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How to Think in Horde

It's a short and good article stating basic information about the Horde, but of course, as can be expected, there are also shortcomings.For example, openings and tactics are not detailed enough.But I'm not surprised by this because the horde community is not big, on the contrary, it is not developed enough because it consists of a small community.

It's a short and good article stating basic information about the Horde, but of course, as can be expected, there are also shortcomings.For example, openings and tactics are not detailed enough.But I'm not surprised by this because the horde community is not big, on the contrary, it is not developed enough because it consists of a small community.

Thank you for this guide. There's not too much material about this particular variant.

I'm quite weak at Horde but still I can not resist the urge to comment. To me, Horde is practically always a race between White trying to promote her pawns and Black trying to prevent this from happening by neutralizing the ever-marching pawn mass. Of course, the asymmetry in the numbers of the pieces of White and Black, 36 vs 16 respectively, tells us that Black can not afford too many one on one exchanges. This leads to the necessity of attacking White from behind where the pawns are defenseless, a penetration, which to me is a completely normal, inevitable course in the games of this variant which by itself does not spell doom to either of the players. And who knows (at least not me!), it may be even prove to be impossible to prevent this penetration and perhaps the best you can do as White is to stay ahead in the aforementioned race. Indeed, if it was really so that White could prevent Black from penetrating, then Horde would be a very boring variant. I feel that sometimes beginners feel discouraged as White when they see Black's queen reaching back ranks and starting chomping, and consequently resign prematurely. The result very much depends on the particular position. I feel that it's an oversimplification thinking that the queen penetrating white's formation leads inevitably to Black's victory.

Also I thought that it would be informative to add comments to the games in this guide clarifying how the moves illustrate the motifs and pitfalls you presented.

Thank you for this guide. There's not too much material about this particular variant. I'm quite weak at Horde but still I can not resist the urge to comment. To me, Horde is practically always a race between White trying to promote her pawns and Black trying to prevent this from happening by neutralizing the ever-marching pawn mass. Of course, the asymmetry in the numbers of the pieces of White and Black, 36 vs 16 respectively, tells us that Black can not afford too many one on one exchanges. This leads to the necessity of attacking White from behind where the pawns are defenseless, a penetration, which to me is a completely normal, inevitable course in the games of this variant which by itself does not spell doom to either of the players. And who knows (at least not me!), it may be even prove to be impossible to prevent this penetration and perhaps the best you can do as White is to stay ahead in the aforementioned race. Indeed, if it was really so that White could prevent Black from penetrating, then Horde would be a very boring variant. I feel that sometimes beginners feel discouraged as White when they see Black's queen reaching back ranks and starting chomping, and consequently resign prematurely. The result very much depends on the particular position. I feel that it's an oversimplification thinking that the queen penetrating white's formation leads inevitably to Black's victory. Also I thought that it would be informative to add comments to the games in this guide clarifying how the moves illustrate the motifs and pitfalls you presented.

I would like to share how I think as white
1 Getting broken through early or without rook sacrifice means I almost lose
2 Having too many bad trades (a minor piece for two front pawns is slightly bad for white, bad moves are worse than this) means I am likely to lose
3 Can't find a sound move to make progress means I am gradually losing

I think the blog is perhaps written with a view mainly towards shuffle games, because black tends to be conservative in high level games.

I like the second game in this blog, black wins by forming a solid structure with much space left for king.(Shuffle games with little preparation often lead to endgame crisis, when your oppo is a bit stronger) It is good for black, but I don't know if there is a practical way (opening skills) to reach this comfortable position

I would like to share how I think as white 1 Getting broken through early or without rook sacrifice means I almost lose 2 Having too many bad trades (a minor piece for two front pawns is slightly bad for white, bad moves are worse than this) means I am likely to lose 3 Can't find a sound move to make progress means I am gradually losing I think the blog is perhaps written with a view mainly towards shuffle games, because black tends to be conservative in high level games. I like the second game in this blog, black wins by forming a solid structure with much space left for king.(Shuffle games with little preparation often lead to endgame crisis, when your oppo is a bit stronger) It is good for black, but I don't know if there is a practical way (opening skills) to reach this comfortable position