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

Defense: A move or plan designed to meet an enemy’s attack or threats. It is also used in the names of various opening initiated from the Black side. For example: Petroff Defense, Caro-Kann Defense, etc. These Black systems are called defenses since White has the first move and thus Black is considered to be defending. The usual flow from Black’s point of view would be: Defense leading to equalization followed, only then, by the switch over to a counterattack. This is the classical approach. More modern openings are often designed to create immediate imbalances in an effort to seize the initiative as Black. Strange as it may seem, even these counterattacking openings are usually given the title of defenses: Nimzo-Indian Defense, Sicilian Defense, Grunfeld Defense, King’s Indian Defense, etc.

Development: The process of moving one’s pieces from their starting posts to new positions where their activity and mobility are enhanced. It must be remembered that one’s pieces should be developed to squares where they work with the rest of their army towards a particular goal. If an individual piece is providing a useful service on its original square, then there may be no reason to move it.

Doubled Pawns: Two pawns of the same color lined up on a file as the result of a capture. Such pawns are generally considered to be weak, though quite often their ability to control certain squares makes them very useful.

The diagram shows doubled pawns in a favorable light. The doubled pawn on c3 is guarding the critical d4-square, while the other pawn on c4 increased White’s control over the important d5-square. Also note how doubled pawns give their owner an extra file to use. Black’s position in the diagram would be considerably improved if he could double his own pawns by placing the d6-pawn on e6.

Dynamic: The word “dynamic” symbolizes the aggressive potential in any given position or move.

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