Classical Position Analysis vs.

Ultra-Modern Chuzhakin System

Today we will talk about the evaluation of positions in chess by using two different approaches:
a Classical method that has been tested a lot and a totally new one, so-called Chuzhakin
System. This system was developed by a Russian chess player Evgeny Chuzhakin. We will try
to figure out which approach is superior and why.

First we will analyze the following position by using a Classical approach. One of the most
common outlines used for a position analysis consists of 4 criteria:

1. King Safety the difference of positions of the Kings. If one King is relatively safe in respect
to the other one he gets a value from +1 to +2 points. We dont take into account positions
where a forced mate exists.

2. Material on the board - standard numeric values for the pawns and pieces can be used
here. So, Pawn = 1 point, Bishop = 3 point, Knight = 3 points, Rook = 5 points, Queen = 9
points, King is assigned to 3.5 points in the endgame

3. Activity of the pieces - defined as the difference of activity between your piece and similar
piece in the opponents camp (example Knight vs. Knight, Rook vs. Rook and Queen vs.
Queen, etc.) Maximum difference in activity will be 1.5 points or 1.5 pawns.

4. Pawn Structure control of important squares (center) by pawns, weak pawns, strong
pawns, isolated pawns past pawns can give maximum advantage of 2 points. Of course we
dont take into account extreme cases where pawn can checkmate or promote to a Queen.

White to move

Lets evaluate the position above using the Classical Method:

1. King safety Both Kings have castled and it seems like there is no immediate danger

2. Material Black has an extra pawn (f6) on the Kings side. Therefore, we assign a score of -1
due to that fact.
3. Piece activity Whites rooks on a1 and f6 are about equal to Blacks rooks on a8 and e8.
One pair of the rooks is not participating in the game just yet (a1 and a8), while the rook on e8
controls an open e-file and the rook on f3 controls a semi-open f-file. Activity of the queens is
about equal. The d3 bishop is attacking the h8 square while the c5 bishop controls an important
a6-f1 diagonal, so they are about equal as well. The knight on e2 is a little passive compared to
its counterpart on f6.

The bishop on f4 is also more passive, than a well centralized knight on e5, which at the same
time threatens both the f6 rook and the d3 bishop. However, that fact may be neglected since
the bishop can be exchanged by a knight via Bxe5.

4.The pawn structure is about the same, if not taking into account the material disadvantage of
white.

Positional analysis shows that black is about 1 point ahead: -1.00.

However this analysis is totally incorrect and I will show you why. You may be confused, why did
I give you an incorrect analysis and an incorrect outline for a positional analysis? Dont worry,
the outline is perfectly correct and so is the positional analysis. However, the keyword is the
positional.

That outline can only be used for evaluation of 'static' positions which do not involve any
immediate tactical shots. The position above is not of that nature, it is a dynamic position. The
positional analysis is useless here and should not be applied.

Evaluating the position using the Chuzhakin System:

I will not talk about all the rules of such an analysis. We'll just briefly talk about the most
important ideas that are applicable to this position.

We need to identify the Critical Elements, which show the key points on the board where
tactics can occur.

1) b7 the pawn is not protected or attacked

2) c5 the bishop is not protected or attacked

3) e5 - the knight is attacked and defended once

4) h7 if the square next to the king is attacked it always considered a Critical Element,
regardless of the number of defenders

5) g8 king is next to the square under attack

After finding all of the Critical Elements on the board, we need to calculate how many times
each piece is attacked and defended. Even if there is a piece in between the attacking and the
attacked piece, we still count the attack on that piece.

For example, on the diagram below the bishop d3 is placed between the queen on d1 and the
queen on d7. The piece that is pinned to a more valuable piece and a piece that can be
captured or driven away with a less valuable piece, do not count as defending pieces.
Therefore, both e5 and f6 knights do not count as defending pieces for the d7 queen.
Conclusion: the d7 queen is attacked once and not defended, which leads to tactics, winning
material for white.

White to move

Here is the complete combination for white: 1. Be5 Re5 2. Rf6 gf6 [2... Rd8 3. Rf3 White has
a decisive advantage] 3. Bh7 Kh7 4. Qd7

Note: Fritz 12 gave this position +2.00 for white.

Conclusion:

The both systems are useful tools for a competitive chess player if applied correctly. The
Classical Method should be used for positional analysis of 'static' positions. The Chuzhakin
System suits better for analyzing dynamic, reach of tactics positions, like the one we evaluated
today.
 7 Most Important Factors in Chess Position Analysis

Analysis of a position is a very important skill to master for a chess player of any level. Many
chess players analyze positions almost spontaneously, without a well-defined plan.

They do not have a scheme in their mind that can guide the thinking process.

The outcome is incomplete analyzes and plenty of missed possibilities. This article is about to
change that. We offer an easy to follow position analysis cheat sheet to use in all games.

***

Material on the board is one of the most important elements for position analysis. Keeping other
factors equal, the side which possesses more material always has an edge. That's why I
recommend starting evaluation of any position by checking the material of both sides. Thats
very easy to do.

You can either compare pieces head to head (for example 2 knights, a bishop, 5 pawns and
a rook vs. 2 bishops, a knight, 5 pawns and a rook) or in point ('pawn') value (for example 19
points vs. 19 points)

Even though the material advantage is a very important factor to keep in mind when analyzing a
position it cannot tell us everything what's happening on the board.

If you are up a rook, but getting a mate in two, it would be silly to say that you have an
advantage.

Therefore, the position of the king (or more precisely its safety) must be considered, taking into
account all possible threats, mating plans, etc.

You can quickly check the safety of the king by first comparing the pawn structure and defensive
pieces around him and then counting the number of attackers.

Activity of the pieces is the ability to create threats, control important squares on the chess
board (such as weak squares) and/or ability to move freely around the board. This is a very
important factor to take into account when analyzing a position, especially when other elements
such as material balance and king safety seems to be equal.

To compare activity of the pieces for both sides you need to take each white piece and compare
it with its black counterpart. For example, the white knight can be controlling 3 squares while the
black knight controls 4.

That means the black knight is a more active piece. However, if the white knight controls the 3
squares near the opponents king while the black knight controls 4 at the opposite side of the
board, we would call the white knight more active since its a more useful piece.

The control of the diagonals (especially the long ones) by bishops and the queen often plays a
decisive role in the attack on the opponent's position.

The side which possesses such a control definitely has some positional advantage, assuming
other things equal.

Control of the center (e4-d4-e5-d5 squares) is another crucial element that needs to be
considered when evaluating a position. The importance of the center comes from allowing more
possibilities for attack as well as reducing the possibility of counter-attack by your opponent.

The side that controls the center often has more active pieces and also a safer king position.

Control of space allows positioning your pieces in a more effective attacking/defensive manner
and at the same time preventing your opponent from doing the same.

You can estimate how much space each side has by counting the number of squares controlled
by the pieces and pawns on the opponent's part of the board.

Usually, the side that possesses a spatial advantage should attack and pressure the opponent's
position. It is more difficult to coordinate pieces effectively with a lack of space.

Attacking multiple targets at once often decides the game, since your opponent cannot
reorganize his defenses due to deficit of space.
The pawn structure is closely related to space, control of the center and strong/weak squares.
At the same time you also should pay attention to pawn weaknesses such as backwards pawns,
weak pawns, doubled pawns, etc.

You can also download (full-resolution) this cheat-sheet to remember the steps for evaluation of
positions.