Prophylaxis
Prophylaxis: Anticipating and preventing the opponent's plan before carrying out your own.
In-Depth Explanation
Prophylactic thinking asks what the opponent would play if given a free move. A useful preventive move can remove counterplay, deny a pawn break, or take away a piece square. Good prophylaxis improves the position too; purely defensive moves can waste time when no real threat exists.
Related Strategy Terms
Zugzwang
A situation where a player is forced to make a move that will significantly weaken their position.
Tempo
A unit of time in chess: one move. Gaining a tempo means forcing the opponent to waste a move.
Opposition
A king-and-pawn endgame concept where kings face each other with one square between them; the player not to move holds the opposition.
Recommended Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Anticipating and preventing the opponent's plan before carrying out your own.
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