Unusual chess terms

By Frank “Boy” Pestaño
Chessmoso

EVERY chess player knows what a double check means or for that matter the definition of a bad bishop or a backward pawn. But do you know what a buried piece is or a capped pawn? We will define unusual chess terms in this article that even avid chess players don’t know about.

Buried piece – a piece hemmed in by friendly pieces and pawns. Such a piece will have difficult time actively participating, and may also interfere with the development of other pieces.

Capped pawn – a marked pawn which a player engages to deliver checkmate, in giving extreme odds to a weaker opponent.

Echoes – two functionally identical positions on the same board, one the mirror image of the order, due to the arrangement of the defender’s pieces being effectively symmetrical. This allows the same attack to be made down either side of the board.

Focal point – a weak square near the enemy king. This is targeted by the attacker, and the defender may find it difficult to protect. More than one focal point makes an attack stronger.

Ghost – threats created in the mind of inexperienced players due to lack of confidence of fear of their opponent.

Romantic – A romantic player is one who enjoys attacking and sacrificing.
Sansvoir – French for “without seeing.” Playing chess blindfold.

Interpose – placement of a piece between an attacking enemy queen, rook or bishop, and the pieces being attacked.

Luft – German for “air.” Moving a pawn so the king has an escape square to prevent back-rank mates.

Zietnot – German for “time trouble.”

Decoy – 1) The offering of material in order to get an enemy piece to move. 2) The lure of an opponent’s piece to a square that is particularly vulnerable.

Deflection – A tactic which forces an opponent piece from a square where it had to be, either because it was defending a piece or square or because it was blocking a threat.

Destructive sacrifice – sacrificing material to destroy the pawn cover or other protection around the enemy king. Usually a point of no return.

Hole – a square that is undependable by pawns. Such a square serves as an excellent home for enemy pieces, especially the knight.

Petite combination – a combination involving only a few moves and often only one tactical theme.

Poisoned pawn – a pawn that, if captured, would cause serious disadvantage to the capturing side.

MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL OPEN. International Master Ronald Bancod was the clear winner in this rich tournament held in Oroquieta City last Nov. 20-21 with 8.5 pts in nine rounds to win P30,000. At No.2 was National Master Alex Milagrosa and No.3 was Manila-based Cebuano, IM Richard Bitoon. Other cebuanos who were in the money circle were NM Cyril Ortega and Voltaire Sevillano.

Meanwhile, Joyce Lagrosas won the Lapu-Lapu Fiesta Chess Tournament last Saturday follwed by Carlito Santos and Cepcan Jojo Muralla at second and third, resectively.

YOUNG MASTER. One of the most promising chess player in the Philippines today is 11-year-old Wesley So, who has won 12 kiddies tournaments, including the grand finals of the Shell National Active Chess Championship. He also won the gold medal in the 12-Under Asean Chess Tournament and made a respectable showing in the eliminations to the Chess Olympiad.

Although he did not qualify, he defeated five NMs, including IM Chito Garma in the last round. “He has talent. He is a positional player, who can be tactical if the situation demands it. He is forming his own style, and character will play a big part,” says Eugene Torre, Asia’s first GM.

CEPCA NOVEMBER TOURNAMENT. Our tournament for this month will be held at the Handuraw Learning and Leisure Café along M. J. Cuenco Ave. in Mabolo (beside Kahayag Café) on Sunday at 2 p.m. This will be the last elimination tournament prior to the grand finals in December.

We are inviting the following lady chessers to participate: Therese Gonzales, Sunshine Lacorte, Jenny Rose Palomo and Jessa Balbona.

Those who have already qualified for the grand finals are Dante Arguelles, Santiago Peque, Jonard Labadan, Loy Minoza, Joe Atillo, Maggi Dionson, Fred Sandalo, Mandy Baria, Jojo Muralla and Gerry Rallos.

I maybe a little bit biased but the pizza in Handuraw is out of this world! You should try it.