A B C D E F G-H I-L M-N O P Q-R S T U-Z

Backward Pawn: A pawn that has fallen behind its comrades, and thus no longer can be supported or guarded by other pawns of its own persuasion.

In the diagram Black has backward pawns at d6 and f7. The pawns on h6 and b7 are not backward because they can safely advance.

Bind: To have such a vise-like grip on a position that useful moves are difficult for the opponent to find. One often speaks of a crushing space advantage as a bind.

The diagram shows an extreme example of a bind; Black is bound hand and foot and can undertake nothing positive at all.

Bishop Pair: To possess two Bishops versus the opponent’s Bishop and Knight or two Knights. Two Bishops work extremely well together and are usually an advantage in open positions.

Blockade: Conceptualized and popularized by Aron Nimzovich (1886-1935), it refers to the tying down (immobilization) of an enemy pawn by placing a piece (in particular a Knight) directly in front of it.

In the diagram, the Knight on d6 is firmly blockading the pawn on d5.

Blunder: A horrible mistake that hangs material or makes enormous positional or tactical concessions.

Book: Published opening theory. A book player is one who relies on memorization of published analysis rather than on his own creative imagination.

Taking someone out of book refers to sidestepping published analysis by playing a new or unorthodox move. This denies him the chance to make use of a good memory and forces him to find good moves on his own.

Break: The gaining of space (and thus more freedom of movement) by the advance of a pawn.

In our diagram, White intends to open lines of attack on the queenside by the break c4-c5 (prepared by b2-b4). Black will strive to attack White on the kingside by an …f7-f5 break.

Breakthrough: A means of penetrating the enemy position. This can be done by a pawn break or by a sacrifice involving pieces or pawns.

White to play

In the diagram, both sides are attacking each other’s King. At the moment White is safe since …gxf3 can be safely answered by Bxf3. So White uses the time given him to effect a breakthrough on the queenside by 1.bxc5 dxc5 2.Nxc5! bxc5 If Black does not capture the Knight, White will simply retreat it to d3 and rip Black open by c4-c5. 3.Qb2 and Black will be mated.

Brilliancy: A game that contains a very deep strategic concept, a beautiful combination or an original plan.

A B C D E F G-H I-L M-N O P Q-R S T U-Z