at a theoretically important, highly tactical Queen's Indian with the spectacular 14.Nxf7!! – a “Modern Classic” and much more!

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