p.6 One can, without exaggeration, say that the formation and carrying
out of a plan of action is the main task in the course of the process of the chess struggle... A skillfully conceived
plan - first and foremost this means a correctly mapped out objective which the chessplayer must direct his thoughts toward
achieving... the choice of the objective to some extent must be determined by the possibility of achieving it.
p.17-18 A concrete idea in a plan presupposes not only a rough outline of
an objective, but also the determination of a way which leads to achieving it.
The objective... embodies, as it were, the element of statics in
the struggle. However, the way in which one is directed towards the objective represents the element of dynamics in the plan,
guided by concrete ideas... Admittedly, strictly speaking, to one or the other extent dynamics are inherent in the
process of nearly every game.
p.19 Dynamic planning - this is not waiting, not restraint, not blockading,
but foresight and preparation of a decisive course of events... The struggle for the dynamic realisation of a plan consists
of looking for the shortest way and the most energetic means of achieving the objective.
p.26 One of the principles of planning the game, besides the concrete
and the dynamic, is also the harmonious activity of the forces in the process of the chess game. Upon this, the question,
of course, is not about the mechanical interaction of the pieces, but about their combined activity within
the bounds of the single plan. It is therefore important that the harmonious activity of the forces is purposeful,
that is directed towards the realisation of a real plan of play, arising from the concrete features of the position.
p.104 [In the game being discussed, Mieses-Billecard, Ostende, 1907] All
White's pieces are crowded in the centre, but he has no apparent objective in view and the harmony of this arrangement is
of a purely superficial character.
p.128 One is drawn to the conclusion that a serious reason for a
weakness of a central (or indeed any other) pawn is the impossibility of defending it with pawns from adjacent files.
It goes without saying, the question here is not about real weaknesses such as are created by the opponent with threats of
attack on the pawn.
p.208 In the chess struggle the initiative... presents itself as
a resolute activity, directed towards the creation of immediate threats to the opponent, to the constraint
of his position, to the restriction of the mobility of his forces and his possibilities in general.
p.209 Seizing the initiative is a definite creative achievement.
p.214 in each period of the chess struggle, defending or attacking, parrying
or delivering blows, in moments of difficult trials and triumphant ideas, we ought to remember that the unfailing slogan,
always and everywhere accompanying our inspired and creative thoughts, must be the slogan: "The desire for the initiative!".
p.215 It is generally well known that the relative strength of the
pieces is a variable value which can both increase or decrease depending on the arrangement of other pieces and the dynamics
of the position.
p.218 Chigorin's point of view, confirmed by quite convincing analysis, is clear: "the advantage
of the two bishops" does not exist without regard to the position... We have already pointed out that the basis for
the birth of the "theory" about the advantage of the two bishops lies in positions where the joint activity of the
two bishops displays a power which considerably exceeds the fighting capacity of two other minor pieces.
