Aagaard notes that moves made for positional purposes are generally
ok tactically. This makes the entire concept of positional play to be a worthwhile use of time spent looking for the best
move in a chess game. We should always check for tactical opportunities, but should not become obsessed by them - in the absence
of tactical play the most beneficial use of our time would be to evaluate moves positionally.
p.24"there is a rule called the 90% rule, which states that in
90% of all situations the move which is correct for positional reasons works out tactically."
Aagaard notes that maneuvering pieces to occupy their best spot on the board are often stopped by
our opponent when they are 1 move away from the desired position. The pressure applied by this piece and the threat to occupy
the ideal position can cause our opponent to divert forces from other areas.
p.30"I have often noticed that a piece is best improved to the point where it is just one move away
from its ideal square. Only when our pieces occupy this position are they ready to be transformed into their perfect state."
Aagaard speaks of the concept of a weakness. We can only think of this critical concept in terms
of its exploitability and in terms of the other pieces that remain on the board. Such concepts are addressed only by
approximation by evaluation functions that ignore the interactions of the pieces with each other in the current position.
p.35-36"All positional chess is in some respect related to the existence
of weaknesses in either your or the opponent's position... A weakness is only weak if it can be exploited/ attacked... Weaknesses
are always defined according to the pieces that remain on the board."
Positional play is oriented by creating permanent, exploitable weaknesses in the enemy camp, while
minimizing such weaknesses in our own camp.
p.40"An important part of positional play is to create permanent weaknesses in the opponent's camp."
Aagaard notes that it often takes two exploitable weaknesses to win an endgame.
p.42"The idea of the rule of two weaknesses is that, in order to win in the endgame your opponent
needs to have two weaknesses... Of course one weakness is occasionally enough"
As the number of pieces on the board is reduced, the larger-valued pieces can become more active
(and more valuable) because the mobility restrictions created by the lower-valued pieces have disappeared.
p.50"The fewer pieces there are on the board the more squares will become available for the heavy
pieces and, consequently, their strength increases for every exchange."
Material is just another positional factor. If we are precise with our abilities to judge and evaluate
weaknesses, we can sacrifice material for positional pressure and the creation of permanent weaknesses.
p.65"Material is another positional factor. It is as simple as that."
