Understanding before Moving 12: Advantage in development

by ChessBase
1/31/2021 – Herman Grooten is an International Master, a renowned trainer and the author of several highly acclaimed books about chess training and chess strategy. In the twelfth part of his ChessBase show "Understanding before Moving" Herman looks at examples of material sacrifices while ahead in development. | Photo: Hans Hoornstra

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Understanding before Moving 12: Advantage in development

In certain gambit variations, a player sacrifices material in exchange for an advantage in development. So, basically, you sacrifice material in exchange for a few tempi. The "time" factor plays an important role. The player who is material down must therefore bring his pieces into play as quickly and efficiently as possible. The opponent will try to make up for his deficient development in the hope that his extra material will be decisive in the long run.

In the 19th century, which is rightly called the Romantic period in chess, people happily sacrificed, and one after the other beautiful attacking games found their way into history books.

In the diagram below, we see that none other than the American genius, Paul Morphy, has invested a pawn for a large surplus of activity. With what great combination did he conclude this nice attacking game? And which brilliant move had Morphy in mind in this actual position?

 

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