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Chess

Best-laid plans

4 September 2021

9:00 AM

4 September 2021

9:00 AM

A popular conceit among chess authors, particularly dead ones, is to describe a fine game as the execution of a multi-stage plan. In fact, a close inspection often reveals that the plan could only have been mapped out in hindsight, and the loser’s fate was entirely avoidable.

Grand plans are overrated, but modest plans are indispensable.

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