Strategy
What is a Kotov syndrome in chess?
- Strategy
- Planning
- Imbalances
Kotov syndrome is a strategic concept: this phenomenon, described by Alexander Kotov in his 1971 book Think Like a Grandmaster, can occur when a player does not find a good plan after thinking long and hard on a position. The player, under time pressure, then suddenly decides to make a move that they have hardly thought about at all, and it may not be a good move for that reason. Use the concept to choose a plan: improve a piece, attack a weakness, trade correctly, or prepare a pawn break.
What to look for on the board
- The long-term weakness.
- The best piece improvement.
- The pawn break or trade that helps your plan.
Free game review
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