Expert: Wuyanbu Zutali - 10/22/2008

Question
I am a club player and have a pretty good handle on strategy and tactics.  I also play against the computer for practice.  I notice that after about 20 moves I am usually leading by at least a piece or have a good positional advantage.  My problem is quickly converting that advantage to a victory--I find that in the next dozen moves I may let my opponent equalize or grab the lead.  Is there any advice or recommended books on how to convert an advantage?

Answer
Ahhh,

If only I had your problem. My computer program Sigma Chess is one tough bird. I have to use all out attacks to bring it down.
But, converting an advantage is easy with a piece up yet so very tough because your opponent is causing as much chaos as possible.

Trading queens is a good start to convert advantages. Without the queen it's tougher to mount a searing counterattack. I think most strong players will agree that trading down is one of the best ways to convert an advantage. The best way is go for the mate. Trading down is safer, but mate closes the deal.

With only a positional advantage it requires more technique to squeeze wins out. If I were you I'd study the games of Karpov one of the greatest positional players who have ever lived. Watch how he brings pieces to bear and cuts down counter chances. Studying the late great Bobby Fishers games isn't a bad idea either. The positions seem so simple and the next thing you know it all comes crashing down.
Fisher was a great attacker while Karpov is the master of the positional squeeze. Both will help you improve.

I hope this helps.