Schacksnack

Dela glädjen | Amazons julreklam

I, IM Thomas Engqvist, continue exploring effective methods for studying and developing attacking technique in chess. In this second part, I focus on a different and particularly interesting approach presented in Attack with GM Julian Hodgson, Book No. 1 and Book No. 2 (Hodgson Enterprises, 1996).

Unlike the two books discussed in Part 1 – Attacking Technique by Colin Crouch and Attack with Mikhail Tal by Mikhail Tal and Iakov Damsky – Hodgson introduces a more systematic method through what he calls the Attack Statistics Box.

In this approach, he distinguishes between four categories: direct offence, indirect offence, direct defence, and indirect defence. He also employs a numerical system to account for all the pieces that participate, either directly or indirectly, in the relevant sector of the board where the attack and defence take place.

This method provides a structured way of assessing the balance of attacking and defensive forces. By including not only the pieces directly involved in the action but also those that contribute indirectly, the chess player gains a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of an attack against the king.

Through the analysis of games and Hodgson’s statistical approach, players can learn to evaluate attacking possibilities more objectively, recognise the importance of piece coordination, and understand how seemingly distant pieces can influence the outcome of an attack.

This video is intended for chess players of all levels who wish to improve their attacking technique and develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between attacking and defensive forces.