Preparation in Chess
Preparation
Definition
In chess, preparation refers to all the work a player does before (and sometimes during) a game to gain a competitive edge. The term is used in two main, but related, senses:
- Opening preparation – Deep study of specific opening lines, novelties, and typical middlegame plans that a player expects to reach in an upcoming game or tournament.
- Preparatory or “quiet” moves made inside a game – subtle moves whose purpose is to set up, or “prepare,” a future tactical or strategic idea (e.g., 9. h3 in the Ruy López to prepare d4).
Usage in Chess Practice
Preparation manifests in several practical ways:
- Home laboratory work. Players and their seconds analyze with engines, databases, and tablebases to craft opening repertoires.
- Opponent-specific targeting. Prior to a round, professionals scour an opponent’s games to uncover habitual choices (e.g., “He always plays the Najdorf against 1. e4”).
- Rehearsed novelties. A pre-planned new move (dubbed an opening novelty or “TN”) can spring a surprise at the board.
- In-game preparatory moves. Moves like a2–a3, Kh1, or Re1 that seem quiet but clear the way for a later pawn break or tactic.
Strategic Significance
Thorough preparation can decide games before a single move is played. At elite level, where defensive technique is high, securing an opening advantage often hinges on superior homework. Conversely, neglecting preparation can leave a player walking into a well-known trap or enduring a long, uncomfortable defense.
Historical Context & Notable Examples
- Kasparov vs. Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 – Kasparov’s team found an attacking improvement in the Grünfeld; the famous “Kasparov Immortal” stemmed directly from home analysis.
- Fischer vs. Spassky, Game 6, Reykjavík 1972 – Fischer’s surprise adoption of 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 (the Ruy López)—a line he had almost never played—threw Spassky off balance.
- Caruana vs. Carlsen, London 2018 – Caruana’s novelty 8. a4 in the Petroff was revealed after intense computer prep and forced the World Champion to solve problems over the board.
- AlphaZero (2017) – Google’s neural-network engine “self-prepared” by playing millions of games against itself, radically shifting human understanding of several openings.
Illustrative PGN Snippet
The following miniature shows a preparatory idea in action. White’s 9. h3 restrains …Bg4 and prepares the central break d4.
Practical Tips for Your Own Preparation
- Keep a structured opening file. Use a database to track preferred lines, engine evaluations, and personal notes.
- Study model games. Understanding plans is more valuable than memorizing 25 moves of theory.
- Prepare novelties two moves earlier. A surprise works best if the critical choice arises before your opponent can deviate.
- Rehearse time-management. Good prep includes knowing where you can blitz moves and where you should slow down.
- Stay flexible. Have backup systems in case your opponent sidesteps your main line.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- “Preparation is 90% of success.” – A favorite saying of grandmasters, highlighting the modern game’s emphasis on homework.
- Deep Blue’s secret book. IBM programmers fed the super-computer thousands of GM novelties, effectively pre-arming it against Kasparov in 1997.
- The curtain trick. During the 2012 Candidates, Gelfand reportedly practiced behind a curtain so onlookers could not see which openings he rehearsed.
- Opening books get lighter. Early 2000s super-GMs traveled with suitcases of paper printouts; today, a single tablet plus cloud engine replaces them.
Summary
Whether you are cooking up a sharp novelty for the Sicilian Najdorf or making a quiet luft move to prepare a kingside pawn storm, preparation is the invisible backbone of successful chess. Invest in it wisely, and you will often reap the rewards before your opponent even realizes what hit them.