Odds-and-Ends

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(Click HERE to go to my {actual} page for "Chess DownLoads.")

A page with space for various things I need to maintain on the main site.

Explanation of symbols: The symbols I use are the standard ChessBase/Informant ones.
(Except they are more-or-less turned on their sides, and with a few modifications.)

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A "plus-slash-minus" ("+/-"), means that, "White is winning."
A "plus-over-a line" ("+/"), means that White is much better.
A "plus-over-an equal sign" ("+/="), means that "White is just slightly better."
An equal sign ("=") means the game is level or the play is roughly balanced.
An "unclear symbol" ("~") means the play is unclear, but should be roughly close to equal.
A "minus-slash-plus" ("-/+") means that, "Black is winning."
A "plus-under-a-line" ("/+"), means that "Black is much better."
A "plus-under-an equal sign" ("=/+"), means that "Black is just slightly better."
The symbol "<=>" (or 'cp') means, "with good counterplay." (For either party.)
The symbol "~" means, "good compensation" (i.e. active play), for the material invested.
The symbol "--->" means, with a strong attack. (For the player who made the last move.)
The symbol "/\" means, with a strong initiative.
(This is not quite the same thing as an attack, but means basically the ability to greatly dictate the course of play.)

"[]" or "box" This signifies that this move is probably forced. (The only move.)

"TN" - A theoretical novelty or a move that is new to opening theory.

"ICT" = International Chess Tournament. (A FIDE standard, players from 2 or more countries,
usually with a minimum set rating ... in order to guarantee rating and title opportunities.)

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">/=" The continuation that follows this symbol is better than or superior to what was actually played in the game or the
given continuation. (Or the annotator has discovered an improvement over a line that had been given earlier.)

"</=" The continuation that follows this symbol is worse than or inferior to what was actually played in the game or the
given continuation. (Or the annotator has discovered an improvement over a line that had been given earlier.)

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"(>/=)" The continuation that follows this symbol could POSSIBLY/PROBABLY be SUPERIOR to the line that is
currently being examined ... BUT THIS IS NOT ONE HUNDRED PER CENT CERTAIN and/or verifiable!!

"(</=)" The continuation that follows this symbol could POSSIBLY/PROBABLY be INFERIOR to the line that is
currently being examined ... BUT THIS IS NOT ONE HUNDRED PER CENT CERTAIN and/or verifiable!!

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'!' - a very good or exceptional move.
'!!' - an extremely good move, of great or rare brilliance. (Not to be used lightly or often!)
'?'   - a bad move or a mistake.
'??' - a very bad move ... or a blunder/gross oversight.
'!?' - A very interesting move.
           (I also use this to show that there might be a very wide range of move choices at this point.)
           (Some authors use this to mean some risk is involved.)
'?!' - A very (extremely) risky move. (Or) A move of highly doubtful value.
          (Or) A move that is very much inferior to some of the alternatives. (Less than best.)

Most books use many more symbols than this, but these are the most common-place ones.

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I also use the mark, (appellation) '!?' a lot.

The normal interpretation of this mark (after a move) is interesting, but perhaps associated with a great deal of risk. I do not agree with this interpretation and prefer just interesting. I also use it to show a divergent path in the analysis, or a departure from normal opening theory. This does NOT mean the move is good or bad, just interesting ... and there are possibly MANY different alternatives at this particular juncture of the game!!!

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(A glossary of opening terms.)

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This page was last updated on 01/04/13 .