Understanding what experts mean by 'weak squares' and 'weak
pieces' might help us write a chess program which plays a better game of chess. If we want to, we can give the machine the
same understanding of this concept as an advanced player.
p.5"This book is about chess space and chess pieces, and their strength
and weakness; an unpretentious book on a simple subject - so simple that it is widely considered one of those themes which
are absorbed just by time and playing experience. When a friend of mine learnt the topic I was writing about, his immediate
reaction was: 'Why are you writing about that? Everybody knows what a weak square or a weak piece is.' My experience in teaching
chess, however, is utterly different. I learnt that on lower levels of chess knowledge most players know the difference only
theoretically, but few make a clear distinction in practice."
It appears that weaknesses in a chess game are not truly weaknesses unless they can be exploited.
Once again, giving points in an evaluation function for isolated or doubled pawns without checking on their potential
to be attacked might cause us to mis-evaluate certain positions where accepting these weaknesses is truly in our favor:
p.6"Every weak square is a static feature. Its weakness is not functional in itself, but it depends
on both sides' actions on the board. As long as an active plan is being carried out, all the static weaknesses, weak squares
included, are irrelevant, unless they are themselves targets... Today we would say pragmatically that only those squares which
can be exploited are weak."
Strong squares can be exploited by posting pieces on them which cannot easily be dislodged, possibly
resulting in strong positional pressure. A computer program might be given this basic concept in its evaluation function,
causing it to focus search efforts for positions much as a human would.
p.8"We have again seen how a weak (or strong) square arises, how a strong piece finds a dominant
post on it, and the stifling effect it has on the enemy's defensive options."
A game can hinge on the exploitation of a weak square. Grandmasters know of this concept - it might
be 'teachable' to a machine.
p.9"When a weak square becomes an enduring liability, it often influences the course of events decisively."
Weak squares near a King can be especially valuable.
p.13"We could say in general that the nearer to the king they are, the more treacherous weak squares
get."
Reality, in a chess game, is perhaps defined according to how things can play out in analysis lines.
Features which do not take part in the main battle are not 'real' until the main lines of attack take place in their vicinity
and have an impact in the battle.
p.71"Evaluating the strength and weakness of chess space, we must stay aware that there are things
real and things apparent, chess realities and chess appearances. The ability to distinguish between them is vital."
It appears that a rook's value depends on its ability to interact with the pieces
in its environment. This could be measured by probing what the rook can accomplish in 3 moves, for example.
p.141"We learn that the rook's role is fundamentally determined by its relation to other pieces.
Its strength in a given position depends mostly on the harmony of these relations."
Pawns can affect the mobility of minor pieces and their ability to contribute to attack and defense.
p.177"We shall see that both minor pieces [in the game being analyzed] owe much of their activity
to the type of pawn-structure in which they move. In all phases of the game, but especially in the endgame, the pawns on the
wrong color, as a rule, decisively influence the result."
Pieces interact with the pawn structure and a piece can be good or bad depending on the nature of
this interaction. Can we truly know the 'goodness' of a piece by giving it points for just sitting on a square?
p.214"Details always differ, but as a rule it is the pawn-formation which suits one of the minor
pieces and significantly influences the course of the struggle. If we are fully conscious of that causal link from the start
of the game, we can often do much to increase the possibilities of our minor pieces. We can either try to change the nature
of the pawn-formation or manoeuvre a minor piece to the place which best suits its abilities."
