Restricting the opponent’s pieces - Weakening the opponent’s position

Strategy - the magical side of chess.

1.1. Restricting the opponent’s pieces

The strength of pieces changes, depending on the position. Pieces that can’t spread their wings are obviously weaker than those that can do it. We must, therefore, strive to cut the wings of the opponent’s pieces.

Macieja Bartlomiej - Schroll Gerhard
Legnica (Poland) 2013

White to move

Black wants to develop the bishop to f5. In order to prevent it, we are playing 1.g4 h5 2.f3.

Sapis Witalis - Borkowski Franciszek
Legnica (Poland) 1993

White to move
After 1.cxd6 we would have opened the “c” file, what obviously would have been beneficial for us. However, by playing 1.c6, we are gaining much more, because practically we are excluding the rook, the knight, and the bishop from play.

("Chess Strategy Explained"-Bartłomiej Macieja Witalis Sapis- Sawit 2021)

"These strategic manuals by two experienced trainers are a must for any instructor! 
I recommend using them for students with USCF ratings ranging from 1300 to 2500. 
I have read many instructional books since my junior years but never have I come 
across such an easy-to-digest way of presenting examples—only a few moves with 
simple, clear verbal explanations of the ideas from the players themselves! The 
examples used vary in level of difficulty and going through all of them will only 
solidify one’s strategic understanding. The exercise chapters (Chapter 3 for Vol 1 
and Chapter 7 for Vol 2) add more instructive value as it can be used either as in-class 
group exercises or individual homework. Any club leader, camp instructor or chess 
coach will be able to find the topical chapters useful when preparing for their regular 
lessons. And I won’t be surprised if they improve their strategic intuition as well in the 
process!”

GM Julio Sadorra

Coach of University of Texas Dallas Chess Team