Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Chess Terms [O]
  Glossary of Chess Terms, Definitions, and Acronyms Chess has a rich vocabulary with many terms and acronyms ranging from from ACP to Zwischenzug. Here we provide an alphabetical list of chess terms along with their definitions as well as various acronyms and their definitions. It is our intention for this to be the most comprehensive and complete list available on the Internet. Our glossary of terms and acronyms will be updated on a regular basis as our readers inform us of additions. [Occupation] [Odds] [Open] [Open File] [Open Game] [Opening] [Opening Theory] [Opposite Color Bishops] [Opposition] [OTB] [Outflanking] [Outside Passed Pawn] [Overextended] [Overloaded] [Overprotection] [Overworked] Occupation [Top] Definition In chess there are two forms, or meanings of Occupation. 1.) Occupation of a file or rank refers to a Rook or Queen placed in such a way as to exert control over the file or rank. 2.) Occupation of a square refers to a piece being safely placed on a square and exerting pressure from it. Odds [Top] Definition When two players of different playing strength play a friendly game, the stronger player often concedes odds to the weaker player. Examples Odds might be: 1. Removing one or more of the stronger player's pieces. 2. Starting with less time on the clock for the stronger player. 3. Counting a draw as a loss for the stronger player. Rook odds, or Knight odds would mean that the stronger player removes a Rook or a Knight. Pawn, and move odds would mean that the stronger player removes the King Bishop Pawn, the Pawn on c7, and lets the weaker player have the White pieces. Side Note Odds are also known as a handicap for the stronger player. Open [Top] Definition A type of tournament in which any class of player can participate. Side Notes The open tournament is extremely popular in the United States and is beginning to be seen more and more in Europe. Players often end up with opponents who are much higher, or lower rated than himself, the prizes are usually structured around classes and, for this reason, are attractive to players of every rating. Often refers to a type of position: See also Open Game, and file Open File. Open File [Top] Definition A column of eight squares that is free of pawns. Example After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5, the e-file is an open file. Side Notes It is on open files, and ranks that Rooks come to their maximum potential. Open files are important because they offer the easiest path for Rooks to penetrate into the opponent's position. An unopposed Rook on an open file is an advantage; unopposed doubled Rooks on an open file are a great advantage. A file on which there is a single Pawn which has not advanced into the opponent's position is called a semi-open or half-open file. The Pawns on a semi-open file are often at risk from a Rook attack. See also File Open Game [Top] Definition A type of position that is characterized by many open liens and largely clear of obstructing Pawns, that is, few center Pawns. Side Notes A lead in development becomes very important in positions of this type. The line pieces are free to move from one side of the board to the other. An open game often arises after the opening moves 1.e4 e5, also called a Double King Pawn opening. See also Closed Game and Semi-Open Game. See also Encyclopedia of Chess Openings - ECO B00-B99, or Encyclopedia of Chess Openings - ECO C00-C99 for King Pawn Openings. Also, Encyclopedia of Chess Openings for a complete list of openings. Opening [Top] Definition The beginning moves of the game usually encompasses the first 10-12 moves, the time it takes to open diagonals for the Bishops, and move each of the eight pieces. Side Notes The goals of the opening are the same as the goals for positional play: 1) Develop your pieces in a quick and efficient manner. 2) Occupy as much of the center as possible. 3) Castle early, King safety. These objectives are basically correct, however the real purpose of the opening is to create an imbalance, to develop your pieces in such a way that they all work together in making the imbalance a favorable attribute. The openings have all been classified and many have been given colorful names. See also Encyclopedia of Chess Openings. Opening Theory [Top] Definition The body of knowledge related to the openings. Side Notes When a chess player says, 'According to opening theory,' it means 'According to the openings of known games played by grandmasters.' Opening theory is also known as the 'book' or 'the book'. When a chess player says, 'Until this point I followed book', it means, 'Until this point I played according to opening theory' or 'Until this point I played known opening moves'. A player who is expert in expanding the bounds of opening theory is known as an opening theoretician. Opposite Color Bishops [Top] Definition A situation in which each player has only one Bishop, each being of a different color, which means the Bishops can never come into contact with each other. Side Notes Usually called Bishops of opposite colors. Usually a good attacking imbalance for the middlegame, since one can°t defend what the other attacks. However, Bishops of opposite color are known as being rather drawish in endgames, due to the fact that the defender can place his pawns and King on the opposite color of the enemy Bishop, whereupon they are impervious to harm. From an attacking point of view, a general rule for Bishops of opposite colors is that they are at their best with other pieces to back them up. On their own, they are often impotent. Opposition [Top] Definition An endgame terminology to describe a situation in which two Kings stand on the same rank, file, or diagonal with one empty square between them. Side Notes The player to move may be forced to move the king to a less advantageous square. The King which is on the move must give way on one side to the other King. The concept is particularly important for endgames where only Pawns remain. Distant opposition means the two Kings are separated by more than one square, but are about to approach each other. OTB [Top] Acronym Over the Board. Definition OTB games are played face to face, as opposed to online or correspondence games, which are played at a distance. Side Note Also Known As: over-the-board, and crossboard. Outflanking [Top] Definition An endgame maneuver with Kings which makes forward progress on the board. Examples 1.) Simultaneously preventing your opponent from taking direct opposition. 2.) Temporarily giving up the opposition for a higher goal. Outside Passed Pawn [Top] Definition A passed pawn that is near the edge of the board and far away from other pawns. Side Note In the endgame, such a pawn often constitutes a strong advantage for its owner. Overextended [Top] Definition A position where a player has moved a piece or group of pieces (usually pawns) away from the rest in such a way that they are too difficult to defend. Example When a player tries to gain some advantages by starting a major advance or offensive, and then this offensive fails, he is often left with various weaknesses and nothing to compensate for them. His position is then said to be overextended. Overloaded [Top] Definition A piece that has too many defensive duties. Side Note An overloaded piece can sometimes be deflected, or required to abandon one of its defensive duties. Overprotection [Top] Definition The technique of massing forces in support of a strong point, or Blockade. A player guards a strategically placed piece or point more than would appear to be necessary. Side Notes A term coined by Aron Nimzovitch (1886-1935). The term is rarely used by players when annotating a game. Good players understand that aiming the pieces at a key square, like a central square, is a healthy strategic idea. Overworked [Top] Definition Another term for Overloaded. Note: This is a work in progress. As more terms are added this will be broken into alphabetical sections from A-Z for terms and definitions, and a separate section will be added for acronyms. You can help us make this the most complete list of chess terms by adding your comments to Chess Speak - What are they talking about? |
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