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+The tree of posible moves branches so rapidly, one can rarely
+search to mate.  Which branch of the tree leads to an advantage?
+This necessitates the use of search heuristics - or shortcuts
+which direct our attention to certain aspects of a position
+while ignoring the rest.  The application of these heuristic is
+what distinguishes between players of different levels.
+Grandmasters choose not to use their "masterly" analytic abilities
+so much but rely more on search heuristics.  The results are they
+typically find the best move, and take less time to do it.  Below
+are some of the heuristics that I compiled which should be
+considered when playing chess. These rules were taken from various
+publications, including MY SYSTEM by Nimzowitsch, the Father
+of positional play!
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+        **** THE FOUR ELEMENTS ****
+
+ FORCE  -  SPACE  -  TIME  -  PAWN STRUCTURE
+
+RULES OF ATTACK
+* Don't trade ATTACKING pieces for defensive ones unnecessarily.
+* You must have an advantage in some element in order to ATTACK.
+* The major aim of most ATTACKS is to provoke a pawn weakness.
+* Apply the force count, count ATTACKING pieces vs defensive ones.
+  A three + count in your favor constitute condidtions for an ATTACK.
+* ATTACK where you have a perponderence of force, unless imploying
+  a minority attack, striving to create backwardness on an open file.
+* ATTACK towards the direction your pawns are pointing.
+* A superior position in the center justifies an ATTACK on the flank.
+
+RULES OF DEFENSE
+* DEFEND economically, too many pieces can get in each others way.
+* Don't create pawn weaknesses, but if necessary, minimize the weakness.
+
+RULES OF FORCE
+* The person who is ahead in FORCE will win 90% of the times.
+* When you are ahead in FORCE, the key principle is "exchange pieces".
+
+RULES OF SPACE
+* Seek to increase your SPACE control.
+* DON'T trade pieces, your pieces are worth more - let him stay cramped.
+* Open the position by forcing pawn exchanges.
+* Focus your attack on a pawn.
+
+RULES OF TIME
+* Don't lock or close the position.
+* Open the position by forcing pawn exchanges.
+
+RULES OF EXCHANGES
+* Exchange in order to seize (or open) a file without loss of time.
+* Exchange to destory a good defender.
+* Exchange in order not to lose time by retreating.
+* Exchange when you are ahead in force!
+* Exchange when your opponent has a pawn weakness.
+* Exchange when you have a passed pawn.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+RULES OF BISHOPS (worth 3 points)
+* BISHOPS are best in open positions.
+* BISHOPS are most effective when on open diagnals.
+* BISHOPS are best against passed pawns.
+
+RULES OF KNIGHTS (worth 3 points)
+* KNIGHTS are best in closed positions.
+* In order for KNIGHTS to be effective, they must be centrallized.
+* KNIGHTS are best when you have connected passed pawns.
+
+RULES OF ROOKS (worth 5 points)
+* ROOKS belong on open files.
+* The ultimate goal of ROOKS, are to invade the 7th and 8th rank.
+
+RULES OF QUEENS (worth 9 points)
+* QUEENS should stay home (opening) and centrallized (middlegame).
+*
+
+RULES OF KINGS (worth 3 1/2 points)
+* Activate you KING towards the endgame.
+*
+
+RULES OF PAWNS (worth 1 point)
+* PAWN structure determines the nature of your plan of action.
+* There are three types of PAWN Structures, Weak-Solid-Dynamic.
+* Center PAWNS are more important than flank PAWNS.
+* PAWNS should not be on the same color as your Bishop in the endgame.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+RULES OF PAWN STRUCTURE
+Pawn Islands (Weak)
+* PAWN ISLANDS are weak because they need protection of the pieces.
+  They become weaker and weaker as the number of pieces diminish.
+* When playing with PAWN ISLANDS, protect them or trade them.
+* When playing against PAWN ISLANDS, "Trade Minor Pieces".
+
+Isolated Pawns (Weak)
+Isoloni (Weak/Dynamic)
+* ISOLATED PAWNS become weaker and weaker as the number of pieces
+  on the board diminishes.
+* When playing against ISOLATED PAWNS, "Trade Minor Pieces".  You
+  want to play a major piece endgame.
+* When playing against ISOLATED PAWNS, you should Blockade them.
+
+Doubled Pawns (Weak)
+* When playing with DOUBLED PAWNS, you should push the most forward.
+* When playing against DOUBLED PAWNS, you want to Blockade them.
+
+Backward Pawns (Weak)
+* When playing with BACKWARD PAWNS, you should try to advance it.
+* When playing with BACKWARD PAWNS, you should try and trade the
+  Bishop which is blocked by the BACKWARD PAWN.
+* When playing against the BACKWARD PAWN, you should first...
+  Restrain it  -  Blockade it  -  (1)
+* After blockading the BACKWARD PAWN, systematiclly bring in
+  support of the blockader.  Rotate pieces in and out of the
+  pivoting point to confuse the defense. (1) then Destroy it.
+
+Passed Pawns (Dynamic)
+* PASSED PAWNS must be pushed!
+* When playing with the PASSED PAWN, you should "Trade Pieces". When
+  the number of pieces on the board diminishes, the PASSED PAWN
+  increases in strength.
+* When playing against the PASSED PAWN, you should Blockade it.
+
+Split Pawns (Weak)
+* SPLIT PAWNS become weaker and weaker as the game progresses.
+* When playing against SPLIT PAWNS, you should not concern yourself
+  with them in the middlegame --  just place your pieces effectively.
+* When playing against SPLIT PAWNS, you should "Trade Minor Pieces".
+
+Screened Backward Pawns (Weak)
+* When playing with SCREEN BACKWARD PAWNS, you have less space.
+* When playing against SCREEN BACKWARD PAWNS, advance on the side
+  of the backward pawn.
+
+Hanging Pawns (Dynamic)
+* When playing against HANGING PAWNS, you should "Trade Minor Pieces".
+  They get weaker and weaker as the number of pieces on the board
+  diminish.
+* When playing against HANGING PAWNS,you should force your opponent
+  to move his "c" pawn, then Blockade the pawn on the "d" file.
+
+Pawn Chains (Solid)
+* The Base of a PAWN CHAIN is called the Theater of War, therefore...
+* In order to attack a PAWN CHAIN, attack it's base with a pawn.
+* Attack the new base with many pieces until a weakness elsewhere
+  appear, then attack this weakness with great vigor, returning
+  to the original weakness in the endgame.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+If you add to or modify this document, please send it to me
+so I can learn something new in chess!  I have a lot of room
+for improvments.
+
+ICS Name: ShoNuff
+Email ID: [email protected]