I have a friend who is slightly better than me at chess. He has a weakness which is actually a strength at the moment since I don't really understand how to take advantage of it. He is a trader, He likes the trade pieces off, and is usually willing to do so. He generally trades more when it is beneficial to him but this is definitely not always the case.

Any suggestions general or specific about combating or taking advantage of this? Rules of thumb, things to look for? Links to something to watch or read? Thanks for any help. I have notices on Chessmaster there is an option to play various types of players. one type being predisposed to trading off pieces. Haven't given that a whirl, but I intend to.

-determine which of your pieces are strong. meaning, do you have a well placed knight, an active bishop? determine his strong pieces as well. trade your less active ones for his active ones.
-if you're behind and the endgame is not far away, try to create an opposite color bishop endgame.. do the opposite if you're winning.
-try to trade when doing so will weaken his pawn structure.
-trade like crazy if you're ahead material, or have spatial disadvantage

The biggest thing is probably to pay attention to your position, specifically the pieces that are potential trade targets. Make sure that if he forces a trade that the piece you will be using to recapture isn't something that will hurt your position.

For example, I won't hesitate to trade pieces in a game where my opponent is always guarding minor pieces with a pawn that will be doubled or isolated after the recapture. That just places me in a position with superior pawn structure while entering the endgame.

Thank you both much, I'll keep all those suggestions in mind. And thanks to anyone else who may respond.

quote:

Originally posted by Tomski1981:
-determine which of your pieces are strong. meaning, do you have a well placed knight, an active bishop? determine his strong pieces as well. trade your less active ones for his active ones.
-if you're behind and the endgame is not far away, try to create an opposite color bishop endgame.. do the opposite if you're winning.
-try to trade when doing so will weaken his pawn structure.
-trade like crazy if you're ahead material, or have spatial disadvantage

Tomski1981 could you define spatial disadvantage in the context you are referring to? That may helpo me understand some.

"He has a weakness... he is a trader, He likes the trade pieces off."

Often times, the folks who say this don't like trades and try to avoid them. If that's true, consider you may have the opposite weakness! Generally, you should avoid trades if:

+ You have less material
+ You have space, initiative, an attack, or better-developed pieces.

If the above don't apply, let your opponent waste his time forcing trades, because it's good or neutral for you. Use that time to develop your army to optimal squares and you should come out way ahead against a trader.

quote:

could you define spatial disadvantage in the context

Take a look at the Caro Formation which often occurs when White plays e4 and Black responds with the Caro-Kann or Scandinavian defenses. White has more space for his pieces to maneuver than Black. A common strategy for Black is to exchange off one minor piece, and also to get the light-squared bishop outside the pawn structure before playing e6 so White's space advantage becomes less important. For more info, you'll want a book on chess strategy.

When having spatial disadvantage:
When the player expanded his pawn structure to such an extent that you have very little room to maneuver, it's good to trade pieces for two reasons:
1) less pieces = more space for you
2) less pieces = too much space for him to defend with smaller army

Of course, you want to do the opposite when the reverse is true and you have more space: avoid trading down

quote:

Originally posted by likesforests:

If the above don't apply, let your opponent waste his time forcing trades, because it's good or neutral for you. Use that time to develop your army to optimal squares and you should come out way ahead against a trader.

My problem is not that I don't like to trade. Everyone notices he likes to trade. But the comment you made below that was really helpful. Using that time to develop my pieces to optimal squares... I mean, of course I try to do that anyways, but I hadn't really thought of it as a plan of attack against this player. it will hopefully be quite useful.

quote:

Originally posted by Tomski1981:
When having spatial disadvantage:
When the player expanded his pawn structure to such an extent that you have very little room to maneuver, it's good to trade pieces for two reasons:
1) less pieces = more space for you
2) less pieces = too much space for him to defend with smaller army

Of course, you want to do the opposite when the reverse is true and you have more space: avoid trading down

Thank you. That was helpful.

This post is just a reminder for me:

(summarize this and discuss early mates, perhaps etc)

Thank you all very much for the suggestions posted here. I compiled all of the suggestions for personal use in a document on my computer. (in case this thread gets removed or something sometime down the line.)

When playing a player who trades pieces too often:

- After determining which pieces on the board are strong and which are weak, try to trade off your weak pieces for his strong pieces. A pieces strength is determined by many factors, including how many squares it controls, how many potential squares it can readily control, how important the controlled squares are, what other pieces are on the board, etc.

- If you're behind and the endgame is not far away, try to create an opposite color bishop endgame. Do the opposite if you're winning.

- Try to trade when doing so will weaken your opponent's pawn structure.

- Trade like crazy if you're ahead material, or have spatial disadvantage

Spatial Disadvantage is when the player has expanded his pawn structure to such an extent that you have very little room to maneuver, it's good to trade pieces for two reasons:
1) less pieces = more space for you
2) less pieces = too much space for him to defend with smaller army

- Let your opponent waste his time forcing trades, because it's good or neutral for you. Use that time to develop your army to optimal squares and you should come out way ahead against a trader.

-Take a look at the Caro Formation which often occurs when White plays e4 and Black responds with the Caro-Kann or Scandinavian defenses. White has more space for his pieces to maneuver than Black. A common strategy for Black is to exchange off one minor piece, and also to get the light-squared bishop outside the pawn structure before playing e6 so White's space advantage becomes less important.

I would love more sugestions and thanks again for the advice.