The Power of Predictability in Chess

Chess is built on patterns, whole sequences of moves that have been played before and will be played again with slight alterations in any one match. Your opponent analyzes the patterns you are playing and uses them to try to foresee your moves. Allowing him nothing predictable to base his strategy on gives you a big advantage. Unpredictability is most often the tactic of the master, but the underdog too can use it to great effect.