https://chessterra.com/chess-for-beginners-mating-patterns-explained/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6PiZYBOGZ7U.jpg Chess for Beginners: Mating Patterns Explained | target="_blank" rel="nofollow" Mating patterns are an essential part of chess, enabling rapid victories by attentive players. It´s not enough to memorize thousands of different mating patterns - it´s much better to focus on understanding the logic and reasoning behind checkmate patterns so you can replicate them in a variety of different situations and positions. IM Danny Kopec puts his ample chess training experience to use in the 120+ minute chess DVD ¨How to Visualize Chess Combinations¨ - teaching beginner and intermediate chess players the skills of calculation and tactics. The high quality production of the chess DVD ¨How to Visualize Chess Combinations¨ mixed with the vast chess coaching experience of IM Danny Kopec makes this chess video unforgettable. In the following excerpt from the chess DVD ¨How to Visualize Chess Combinations¨ IM Kopec analyzes and explains multiple examples of mating patterns involving the classic pair - Rook and Bishop! https://www.youtube.com/embed/6PiZYBOGZ7U 621 2012-10-06T14:30:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kingscrusher-vs-hikaru-nakamura-%f0%9f%98%b2-crushing-the-fianchetto-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/oSVuKG58ft0.jpg Kingscrusher vs Hikaru Nakamura 😲 Crushing The Fianchetto Opening How did Hikaru Nakamura win this game even when it quickly went out of theory? There are quick fixes we can all apply to take down even our toughest opponents. Take GM Lemos FREE Masterclass ► Kingscrusher, also known as Tryfon Gavriel, and host of one of the most popular youtube chess channels, took on the Japanese-American Super Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura (peak rating 2816 and number 2 in the world!). In this video, FIDE Master Will Stewart analyses the blitz game in which Kingscrusher opened with a strange move order that resulted in the Double Fianchetto opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/oSVuKG58ft0 757 2012-10-09T14:00:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparov-crushes-%f0%9f%98%b2-anand-with-the-sicilian-najdorf-anand-vs-garry-kasparov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/wBlJtbDy7lQ.jpg Kasparov CRUSHES 😲 Anand with the Sicilian Najdorf (Anand vs Garry Kasparov) Want to terrify opponents and delight spectators with super-aggressive chess like Garry Kasparov? 🤔 Then signup today for GM Damian Lemos' FREE rapid improvement masterclass that will give you the most ELO gain in the shortest amount of time! ► “Everyone has their nemesis. For me it was clearly Kasparov. I don’t think I want to make excuses for that” – Viswanathan Anand. Garry Kasparov and Viswanathan Anand had some insane battles back in the 1990s as Kasparov was at the height of his power and Anand was explosively shooting up the ranks to challenge for the title of world chess champion. While he did face Garry Kasparov in the World Chess Championship in 1995, Vishy Anand would have to wait until after Kasparov retired to finally claim the title in 2007, beating the man who beat Kasaparov: Vladimir Kramnik. https://www.youtube.com/embed/wBlJtbDy7lQ 2036 2012-10-12T21:23:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/rook-endgames-endgame-dvd-preview-3-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/49_2ImoJy2Q.jpg Rook Endgames – Endgame DVD Preview (3/3) | target="_blank" rel="nofollow" Chess endgame skill is often what separates good players from average players. Enriching your understanding of chess endgames will give you the confidence (and skill!) to conduct a game well from beginning to end. It´s fantastic if you are an expert in the opening and middlegame, achieving near-winning endgame positions in nearly all of your games. But if you are unable to convert these endgame plusses - you should consider changing the emphasis of your study routine. And chess endgame skill is not just for converting advantages to full points - it is also about understanding subtle defensive resources to hold on to that half point for dear life with an incredibly resilient defense. In the follow chess video excerpt from the chess endgames DVD ¨The Will To Win: Mastering Chess Endgames¨ we will examine a few basic tricks in king and rook vs king and pawn(s) endgames. I have provided 3 exercises below - I recommend that you try to solve these problems before watching the chess video. https://www.youtube.com/embed/49_2ImoJy2Q 936 2012-10-14T14:00:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/french-defense-beating-the-advance-variation-pt-4-4-beginner-chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QK5Ei3IyCN0.jpg French Defense – Beating the Advance Variation (Pt 4/4) – Beginner Chess Openings The basic principles of the French Defense still apply - black should strive to undermine white´s center by first applying pressure on d4 via moves like ...c5, ...Nc6, and ...Qb6. Once white´s pieces are tied down to the defense of the d4 pawn, black should aim to open a frontal attack against white´s center with ...f6 - breaking open the f-file and substantially increasing the pressure. To learn an excellent set-up and basic plan on how to play as black against this sharp set-up for white, in the above video I have examined a few games by a legendary player in the history of the French Defense -- GM Viktor Korchnoi. Below you will find the interactive PGNs for these 2 examples from Korchnoi´s games. https://www.youtube.com/embed/QK5Ei3IyCN0 1740 2012-10-17T15:00:32+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-openings-slav-defense-when-to-avoid-the-schallopp-variation/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pTIhwGOnNlc.jpg Chess Openings: Slav Defense – When to Avoid the Schallopp Variation | target="_blank" rel="nofollow" The Schallopp Variation of the Slav Defense is an extremely effective weapon for black against 1. d4. Black aims for a very solid pawn structure early on while deploying his light-squared bishop to f5 - outside of the pawn chain and on an active diagonal. However the Schallopp Variation of the Slav Defense retains one major drawback - white can obtain a dangerous initiative by playing a flexible move order that exploits the fact that with an early ...Bf5 black is giving up protection of his b7 pawn. While black certainly has adequate defensive resources at his disposal, it is important to understand the types of positions that result after an early cxd5 and Qb3 by white (see diagram at top right). In the below video I will analyzes black´s best recommended response to this dangerous line by white, as well as a few alternatives for black to avoid this difficult variation by playing an early ...a6 and transposing to the Chameleon Variation of the Slav Defense. https://www.youtube.com/embed/pTIhwGOnNlc 652 2012-10-22T17:50:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/french-defense-destroyed-%f0%9f%91%8a-with-the-milner-barry-gambit-gm-misa-pap/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/B2HH_ZTjIq4.jpg French Defense Destroyed 👊 with the Milner-Barry Gambit – GM Misa Pap Want to destroy your opponents with attacking chess? 🤔 Truth is, there are a number of tips and fixes we can all apply to our game in order to start taking down even our toughest opponents. Sign up for GM Lemos' FREE chess masterclass. ► The French Defense is a common chess opening for Black that you're likely to face regularly. It's known as a solid, defensive opening, and many aggressive, attacking chess players often find facing it to be quite boring. https://www.youtube.com/embed/B2HH_ZTjIq4 1764 2012-10-26T15:30:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/self-taught-grandmaster-gm-igor-smirnov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/39n2KSSp0Zk.jpg Self Taught Grandmaster – GM Igor Smirnov Self Taught Grandmaster – GM Igor Smirnov https://www.youtube.com/embed/39n2KSSp0Zk 510 2012-10-28T16:00:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/grandmasters-positional-understanding-gm-igor-smirnov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QH7GOPkuIGU.jpg Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding – GM Igor Smirnov ♕ href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" ♕ Why do STRONGER players play better than the average club player? Why is it that they WIN games and tournaments almost ALL the time... and some players can't even keep a positive score? The answer obviously is this: Stronger players UNDERSTAND chess better! No, they don't just calculate variations. Strong players don't just memorize opening lines. They don't just look for tactics every move. What set really strong players ahead of the pack is their DEEP and CLEAR UNDERSTANDING of the game. This clear understanding allows them to 'JUST KNOW' the right move! https://www.youtube.com/embed/QH7GOPkuIGU 777 2012-10-29T15:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/calculate-till-mate-gm-igor-smirnov-effecient-calculation-techniques/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/yO2cNjiPOmI.jpg Calculate Till Mate – GM Igor Smirnov (Effecient Calculation Techniques) Modern chess = DYNAMIC chess. Modern chess, thanks to our 'silicon friends' Fritz, Houdini, and company, have advanced to a level that is never seen before! Just have a look at today's GM games -- full of tactical twists and turns, intense fight for the initiative, sacrifices for dynamic compensation, and mind-boggling complications in ALL phases of the game. YES, dynamism dictates the Royal Game! Gone Are The Days When You Can Single-Mindedly Follow An Abstract Plan And Win Games! https://www.youtube.com/embed/yO2cNjiPOmI 812 2012-10-30T17:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/carlsen-stomps-%e2%98%a0%ef%b8%8f-karpovs-petroff-defense-magnus-carlsen-vs-anatoly-karpov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/umZKin-bdHg.jpg Carlsen STOMPS ☠️ Karpov’s Petroff Defense (Magnus Carlsen vs Anatoly Karpov) Ready to win more chess games by learning the advanced positional secrets that let Magnus Carlsen dominate Anatoly Karpov like this? Then signup today for GM Lemos' FREE rapid improvement masterclass and get max ELO gain ► It’s always a special occasion when chess world champions face each other and this game is no different. When Magnus Carlsen met Anatoly Karpov in the World Blitz Cup 2007, it was very much a clash of the generations. https://www.youtube.com/embed/umZKin-bdHg 849 2012-10-29T16:00:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kings-gambit-gm-gagunashvili-explains-guest-speaker/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cQzuVrV7i0U.jpg King’s Gambit: GM Gagunashvili Explains (Guest Speaker) | target="_blank" rel="nofollow" GM Merab Gagunashvili is a strong Grandmaster at 2590 FIDE, widely feared for his straightforward and aggressive style. GM Gagunashvili´s outstanding chess career features many impressive tournament wins, beginning with a silver medal at the World Junior Chess Championship in 2001. GM Gagunashvili has since won the national championship twice in Georgia (2004, 2010) and has achieved a FIDE rating over 2660! In the following chess video, GM Gagunashvili explains one of the most dangerous openings around - the King´s Gambit! The King´s Gambit is extremely difficult to play for both sides, so it is a real treat to pick the brains of such a strong and experienced grandmaster to get a better grip on the theory in this complicated opening. As this is GM Gagunashvili´s first chess video with iChess.NET - please express your feedback on his style by commenting on the video. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cQzuVrV7i0U 1691 2012-11-05T15:00:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/all-things-chess-%e2%99%94-kevin-butlers-chess-strategy-tactics-and-opening-tips/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/LyvIrv-K5DQ.jpg All Things Chess ♔ Kevin Butler’s Chess Strategy, Tactics and Opening Tips I often hear people asking me things like "How many moves do you need to think ahead in a chess game?" or "What should I be thinking about every time it's my move?" Because sometimes people are 1 track minded about what they need to be thinking about. If you want to be successful at chess here are some things you should always be thinking about You need to have a specific plan. You should NEVER be moving pieces sporadically around the board without a vision. Are you trying to control an outpost to attack your opponent? Defending? Or perhaps simply developing your piece? Are you sacrificing a minor piece to penetrate on the kingside. Do you have a nice little (foolproof) checkmate in mind? https://www.youtube.com/embed/LyvIrv-K5DQ 277 2012-11-06T16:00:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/slav-defense-speaker-gm-alex-ipatov-4-nbd2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8Wd591R-bJI.jpg Slav Defense – Speaker: GM Alex Ipatov – 4. Nbd2 | target="_blank" rel="nofollow" The Slav Defence is one of the most popular openings on the top level nowadays because of it's solid pawn structure set-up. The theory is developing but still White couldn't find a way for the opening advantage.And if Black knows the theory well, there are very few chances to achieve something out of the opening with White. My idea is to avoid the main theory lines which are deeply analysed by Black so I would like to examine a rare line with 4.Nbd2. It was shown to me by my coach GM Grivas and practical games proved it really deserves attention for the players U2500. https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Wd591R-bJI 1835 2012-11-07T16:00:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-evans-gambit-gm-gregory-kaidanov-chess-video/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4TdgWM8qcok.jpg The Evans Gambit – GM Gregory Kaidanov! Chess Video | href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" GM Gregory Kaidanov joins iChess.NET´s elite team as a guest speaker in this unforgettable video on an exceptionally complicated opening -- the Evans Gambit! GM Kaidanov boasts a FIDE rating of 2590 and remains one of the strongest chess players in the US today. GM Kaidanov has won countless tournaments throughout his illustrious career -- notably the World Open (1992), the US Open (1992), World Team Chess Championship (1993), North American Open (2001), Aeroflot Open (2002), and more recently the Gausdal Classic in 2008. Kaidanov earned the GM title nearly 25 years ago, and he utilizes his vast experience the top levels of chess to instruct the beginner and intermediate chess player on how to dominate with white via the incredibly exciting Evans Gambit. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4TdgWM8qcok 2144 2012-11-09T15:00:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/1-d4-the-queens-indian-live-blitz-chess-video/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/07-Gt8T-Ows.jpg 1. d4 – The Queen’s Indian – Live Blitz Chess Video 1. d4 – The Queen’s Indian – Live Blitz Chess Video https://www.youtube.com/embed/07-Gt8T-Ows 998 2012-11-15T00:39:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-video-gm-eugene-perlshteyn-welcome-to-the-ichess-team/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bVYQVO178jg.jpg Chess Video: GM Eugene Perlshteyn welcome to the iChess Team! Chess Video: GM Eugene Perlshteyn welcome to the iChess Team! https://www.youtube.com/embed/bVYQVO178jg 1325 2012-11-15T15:01:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/essential-endgame-knowledge-chess-preview-dr-im-danny-kopec-rook-and-pawn-endgames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kYk9STn0td4.jpg Essential Endgame Knowledge – Chess PREVIEW – Dr. IM Danny Kopec (Rook and Pawn Endgames) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Chess endgame technique is one of the most important fundamental concepts in chess, yet it is very often ignored by players of all levels (especially beginner and intermediate players!). For many beginner players, chess endgames are not nearly as appealing for chess training as studying complicated openings or exciting tactics. However it is with strong endgame technique and understanding that many professional chess players really earn their living. Deeply understanding key endgame ideas will have a resounding impact on your play in earlier stages of the game. True chess endgame technique is not about memorizing simple tricks or key positions, it is about understanding common principles and why they work. In this excerpt from the chess DVD by IM Danny Kopec ¨Essential Endgame Knowledge¨ we are treated to a very instructive presentation about one of the most difficult types of chess endgames - rook and pawn endings! https://www.youtube.com/embed/kYk9STn0td4 830 2012-11-23T16:00:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-analyze-a-chess-position-dr-im-danny-kopec/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AehdMxdrB8Y.jpg How To Analyze A Chess Position – Dr. IM Danny Kopec ♕ MORE ►: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" The above video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨How To Analyze a Chess Position¨ by IM Danny Kopec starts at move 19 from Fischer vs Camara, 1970 where white has achieved substantial pressure very early in the opening. White is far ahead in development and black´s king is still stuck in the center, creating strong conditions for a sacrifice by white to break open lines. Fischer´s 19. Rxd7!! perfectly exploits black´s lack of coordination and overextended pieces, forcing a recapture with the king on 19. ...Kxd7 - permanently exposing black´s king to white´s attack. Fischer precisely concludes the attack, forcing black´s resignation on 24. Qb5+ This was an excellent example presented by IM Kopec, as white´s aggressive play in the opening forced concessions by black - leading to a decisive exchange sacrifice that perfectly exploited black´s lack of development and coordination. https://www.youtube.com/embed/AehdMxdrB8Y 646 2012-11-26T16:00:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/middlegame-pawn-play-for-mate-free-preview/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qjBw00bihoQ.jpg Middlegame Pawn Play for Mate – FREE Preview Emphasizing energetic development and active minor piece play in the opening and middlegame is certainly a good idea -- however don´t forget about attacking with your pawns! There is a very fine balance in the early opening and early middlegame between using your pieces to develop quickly and aggressively attacking your opponent with your pawns early in the game. In the below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨Middlegame Pawn Play for Mate¨ by IM Dr. Danny Kopec, viewers are treated to a wonderful example of how to punish an opponent who is overly aggressive with his pawns in the opening. IM Kopec explains powerful attacking themes in an explosive win over Grandmaster Alexander Ivanov -- instructively demonstrating how he was able to punish his opponent´s provocative opening play with direct development and a very creative piece sacrifice! https://www.youtube.com/embed/qjBw00bihoQ 794 2012-11-20T16:00:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/understanding-the-scotch-opening-opening-pawn-structures-advanced-concepts/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ryBWuRVwAPM.jpg Understanding the Scotch Opening (Opening Pawn Structures – Advanced Concepts) ♕ MORE ► : target="_blank" rel="nofollow" The Scotch Opening is one of the oldest and most popular chess openings due to the direct nature of play by white, beginning with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 - immediately opening the center and placing pressure on black´s e5 pawn. This is a very natural way to play with the white pieces because you start with an extra move - generating favorable conditions for rapidly opening the position. In the below chess video from the chess DVD ¨Opening Pawn Structures - Advanced Concepts¨ by IM Dr. Danny Kopec, you´re going to learn about the underlying principles of the Scotch Opening and how each side can fight for an advantage in this classic chess opening. You will learn that while white often achieves slight but lasting pressure out of the opening, black´s position is very solid and black can normally obtain adequate counterplay with energetic development. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ryBWuRVwAPM 1232 2012-11-30T16:00:16+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-do-i-play-pawn-structures-free-preview-im-dr-danny-kopec-pawn-structures/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TOuETbnbNpw.jpg How do I Play Pawn Structures? – Free Preview – IM Dr. Danny Kopec (Pawn Structures) How do I Play Pawn Structures? – Free Preview – IM Dr. Danny Kopec (Pawn Structures) https://www.youtube.com/embed/TOuETbnbNpw 809 2012-11-28T16:00:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-secret-%f0%9f%a4%90-way-to-win-at-chess-the-kopec-system-anti-sicilian/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/zbmcoohIWjY.jpg The Secret 🤐 Way to Win at Chess: The Kopec System (Anti-Sicilian) The Kopec System is an effective anti-Sicilian sideline for White devised by IM Danny Kopec for use against those booked-up 📚 Sicilian Defense players. It employs a strange bishop maneuver early in the opening that guarantees White a solid, and unexpected, set-up after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6/Nc6 3.Bd3. Bd3!? Yes, it’s true, the Kopec System looks very strange after 3. Bd3, however White´s idea is to form a strong center with pawns on e4 and d4 – normally leading to positions similar to the Ruy Lopez. Although White´s 3.Bd3 move looks very weird and breaks a fundamental rule of blocking in his d2-pawn and thus c1-bishop, White will soon unravel with 4.c3 and 5.Bc2 – tucking the bishop safely on c2. This allows White to gain space in the center with a well-prepared d4 push. https://www.youtube.com/embed/zbmcoohIWjY 1188 2012-11-21T16:00:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/beating-the-caro-kann-defense-live-blitz-chess-video/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dpDQCrCzoxg.jpg Beating the Caro-Kann Defense – Live Blitz Chess Video | target="_blank" rel="nofollow" The Caro-Kann is a very interesting opening that has experienced a recent revival in popularity as many top Grandmasters regularly employ the Caro-Kann at the elite levels (Andreikin, Mamedyarov, Nakamura, etc..) In this blitz chess video, I decided on a pretty quiet line for white that really allows black a lot of options early in the opening. However, the advantage of my relaxed system is that it is easy to build a very solid pawn center with white. After 13. ...Bxf6?! I was able to snatch a pawn with 14. dxc5 and after 15. ...e5? I was able to snatch another pawn with 16. Qxd5+ - although black was able to win the c5 pawn back in the subsequent complications. White emerged a clear pawn ahead and I quickly capitalized on black´s lack of coordination by first pushing back his knights and then lining up my bishops on black´s relatively undefended queenside pawns - after which the weight of white´s bishops in an open position was truly felt and led to a winning advantage. https://www.youtube.com/embed/dpDQCrCzoxg 368 2012-11-19T16:00:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-for-beginners-%e2%9a%94-how-to-attack-fm-lilov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/T22ivPXPtNU.jpg Chess For Beginners ⚔ How To Attack! (FM Lilov) Chess for beginners might be overwhelming. With so many moves available, it can be tough to work out which moves to make and how to attack your opponent. In this video, FM Valeri Lilov shows you some basic chess strategy tips for aggressive, attacking play. Attacking can be tough at any level, all the way up to the elite players. It might be easier to find some tactical combination, but putting together a consistent attack can be a challenge. FM Lilov takes a look at a game that begins in the Four Knights variation, a chess opening he enjoys very much due to the fact it is easy to play, and gives Black some great counter-attacking opportunities. https://www.youtube.com/embed/T22ivPXPtNU 684 2012-11-26T17:01:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-crushing-the-caro-kann/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/9pYCifwey0s.jpg Live Blitz Chess Commentary: Crushing the Caro-Kann Live Blitz Chess Commentary: Crushing the Caro-Kann https://www.youtube.com/embed/9pYCifwey0s 920 2012-11-29T17:01:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/london-chess-classic-2012-levon-aronian-vs-hikaru-nakamura/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/oGuxcfkEz-U.jpg London Chess Classic 2012 – Levon Aronian vs Hikaru Nakamura ♕ ♕ target="_blank" rel="nofollow" https://www.youtube.com/embed/oGuxcfkEz-U 1832 2012-12-02T04:30:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/killer-dragon-gm-simon-williams-yugoslav-attack-gingergm/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/p3OTNhn3qPQ.jpg Killer Dragon: GM Simon Williams – Yugoslav Attack (GingerGM) ♕ MORE ►: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" Black employs an interesting move order that delays castling to confuse white, however after 11. ...0-0 we have reached a standard theoretical position in the Sicilian Dragon. On 12. ...b5 black attempts to sacrifice a pawn to open lines against white´s king on the queenside, however white declines the pawn sac - preferring to focus on his own attack on the kingside against black´s king with 13. h5. GM Williams employs a very interesting piece sacrifice with 13. ...Nxf3!? - instantly netting 3 pawns for the piece and completely shutting down white´s kingside attack. White reacts badly to the changing dynamics in the position and black plays very actively to capitalize on white´s indecision - leading to a crushing queen sacrifice and subsequent checkmate on 23. ...Rb1# This is a fine attacking game and the patterns found here can be applied in a variety of similar positions in the Sicilian Dragon. https://www.youtube.com/embed/p3OTNhn3qPQ 676 2012-12-05T17:01:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/intense-blitz-kings-indian-defense-panno-system-live-blitz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/S5FNF6DA3K4.jpg INTENSE BLITZ: King’s Indian Defense – Panno System – Live Blitz! ♕ ♕ target="_blank" rel="nofollow" I responded to 1. d4 with the King´s Indian Defense and my opponent chose the Fianchetto Variation so I decided to employ the Panno System with an early ...a6 and ...Rb8. Against 9. e4 I played 9. ...b5 - but I think it was much better to develop with 9. ...Bd7 first. White definitely achieved an advantage in the middle-game after 9. ...b5 and also the imprecise 15. ...Nb6 but I kept fighting with black and finally achieved sufficient counterplay and seized the initiative with 36. ...f5 and 37. ...Rc4. I emerged victorious in a ridiculous time-scramble, flagging my opponent with just .2 seconds on my clock. Blitz chess can get a little crazy sometimes! https://www.youtube.com/embed/S5FNF6DA3K4 1018 2012-12-07T17:30:22+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-killer-french-with-gm-simon-williams-general-concepts-gingergm-french-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FBq4d1yVa-k.jpg The Killer French with GM Simon Williams – General Concepts (GingerGM) French Defense The Killer French with GM Simon Williams – General Concepts (GingerGM) French Defense https://www.youtube.com/embed/FBq4d1yVa-k 722 2012-12-10T17:01:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/hikaru-nakamura-vs-luke-mcshane-2012-london-chess-classic/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/uyOBkNPbsOs.jpg Hikaru Nakamura vs Luke McShane – 2012 London Chess Classic It started with the Slav Defense with the popular variation 4. a6 Nakamura applied a simple plan of play based on the fianchetto of his white bishop on the long diagonal. He then centralized his heavy pieces and breaks through the center with the strong 13. e4 obtaining a solid advantage in the middlegame. His rival doesn't have much of a choice but to sacrifice the exchange with b6 to obtain certain compensation. In this moment Nakamura simply reinforces his position, safeguards his king, centralizes his pieces and finishes off the game. https://www.youtube.com/embed/uyOBkNPbsOs 1215 2012-12-13T00:39:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/rook-vs-queen-endings-killer-endgames-with-gm-nick-pert-vol-2-preview/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/D8nQu0U_0FM.jpg Rook vs Queen Endings: Killer Endgames with GM Nick Pert (Vol 2 PREVIEW) The endgame is one of the most important phases of the game, and yet it is largely ignored by chess players of all skill levels. The below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨Killer Endgames¨ features Grandmaster Nick Pert explaining basic tricks and themes in a very interesting and common type of endgame position - king and rook vs king and queen. Although you may think this endgame is easily winning for the side with the queen, in fact it is actually fairly complicated. This chess ending requires a thorough understanding of a variety of tricks for the side with the queen to either pick off the defender´s rook or force a checkmate. As described by Grandmaster Pert in the below chess video, the winning technique involves pushing the opponent´s king into the corner where the attacker may combine mating threats with double attacks on the defender´s king and rook. While the attacking side with the queen is winning most of the time, GM Pert is quick to point out a few select scenarios where the defending side with the rook can hold the draw. https://www.youtube.com/embed/D8nQu0U_0FM 561 2012-12-31T17:00:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/queen-vs-pawn-on-the-7th-rank-killer-endgames-with-gm-nick-pert-gingergm-endings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ADAnxZJVG5c.jpg Queen vs Pawn on the 7th Rank – Killer Endgames with GM Nick Pert (GingerGM) Endings Grandmaster Nick Pert is one of the strongest chess players the United Kingdom has produced. GM Pert is well-known for his strong positional understanding and excellent endgame technique. In the below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨Killer Endgames¨ Grandmaster Pert explains various tricks for both the attacking and defending side in complicated endgames, specifically where one side has a queen and the other side is extremely close to promoting a passed pawn. These types of endgames can be very difficult to figure out over the board, especially as they typically arise after a good 5-6 hours of intense play and you are likely to be exhausted by the time you reach them. And this is exactly why it is so critical to understand basic and advanced concepts in endgame play. Memorizing tricks in the endgame might help you out slightly in the short term, but understanding key fundamentals will pay off huge in the long term. And that is exactly what you will learn in this chess video excerpt from ¨Killer Endgames¨ by GM Nick Pert. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ADAnxZJVG5c 764 2013-01-11T17:00:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-killer-french-with-gm-williams-beating-the-advance-variation-gingergm-french-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lyURWiUsFgc.jpg The Killer French with GM Williams – Beating the Advance Variation (GingerGM) French Defense target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Grischuk opens with the Advance Variation against the French Defense and plays the popular 6. a3 line, to which Short responds powerfully with 6. ...f6 - immediately attempting to exploit´s white´s extended pawn center and relative lack of development. Black continues with 7. ...Qc7 to generate more pressure against white´s e5 pawn and declares strong aggressive intentions with opposite-sides castling on 8. ...0-0-0. Out of the opening black had achieved a very promising position, demonstrating an effective response for black against the 6. a3 line in the Advance Variation of the French Defense. https://www.youtube.com/embed/lyURWiUsFgc 688 2012-12-24T17:00:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/killer-c3-sicilian-with-im-sam-collins-gingergm/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SUWBZLMIPu4.jpg Killer c3 Sicilian with IM Sam Collins (GingerGM) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | White opens with the c3 Sicilian and black employs one of the main responses with 2. ...Nf6 - immediately pressuring white´s e4-pawn while developing a piece. The opening continues fairly normally however we can see what IM Collins is talking about in the video - the knight on b6 really is worthless! White is able to rapidly generate a direct attack against black´s king, meanwhile all of black´s pieces are unable to help defend as white´s e5-pawn does an excellent job of cramping black´s position and blocking communication with the kingside. With 21. Bxf5!! white tore open black´s kingside, leading to a decisive attack and black´s resignation after only 26 moves! https://www.youtube.com/embed/SUWBZLMIPu4 1165 2012-12-21T17:00:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/exchange-sacrifices-the-killer-dragon-with-gm-simon-williams-gingergm/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GlfpN2RvCs.jpg Exchange Sacrifices! – The Killer Dragon with GM Simon Williams (GingerGM) Game 1: This game illustrates a very important concept in the Sicilian Dragon - when your opponent plays Bh6 as part of his kingside attack, the first thing you should consider is to play Bxh6 Qxh6 and sacrifice the exchange with Rxc3 to take advantage of white´s deserted queenside. This game is a fantastic example of an appropriately timed exchange sacrifice followed by accurate play by black to ensure that white´s rooks can´t be activated on any open files. Although Korchnoi went on to draw the game, his position from the opening was extremely promising. https://www.youtube.com/embed/_GlfpN2RvCs 569 2012-12-28T17:00:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-killer-dutch-with-gm-simon-williams-ye-old-faithful-with-7-a5/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8A6OyfNnSMQ.jpg The Killer Dutch with GM Simon Williams – Ye Old Faithful with 7. a5 target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Game 1: This game covers the old main line with 8. Re1 and demonstrates black´s best response - 8. ...Ne4 - immediately stopping white from opening the center with 9. e4 and offering to exchange a pair of knights which will certainly help black who has less space. GM Williams continues very actively and is quick to explain an incredibly important rule in the Classical Dutch - if your opponent is able to break the center with e4, black should respond immediately with ...e5 to counter in the center. With the thematic 11. ...e5 in the game black achieved dynamic equality, and with the attentive 13. ...Be4 black could already claim an advantage from the opening. Black´s subsequent play is a perfect example of how to proceed actively and aggressively in a common type of middlegame in the Classical Dutch, and with the excellent tactical idea 20. ...Nf3 - black had achieved a very dangerous attack on white´s king. https://www.youtube.com/embed/8A6OyfNnSMQ 768 2013-01-04T17:00:15+00:00 https://chessterra.com/gingergms-killer-dutch-defense-%f0%9f%98%b2-gm-simon-williams/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Z7Oex0bZd30.jpg GingerGM’s Killer Dutch Defense 😲 GM Simon Williams The Dutch Defense is a chess opening for Black that begins with the moves 1. d4 f5. it is a very active defense against 1.d4. It's a chess opening that the GingerGM Simon Williams has relied upon for many years, and helped him to get the grandmaster title. An expert in the Dutch Defense, there is no one better to explain the key ideas and moves for Black! In the Dutch Defense, Black looks to control the e4-square while completely unbalancing the position. Later, Black looks to create a powerful attack on White’s kingside. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z7Oex0bZd30 1167 2012-12-17T17:00:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-killer-grand-prix-attack-with-gm-gawain-jones-fide-2650/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/yzO6zmboft4.jpg The Killer Grand Prix Attack with GM Gawain Jones (FIDE 2650!) href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Grand Prix Attack is a very effective sideline for white against the Sicilian Defense, typically generating a very dangerous attack early in the game against black´s king. In the below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨Killer Grand Prix¨ Grandmaster Gawain Jones explains the Grand Prix Attack and how you can start using it to rack up those easy attacking victories with white against the Sicilian Defense while avoiding the immense theory of the main lines. GM Jones is currently the world´s leading expert on the Grand Prix Attack and has used this system to topple many elite grandmasters. Although the basic attacking pattern involving Qe1-h4, f5, Bh6, and Ng5 is very direct - it is still very difficult to defend against! Let´s check out a fine example in the game Jones vs Zartaj where the Grandmaster demonstrates this attacking scheme in practice. https://www.youtube.com/embed/yzO6zmboft4 767 2012-12-14T18:23:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparovs-immortal-queen-sacrifice-%f0%9f%94%a5-kings-indian-insanity/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Fh5z2YFBkHs.jpg Kasparov´s Immortal Queen Sacrifice 🔥 – King´s Indian Insanity!! Want to terrify opponents and delight spectators with super-aggressive chess like Garry Kasparov? 🤔 Then signup today for GM Damian Lemos' FREE rapid improvement masterclass that will give you the most ELO gain in the shortest amount of time! ► During his dominant reign as the 13th world chess champion, Garry Kasparov was playing some of the most aggressive chess ever seen in the history of the game. Many of Garry Kasparov´s games were downright inspirational as he consistently sought to maximize complications and pressure against his unfortunate opponents. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fh5z2YFBkHs 1439 2012-12-26T17:00:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparovs-greatest-game-%f0%9f%99%80-kasparovs-immortal-analysis-kasparov-vs-topalov-1999-pirc-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lcpqGSrxezg.jpg Kasparov’s Greatest Game!! 🙀 Kasparov’s Immortal analysis (Kasparov vs Topalov 1999, Pirc Defense) Want to create irresistible attacks like Kasparov vs Topalov? 😃Get GM Damian Lemos' FREE rapid improvement masterclass, customized to suit YOUR needs! ► In 1999, Kasparov was one of fourteen players invited to compete in the Wijk aan Zee tournament in the Netherlands, now often known as Tata Steel chess. The tournament was super-strong with Anand, Kramnik, Veselin Topalov, Alexei Shirov, Vassily Ivanchuk and Rustam Kasimdzhanov also challenging. Ultimately, Garry Kasparov would win with a fantastic 10/13 score. But one game stood out and was soon being described as one of the greatest chess games ever played, Kasparov’s Immortal. https://www.youtube.com/embed/lcpqGSrxezg 1744 2013-01-02T17:00:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2013-tata-steel-chess-sergey-karjakin-vs-hou-yifan/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/EqcZegcKkCI.jpg 2013 Tata Steel Chess – Sergey Karjakin vs Hou Yifan Tata Steel 2013 began with an action-packed, draw-filled Round 1 as 5 of the 7 games in Group A resulted in fighting draws. GM Harikrishna pulled a slight upset over the prodigal GM Giri when the young hometown hero made a few inaccuracies in an equal but tricky rook endgame. In the following chess video Grandmaster Damian Lemos analyzes the other decisive result from round 1 of Tata Steel Chess 2013 with Russian superstar GM Sergey Karjakin beating former Women's World Chess Champion Yifan Hou with an explosive line against the French Defense. In this game black adopted a dubious plan in the opening (a quick b6 followed by Ba6) that Karjakin exploited rapidly with a convincing break in the center. https://www.youtube.com/embed/EqcZegcKkCI 1388 2013-01-13T03:14:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/magnus-carlsen-vs-loek-van-wely-tata-steel-chess-tournament-2013-round-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BeDdgb-ExGI.jpg Magnus Carlsen vs Loek Van Wely – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2013 – Round 3 Magnus Carlsen vs Loek Van Wely – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2013 – Round 3 https://www.youtube.com/embed/BeDdgb-ExGI 1285 2013-01-15T22:45:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kings-indian-epic-battle-loek-van-wely-vs-wang-hao-tata-steel-chess-tournament-2013/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Z_YHCeHQhVY.jpg King’s Indian Epic Battle! Loek Van Wely vs Wang Hao – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2013 In this video GM Damien Lemos analyzes a game from round 6 between GM Loek Van Wely and GM Wang Hao. We'll see a Kings Indian battle where White plays the fianchetto variation (which is a positional try). Black is attacking at kingside but White's defenses are worth an study. Don't miss this game! https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z_YHCeHQhVY 1328 2013-01-19T04:48:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/aggressive-caro-kann-%f0%9f%98%b2-gm-caruana-vs-gm-lami-2013-tata-steel-chess-tournament/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KcKCL-la9k8.jpg Aggressive Caro-Kann 😲 GM Caruana vs GM L’ami – 2013 Tata Steel Chess Tournament Want to win like Fabiano Caruana, no matter what opening your opponent plays? 🤔 Take GM Damian Lemos' free masterclass, where you'll learn his top tips for rapid chess improvement to start taking down even your toughest rivals. ► Fabiano Caruana had an interesting game against Erwin L'Ami in the eighth round of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament from the year 2013. In this video, Grandmaster Damian Lemos analyzes the battle that took place at Wijk aan zee, move by move, giving his expert opinion. https://www.youtube.com/embed/KcKCL-la9k8 1528 2013-01-22T01:01:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2013-gibraltar-chess-festival-w-gm-damien-lemos-round-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QhlVoGFriT0.jpg 2013 Gibraltar Chess Festival w/ GM Damien Lemos – Round 2 2013 Gibraltar Chess Festival w/ GM Damien Lemos – Round 2 https://www.youtube.com/embed/QhlVoGFriT0 1219 2013-01-23T23:42:48+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-with-the-slav-defense-chameleon-variation-gibraltar-chess-2013-gata-kamsky/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ULEdq_9wcYs.jpg Dominate with the Slav Defense, Chameleon Variation – Gibraltar Chess 2013 (Gata Kamsky) Dominate with the Slav Defense, Chameleon Variation – Gibraltar Chess 2013 (Gata Kamsky) https://www.youtube.com/embed/ULEdq_9wcYs 1438 2013-01-29T16:00:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/powerful-attack-gibraltar-chess-2013-michael-adams-vs-gm-ehlvesht/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/z0ZvBOIZJ94.jpg Powerful Attack! Gibraltar Chess 2013: Michael Adams vs GM Ehlvesht In this video GM Damien Lemos analyzes a game of R9 between GM Michael Adams and GM Jan Elhvest. We'll see a Ruy Lopez- Steinitz variation where White achieves a comfortable advantage in the opening and due to his space advantage launchs a powerful attack, winning successfully in only 20 moves! https://www.youtube.com/embed/z0ZvBOIZJ94 1148 2013-02-01T12:44:50+00:00 https://chessterra.com/catalan-opening-positional-madness/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/s67Lqye44q4.jpg Catalan Opening – Positional Madness I opened the game with the Fianchetto Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined and black quickly gave me the opportunity to give him an isolated pawn, which I was happy to take. After 13. Na4, I think black really needed to play 13. ...Bc7 as giving me the dark-squared bishop and allowing me to double his pawns with 14. Nxb6 are two big achievements for white. After 18. Qd4 white has achieved a sizable advantage and I should have simply won a pawn with 19. Bxe4 dxe4 20. Qxe4 -- however I was too greedy and wanted more so I played for the initiative and pressure with 19. Rfd1. Unfortunately I had overlooked a very simple tactical trick that my opponent capitalized on with 19. ...Nc4 -- immediately solving black's problems. I went in for an ending where I had a bishop and 2 rooks versus black's queen and knight. I think white was doing good in this endgame although I made some inaccurate moves in time-trouble -- which my opponent did not exploit because he was also in time-trouble. Eventually I gained the upper-hand and was able to premove my way to the win with 6 seconds remaining after 63. Qhh8# https://www.youtube.com/embed/s67Lqye44q4 880 2013-02-05T15:57:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sicilian-defense-hedgehog-style-live-blitz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MhqVnlAMzRA.jpg Sicilian Defense – Hedgehog Style – LIVE BLITZ! My opponent played 1. e4 and I responded with the Sicilian Defense, specifically a sideline with the early 4. ...Qb6 - immediately putting the question to white's knight on d4. I continued with normal development and chose to fianchetto my light-squared bishop on the queenside, resulting in a structure very similar to the Hedgehog Defense. White has more space in the center and prospects of a kingside attack, however black's position is extremely solid, he has no weaknesses, and black also can break open the center with moves like e5 and d5 at any point. With the attentive 18. ...Ba6 and 19 ...Nd4 I think black had already achieved a sizable advantage, however in time-trouble I snatched a poisoned pawn with 25. ...Qxc3?? that should have lost the game on the spot to 26. Be4 - however my opponent was also in time-trouble and I was lucky that he missed this winning tactic. I was able to consolidate my position and proceeded to win the game on time. https://www.youtube.com/embed/MhqVnlAMzRA 781 2013-02-18T17:12:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/boris-spasskys-psycho-rook-sacrifice-%f0%9f%a4%aa-chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/uAvABGthv4w.jpg Boris Spassky’s Psycho Rook Sacrifice 🤪 (Chess Openings) How was Boris Spassky able to prevail in this game even when it went out of chess opening theory? 🤔 There are a number of principles we can apply to our game to start taking down our toughest opponents. Sign up for GM Lemos FREE masterclass. ► Boris Spassky was well-known for his creative and aggressive style that resulted in many outstanding victories over the contemporary grandmasters of his time. In the following chess video, viewers will witness one of the most incredible sacrifices ever played where Spassky gives away a rook for no material compensation - only to receive a critical tempo for his attack against the opponent's king. It's a great chess opening lesson for us when facing off against Hypermodern systems. https://www.youtube.com/embed/uAvABGthv4w 1429 2013-02-23T16:01:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-slav-defense-crazy-exchange/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/f1mrLR-hv9Q.jpg LIVE BLITZ! – Slav Defense – Crazy Exchange I responded to the Queen's Gambit with the Slav Defense, and my opponent played the Exchange Variation with 4. cxd5. Play continued normally until 7. a3 and 8. b4 - which I don't think is very good for white because this is taking a lot of time to move these pawns while black is busy developing his pieces and trying to create tactics against white's lack of development. I think I missed a nice piece sacrifice with 11. ...Nxb4 instead of 11. ...a5 - creating a very strong attack against white's king and fully exploiting black's lead in development. However after the game continuation 11. ...a5 - I think black has every reason to fight for the advantage as white's king will definitely be stuck in the center for another couple of moves. With 15. bxc5 white dropped his bishop on b5, however the alternative 15. dxc5 would allow black a pawn majority in the center and chances to play ...f6 and ...e5 in the near future. https://www.youtube.com/embed/f1mrLR-hv9Q 491 2013-02-27T16:00:37+00:00 https://chessterra.com/empire-chess-slav-defense-4-a6-leonid-kritz-vol-1-introduction/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/eyHoB9bt93w.jpg EMPIRE CHESS: Slav Defense – 4. A6 – Leonid Kritz (Vol 1 Introduction) EMPIRE CHESS: Slav Defense – 4. A6 – Leonid Kritz (Vol 1 Introduction) https://www.youtube.com/embed/eyHoB9bt93w 451 2013-02-25T16:41:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-the-benko-gambit-by-gm-damien-lemos-my-own-game/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DdaQBqV3luA.jpg Dominate the Benko Gambit by GM Damien Lemos (My Own Game) Grandmaster Damien Lemos has frequently employed the Benko Gambit with black against 1. d4, achieving notable success at the highest levels of competitive chess. The Benko Gambit is a fascinating chess opening where black sacrifices a pawn very early in the opening to obtain active piece play and long-lasting positional compensation in the form of open files on the A and B files. The true value of this video lies in Damien's unusual ability to explain the importance of specific move orders with respect to the deep positional ideas behind them. This chess video is an excerpt from the Empire Chess DVD ¨Balling with the Benko¨, specifically focusing on how black should play against the solid Fianchetto Variation by white. https://www.youtube.com/embed/DdaQBqV3luA 1088 2013-03-01T16:01:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/gm-leonid-kritz-dominate-w-the-slav-defense-chameleon-variation-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/juQ7ENJ8GLM.jpg GM Leonid Kritz: Dominate w/ the Slav Defense, Chameleon Variation (EMPIRE CHESS) The Chameleon Variation of the Slav Defense is one of the most popular chess openings in today´s game because it is extremely flexible and provides black with a variety of attractive variations in the Slav Defense. Grandmaster Leonid Kritz is one of the world´s leading experts in the Chameleon Variation with 4. ...a6 (also known as the Chebanenko Variation) and in the below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨Dominate With the Slav Defense, Chameleon Variation¨ he draws upon his wealth of knowledge and experience with this opening that has helped push him over 2600 FIDE. In the below chess video, GM Kritz examines one of the most critical lines that white can employ against the Chameleon Variation of the Slav Defense involving 5. Bg5. https://www.youtube.com/embed/juQ7ENJ8GLM 866 2013-03-11T16:01:53+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-kings-indian-defense-gm-eugene-perelshteyn-6-na6-system-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FiOaE8-rpsY.jpg The King’s Indian Defense – GM Eugene Perelshteyn – 6. …Na6 System (EMPIRE CHESS) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The King's Indian Defense is one of the most popular openings ever because it is extremely dynamic and allows black chances to fight aggressively for the win against 1. d4. Grandmaster Eugene Perelshteyn has been playing the King's Indian Defense for nearly 20 years and in the below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨The King's Indian Defense 6. ...Na6 System¨ he explains his intimate knowledge of this complicated opening system, specifically focusing on a very interesting sideline that has recently risen to extreme popularity - diverging from the main lines with 6. ...Na6. In this introductory video from the chess DVD, GM Perelshteyn demonstrates the main ideas of this variation with special emphasis placed on the thematic maneuvers and breaks for black. Although many variations and concepts of the 6. ...Na6 system are very similar to the main lines of the King's Indian Defense, GM Perelshteyn is quick to point out the differences and advantages offered by this sideline. In the following chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨The King's Indian Defense 6. ...Na6 System¨ Grandmaster Eugene Perelshteyn will introduce the main concepts of this effective sideline and how you can begin playing it with great success against 1. d4. https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiOaE8-rpsY 894 2013-03-13T17:01:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crushing-white-the-french-defense-gm-damian-lemos-and-will-stewart-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fDk2lEwitrA.jpg Crushing White – The French Defense – GM Damian Lemos and Will Stewart (EMPIRE CHESS) The Advance Variation is one of the most dangerous weapons white can employ against the French Defense, involving an early 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 - however in the below excerpt from the 4+ hour chess DVD ¨Crushing White - The French Defense¨ by GM Damian Lemos and Will Stewart, the viewer will learn an exceptional way of combatting this line and fighting for an advantage with black in the opening. GM Lemos is a leading expert in the French Defense and invites viewers to share his years of experience with this solid opening, demonstrating an extremely effective line of play for black against the Advance Variation. Although black chooses to close the position and release his pressure against white´s center with an early 6. ...c4, it is a very natural responses to white´s 6. a3 in this line as black will be able to lock down the b3-square and essentially achieve complete control of the queenside for the remainder of the game. The position does become very closed in nature, however there is strong potential for a long struggle as both sides still have all of their starting material! In the below chess video, you will learn how to strike back against white in the Advanced Variation of the French Defense. https://www.youtube.com/embed/fDk2lEwitrA 904 2013-03-15T15:11:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crushing-white-the-nimzo-indian-defense-gm-damian-lemos-and-will-stewart-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/gKdIGNZWa3s.jpg Crushing White – The Nimzo-Indian Defense – GM Damian Lemos and Will Stewart – (EMPIRE CHESS) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Nimzo-Indian Defense is one of black´s most effective responses versus 1. d4 due mainly to the types of dynamic positions that frequently result early on in this chess opening. In the below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨Crushing White - The Nimzo-Indian Defense¨ by GM Damian Lemos and Will Stewart, the viewer will learn one of the most dangerous attacking patterns in the Nimzo-Indian Defense involving a direct onslaught against white´s king very early in the game. This example begins normally as black gives up his dark-square bishop to double white´s c-pawns with 4. ...Bxc3+, followed by a queenside fianchetto for black. However shortly after black embarks on a rapid attack against white´s king with moves like 9. ...g5, 12. ...h5, and 13. ...Rg8 - firmly lining up pressure on the g-file and specifically establishing a focal point on g2. Black ends the game explosively with a queen and rook sacrifice that leads to forced checkmate on white´s king - adequately demonstrating black´s attacking resources in the Nimzo-Indian Defense! https://www.youtube.com/embed/gKdIGNZWa3s 802 2013-03-18T17:00:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crushing-white-the-bogo-indian-defense-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/R6ZTwR9tabM.jpg Crushing White – The Bogo-Indian Defense – GM Damian Lemos – (EMPIRE CHESS) The Bogo-Indian Defense is a very strong weapon for Black against 1. d4, based firmly on positional principles that guarantee black a good game in the long-term. The Bogo-Indian is a popular opening at the Grandmaster level however it is very uncommon at the beginner and intermediate levels because many of the positional concepts are advanced and difficult to grasp at first glance. However, spend a little time with GM Damian Lemos and soon you'll be able to deploy this opening as your surprise weapon to start picking up some wins at your chess club. https://www.youtube.com/embed/R6ZTwR9tabM 1556 2013-03-20T16:16:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/stomping-the-sicilian-defense-gm-sam-shankland-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4cIN-RoCQZY.jpg Stomping the Sicilian Defense – GM Sam Shankland – (EMPIRE CHESS) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | GM Sam Shankland is a leading expert in the Sicilian Defense, bringing years of experience in this complicated opening system with both colors. In the below chess video excerpt from the Empire Chess DVD ¨Stomping the Sicilian Defense¨, GM Shankland reviews a tense encounter between current World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand and the young Super-GM Teimour Radjabov - played at the Linares Chess Festival of 2009. In the full chess DVD, GM Shankland reviews 7 critical variations in the Sicilian Defense - explaining white's best responses in every line. With this video excerpt, viewers are treated to a preview of the DVD and will learn an exceptional approach for white against the Sveshnikov Variation of the Sicilian Defense. GM Shankland goes far into detail, explaining deep positional ideas in the middlegame and how they relate back to white's aggressive opening play. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4cIN-RoCQZY 1202 2013-03-22T17:00:50+00:00 https://chessterra.com/winning-king-pawn-openings-for-white-gm-gregory-kaidanov-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Bw4GpFI9mmA.jpg Winning King Pawn Openings for White – GM Gregory Kaidanov (EMPIRE CHESS) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | GM Gregory Kaidanov is one of the most experienced and highly regarded chess trainers on the planet today, having earned the IM title in 1987 and the GM title in 1988. In the below chess video excerpt from the Empire Chess DVD ¨Stomping the Italian Opening and Sidelines¨, GM Kaidanov breaks down a very interesting sideline for black against the Evans Gambit where black refuses to accept the gambit and prefers a more solid set-up with 4. ...Bb6!? Although this variation does not seem very dangerous, it is an excellent sideline in that black retains strong chances taking white out of preparation and achieving a promising position early in the opening. GM Kaidanov's style of presentation is impeccable for beginner and intermediate players as he not only demonstrates the correct move orders, he is exceptionally clear when explaining the subtle positional plans behind the moves! https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bw4GpFI9mmA 929 2013-03-25T17:00:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-psycho-sveshnikov-gm-michal-krasenkow-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dEBsZ8FoEV4.jpg The Psycho Sveshnikov – GM Michal Krasenkow (EMPIRE CHESS) The Sveshnikov is one of the most dynamic possibilities in the Sicilian Defense, as very early in the opening black makes permanent positional concessions in exchange for strong piece activity in the center. GM Michal Krasenkow (FIDE 2643) is a very strong Grandmaster who has achieved outstanding tournament results with the Sicilian Sveshnikov, and in the below chess video excerpt from the Empire Chess DVD ¨The Psycho Sveshnikov¨ the experienced GM explains basic tactical and positional considerations in this extremely complicated opening. GM Krasenkow points out that although black has given himself a long-term weakness with his backward d6-pawn, black has excellent chances of fighting for an advantage in the opening with rapid, targeted development. In the following chess video, GM Krasenkow explains numerous move order transpositions that result in typical Sveshnikov structures for black. Even if you play another line in the Sicilian Defense, it is still extremely useful to understand the basic principles and plans of the Sveshnikov Variation as many of these ideas overlap with other Sicilian Systems. https://www.youtube.com/embed/dEBsZ8FoEV4 844 2013-03-27T17:00:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/beat-the-ruy-lopez-with-the-berlin-variation-gm-leonid-kritz-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Jqs7RxIKZP8.jpg Beat the Ruy Lopez with the Berlin Variation – GM Leonid Kritz (EMPIRE CHESS) he Berlin Variation of the Ruy Lopez is one of the most solid opening choices available with black against 1. e4. Although this system can be quite drawish, black consistently achieves excellent positions out of the opening that are extremely different from other, more normal openings. With that in mind, the Berlin Variation can be an awesome surprise weapon for the amateur and club level player who is familiar with the distinct subtleties of this complex system. The Berlin Variation of the Ruy Lopez really came to fame during Vladimir Kramnik's World Chess Championship Match with Garry Kasparov in 2000, where Kramnik used the Berlin Variation to effectively neutralize Kasparov's preparation with white in the Ruy Lopez. The Berlin Variation is an excellent addition to any chess player's repertoire and studying it deeply with guarantee you a much greater appreciation of the power of the two bishops in the endgame. Grandmaster Leonid Kritz has extensively employed the Berlin Variation of the Ruy Lopez at the 2600+ FIDE Grandmaster level, achieving excellent results with black against 1. e4 throughout his distinguished career. The below chess video is an excerpt from the Empire Chess DVD series ¨Battle with the Berlin Defense¨ https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jqs7RxIKZP8 914 2013-04-01T17:00:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/magnus-carlsen-vs-alexander-grischuk-2013-candidates-tournament-gm-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qymvBY7XuA.jpg Magnus Carlsen vs Alexander Grischuk – 2013 Candidates Tournament (GM Lemos) In this video GM Damien Lemos analyzes a Candidates 2013 game between GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Alexander Grischuk.We'll see an Spanish opening where Black plays an early Bc5. We'll also see an interesting middlegame where White offers his bishop pair dobling Black's pawns up by playing Bxc6. The game completely changes after Black plays d5, trying to get an initiative in the centre but White defends very well and wins thanks to Black weaknesses at queenside. https://www.youtube.com/embed/_qymvBY7XuA 1324 2013-03-21T14:00:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/battling-the-benko-the-fianchetto-variation-gm-damien-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vDnJPEHSywI.jpg Battling the Benko: The Fianchetto Variation – GM Damien Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Battling the Benko: The Fianchetto Variation – GM Damien Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/vDnJPEHSywI 886 2013-03-29T17:00:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/absolute-beginner-chess-course-gm-ronen-har-zvi/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rSKhNYLSEMs.jpg Absolute Beginner Chess Course – GM Ronen Har-Zvi It is usually very difficult for the beginner chess player to find high-quality chess videos that are truly intended for his/her level - but luckily for you the ¨Absolute Beginner Chess Course¨ by GM Ronen Har-Zvi has got you covered! Har-Zvi has been a Grandmaster for nearly 20 years (since 1995) and is widely respected as a premier chess trainer for students of all levels. GM Har-Zvi puts his vast chess coaching experience to use by using groundbreaking teaching techniques for beginner players in this surprisingly entertaining chess DVD. In the below chess video excerpt from ¨Absolute Beginner Chess Course¨ GM Har-Zvi presents and explains critical puzzles, captures, and checkmating patterns for beginner chess players. https://www.youtube.com/embed/rSKhNYLSEMs 1200 2013-04-04T19:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-beat-the-italian-opening-blitz-chess-arena-chessdom-com/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/oVeLeKq4DkM.jpg How to Beat the Italian Opening – Blitz Chess – Arena.Chessdom.com How to Beat the Italian Opening – Blitz Chess – Arena.Chessdom.com https://www.youtube.com/embed/oVeLeKq4DkM 670 2013-04-03T15:00:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/beating-the-sicilian-defense-benko-variation/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7UVLanzmrro.jpg Beating the Sicilian Defense, Benko Variation We opened the game with the Open Sicilian Defense, going into the Benko Variation with my opponent's early 6. ...Qb6. I think my 6. Bc4 was actually quite inaccurate there, and after having played that I should have captured 7. Nxc6 to avoid losing time retreating my light-squared bishop later. Losing this tempo so early in the opening definitely didn't help, but I think white had a playable position in the late opening/early middlegame. Black had an interesting initiative in the center with pawns on e6 and d5, however with 19. ...Rad8 had missed my tactical threat of 20. Ncb5 to break black's pawn structure - leading to a long-term advantage for white with time-trouble for both sides. https://www.youtube.com/embed/7UVLanzmrro 486 2013-05-05T17:00:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-beat-the-closed-sicilian-live-blitz-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/jpst9HNCB0M.jpg How to Beat the Closed Sicilian – Live Blitz Chess My opponent opened with 1. e4 and I tried to play the Pirc Defense but he opted for a Closed Sicilian set-up, so I changed my game plan to gain more space in the center. My opponent played a few inaccurate moves in the opening, permitting me to gain a near-decisive space advantage on the kingside by quickly pushing forward with f5-f4. White tried to refute black's attack with a piece sacrifice for two pawns, but did not find sufficient compensation. https://www.youtube.com/embed/jpst9HNCB0M 265 2013-04-09T17:00:26+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-crush-the-scholars-mate-chess-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Um4zQsVxlBk.jpg How to Crush the Scholar’s Mate Chess Opening How to Crush the Scholar’s Mate Chess Opening https://www.youtube.com/embed/Um4zQsVxlBk 489 2013-04-14T17:00:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-play-the-4-knights-opening-live-blitz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hrPqE_GG00Q.jpg How to Play the 4 Knights Opening – Live Blitz In this live blitz chess video, I opened with 1. c4 and ended up playing the 4 Knights Opening - however black had misplaced his dark-squared bishop on b4 so I was able to take advantage of this with a rapid Nd5, leading to either a space advantage for white or the game continuation where white obtained the 2 bishops. The game followed with relatively normal development and I proceeded to try to open lines for my bishops to influence more of the position. Although we traded queens, white continued attacking with a kingside pawn storm which led to increased tension and an eventual blunder by black. https://www.youtube.com/embed/hrPqE_GG00Q 382 2013-04-16T17:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/insane-blitz-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CiXQMIFe8XE.jpg Insane Blitz Chess My opponent sacrificed a pawn for development very early in the game, but his set-up was awkward and I don't think he received enough compensation. I tried to play solidly to consolidate the extra pawn, and my opponent sacrificed more material - quickly leading to a won position for black. https://www.youtube.com/embed/CiXQMIFe8XE 253 2013-04-21T17:00:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/win-with-the-sicilian-defense-blitz-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Uiy75N_77w8.jpg Win with the Sicilian Defense – Blitz Chess My opponent opened the game with a line similar to the Rossolimo Variation involving an early Bb5 against my Sicilian Defense, however I think he played a suboptimal move early in the game by recapturing with Nxd4 instead of Qxd4. I believe it is considered better to take with the queen because it discourages black from playing a6 due to ideas like Bxd7+ Bxd7 Qb6 - where white clamps black's queenside. After 6. Bxa4? (white had to take 6. Bxd7+ to avoid losing time) I was able to gain a very tangible advantage of nearly 2 moves over the main lines of the Sicilian Najdorf, Fischer-Sozin Attack. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uiy75N_77w8 368 2013-04-23T17:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/winning-with-the-double-fianchetto-opening-blitz-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TtBgecRxdX0.jpg Winning with the Double Fianchetto Opening – Blitz Chess White opened with 1. f4 and 2. Nf3 - looking like he would play a Bird Opening with a queenside fianchetto, or the Stonewall Defense. I decided to play the Double Fianchetto Opening as it is extremely flexible and also quite effective against the Stonewall Attack and Bird Opening. White continued strangely in the opening and did not attempt to grab any space in the center, so I pushed forward and was able to consolidate a large space advantage and lead in development. White lost his way in subsequent tactical complications, losing a piece. https://www.youtube.com/embed/TtBgecRxdX0 348 2013-04-28T17:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/winning-with-the-english-opening-blitz-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/YwbPyOCPsWo.jpg Winning with the English Opening – Blitz Chess I opened with 1. c4 and the English Opening, and my opponent responded with a weird type of King's Indian Defense. Black made several strange moves in the opening (early Bg4, Na6, Nh6, Nb4) that allowed white to push those moves back to gain time and space. This led to a winning expansion and initiative on the kingside for white. https://www.youtube.com/embed/YwbPyOCPsWo 306 2013-04-30T17:00:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kramnik-crushes-kasparov-1990s-chess-footage-insane-kings-indian-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mjgNAAliIPs.jpg Kramnik CRUSHES Kasparov – 1990s chess footage – Insane King’s Indian Defense target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Vladimir Kramnik is one of the only chess players that has consistently achieved good results against Garry Kasparov. In this classic chess video footage from the 1994 Moscow Intel Grand Prix, Kramnik puts an absolute beating on Kasparov in one of the craziest chess games ever. Kasparov responds to Kramnik's 1. d4 with his favorite opening weapon with black - the King's Indian Defense! The opening is complicated and it appears that Kasparov has obtained a very promising with the 18. ...Be3 - planning to dominate the board with the bishop on d4. However Kramnik immediately exchanges black's murderous bishop with 20. Nb3 and 21. Nxd4 - so that white can start pushing forward with a dangerous counterattack against black's loose kingside pawns with 22. f4 - changing the initiative to white's favor. After Kramnik sacrifices a piece with 26. fxe5! - Kasparov fought with exceptional resourcefulness, however he was simply unable to stop Kramnik's mass of pawns in the center. This game became completely insane as only after sacrificing a piece, Kramnik sacrificed an exchange with 29. Rxf5! - resulting in a position where white has 4 pawns for black's rook! Kasparov continued to fight but Kramnik confidently and precisely closed the game out, leading to Kasparov's resignation after 41. d7 https://www.youtube.com/embed/mjgNAAliIPs 1088 2013-06-10T16:00:32+00:00 https://chessterra.com/anand-vs-kasparov-classic-1990s-footage-gm-daniel-king-grandmaster-magazine/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cxL4OJlX8sM.jpg Anand vs Kasparov – Classic 1990s Footage – GM Daniel King (Grandmaster Magazine) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Through the years, Garry Kasparov and Viswanathan Anand have built up an intense rivalry at the pinnacle of the chess world, constantly challenging each other in the early 1990s and 2000s for the title of absolute champion. In the following chess vide excerpt, viewers will see one of the most exciting chess matches ever played, complemented excellently by commentary from experienced Grandmasters Daniel King and Glenn Flear. You will see a few rapid games played in 1996 between the chess champions, with exceptional examples of attacking chess and a anthology game - a variation that Kasparov introduced at the highest levels and one that he achieved remarkable success with due to his knack for dynamic play and tactical resourcefulness. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cxL4OJlX8sM 1060 2013-05-27T16:00:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/psycho-knock-out-chess-with-gm-maurice-ashley-and-daniel-king/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sUNUfo86qLw.jpg Psycho Knock-out Chess with GM Maurice Ashley and Daniel King target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | he following chess video excerpt reflects some of the most exciting chess games and commentary every caught on tape. GMs Maurice Ashley and Daniel King explain incredibly tense battles between Super-GMs Alexander Morozevich and Viswanathan Anand, Vladimir Kramnik and Vassily Ivanchuk, and Viswanathan Anand and Garry Kasparov from the 1995 Intel Grand Prix in Moscow, Russia. This footage is unforgettable as the viewer is treated to a highly entertaining break-down of rapid and blitz games between many of the world's best players. https://www.youtube.com/embed/sUNUfo86qLw 671 2013-05-15T16:00:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparov-stomps-shirov-classic-kings-indian/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/y9M-j7728Tk.jpg Kasparov Stomps Shirov, Classic King’s Indian! target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | It is undeniable that Garry Kasparov is one of the best chess players in the history of the game. In the following chess video excerpt, Grandmaster James Plaskett analyzes a classic Kasparov victory with the black pieces in the King's Indian Defense. Kasparov's opponent in this game is the legendary Alexey Shirov, an extremely dangerous attacking player who is renown for his incredible tactical sense and imagination. Shirov opens with 1. d4 and answers Kasparov's King's Indian Defense with the Saemisch Variation with 5. f3 - a solid choice for white against the KID as the center normally remains closed. However Kasparov plays very energetically and with 10. ...b5 black has already created an enormous amount of tension in the center and queenside. With 11. ...exd4 and 12. ...Re8 Kasparov offers to sacrifice a pawn, which Shirov accepts with 13. Bxf6 and 14. Qxd6. This decision is very interesting as for the remainder of the game, white will have an extra pawn but black's dark-squared bishop will be extremely powerful as white will not have any pieces to directly oppose it. Kasparov's ensuing play in the middlegame and endgame is very instructive as he breaks down his opponent's defense with a highly energetic counterattack. https://www.youtube.com/embed/y9M-j7728Tk 986 2013-06-05T16:01:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/im-andrew-martin-presents-the-french-defense-rubinstein-variation/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4bgiHnsngYo.jpg IM Andrew Martin Presents: The French Defense, Rubinstein Variation target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | IM Andrew Martin states that former World Chess Champion Mikhail Botvinnik described the French Defense as a difficult and dangerous opening, although IM Martin still believes the French Defense to be a very versatile and effective opening weapon for beginner and intermediate players. In the below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨French Defense, Rubinstein Variation: Busy Man's Chess Openings¨ IM Andrew Martin presents the main benefits of focusing specifically on the Rubinstein Variation of the French Defense while explaining the main ideas. Although black does simplify the position with the early 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 (Nd2) dxe4 - IM Martin demonstrates how black is able to not just achieve an equal game, but fight for an advantage early in the opening and middlegame. In the below chess video excerpt, IM Martin analyzes a highly instructive game played by Super-GM Hikaru Nakamura recently in 2006 against GM Alexander Ivanov. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4bgiHnsngYo 1102 2013-05-17T16:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-beat-the-caro-kann-andrew-martin/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/M_U-LD489LM.jpg How to Beat the Caro Kann – Andrew Martin target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Caro-Kann Defense is one of the most solid chess openings black can play against 1. e4. The Caro-Kann was made popular on a large scale by the efforts of former World Chess Champion José Raúl Capablanca in the earlier parts of the 20th century. The Caro-Kann became associated with Capablanca's incredibly solid style as the former champion would use it to draw with black, seemingly at will. But don't be fooled - as not only is the Caro-Kann an exceptionally solid opening choice for black against 1. e4, it can present definite danger if white is not fully prepared. In the main lines, black almost always achieves a solid equality from the opening (at best white usually obtains a small, lasting advantage). However if you are not prepared to fight the Caro-Kann with white, you might want to consider using a different type of sideline to minimize your need for extensive preparation. In the following chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨White Shockers Vol. 2 - Caro-Kann, Scandinavian Defense, Old Speckled Hen, Polar Bear¨ IM Andrew Martin recommends a remarkably simple sideline solution for white against the Caro-Kann Defense involving 1. e4 c6 2. Ne2!? https://www.youtube.com/embed/M_U-LD489LM 1120 2013-06-07T16:00:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/win-with-the-colle-opening-by-im-andrew-martin/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sliIUtm7QH0.jpg Win with the Colle Opening by IM Andrew Martin target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Colle Opening is a quiet opening for white that is based on an extremely sound positional foundation. In the Colle Opening, white is not trying to dominate his opponent early in the opening and trying to win with a spectacular tactical shot in less than 20 moves. Rather, white is aiming to take his opponent out of opening theory and into new and different types of positions. In the below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨The Colle Opening: Busy Man's Chess Openings¨ IM Andrew Martin explains a few key ideas in the Colle Opening by examining a fine attacking game by Gata Kamsky at the 1990 Paris Chess Championship. IM Andrew Martin's presentation is highly entertaining and extremely clear as he outlines one of the more aggressive formations in the Colle Opening - the Stonewall Set-up with an early f4 followed by an attack in the center and kingside. https://www.youtube.com/embed/sliIUtm7QH0 875 2013-05-10T16:00:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/winning-with-the-ruy-lopez-delayed-exchange-variation/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pjPGR8Fus4U.jpg Winning with the Ruy Lopez, Delayed Exchange Variation target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest and most popular chess openings ever. It is also one of the most heavily analyzed openings in today's game and continues to enjoy incredible popularity at all levels (elite players such as Anand, Caruana, Kamsky, Nakamura, etc.. continue to play the Ruy Lopez). However many players don't like playing the Ruy Lopez and are scared to learn it because the accompanying theory is very extensive. And that's why IM Andrew Martin is happy to present his unique research on the Delayed Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez, an interesting sideline where white aims to achieve long-term positional pressure by trying to force black into an awkward defense set-up. In the following chess video excerpt from the 2+ hour chess DVD ¨White Shockers Vol. 1 - Ruy Lopez, Sicilian Defense, Prie's 1. a3¨ IM Andrew Martin explains critical ideas for white in the Delayed Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez by analyzing a stunning victory by GM Eduard Gufeld over former World Chess Champion Mikhail Tal! https://www.youtube.com/embed/pjPGR8Fus4U 1084 2013-06-03T16:00:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/levon-aronians-shocking-loss-alekhine-memorial-2013/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/udTnALrf5aE.jpg Levon Aronian’s Shocking Loss! – Alekhine Memorial 2013 In this video GM Damien Lemos analyzes the 1st round of the Alekhine Memorial between Grand Masters Ding Liren and Levon Aronian. We'll see a Slav defense, Chebanenko variation, where you'll see a weird pawn structure. White, with more space and a strong centre, increases his advantage to eventually win by sacrificing a bishop at kingside. [Event "Candidates 2013"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 e6 6. c5 Nbd7 https://www.youtube.com/embed/udTnALrf5aE 1528 2013-04-23T21:52:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/im-andrew-martin-presents-1-b6-for-black-busy-mans-chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/e4ziTtdErHA.jpg IM Andrew Martin Presents: 1. ..b6 for Black – Busy Man’s Chess Openings target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Owens Opening with 1. e4 b6 is an extremely exciting defense for black however many players think this eclectic hypermodern opening system is simply bad for bad. In the below chess video excerpt from the 2.5+ hr chess DVD ¨1. ..b6 for Black: Busy Man's Chess Openings¨ IM Andrew Martin is quick to point out that the Owens Opening is a very viable choice for black against 1. e4. Although black contradicts classical opening ideology by refusing to stake an immediate claim with his pawns on the center squares (e4, d4, e5, d5), by fianchettoing his queenside bishop (b6 and Bb7) black is rapidly placing pressure on the light squares in white's center - specifically the e4-square. In the below chess video, IM Andrew Martin explains the 1. ...b6 system and specifically analyzes black's best options against one of white's most popular systems after 1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nc3 https://www.youtube.com/embed/e4ziTtdErHA 855 2013-05-24T16:00:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/center-counter-rising-by-im-andrew-martin/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/q2OFcqaLEjc.jpg Center Counter Rising by IM Andrew Martin The Center Counter Defense (also known as the Scandinavian Defense) with 1. e4 d5 is a very interesting opening that is common among club level players but rarely seen by leading Grandmasters. This may lead you to believe that the Center Counter Defense is a ¨bad¨ opening and there are specific variations white can play that clearly refute the Center Counter and will guarantee white an excellent position from the opening. But this couldn't be farther from the truth! The Center Counter is most definitely a viable opening for chess players of all levels and in the below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨Center Counter Rising¨ renown chess presenter IM Andrew Martin demonstrates many of the common traps that black should be wary of, as well as many of the key concepts that black should be familiar with to emerge from the opening with a promising position. IM Martin explains that although black does take his queen out early in the game and it will certainly be exposed to attack, as long as you understand the common pitfalls and how to avoid them - you should every chance to fight for an advantage from the opening moves. https://www.youtube.com/embed/q2OFcqaLEjc 941 2013-05-03T16:00:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-rehab-a-chess-clinic-im-andrew-martin/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0OXT2e2jZUc.jpg Chess REHAB! – A Chess Clinic – IM Andrew Martin IM Andrew Martin is a world-renown chess trainer that focuses on improvement for beginner and intermediate players. In the below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD A Chess Clinic IM Andrew Martin is analyzing an interesting encounter between one of his students (a club level player) and an opponent rated over 400 points higher. It is fascinating to hear IM Martin's advice on facing higher-rated players and how he advises his students to not only play for equality in the opening, but to actively fight to achieve pressure and an advantage early in the game. IM Martin's recommendation of a highly aggressive approach is excellent counsel and should be followed to the tee! It is also interesting to hear IM Martin suggest preparing several off-beat sidelines to use against higher-rated players and immediately take them away from the main lines and out of their comfort zone of thorough preparation. IM Andrew Martin's extensive chess training experience makes this chess video extremely valuable for beginner and intermediate chess players who would like to work on improving not just their moves on the board, but their psychological preparation off the board as well. https://www.youtube.com/embed/0OXT2e2jZUc 1088 2013-06-14T16:01:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/black-shockers-the-french-fort-knox-im-andrew-martin/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Yjitkv_rPwI.jpg Black Shockers – The French Fort Knox – IM Andrew Martin target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Fort Knox Variation of the French Defense is an extremely solid sideline that has remained under-appreciated until recent years. In the below chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨Black Shockers Vol. 2 - French Fort Knox - Old Benoni¨ IM Andrew Martin explains that the Fort Knox Variation of the French Defense is a very sturdy response against 1. e4 and that black will almost certainly be able to achieve a playable equality from the opening. IM Martin is quick to point out that black will not be fighting for an incredibly quick and tactical win in the opening with this Fort Knox Variation - rather black is striving to achieve a solid position from the opening and transfer the weight of the struggle to a strategy-filled middlegame. The Fort Knox Variation arises in the French Defense after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 (Nd2) dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6 - black relieves the pressure early on in the center with the rapid exchange 3. ...dxe4 and then plays to immediately develop his ¨bad¨ light-squared bishop to a very active diagonal from on c6. The Fort Knox Variation is an excellent surprise weapon for black against 1. e4 and can be played in the main lines of the French Defense where white plays 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 or Nd2 - however the Fort Knox Variation can not be played against other main lines by white like the Advance Variation with 3. e5 or the Exchange Variation with 3. exd5. In the following chess video, IM Andrew Martin will explain the main strategic ideas and opening plans for black in the Fort Knox Variation of the French Defense. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yjitkv_rPwI 1253 2013-06-12T16:00:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/black-shockers-the-psycho-sicilian-im-andrew-martin/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/nTcOGfW1vZI.jpg Black Shockers – The Psycho Sicilian – IM Andrew Martin The Sicilian Defense is an extremely popular opening choice for black against 1. e4 because it nearly always grants black strong chances to fight for an advantage in the opening. However, the Sicilian Defense has been very heavily analyzed and it is not a good idea to play this opening system if you are not well-prepared on the main lines - unless you know some great sidelines! In the following chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨Black Shockers Vol. 1 - Austrian QG - Odd Sicilian¨ IM Andrew Martin presents a very interesting sideline for black in the Sicilian Defense involving 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 h6!? Now this line might look very strange but it is surprisingly effective as this move 2. ...h6 is exceptionally versatile and directly fits in with many of the more principal lines in the Sicilian Defense. The main advantage for black is that you will be sidestepping the main lines and almost certainly confusing your opponent to a large degree. The main concepts of this 2. ...h6 sideline often resemble black's ideas in the Sveshnikov Variation of the Sicilian Defense, as demonstrated in the following chess video by IM Andrew Martin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/nTcOGfW1vZI 969 2013-06-21T16:00:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sniper-sicilian-pterdactyl-gm-ron-henley/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/R4Wko1bA2lo.jpg Sniper Sicilian Pterdactyl – GM Ron Henley The Sniper Sicilian Pterdactyl is a very interesting and offbeat opening where black begins along normal ¨Sniper¨ opening lines with 1. ..g6, 2. ..Bg7 and 3. ..c5 - allowing white to build a big pawn center so that black will have some exposed targets to attack from the sides. The distinguishing character of the Pterdactyl Variation is that on move 4 black brings his queen out with 4. ..Qa5 - pinning white's knight on c3, placing indirect pressure on the e4 pawn, and also defending black's c5 pawn. As strange as this early queen move may appear, it is actually quite effective and practically guaranteed to surprise your opponent and take him out of his comfort zone. The Sniper Sicilian Pterdactyl is a very effective surprise weapon that has held up at the high levels and is recommended by the strong Grandmaster Ron W. Henley! https://www.youtube.com/embed/R4Wko1bA2lo 1719 2013-06-19T16:01:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-sniper-with-gm-henley-how-to-dominate-the-maroczy-bind/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pGV1i9nErCg.jpg The Sniper! with GM Henley – How to Dominate the Maroczy Bind target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Sniper! is an exceptionally versatile opening choice for black, however the Maroczy Bind can give you trouble if you aren't familiar with effective plans to break down white's space advantage. The Maroczy Bind is a very direct system for white, playing to maintain a big center and permanently prevent black from achieving thematic breaks involving ..d5 and ..b5 thrusts. In the following chess video excerpt from the extensive 4-Volume chess DVD Series ¨The Sniper!¨ GM Ron Henley is quick to point out that black has more than sufficient resources to maintain equality and fight for an advantage against the Maroczy Bind set-up. https://www.youtube.com/embed/pGV1i9nErCg 900 2013-05-29T16:02:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/annihilate-white-with-the-sniper-by-gm-ron-henley/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ay6531F4RmY.jpg ANNIHILATE White with The Sniper! by GM Ron Henley target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Sniper Opening is a perfect example of Hypermodern opening theory - very early in the game, black invites white to establish a big center so that black may rapidly strike at this center from the sides and prove it to over-extended and weak. The Sniper Opening is a very effective tool for chess players of all levels as it can be employed against almost every opening move (excluding only rare moves like 1. b3 and 1. b4). Not only can you achieve great results with the Sniper Opening, it will exponentially reduce the amount of time you need to dedicate to study opening theory. In the following chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨The Sniper!¨ Grandmaster Ron W. Henley introduces the Sniper Opening and the basic strategic and tactical ideas behind this incredibly effective opening system. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ay6531F4RmY 916 2013-05-06T16:00:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/devastate-white-with-the-sniper-by-gm-ron-henley/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SYKHC7NQyFI.jpg Devastate White with The Sniper! by GM Ron Henley he Sniper Opening is an exceptionally versatile weapon for black as it can be played against virtually any set-up by the white pieces. And who better to explain the basic concepts and subtle positional intricacies of the Sniper Opening than the world's leading expert in this effective opening system for black - Grandmaster Ron W. Henley! Not only has GM Henley played the Sniper Opening with incredibly solid results at the Grandmaster level for nearly 2 decades, he has written a 400 page book on the subject as well. The Sniper Opening is an extremely flexible set-up for black involving an early 1. ..g6 2. ..Bg7 and 3. ..c5 against almost all opening moves that white can employ. The following chess video is an excerpt from the chess DVD ¨The Sniper! A Dynamic Universal System for the Aggressive Black Player¨ that features over 11.5 hours of elite Grandmaster content. https://www.youtube.com/embed/SYKHC7NQyFI 1246 2013-05-20T16:00:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-c3-sicilian-crushing-blacks-sidelines/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6X5Q2OxhXFU.jpg The c3 Sicilian – Crushing Black’s Sidelines The c3 Sicilian is itself a sideline against the Sicilian Defense, but that doesn't mean that black has to follow the main lines either! After 1. e4 c5 2. c3 there is ample room to maneuver for black as he maintains a variety of different moves at his disposal. The main lines of the c3 Sicilian after 1. e4 c5 2. c3 are 2. ..e6, d5, d6, and g6 - but what should you do if black deviates from these principal continuations? In the following chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨Crushing Black - the c3 Sicilian¨ experienced Grandmaster Ron W. Henley explains the best plans for white against two very interesting sidelines involving 1. e4 c5 2. c3 e5!? and 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6!? - variations that are potentially very dangerous for white if you are not familiar with proven set-ups and patterns of development. https://www.youtube.com/embed/6X5Q2OxhXFU 836 2013-05-31T16:00:32+00:00 https://chessterra.com/c3-sicilian-crushing-black-with-the-c3-sicilian-by-gm-ron-henley/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/D9ZxjXViu8c.jpg c3 Sicilian – Crushing Black with the c3 Sicilian by GM Ron Henley target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The c3 Sicilian is an extremely powerful sideline for white against the Sicilian Defense, rapidly deviating from the main lines via the move order 1. e4 c5 2. c3. White's main idea is very simple in this opening set-up - establish a strong center by preparing the d2-d4 advance and avoid the massive theory associated with the main lines of the Sicilian Defense. The c3 Sicilian is also known as the Alapin Sicilian and has been employed by countless top players, including Grandmasters Sveshnikov, Short, Ljubojevic, Alekhine, and Simagin - maintaining an exceptional reputation as at the elite level for being one of the most dangerous alternatives for white in the 1. e4 c5 chess opening systems. In the following excerpt from the incredibly comprehensive 20+ hour 5-Volume chess DVD course by renown Grandmaster Ron W. Henley, viewers are treated to a detailed introduction of the basic principles and strategies in the c3 Sicilian opening system. https://www.youtube.com/embed/D9ZxjXViu8c 1367 2013-05-13T16:00:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-c3-sicilian-pawn-snatching-lines/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/yci5sbpscII.jpg The c3 Sicilian – Pawn-Snatching Lines! Crushing Black - the c3 Sicilian is a 5-Volume, 20+ hour chess DVD series produced by experienced chess trainer GM Ron W. Henley. GM Henley's resume as a chess instructor is unquestionable as he has prepared and trained legends like Anatoly Karpov, Hikaru Nakamura, and Irina Krush. In the follow chess video excerpt from the extensive DVD series, Grandmaster Henley presents a very interesting variation in the c3 Sicilian where white snatches the c5-pawn and allows an early queen trade - with the downside being that white loses the right to castle and black obtains very rapid development and piece-play as compensation for the pawn. This variation is extremely interesting and if you plan to play the c3 Sicilian in practical tournaments, you better be paying attention to this chess video! https://www.youtube.com/embed/yci5sbpscII 948 2013-05-22T16:00:45+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparovs-greatest-hits-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Y6eyknhY4c0.jpg Kasparov’s Greatest Hits – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Kasparov’s Greatest Hits – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y6eyknhY4c0 1549 2013-06-17T16:01:38+00:00 https://chessterra.com/decimate-black-with-the-evans-gambit-gm-ronen-har-zvi-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/svqGJuAzWuU.jpg Decimate Black with the Evans Gambit – GM Ronen Har-Zvi (EMPIRE CHESS) The Evans Gambit is one of the most aggressive chess openings that you can play with the white pieces, immediately sacrificing a pawn to obtain a dangerous initiative from the early opening. The Evans Gambit (ECO Code C51) has been employed by legendary Grandmasters such as Garry Kasparov, Paul Morphy, Hikaru Nakamura, Adolf Anderssen, Misa Pap, and more - proving that it is indeed a reliable opening weapon with the white pieces. The Evans Gambit is famous for rapidly sharpening play as white sacrifices a pawn on move 4 after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4!? with the idea that black will lose time capturing this pawn while white gains a dangerous lead in development and opens lines to attack. The following chess video excerpt is taken from the chess DVD ¨Decimate Black with the Evans Gambit¨ that features over 4 hours of elite Grandmaster commentary from renown analyst GM Ronen Har-Zvi! https://www.youtube.com/embed/svqGJuAzWuU 1458 2013-06-24T16:01:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/destroy-the-grunfeld-defense-gm-rafael-leitao/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KMabbhA8pOQ.jpg Destroy the Grunfeld Defense – GM Rafael Leitão Destroy the Grunfeld Defense – GM Rafael Leitão https://www.youtube.com/embed/KMabbhA8pOQ 1614 2013-05-20T16:00:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-accelerated-dragon-%f0%9f%90%b2-destroy-white-with-the-sicilian-defense-gm-perelshteyn/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/h11MkaA32Vo.jpg The Accelerated Dragon 🐲 – Destroy White with the Sicilian Defense! – GM Perelshteyn If you’re the kind of chess player who lives for ultra-sharp, attacking games and are ready to play for a win every time you sit down at the board, then the Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon variation should be in your repertoire! The Accelerated Dragon 🐉 is one of the most aggressive chess openings for Black against 1.e4. As the name suggests, the Acclerated Dragon improves on the standard Sicilian Defense Dragon variation by leaving out the d7-d6 move. Instead, Black gets to fianchetto his Dragon bishop and castle one move earlier. https://www.youtube.com/embed/h11MkaA32Vo 1406 2013-07-22T16:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crushing-the-caro-kann-exchange-variation-gm-perelshteyn-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/uf6-YN9TSS4.jpg Crushing the Caro-Kann – Exchange Variation – GM Perelshteyn (EMPIRE CHESS) Crushing the Caro-Kann – Exchange Variation – GM Perelshteyn (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/uf6-YN9TSS4 863 2013-07-08T16:00:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/levon-aronian-vs-viswanathan-anand-tata-steel-chess-tournament-2013-r4-gm-damian-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/nKqYKvEBMeo.jpg Levon Aronian vs Viswanathan Anand — Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2013 R4 (GM Damian Lemos) Today we're going to look at one of the most impressive games of recent years, played by GM Levon Aronian and the current World Chess Champion GM Viswanathan Anand at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2013, Round 4. The game opened with 1. d4 and Anand responded with the Meran Variation of the Semi-Slav Defense, an opening that Anand has literally played for decades (including 2 very important wins in his world chess championship match against Kramnik in 2008). In that encounter with Kramnik, Anand opted for a more classically theoretical move order with 8. ...a6, however in the game we are currently examining Anand played the more modern 8. ...Bd6 (a variation that Anand also employed with success against Magnus Carlsen at Linares 2007). https://www.youtube.com/embed/nKqYKvEBMeo 1422 2013-06-26T16:00:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/epic-classic-gm-garry-kasparov-vs-gm-tigran-v-petrosian-1982-gm-demian-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bKDsiIGuvB8.jpg Epic Classic – GM Garry Kasparov vs GM Tigran V. Petrosian 1982 – GM Demian Lemos This video analyzes a game played in the 6th round of the Bugojno Tournament in Bosnia (now Yugoslavia) in 1982 between GM Garry Kasparov and GM Tigran Petrosian. Kasparov won this tournament ahead of other stars like Polugayevsky, Ljubojevic, Spassky, and Larsen with a margin of 1.5 points to prove his title of world chess champion. This game is an example of the demolishing style of Kasparov, who after 15 moves left the ex-champion Petrosian without a plan and on the fringe of resignation. https://www.youtube.com/embed/bKDsiIGuvB8 1185 2013-06-24T16:01:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/epic-classic-gm-garry-kasparov-vs-gm-ulf-andersson-1981-gm-damian-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RGWpNwdlX7E.jpg Epic Classic – GM Garry Kasparov vs GM Ulf Andersson 1981 – GM Damian Lemos In 1981, Garry Kasparov was only 18 years old and working his way towards the world chess championship match in 1983. Grandmaster Ulf Andersson was playing exceptionally well, renown for being a top theoretician of the time. Kasparov and Andersson faced off in a complicated variation of the Queen's Indian Defense (later named the Andersson Variation!) -- although the vast majority of elite players in today's game shy away from this system due to the highly convincing method of attack demonstrated by Kasparov in this very game! This variation is characterized by a rapid simplification that grants white valuable time to consolidate and direct his attacking forces. This classic game from the early 80s perfectly illustrates the impressive attacking style of the former World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov. https://www.youtube.com/embed/RGWpNwdlX7E 1187 2013-06-28T16:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ivan-sokolov-vs-peter-leko-tata-steel-2013-gm-damian-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PeGUAi8Cvyg.jpg Ivan Sokolov vs Peter Leko – Tata Steel 2013 (GM Damian Lemos) Today we're going to review a game from the 10th round of the 2013 Tata Steel Chess Tournament, played between GMs Ivan Sokolov and Peter Leko. This game is an excellent example of the Nimzo-Indian Defense with the main line 4. e3, demonstrating a very aggressive plan for the white pieces by GM Sokolov who rapidly sought to expose the defects in Leko's solid defensive set-up. The main factors in Sokolov's attack are the various shocking tactical blows and the isolated queen pawn for white that really opened the door to a quick attack. Although this game is quite short, it strongly exemplifies many themes of middlegame attack and defense. https://www.youtube.com/embed/PeGUAi8Cvyg 1139 2013-07-05T16:00:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-janisch-gambit-gm-leonid-kritz-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BzCc3ZDZGOk.jpg The Janisch Gambit – GM Leonid Kritz (EMPIRE CHESS) The Janisch Gambit – GM Leonid Kritz (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/BzCc3ZDZGOk 914 2013-07-15T16:00:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-sicilian-najdorf-gm-rafael-leitao-empire-chess-crushing-white/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/W4sZ1FXFTxg.jpg The Sicilian Najdorf – GM Rafael Leitão (EMPIRE CHESS) – Crushing White The Sicilian Najdorf is one of the most dangerous chess openings ever played. Black immediately strives to introduce mass complications and imbalances, conceding a long-term positional advantage to white in the form of a backwards black pawn on d6 and a permanent weakness on d5 - in exchange for the black pieces achieving rapid activity in the center and excellent chances to counter-attack on the queenside. Black typically aims to play for thematic pawn breaks involving ..d6-d5 and ..b7-b5 to liberate his position, combined with strong pressure on the half-open c-file. The validity of the Sicilian Najdorf at the highest levels of chess is unquestionable - this chess opening has been employed by countless top professionals and world chess champions, including Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand, Veselin Topalov, Boris Gelfand, etc.. In the following chess video excerpt from the 3 hour chess DVD ¨Crushing White with the Sicilian Najdorf¨ Grandmaster Rafael Leitão introduces the main variations and sidelines as well as the fundamental positional concepts in the Sicilian Najdorf. https://www.youtube.com/embed/W4sZ1FXFTxg 1035 2013-07-01T16:00:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/stomp-white-the-stonewall-defense-gm-perelshteyn-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2UOjYIRzBJM.jpg STOMP WHITE! – The Stonewall Defense – GM Perelshteyn (EMPIRE CHESS) STOMP WHITE! – The Stonewall Defense – GM Perelshteyn (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/2UOjYIRzBJM 933 2013-07-29T16:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-grand-prix-attack-bb5-system-gm-perelshteyn-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/yPJeMrhL19w.jpg The Grand Prix Attack Bb5 System – GM Perelshteyn (EMPIRE CHESS) The Grand Prix Attack Bb5 System – GM Perelshteyn (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/yPJeMrhL19w 1011 2013-08-05T16:00:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-win-%f0%9f%91%8c-in-the-c3-sicilian-in-21-moves-or-less-fm-alisa-melekhina-sicilian-alapin/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1vaTT8jcDf4.jpg How to Win 👌 in the c3 Sicilian in 21 moves or less! – FM Alisa Melekhina (Sicilian Alapin) Win your own brilliant miniatures by learning the c3 Sicilian, an opening you can master with just a few easy-to-learn ideas! Get the ultimate training with GM Ron Henley’s 21 hour “Crushing Black with the c3 Sicilian”. Get instant access AND a 35% discount here ► Want a near unbeatable 👊 chess opening? FM Alisa Melekhina shows how to sidestep Sicilian Defense theory and catch your opponents out with your own chess opening tricks! The c3 Sicilian (also known as the Sicilian Defense Alapin variation) is a fantastic opening weapon against Sicilian players. https://www.youtube.com/embed/1vaTT8jcDf4 2007 2013-06-18T16:01:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kings-indian-defense-master-it-gm-leonid-kritz-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JBPKGWrkGOM.jpg King’s Indian Defense – Master it! GM Leonid Kritz (EMPIRE CHESS) King’s Indian Defense – Master it! GM Leonid Kritz (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/JBPKGWrkGOM 1221 2013-08-12T16:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ruy-lopez-chigorin-defense-gambits-gm-leonid-kritz-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mKdpgPFVA1g.jpg Ruy Lopez, Chigorin Defense Gambits GM Leonid Kritz (EMPIRE CHESS) Ruy Lopez, Chigorin Defense Gambits GM Leonid Kritz (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/mKdpgPFVA1g 1037 2013-08-26T16:00:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/rock-the-ruy-lopez-gm-leonid-kritz-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8xsrb5FP-l0.jpg ROCK the Ruy Lopez – GM Leonid Kritz (EMPIRE CHESS) ROCK the Ruy Lopez – GM Leonid Kritz (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/8xsrb5FP-l0 988 2013-08-19T16:00:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/stunning-your-opponent-in-the-advanced-french-defense-%f0%9f%98%b2-fm-alisa-melekhina-chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/UGs7bmXSrSE.jpg Stunning Your Opponent in the Advanced French Defense 😲 FM Alisa Melekhina (Chess Openings) Are you looking for a solid chess opening for White when facing off against the popular French Defense? In this video, FIDE Master Alisa Melekhina specifically explores the Advanced variation of the French Defense, and the relatively unexplored gambit line where White plays 9. Nbd2. Melekhina analyses two of her own games that she played, and won, at the World Junior's Chess Championship U20s held in Poland, 2010, showing how this gambit line is a viable option for White, playing for a win. https://www.youtube.com/embed/UGs7bmXSrSE 1770 2013-07-03T16:00:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-most-insane-chess-sacrifices-youve-ever-seen-gms-timur-gareev-and-har-zvi-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t47x7jbDoWg.jpg The Most Insane Chess Sacrifices You’ve Ever Seen!!! – GMs Timur Gareev and Har-Zvi (EMPIRE CHESS) The Most Insane Chess Sacrifices You’ve Ever Seen!!! – GMs Timur Gareev and Har-Zvi (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/t47x7jbDoWg 1194 2013-09-16T15:00:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-grandmasters-attack-gm-daniel-naroditsky-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IB9Ow7IfxDY.jpg How Grandmasters Attack! – GM Daniel Naroditsky (EMPIRE CHESS) How Grandmasters Attack! – GM Daniel Naroditsky (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/IB9Ow7IfxDY 923 2013-09-05T16:00:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/carlsen-vs-nakamura-insane-%f0%9f%99%83-tactics-in-the-queens-gambit/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3dheajNp4Ig.jpg Carlsen vs Nakamura – INSANE 🙃 Tactics in the Queen’s Gambit!! Want to learn how to relentlessly crush your opponents with power 💪moves like Magnus Carlsen? Then signup today for GM Damian Lemos' FREE rapid improvement masterclass that will give you the most ELO gain in the shortest amount of time! ► With Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura being of a similar age and rating, the Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen clash has happened a lot of times… with a very one-sided result. 12 classical wins for Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura’s 1 win. Why does such a strong player as Nakamura find it so difficult to beat with Carlsen? This Queen’s Gambit game from 2011 provides some clues. https://www.youtube.com/embed/3dheajNp4Ig 1037 2013-07-31T15:00:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/carlsen-vs-vallejo-closed-sicilian-domination-fm-william-stewart/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/caQ6tlmgIHY.jpg Carlsen vs Vallejo – Closed Sicilian Domination (FM William Stewart) Carlsen vs Vallejo – Closed Sicilian Domination (FM William Stewart) https://www.youtube.com/embed/caQ6tlmgIHY 868 2013-08-08T15:00:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/mastering-the-positional-sacrifice-gm-alex-ipatov-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Nj183KFLpTY.jpg Mastering the Positional Sacrifice – GM Alex Ipatov (EMPIRE CHESS) Mastering the Positional Sacrifice – GM Alex Ipatov (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nj183KFLpTY 1212 2013-09-09T15:00:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/damian-lemos-vs-magnus-carlsen-ultimate-kings-indian-showdown/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TBWb9_xsrfw.jpg Damian Lemos vs Magnus Carlsen – Ultimate King’s Indian Showdown! ♕More on the King's Indian: https://www.youtube.com/embed/TBWb9_xsrfw 1842 2013-08-15T19:09:50+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-secrets-to-mastering-the-chess-opening-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lfR2B4pr6uQ.jpg The Secrets to Mastering the Chess Opening – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The opening is arguably the most important phase in the game. If you make mistakes in the opening and you are playing an attentive player, you can immediately concede a small, lasting advantage in the first moves! In the 21st century, chess has evolved greatly from 1800s and 1900s in that players must be much more universal to achieve success. In the following chess video excerpt from the chess DVD ¨Winning Chess Openings for Beginners¨ Grandmaster Damian Lemos explains the very basics of what to play for in the opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/lfR2B4pr6uQ 825 2013-09-23T15:00:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/mastering-control-of-the-center-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GaVluNyOxZk.jpg Mastering Control of the Center – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Aside from focusing on rapid development and creating threats against your opponent, you should also be actively trying to control the center from the early opening in chess. Achieving strong control of the center will result in your opponent´s pieces feeling cramped and unable to achieve good outposts and squares, while you will always maintain the possibility of creating mobile pawns to push back your opponent´s pieces and create threats. Controlling the center can provide you with both tactical, immediate advantages as well as positional, long-term pluses at the same time! The below chess video is an excerpt from the 2.5 hour chess DVD ¨Winning Chess for Beginners: The Center¨ by Grandmaster Damian Lemos. https://www.youtube.com/embed/GaVluNyOxZk 1295 2013-09-27T15:00:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/best-winning-chess-tactics-for-beginners-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/j-kitiUNKgc.jpg Best Winning Chess Tactics for Beginners! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Best Winning Chess Tactics for Beginners! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/j-kitiUNKgc 1341 2013-10-14T15:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-win-the-chess-middlegame-beginner-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ieVxEd0ymcs.jpg How to Win the Chess Middlegame (Beginner) – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) How to Win the Chess Middlegame (Beginner) – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/ieVxEd0ymcs 1295 2013-10-28T15:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-win-the-chess-middlegame-part-2-beginner-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bXw8dDJAzB8.jpg How to Win the Chess Middlegame – Part 2 (Beginner) – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) How to Win the Chess Middlegame – Part 2 (Beginner) – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/bXw8dDJAzB8 1552 2013-11-04T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/play-aggressive-chess-like-a-grandmaster-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/G4QL_2QSI8E.jpg Play Aggressive Chess like a Grandmaster – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Play Aggressive Chess like a Grandmaster – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/G4QL_2QSI8E 1248 2013-11-11T15:42:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/winning-chess-strategy-for-beginners-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0tEfArxwS7g.jpg Winning Chess Strategy for Beginners – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Winning Chess Strategy for Beginners – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/0tEfArxwS7g 1584 2013-10-21T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/good-pawn-moves-vs-bad-pawn-moves-im-maia-lomineishvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/9TPc_gQ7xfI.jpg Good Pawn moves vs Bad Pawn Moves – IM Maia Lomineishvili target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | IM Maia Lomineishvili makes her debut chess video on iChess.NET! In this 25 minute video, IM Lomineishvili instructs viewers on different concepts taken from various middlegame positions where a pawn move can make all the difference to a win or a loss. She goes over a few middlegame positions from famous games showing how a crucial pawn move either destroyed their opponent or allowed themselves to be destroyed. Hopefully after this video you will have a better understanding of the factor that separate good pawn moves vs poor and bad ones and how the pawn pieces are more powerful than would suggest, especially during complex middlegames. Her teaching style is very clear and beginner to intermediate players should not have any problems following the variations she presents. iChess.NET is excited about working with IM Lomineishvili and her next video will be a 4 hour chess DVD for the Empire Chess Series! https://www.youtube.com/embed/9TPc_gQ7xfI 1520 2013-08-29T18:27:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/master-the-smith-morra-gambit-gm-ronen-har-zvi-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/uWbCwqi2FwE.jpg Master the Smith-Morra Gambit! – GM Ronen Har-Zvi (EMPIRE CHESS) Master the Smith-Morra Gambit! – GM Ronen Har-Zvi (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/uWbCwqi2FwE 1004 2013-10-07T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/disasters-in-the-chess-opening-gm-rafael-leitao-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/oZlb5VtSmLs.jpg Disasters in the Chess Opening! – GM Rafael Leitao (EMPIRE CHESS) Disasters in the Chess Opening! – GM Rafael Leitao (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/oZlb5VtSmLs 759 2013-09-30T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparov-crushes-short-%f0%9f%91%8a-insane-sacrifices-beat-the-french-defense-fm-will-stewart/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0SEBkKrJW-8.jpg Kasparov CRUSHES Short 👊 Insane Sacrifices Beat the French Defense – FM Will Stewart Want to crush your toughest opponents, just like Garry Kasparov? GM Damian Lemos' FREE masterclass gives you grandmaster tips you can apply to your chess game in order to start getting wins against your fiercest rivals. Sign up today. ► Garry Kasparov and Nigel Short experienced a fierce rivalry at the pinnacle of elite chess in the 1990s. Kasparov had recently fought off Anatoly Karpov's persistent challenges for the title of World Chess Champion, only now to face a determined Nigel Short! https://www.youtube.com/embed/0SEBkKrJW-8 976 2013-09-02T18:33:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/basic-principles-of-chess-taught-by-gm-susan-polgar-beginner-chess-video/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/U9cIr7P9gkg.jpg Basic Principles of Chess – Taught by GM Susan Polgar (Beginner Chess Video) Basic Principles of Chess – Taught by GM Susan Polgar (Beginner Chess Video) https://www.youtube.com/embed/U9cIr7P9gkg 775 2013-09-12T15:00:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-best-essential-chess-tactics-commented-by-gm-susan-polgar/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/uwxyp6E-mJY.jpg The Best Essential Chess Tactics commented by GM Susan Polgar The Best Essential Chess Tactics commented by GM Susan Polgar https://www.youtube.com/embed/uwxyp6E-mJY 965 2013-09-25T15:00:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/creating-a-plan-in-chess-openings-%f0%9f%a4%94-gm-susan-polgar/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AvjoosH_RCo.jpg Creating a Plan in Chess Openings 🤔 GM Susan Polgar Chess openings shouldn't be played simply by rote, churning out one memorized move after another. Four-time Women's World Champion GM Susan Polgar strongly believes that chess isn't something you simply memorize - chess is something you understand. So, how can one understand chess openings? Or middlegames or endgames for that matter? Coming up with a chess strategy is one of the hardest obstacles new players face. Just as with everything else in life, there are short term plans, and long term plans to consider in each phase of the game. https://www.youtube.com/embed/AvjoosH_RCo 849 2013-09-19T15:00:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-opening-traps-beginners-always-fall-for-%f0%9f%a4%a1-gm-susan-polgar/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/HujWLARJyNY.jpg Chess Opening Traps Beginners Always Fall For! 🤡 – GM Susan Polgar Make sure that the only one ever falling into a chess opening trap is your unfortunate opponent with GM Susan Polgar’s “Winning Chess the Easy Way – Learn How to Avoid Opening Traps”. Get instant access AND a 35% discount here ► No matter how experienced 👴 you get, there are always some sneaky chess opening traps which can catch you out. There are 2 ways to protect yourself against them (and maybe catch a few people in them yourself!): either by learning them the hard way with a painful defeat or with GM Susan Polgar’s series on chess opening tricks! https://www.youtube.com/embed/HujWLARJyNY 719 2013-10-03T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-think-like-a-grandmaster-%f0%9f%a7%a0-beginner-chess-video-suitable-for-kids-gm-susan-polgar/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OVvipLh0s2U.jpg How to Think Like a Grandmaster 🧠 Beginner Chess Video (Suitable for Kids) – GM Susan Polgar What separates Grandmasters from beginner chess players? Apart from vast experience, all grandmasters have first mastered the basic fundamentals of the game. When learning chess, even from the very first day, it is important to keep these principles in mind - not only will your chess improve as a result, but you'll avoid forming bad habits that are tough to crack later. In the following chess video, GM Susan Polgar gives a lecture on the basic thought processes of a grandmaster while they are at the board. You'll learn that it is these basic thought processes that distinguish a grandmaster's play above other chess players. https://www.youtube.com/embed/OVvipLh0s2U 2383 2013-10-17T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischers-best-%f0%9f%98%8e-games-explained-by-gm-susan-polgar-byrne-vs-fischer/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/NH9T7YRo8MU.jpg Bobby Fischer’s BEST 😎 games explained by GM Susan Polgar!! (Byrne vs Fischer) Bobby Fischer is one of the greatest chess players in the history of the game, achieving landslide tournament wins and producing incredible works of art. The games of Bobby Fischer advanced theory in the opening, middlegame and endgame and his fantastic moves have proved an inspiration for generations of players. Bobby Fischer had an exceptionally creative style and was well-known for his prowess as a deep positional player. However, one of the things that really allowed Bobby Fischer to dominate his contemporaries in the mid-20th century was that he never missed an opportunity to play a short, forcing combination. https://www.youtube.com/embed/NH9T7YRo8MU 1071 2013-10-09T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-endgames-explained-by-gm-susan-polgar/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pbSlBg8plLw.jpg Chess Endgames Explained by GM Susan Polgar Chess Endgames Explained by GM Susan Polgar https://www.youtube.com/embed/pbSlBg8plLw 856 2013-10-31T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fm-alisa-melekhina-breaks-down-the-kings-indian-defense-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DkLIT6Gsjsk.jpg FM Alisa Melekhina Breaks down the King’s Indian Defense (EMPIRE CHESS) ♕ Connect with Alisa and check out her additional content on ♕ 10 GM SECRETS: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" The King's Indian Defense is one of black's most aggressive openings against 1. d4 as it nearly always leads to double-edged play and decisive results. The underlying themes and plans in the opening and middlegame are very consistent and clear - white tries to gain space in the center and open up play by attacking on the queenside, while black responds by gaining space on the kingside and pursuing a deadly attack against white's king. This chess video is an excerpt from the 4 hour Empire Chess DVD Crushing White with the King's Indian Defense by FM Alisa Melekhina. https://www.youtube.com/embed/DkLIT6Gsjsk 1197 2013-10-11T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/carlsen-vs-anand-2013-fide-world-chess-championship-gm-damian-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/VXDBLdRLvrk.jpg Carlsen vs Anand – 2013 FIDE World Chess Championship – GM Damian Lemos Carlsen vs Anand – 2013 FIDE World Chess Championship – GM Damian Lemos https://www.youtube.com/embed/VXDBLdRLvrk 931 2013-11-09T15:56:32+00:00 https://chessterra.com/anand-vs-magnus-carlsen-fide-2013-world-chess-championship-round-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/on-B4SekWIg.jpg Anand vs Magnus Carlsen – FIDE 2013 World Chess Championship – Round 2 Anand vs Magnus Carlsen – FIDE 2013 World Chess Championship – Round 2 https://www.youtube.com/embed/on-B4SekWIg 889 2013-11-10T18:34:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/avoid-the-opponents-opening-preparation-with-this-aggressive-gambit/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/LpMfI-HMyxg.jpg Avoid the Opponent’s Opening Preparation With This Aggressive Gambit! Avoid the Opponent’s Opening Preparation With This Aggressive Gambit! https://www.youtube.com/embed/LpMfI-HMyxg 1210 2015-01-15T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/play-better-blitz-and-take-down-your-computer-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Lc8e323qABE.jpg Play Better Blitz and Take Down your Computer! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Play Better Blitz and Take Down your Computer! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lc8e323qABE 1093 2015-01-19T15:00:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/outplay-your-opponents-using-pawn-structures-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/U2Zo7GhgTcE.jpg Outplay your Opponents Using Pawn Structures! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Outplay your Opponents Using Pawn Structures! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/U2Zo7GhgTcE 1304 2015-01-26T15:00:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-maneuver-your-pieces-in-closed-positions-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WdxCFq5O6es.jpg How to Maneuver Your Pieces in Closed Positions! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili How to Maneuver Your Pieces in Closed Positions! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/WdxCFq5O6es 1568 2015-02-02T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fight-against-whites-strong-center-with-the-kings-indian-defense-gm-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/9QShIDg3v1s.jpg Fight against White’s strong center with the King’s Indian Defense! – GM Dzindzichashvili Fight against White’s strong center with the King’s Indian Defense! – GM Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/9QShIDg3v1s 1411 2015-02-16T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/attack-with-the-scotch-and-giuoco-piano-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ooX9Gga-xTg.jpg Attack with the Scotch and Giuoco Piano! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Attack with the Scotch and Giuoco Piano! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/ooX9Gga-xTg 2130 2015-02-12T15:00:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crush-your-opponents-positionally-with-the-grand-prix-and-reti-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bvmbw4g5p_Y.jpg Crush your opponents positionally with the Grand Prix and Reti! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Crush your opponents positionally with the Grand Prix and Reti! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/bvmbw4g5p_Y 1855 2015-02-19T15:00:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-full-scale-battle-out-of-the-opening-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fcaDNubofKg.jpg A Full Scale Battle out of the Opening! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili A Full Scale Battle out of the Opening! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/fcaDNubofKg 2924 2015-02-23T03:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-set-up-to-crush-the-pirc-modern-defense-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/jB2h9z5_k8Q.jpg A set-up to Crush the Pirc Modern Defense! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili A set-up to Crush the Pirc Modern Defense! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/jB2h9z5_k8Q 2251 2015-02-26T15:00:26+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-from-the-immortal-games-of-aron-nimzowitsch-part-1-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/9BNY6SI0ELQ.jpg Learn from the Immortal Games of Aron Nimzowitsch! – Part 1 – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Learn from the Immortal Games of Aron Nimzowitsch! – Part 1 – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/9BNY6SI0ELQ 876 2015-03-02T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-from-the-immortal-games-of-aron-nimzowitsch-part-2-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3fbhs6CaNFg.jpg Learn from the Immortal Games of Aron Nimzowitsch! – Part 2 – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Learn from the Immortal Games of Aron Nimzowitsch! – Part 2 – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/3fbhs6CaNFg 1086 2015-03-05T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/quick-wins-%e2%8f%a9-learn-the-kings-indian-attack-the-easy-way-with-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iHEQGPavUuM.jpg QUICK Wins! ⏩ Learn The King’s Indian Attack the Easy Way with GM Roman Dzindzichashvili! In this chapter from his “Easy Way to Learn the King’s Indian Attack” course, GM Roman Dzindzichashvili shows how to get quick wins as White using the King’s Indian Attack. This chess opening is a system, not just a series of moves, and usually involves White castling behind a fianchettoed bishop on the kingside, placing pawns on d3 and e4, then knights on d2 and f3. It’s supersolid but also hides some powerful attacking ideas that can be used to blow your opponent off the board! And it’s a chess opening with a great reputation, being an early favorite of Bobby Fischer on his way to becoming the youngest ever chess grandmaster! https://www.youtube.com/embed/iHEQGPavUuM 2323 2015-03-09T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crush-your-opponents-with-passed-pawns-in-the-endgame-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cU5YYrSGelM.jpg Crush your Opponents With Passed Pawns in the Endgame! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Crush your Opponents With Passed Pawns in the Endgame! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/cU5YYrSGelM 1217 2015-03-12T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/win-endgames-with-minor-pieces-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ucgdO_dYk1s.jpg Win Endgames with Minor Pieces! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Win Endgames with Minor Pieces! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/ucgdO_dYk1s 2858 2015-03-16T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-the-opening-playing-as-black-with-the-accelerated-dragon-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JfQehiaBf7M.jpg Dominate the Opening Playing as Black with the Accelerated Dragon! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Dominate the Opening Playing as Black with the Accelerated Dragon! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/JfQehiaBf7M 1135 2015-03-19T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/tune-in-to-the-kings-indian-defense-im-david-vigorito/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6eT3d1r59_8.jpg Tune in to the King’s Indian Defense! – IM David Vigorito Tune in to the King’s Indian Defense! – IM David Vigorito https://www.youtube.com/embed/6eT3d1r59_8 1332 2015-01-22T15:00:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-the-kings-indian-im-bryan-smith/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4kpwNufh9Nw.jpg Dominate the King’s Indian! – IM Bryan Smith target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | In this opening taken from the ChessLecture series, Bryan teaches us about the Sameisch King's Indian masterpieces. He uses Chigilida vs. Smirin Baku, 2009, to show the reasons behind it and explain the general plans. Bryan provides a good overview for beginners, while advanced players will enjoy Bryan's explanation of Black's later opening plans where he goes into some detail on the 'Bronstein Queen Sacrifice'. Smirin plays the 'Panno Variation' following it up with a plan of ...Nh5, trying to intimidate White when Black will argue 'that White is over extended.' Bryan shows that there are many ways to use the KID bishop even if Black plays his pawn to e5. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4kpwNufh9Nw 1861 2015-04-02T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/master-the-kings-indian-pawn-gm-eugene-perelshteyn/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/d7GEddObnFw.jpg Master the King’s Indian Pawn – GM Eugene Perelshteyn Master the King’s Indian Pawn – GM Eugene Perelshteyn https://www.youtube.com/embed/d7GEddObnFw 1748 2015-04-06T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/jazz-up-your-kings-indian-defense-against-the-fianchetto-im-bryan-smith/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/LIdbb8UMIwI.jpg Jazz up your King’s Indian Defense against the Fianchetto! – IM Bryan Smith Jazz up your King’s Indian Defense against the Fianchetto! – IM Bryan Smith https://www.youtube.com/embed/LIdbb8UMIwI 2369 2015-04-20T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-world-class-game-explained-ponomariov-vs-carlsen/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3pSl5-cLvEA.jpg A World-Class Game Explained! – Ponomariov vs. Carlsen A World-Class Game Explained! – Ponomariov vs. Carlsen https://www.youtube.com/embed/3pSl5-cLvEA 1491 2015-02-05T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-averbakh-variation-krushed-gm-eugene-perelshteyn/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7qNXzPTWOqg.jpg The Averbakh variation Krushed! – GM Eugene Perelshteyn The Averbakh variation Krushed! – GM Eugene Perelshteyn https://www.youtube.com/embed/7qNXzPTWOqg 1671 2015-04-27T14:00:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/beat-the-kings-gambit-gm-eugene-perelshteyn/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KZt2eaW_K24.jpg Beat the King’s Gambit! – GM Eugene Perelshteyn Beat the King’s Gambit! – GM Eugene Perelshteyn https://www.youtube.com/embed/KZt2eaW_K24 1013 2015-04-13T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/watch-how-a-top-grandmaster-describes-a-complex-position-gm-ivan-sokolov-gingergm/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/g3Czm8-Rmms.jpg Watch how a TOP Grandmaster describes a complex position! – GM Ivan Sokolov (GingerGM) Watch how a TOP Grandmaster describes a complex position! – GM Ivan Sokolov (GingerGM) https://www.youtube.com/embed/g3Czm8-Rmms 1945 2015-02-09T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-from-the-best-magnus-carlsen-by-gms-gustaffson-jussupov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/wIFWq_VSDFk.jpg Learn from the Best! Magnus Carlsen by GMs Gustaffson & Jussupov In the "On Magnus Carlsen" video series, the GMs Gustafsson and Jussupov show you the current world number one chess player and World Champion in a dazzling series of games. These games chronicle his rise as a player and show his improvement from the past up to the current day. The Grandmasters presenting the material are also highly regarded players and do a terrific job of explaining the thinking and reasoning behind the moves that Carlsen played in key positions as well as giving personal insights on him. https://www.youtube.com/embed/wIFWq_VSDFk 2454 2015-03-30T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crush-your-opponents-with-the-kings-indian-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8QNhBcPqwpM.jpg Crush your Opponents with the King’s Indian Defense! Crush your Opponents with the King’s Indian Defense! https://www.youtube.com/embed/8QNhBcPqwpM 919 2015-03-23T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ultimate-queens-pawn-openings-gm-jan-gustafsson/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/N9dGiiW9Mck.jpg Ultimate Queen’s Pawn Openings! – GM Jan Gustafsson Ultimate Queen’s Pawn Openings! – GM Jan Gustafsson https://www.youtube.com/embed/N9dGiiW9Mck 617 2015-03-26T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-to-think-like-the-best-chess-players-in-the-world-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6Pc9lVUulaA.jpg Learn to Think Like The Best Chess Players in the World! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Learn to Think Like The Best Chess Players in the World! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/6Pc9lVUulaA 1795 2015-06-01T15:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-how-to-defend-like-a-gm-and-avoid-painful-defeats-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8Fy7fnip844.jpg Learn how to DEFEND like a GM and Avoid Painful Defeats! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Learn how to DEFEND like a GM and Avoid Painful Defeats! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Fy7fnip844 1812 2015-06-08T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/are-you-ready-to-apply-these-super-gm-tactics-gm-damian-lemos-empir/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Afqw3ahfHHE.jpg Are You Ready to Apply These Super GM Tactics? – GM Damian Lemos (Empir Are You Ready to Apply These Super GM Tactics? – GM Damian Lemos (Empir https://www.youtube.com/embed/Afqw3ahfHHE 2092 2015-07-13T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/master-the-gms-attacking-techniques-and-killer-combinations-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/olTDqC0ggb8.jpg Master the GMs’ Attacking Techniques And Killer Combinations! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Master the GMs’ Attacking Techniques And Killer Combinations! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/olTDqC0ggb8 1529 2015-07-20T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/discover-the-ultimate-middlegame-transition-guide-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SptVu7GD-yU.jpg Discover the Ultimate Middlegame Transition Guide! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | In the 76th volume of the Empire Chess series, Grandmaster Damian Lemos masterfully teaches you the guide to how GMs plan the transition from the opening to the middlegame. The choice of opening determines which middlegame plans will be developed. He does this by extensively discussing strong Grandmaster games. If you want to learn how GMs link the opening to the middlegame, you should watch these videos. https://www.youtube.com/embed/SptVu7GD-yU 1343 2015-07-27T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/hunt-the-king-and-learn-how-the-top-grandmasters-attack-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/UDeTfc1VZks.jpg Hunt the King And Learn How the Top Grandmasters Attack! (EMPIRE CHESS) Hunt the King And Learn How the Top Grandmasters Attack! (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/UDeTfc1VZks 1461 2015-06-22T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/become-a-terrific-defender-and-win-more-games-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pddJnOv0Y7M.jpg Become a TERRIFIC Defender and Win More Games! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Become a TERRIFIC Defender and Win More Games! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/pddJnOv0Y7M 1364 2015-09-10T14:00:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-how-to-play-every-opening-in-chess-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/o2pNYok9MJM.jpg Learn How to Play Every Opening in Chess! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Learn How to Play Every Opening in Chess! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/o2pNYok9MJM 1236 2015-09-21T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/become-a-master-of-the-opening-with-this-video-series/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/xPPq2gTzDdc.jpg Become a MASTER of the Opening With This Video Series! Become a MASTER of the Opening With This Video Series! https://www.youtube.com/embed/xPPq2gTzDdc 1118 2015-10-05T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-the-philidor-defense-like-a-gm-gm-roman/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/jd72Ywwh5nk.jpg Dominate The Philidor Defense Like a GM! – GM Roman Dominate The Philidor Defense Like a GM! – GM Roman https://www.youtube.com/embed/jd72Ywwh5nk 372 2015-10-29T14:00:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-great-idea-from-a-common-opening-position-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kfwFxY_hWB8.jpg A GREAT Idea from a Common Opening Position! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili A GREAT Idea from a Common Opening Position! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/kfwFxY_hWB8 918 2015-05-18T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-how-to-play-one-of-the-most-solid-openings-against-1-d4-gm-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WE4F33VN34o.jpg Learn How to Play One of the MOST Solid Openings Against 1.d4! – GM Dzindzichashvili | href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" Learn how to play one of the most solid openings against 1.d4! In the video "Repertoire for Black vs. Queen's Gambit" by GM Roman Dzindzichashvili, we learn about the Nimzo-Indian Defense, one of Black's best responses against 1.d4. This is a very solid opening, revolving around the fight for control of the e4 square - something that Black does from the beginning of the game with the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4. White occupies the center with pawns on c4 and d4 while Black aims to control the center using pieces instead. https://www.youtube.com/embed/WE4F33VN34o 818 2015-09-03T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/attack-the-sicilian-from-the-second-move-with-the-f4-sicilian-gm-james-plaskett/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/jMuFVakHltU.jpg Attack The Sicilian From The Second Move With The f4 Sicilian! – GM James Plaskett Attack The Sicilian From The Second Move With The f4 Sicilian! – GM James Plaskett https://www.youtube.com/embed/jMuFVakHltU 686 2015-08-13T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/one-of-the-most-solid-openings-in-existence-gm-daniel-king/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ZJ0kDQkuHwY.jpg One of the Most Solid Openings in Existence! – GM Daniel King One of the Most Solid Openings in Existence! – GM Daniel King https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZJ0kDQkuHwY 1132 2015-08-17T14:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/gambit-a-pawn-for-aggressive-piece-play-gm-james-plaskett/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/I_eGpOt6JiA.jpg Gambit a Pawn for Aggressive Piece Play! – GM James Plaskett Gambit a Pawn for Aggressive Piece Play! – GM James Plaskett https://www.youtube.com/embed/I_eGpOt6JiA 662 2015-06-11T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crushing-the-solid-caro-kann-opening-with-the-caro-krusher-gm-nigel-davies/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0WAePrhjqQc.jpg Crushing the Solid Caro-Kann Opening With the Caro Krusher! – GM Nigel Davies Crushing the Solid Caro-Kann Opening With the Caro Krusher! – GM Nigel Davies https://www.youtube.com/embed/0WAePrhjqQc 1464 2015-07-03T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/are-you-ready-to-dominate-the-extremely-tough-caro-kann-opening-gm-nigel-davies/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DpAh6HLcfDY.jpg Are You Ready To Dominate The Extremely Tough Caro-Kann Opening? – GM Nigel Davies Are You Ready To Dominate The Extremely Tough Caro-Kann Opening? – GM Nigel Davies https://www.youtube.com/embed/DpAh6HLcfDY 962 2015-07-16T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/are-you-ready-to-make-the-board-explode-with-the-center-counter-im-andrew-martin/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/nrYPaxQOyMo.jpg Are you Ready To Make The Board Explode With The Center Counter? – IM Andrew Martin Are you Ready To Make The Board Explode With The Center Counter? – IM Andrew Martin https://www.youtube.com/embed/nrYPaxQOyMo 927 2015-07-23T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sacrifice-material-for-quick-development-and-attack-gm-nigel-davies/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/k8i-O5ikdK4.jpg Sacrifice Material for Quick Development and Attack! – GM Nigel Davies target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | In the video “Dashing Danish” by GM Nigel Davies, we get to see the hyper-aggressive Danish Gambit opening that starts off with the pawn sacrifice 1.e4 e5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3. This opening used to be very popular in the past, then lost some of its appeal for a while. Recently the gambit has been revived by Grandmasters such as Garry Kasparov and Alexander Morozevich. There are many different attempts to refute this gambit that are discussed, but recent understanding and improved moves have changed the evaluation of these supposed refutations. Nigel shows the new theory in this gambit opening and how White can get a very strong attack in many of the lines that Black can try to defend with. https://www.youtube.com/embed/k8i-O5ikdK4 691 2015-08-06T14:00:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/are-you-ready-to-crush-the-sicilian-im-gary-lane/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/jtaipYbgaMw.jpg Are You Ready to Crush the Sicilian? – IM Gary Lane Are You Ready to Crush the Sicilian? – IM Gary Lane https://www.youtube.com/embed/jtaipYbgaMw 784 2015-06-18T14:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fight-for-control-of-the-center-using-the-english-defence-gm-james-plaskett/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WDIY0I8leVg.jpg Fight for Control of the Center Using The English Defence! – GM James Plaskett Fight for Control of the Center Using The English Defence! – GM James Plaskett https://www.youtube.com/embed/WDIY0I8leVg 663 2015-08-10T14:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/play-against-the-sicilian-defense-with-this-opening-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/uHYH5qvcNlQ.jpg Play Against The Sicilian Defense With This Opening! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Throw off your opponent with a prepared sideline against the Sicillian! In the video “Mastering the Opening Series – Crushing Lines for White” by GM Roman Dzindzichashvili, he shows us an opening line that White can play against the Sicilian Defense. With the opening moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 followed by 3.f4, White keeps his opponent off-balance and guessing: Will White ever transfer into the Open Sicilian with d4? Will he play the Closed Sicilian with g3? Will he play some other line? This kind of opening makes it difficult to play for Black. https://www.youtube.com/embed/uHYH5qvcNlQ 1197 2015-08-27T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-a-full-repertoire-for-white-using-the-1-d4-move/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/eDFcuS2g_K4.jpg Dominate a Full Repertoire For White Using the 1.d4 Move! Dominate a Full Repertoire For White Using the 1.d4 Move! https://www.youtube.com/embed/eDFcuS2g_K4 976 2015-07-09T14:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/blast-open-the-position-with-d4-gm-summerscale/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lpX5JQWOQeM.jpg Blast Open The Position With d4! – GM Summerscale Blast Open The Position With d4! – GM Summerscale https://www.youtube.com/embed/lpX5JQWOQeM 593 2015-07-30T14:00:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/play-the-most-solid-openings-against-1-d4-with-the-nimzo-indian-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/gZ1Jtf9EIB4.jpg Play the Most Solid Openings Against 1.d4 With the Nimzo-Indian Defense! Play the Most Solid Openings Against 1.d4 With the Nimzo-Indian Defense! https://www.youtube.com/embed/gZ1Jtf9EIB4 1135 2015-06-18T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-to-play-the-opening-phase-of-the-game-much-better/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vV-VQMIyYwM.jpg Learn to Play the Opening Phase of the Game MUCH Better! Learn to Play the Opening Phase of the Game MUCH Better! https://www.youtube.com/embed/vV-VQMIyYwM 1318 2015-09-28T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/do-you-want-to-know-how-a-super-gm-attacks-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pbIbWdWR05M.jpg Do You Want to Know How a Super GM Attacks? – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | When a Super GM attacks they do a few things differently compared to a club player. They assess the position to confirm that they should attack They identify the weakest point in their opponent's position They make sure they are not leaving themselves open to a counter-attack They time the attack perfectly - never too soon, never too late They make sure that all the pieces they need will be able to join in quickly - clear communication lines https://www.youtube.com/embed/pbIbWdWR05M 1511 2015-06-29T14:00:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-attacking-and-counterattacking-techniques-like-a-super-gm-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TAzz6jyiYGg.jpg Dominate Attacking and Counterattacking Techniques Like a Super GM – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Dominate Attacking and Counterattacking Techniques Like a Super GM – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/TAzz6jyiYGg 1969 2015-07-06T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-the-positional-chess-techniques-used-by-super-gms-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4AK9AELyiGA.jpg Dominate the Positional Chess techniques used by Super GMs! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | In the 73rd volume of the Empire Chess series, Grandmaster Damian Lemos masterfully teaches you the Ultra Deep Strategy of super GMs and how the best players in the world think. He does this by extensively discussing strong Grandmaster games, so if you want to improve your knowledge of positional chess like a GM, you should watch these videos. This work acts as a guide for learning how the super GMs dominate positional chess. Over the course of these videos we will see master games explained in-depth by GM Lemos, placing emphasis on every move, explaining the motives and distinct reasoning that cause GMs to make certain decisions. The plans and appropriate strategies for each position are explained in detail in order to better learn the concepts and improve our knowledge of chess strategy. The positional style is very powerful when we have control over it, since it helps us to transform small advantages into clear advantages, and clear advantages into decisive advantages. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4AK9AELyiGA 1985 2015-06-15T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/time-to-battle-the-pirc-scandinavian-dragon-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/w568xWsOEow.jpg Time to Battle the Pirc, Scandinavian & Dragon! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Time to Battle the Pirc, Scandinavian & Dragon! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/w568xWsOEow 725 2015-11-19T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fight-against-the-caro-kann-alekhine-french-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kNSvYv1wWvQ.jpg Fight Against the Caro Kann, Alekhine & French! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili Fight Against the Caro Kann, Alekhine & French! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/kNSvYv1wWvQ 903 2015-11-23T15:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fight-against-some-popular-openings-with-the-french-winawer-gm-roman/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hnNuQ23-s_Q.jpg Fight Against Some Popular Openings With The French Winawer! – GM Roman Fight Against Some Popular Openings With The French Winawer! – GM Roman https://www.youtube.com/embed/hnNuQ23-s_Q 778 2015-12-03T15:00:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/win-from-the-smallest-of-advantages-against-other-players-gm-roman/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/X8awwKXf-A4.jpg Win From The Smallest of Advantages Against Other Players – GM Roman Win From The Smallest of Advantages Against Other Players – GM Roman https://www.youtube.com/embed/X8awwKXf-A4 1025 2015-12-10T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-complete-system-for-white-against-the-sicilian-gm-roman-dzindzichashvili/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/q98ObJmZO7g.jpg A Complete System for White against the Sicilian! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili A Complete System for White against the Sicilian! – GM Roman Dzindzichashvili https://www.youtube.com/embed/q98ObJmZO7g 797 2015-12-17T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scotch-opening-take-your-rival-out-of-their-comfort-zone-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/NUBiYRJFFpY.jpg Scotch Opening: Take Your Rival Out Of Their Comfort Zone – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Scotch Opening: Take Your Rival Out Of Their Comfort Zone – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/NUBiYRJFFpY 968 2015-08-24T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/are-you-ready-for-the-most-powerful-positional-play-gm-maxim-dlugy-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CAyZ2FMVhH8.jpg Are You Ready for the Most Powerful Positional Play? – GM Maxim Dlugy (EMPIRE CHESS) Are You Ready for the Most Powerful Positional Play? – GM Maxim Dlugy (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/CAyZ2FMVhH8 1765 2015-08-31T16:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-best-kept-secrets-of-endgame-strategy-gm-max-dlugy-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iUFUg9VYJL8.jpg The BEST KEPT Secrets Of Endgame Strategy! – GM Max Dlugy (EMPIRE CHESS) The BEST KEPT Secrets Of Endgame Strategy! – GM Max Dlugy (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/iUFUg9VYJL8 1077 2015-09-07T14:00:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-how-to-play-the-most-creative-chess-game-fm-alisa-melekhina-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/H3WtfkUy_ww.jpg Learn How to Play The Most Creative Chess Game! – FM Alisa Melekhina (EMPIRE CHESS) ♕ Connect with Alisa and check out her additional content on https://www.youtube.com/embed/H3WtfkUy_ww 1214 2015-10-19T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/win-as-black-against-1-d4-with-the-kings-indian-defense-im-christian-ritcher-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/clnYDF-L6kU.jpg Win as Black Against 1.d4 With the King’s Indian Defense – IM Christian Ritcher (EMPIRE CHESS) Win as Black Against 1.d4 With the King’s Indian Defense – IM Christian Ritcher (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/clnYDF-L6kU 1234 2015-11-23T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crushing-white-with-the-caro-kann-like-a-legend-gm-maxim-dlugy-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8W09NwT1fTk.jpg Crushing White with the Caro-Kann Like a Legend! – GM Maxim Dlugy (EMPIRE CHESS) Crushing White with the Caro-Kann Like a Legend! – GM Maxim Dlugy (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/8W09NwT1fTk 2073 2015-11-02T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fight-against-1-d4-with-the-kings-indian-defense-im-jorge-ferreira-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Dei3Z9gi7oQ.jpg Fight Against 1.d4 With The King’s Indian Defense – IM Jorge Ferreira (EMPIRE CHESS) Fight Against 1.d4 With The King’s Indian Defense – IM Jorge Ferreira (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dei3Z9gi7oQ 1184 2015-11-09T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/turn-your-ideas-into-action-with-the-catalan-opening-im-axel-delorme-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sqQvmFrHsBY.jpg Turn Your Ideas Into Action With the Catalan Opening! – IM Axel Delorme (EMPIRE CHESS) Turn Your Ideas Into Action With the Catalan Opening! – IM Axel Delorme (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/sqQvmFrHsBY 1673 2015-11-16T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/defeat-your-opponent-using-the-sicilian-najdorf-gm-andrei-volokitin-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AIiFyvZlrIA.jpg Defeat Your Opponent Using the Sicilian Najdorf! – GM Andrei Volokitin (EMPIRE CHESS) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Andrei Volokitin has a peak FIDE rating of 2725 and wins against the likes of Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura and Mamedyarov. He is also an expert on playing both sides of the Sicilian Defense, Najdorf variation! The Najdorf variation is considered the Rolls Royce (or Cadillac) of chess openings. Incredibly sharp, double-edged and full of rich, complex positions, the Sicilian Najdorf was the favorite of both Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. https://www.youtube.com/embed/AIiFyvZlrIA 1120 2015-10-26T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/upgrade-your-attacking-skills-and-win-more-games-starting-now-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Bf45X5kbYZk.jpg Upgrade Your Attacking Skills And WIN More Games Starting NOW! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Upgrade Your Attacking Skills And WIN More Games Starting NOW! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bf45X5kbYZk 1717 2016-01-18T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-how-to-play-aggressively-and-win-more-games-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/VtyPmoLvGUk.jpg Learn How To Play AGGRESSIVELY And WIN More Games! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Learn How To Play AGGRESSIVELY And WIN More Games! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/VtyPmoLvGUk 1588 2016-01-25T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/play-aggressively-and-win-more-games-with-style-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1Jvotg3zplA.jpg Play AGGRESSIVELY And WIN More Games With STYLE! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Play AGGRESSIVELY And WIN More Games With STYLE! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Jvotg3zplA 1384 2016-02-01T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-how-to-attack-like-a-gm-and-devastate-your-opponent-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pkLSij_GWsU.jpg Learn How to ATTACK Like a GM And DEVASTATE Your Opponent! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Learn How to ATTACK Like a GM And DEVASTATE Your Opponent! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/pkLSij_GWsU 1387 2016-01-11T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-to-develop-a-long-term-chess-strategy-with-the-maroczy-bind-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qgFhKtHi6_8.jpg Learn to Develop a Long-Term Chess Strategy With the Maroczy Bind – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Learn to Develop a Long-Term Chess Strategy With the Maroczy Bind – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/qgFhKtHi6_8 1543 2015-11-30T15:00:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/improve-your-defensive-chess-and-win-more-games-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/7h1Bg1UjXE4.jpg Improve Your Defensive Chess and Win More Games! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Improve Your Defensive Chess and Win More Games! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/7h1Bg1UjXE4 1158 2015-12-07T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/time-to-master-the-middlegame-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pTws8eWECY.jpg Time to MASTER the Middlegame! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Time to MASTER the Middlegame! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/_pTws8eWECY 1143 2015-12-14T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-the-middlegame-with-spectacular-tactics-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/r34_qlW1Tr4.jpg Dominate The Middlegame With Spectacular Tactics – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) Dominate The Middlegame With Spectacular Tactics – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/r34_qlW1Tr4 1105 2015-12-21T15:00:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/destroy-the-opponent-through-powerful-positional-play-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/f2zR8VumJH0.jpg DESTROY the Opponent through POWERFUL Positional Play! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) DESTROY the Opponent through POWERFUL Positional Play! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/f2zR8VumJH0 1604 2015-12-28T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/master-the-classics-and-improve-your-chess-understanding-gm-damian-lemos-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JLT_dTdW0Ds.jpg MASTER The Classics and IMPROVE Your Chess Understanding! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) MASTER The Classics and IMPROVE Your Chess Understanding! – GM Damian Lemos (EMPIRE CHESS) https://www.youtube.com/embed/JLT_dTdW0Ds 1608 2016-01-04T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/master-the-kings-indian-defense-like-a-gm-gm-roman/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OKEuM9NHd1A.jpg Master The King’s Indian Defense Like a GM – GM Roman Master The King’s Indian Defense Like a GM – GM Roman https://www.youtube.com/embed/OKEuM9NHd1A 1308 2015-12-24T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fend-off-these-openings-traps-and-get-superior-positions-gm-roman/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MmqU9qTDzs0.jpg Fend Off These Openings’ Traps And Get Superior Positions! – GM Roman Fend Off These Openings’ Traps And Get Superior Positions! – GM Roman https://www.youtube.com/embed/MmqU9qTDzs0 1015 2015-12-31T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/improve-your-piece-coordination-and-build-powerful-attacks-gm-roman/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kK1UJ6EhJ2k.jpg IMPROVE Your Piece Coordination And Build Powerful ATTACKS! – GM Roman IMPROVE Your Piece Coordination And Build Powerful ATTACKS! – GM Roman https://www.youtube.com/embed/kK1UJ6EhJ2k 1170 2016-01-07T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/find-the-killer-blow-on-every-movement-you-make-gm-roman/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/nKQ80Y9bEpA.jpg Find The KILLER BLOW on Every Movement You Make! – GM Roman Find The KILLER BLOW on Every Movement You Make! – GM Roman https://www.youtube.com/embed/nKQ80Y9bEpA 1195 2016-01-14T15:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/develop-strong-calculation-skills-and-choose-the-right-variation-to-play/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mMlTW3pAb28.jpg Develop STRONG Calculation Skills and Choose the Right Variation to Play! Develop STRONG Calculation Skills and Choose the Right Variation to Play! https://www.youtube.com/embed/mMlTW3pAb28 899 2016-01-21T15:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/master-gm-attacking-play-im-axel-delorme-gm-maxime-lagarde-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/9uXBEyJAWzM.jpg Master GM Attacking Play – IM Axel Delorme & GM Maxime Lagarde (Webinar Replay) ♕ JAN 14th - 2PM EST - In this webinar learn attacking chess in the Sicilian w/ opposite side castling. We will look at Carlsen - Nakamura Tata Steel 2011 and Lagarde - Mullon French championship 2012. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9uXBEyJAWzM 4287 2016-01-14T20:22:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/magnus-carlsen-vs-fabiano-caruana-past-present-and-future-chess24/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sqh3sUsBmDY.jpg Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana: Past, Present and Future! – Chess24 Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana: Past, Present and Future! – Chess24 https://www.youtube.com/embed/sqh3sUsBmDY 1321 2016-02-08T15:14:37+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-great-alternative-to-the-spanish-ruy-lopez-chess24/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JMXsWiJzOS8.jpg A Great Alternative to The Spanish/Ruy Lopez! – Chess24 A Great Alternative to The Spanish/Ruy Lopez! – Chess24 https://www.youtube.com/embed/JMXsWiJzOS8 1108 2016-02-22T15:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/master-the-bogo-indian-defense-like-a-gm-gm-niclas-huschenbeth-chess24/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vZjQM_ZD94o.jpg Master The Bogo-Indian Defense Like a GM! – GM Niclas Huschenbeth (CHESS24) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Bogo-Indian Defense is very similar to the Nimzo-Indian. Black plays the same first 3 moves, but on move 3 White chooses 3.Nf3 instead of 3.Nc3. As a result, Black's Bishop lands on b4 with check. By reserving his Queen's Knight move White can now choose to block the check in a number of ways 4.Nc3, 4.Nbd2 or 4.Bd2. These different choices each lead to different systems of developments by White and so the way Black should respond also change. https://www.youtube.com/embed/vZjQM_ZD94o 1023 2016-02-29T13:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/use-this-repertoire-for-white-and-crush-the-nimzo-indian-gm-jan-gustafson-chess24/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BD2oN6sKlhM.jpg Use This Repertoire for White And CRUSH The Nimzo-Indian! – GM Jan Gustafson (Chess24) target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Nimzo-Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4) is popular at all levels of chess, unsurprising as it gives Black a clear system of development and has proven itself to be perfectly sound over many years of practice. A hyper-modern opening, Black intends to allow White to form a big center and attack it from the flanks later with moves like …c5. So how should White tackle Black’s setup? In his course “Grandmaster repertoire: 4.Qc2 against the Nimzo-Indian” GM Jan Gustafsson recommends 4.Qc2, a move he has used with considerable success and one that is fast becoming recognized as White’s best option. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BD2oN6sKlhM 1189 2016-02-15T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/training-calculation-secrets-to-achieve-tactical-mastery-im-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GBmflXex4Cc.jpg Training & Calculation Secrets to Achieve Tactical Mastery! – IM Lilov (Webinar Replay) Click for 35% Discount on this TACTICS DOMINATION DVD BUNDLE ♕ TACTICS DOMINATION BUNDLE: https://www.youtube.com/embed/GBmflXex4Cc 3980 2016-04-27T17:18:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-secrets-%f0%9f%95%b5-behind-the-sicilian-defense-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/taM8u7xtNjs.jpg The Secrets 🕵 Behind the Sicilian Defense with IM Valeri Lilov! (Webinar Replay) According to the great Vishy Anand, the Sicilian Defense is one of the two openings that serious chess players must learn if they want to be successful (the other being the Ruy Lopez/Spanish Opening). However, getting a refined understanding of the imbalances in this double-edged opening, and using that knowledge to win, can take many years of hard work. It's a notoriously difficult chess opening, one that can bounce back and leave you with a losing position if you go off-theory, or if you aren't aware of the general ideas and plans you need to try and implement. https://www.youtube.com/embed/taM8u7xtNjs 3790 2016-05-04T17:08:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-gambits-as-deadly-as-ever-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ODcDMIzN-Xc.jpg Chess Gambits as deadly as ever with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Click for 20% Discount on this GAMBIT DOMINATION BUNDLE Free webinar: Learn to play gambits & win in style with IM Valeri Lilov! Playing gambits is just about the most fun you can have as a chess-player. In the Romantic era of chess, when men were men and pieces were for sacrificing, playing anything other than a gambit was seen as cowardly. Nowadays, most club players copy the top 10 and choose quieter openings – but this could be a big mistake. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ODcDMIzN-Xc 3756 2016-05-14T17:11:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-to-crush-queen-pawn-openings-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6raIGeekzjo.jpg Learn to crush Queen pawn openings with IM Valeri Lilov! (Webinar Replay) Click for 20% Discount on this QUEEN PAWN OPENINGS BUNDLE. Free webinar: Learn to crush Queen pawn openings with IM Valeri Lilov! Do you struggle to get the type of game you want to play against 1.d4 players? Perhaps you meet 1.e4 with a razor-sharp Sicilian and love to get into the fight as early as possible but those guys who play Queen pawn openings are only interested in a slow, positional game. https://www.youtube.com/embed/6raIGeekzjo 3576 2016-05-21T17:10:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-the-secrets-of-the-chess-legends-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bTXIXID0pKM.jpg Learn the Secrets of the Chess Legends with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Click for 20% Discount on this LEGENDARY CHESS PLAYERS DVD BUNDLE If you want to get really good at chess, or anything else for that matter, it pays to study the masters, those who have reached the very top. On Saturday 28 May, International Master Valeri Lilov presents a 1 hour webinar on the chess legends – free and exclusive to iChess followers. What is it that makes the very best stand out from the plain old “good” Grandmasters? What special powers do the elite players possess that others do not? https://www.youtube.com/embed/bTXIXID0pKM 3577 2016-05-28T17:08:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/hit-hard-with-im-valeri-lilovs-secrets-of-attacking-play-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/npHF_DfrdAI.jpg Hit Hard with IM Valeri Lilov’s Secrets of Attacking Play! (Webinar Replay) Click for 20% Discount on this Ultimate Attacking Bundle. If you’ve ever got a really good position but not been able to find a breakthrough then this week’s webinar is going to help you out. On Saturday 4 June, International Master Valeri Lilov presents a 1 hour webinar on attacking play – free and exclusive to iChess followers. Click here just before noon EST, Saturday 4 June to join. (You might want to bookmark the link and set a reminder). https://www.youtube.com/embed/npHF_DfrdAI 3711 2016-06-04T17:11:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-crush-with-the-kings-indian-defense-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/w5ZBO7AZ2bk.jpg How to Crush with the King’s Indian Defense! With IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | If you want to rapidly increase our rating you need to be winning games with both colors. Most people prefer to have the White pieces as they feel they can dictate play, start attacks and are more likely to win. However, choose the right openings and you can create sharp, unbalanced positions which give you great chances of winning with Black too. Against 1.e4 the Sicilian Defense is the obvious choice. Against 1.d4 the stand-out opening is the King’s Indian Defense. https://www.youtube.com/embed/w5ZBO7AZ2bk 3811 2016-06-11T17:10:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/master-positional-chess-and-dominate-your-rivals-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5T-u7s9QILE.jpg Master Positional Chess and Dominate Your Rivals! IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Click for 20% Discount on POSITIONAL CHESS MASTERY BUNDLE https://www.youtube.com/embed/5T-u7s9QILE 3641 2016-06-18T17:07:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-with-the-ruy-lopez-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qbn-xkWMyY.jpg Dominate with the Ruy Lopez! IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Free Webinar: Spanish Torture – Dominate with the Ruy Lopez! Get ready to add a powerful opening to your repertoire, win more games as Black and deepen your chess understanding with this Saturday’s webinar. The Ruy Lopez, also known as the Spanish Opening, is the oldest recorded chess opening, first appearing in Libro del Ajedrez (Book of Chess) in 1561! Since then it has been used regularly by every world champion and is often one of the first openings beginners learn. https://www.youtube.com/embed/qbn--xkWMyY 3651 2016-06-25T17:08:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/unbeatable-master-the-art-of-defense-with-im-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/R4yjhYny1iA.jpg Unbeatable! Master the Art of Defense with IM Lilov! (Webinar Replay) Click for 20% Discount on DEVASTATING DEFENSE BUNDLE ♕ 50% DISCOUNT DEVASTATING DEFENSE BUNDLE: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" (offer expired, but you can still get it here at regular price) Ever had a game where you faced an attack you knew wasn’t sound but somehow you couldn’t wriggle out of it? You’re not alone. The art of defense in chess is one of the least studied skills. Pretty strange when it will when you as many points as learning how to attack. https://www.youtube.com/embed/R4yjhYny1iA 3867 2016-07-02T17:12:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/get-better-at-chess-the-right-way-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PzqhK7ZJX20.jpg Get Better at Chess the Right Way! with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Click for 20% Discount on COMPREHENSIVE CHESS COURSE BUNDLE ♕ AWESOME 60% DISCOUNT: (offer expired, but you can still get it here at regular price) NEW Free Training: Get Better at Chess the Right Way! The biggest problem facing improving players today is the lack of proper guidance early on. Most players pick up chess knowledge in a haphazard way, leading to uneven results and bad habits that slow their progress later on. https://www.youtube.com/embed/PzqhK7ZJX20 3860 2016-07-09T17:15:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/time-to-become-a-candidate-master-with-valerie-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/XaSOz40I5Zs.jpg Time to Become a Candidate Master with Valerie Lilov (Webinar Replay) Click for 20% Discount on THE CLUB PLAYER'S MANIFESTO BUNDLE ♕ 60% THE CLUB PLAYER'S MANIFESTO BUNDLE: (offer expired, but you can still get it here at regular price) Free Chess Training: What You Need to Know to Become a Candidate Master Too many talented players get stuck at club level, prevented from reaching their potential by a lack of direction and the right kind of chess training. To take that extra step requires just a few small improvements but not just in one area but every part of your game. https://www.youtube.com/embed/XaSOz40I5Zs 4136 2016-07-16T17:16:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/secrets-of-grandmaster-chess-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vCKdv8kH0CQ.jpg Secrets of Grandmaster Chess IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) ♕ AWESOME 60% DISCOUNT (offer expired, but you can still get it here at a special price): https://www.youtube.com/embed/vCKdv8kH0CQ 4095 2016-07-23T17:19:16+00:00 https://chessterra.com/polgar-method-for-serious-improvement-with-im-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/g4vtyhmQu5Y.jpg Polgar Method for Serious Improvement! With IM Lilov (Webinar Replay) Polgar Method for Serious Improvement! With IM Lilov (Webinar Replay) https://www.youtube.com/embed/g4vtyhmQu5Y 3826 2016-07-30T17:13:49+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-improvement-for-club-players-by-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dierui0Vmzk.jpg Chess Improvement for Club Players! By IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) What is it that holds talented club players back from real chess improvement? More often than not, it’s the small mistakes they don’t even know they’re making. And it’s not their fault, these slight errors usually seem perfectly logical – until they’re explained properly. This Saturday (6th August) IM Valeri Lilov is going to show you how to play better chess by making a few small adjustments to your chess thinking. This is a 1 hour webinar, free for iChess followers. https://www.youtube.com/embed/dierui0Vmzk 3520 2016-08-06T17:08:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-build-your-opening-repertoire-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/z__NtyKRMA4.jpg How to Build Your Opening Repertoire with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) The question of how to build your opening repertoire is common among club players. The benefits are clear: you spend much less time and energy thinking about the opening stage during games and you’re more likely to get a good position by move 15. But how should you go about it? This Saturday (13th August) IM Valeri Lilov is going to show you how to build your opening repertoire based on strong lines that most players will be unfamiliar with. This is a 1 hour webinar, free for iChess followers. https://www.youtube.com/embed/z__NtyKRMA4 3971 2016-08-13T17:13:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-the-dan-heisman-thought-process-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CMGoGYpA-s0.jpg Learn The Dan Heisman Thought Process with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Free Training: Learn The Dan Heisman Thought Process Dan Heisman Thought Process Dan Heisman is one of the most original and respected chess coaches around today thanks to his teaching of the Dan Heisman thought process – a logical thinking method that helps players calculate more accurately, form winning strategies and avoid blunders. This Saturday (20th August) IM Valeri Lilov is going to reveal some of the key ideas that make up the Dan Heisman thought process in a 1 hour webinar, free for iChess followers. https://www.youtube.com/embed/CMGoGYpA-s0 3557 2016-08-20T17:09:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/pawn-structure-explained-by-im-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/82Ms4ZWyrQk.jpg Pawn Structure Explained by IM Lilov! (Webinar Replay) Free Training: Pawn Structure Explained by IM Lilov! If you've ever found yourself in a position where you're running out of good moves but don't know where you went wrong, you've probably misunderstood the pawn structure. This Saturday (27th August) IM Valeri Lilov is going to reveal how to 'read' the pawn structure so you know where to place your pieces, which side of the board to attack on and how to target your opponent's weaknesses. https://www.youtube.com/embed/82Ms4ZWyrQk 3746 2016-08-27T17:10:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/romantic-chess-win-with-gambits-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vgtcHrYtEnE.jpg Romantic Chess – Win with Gambits! with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) If you love playing aggressive chess but find it hard to get attacking positions from your current openings, then it’s time to introduce gambits into your repertoire. This Saturday (10th September) IM Valeri Lilov is going to show you how to play some of the scariest-to-face gambits properly, with power and precision. In the days of legendary attackers Paul Morphy and Adolf Anderssen, romantic chess and gambits were the norm. If one player didn’t offer a pawn for development – and if his opponent didn’t accept the sacrifice – it was considered cowardly! https://www.youtube.com/embed/vgtcHrYtEnE 3501 2016-09-10T17:10:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/middlegame-training-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/zq28NdM35s8.jpg Middlegame Training with IM Valeri Lilov! (Webinar Replay) While the opening and endgame are the easiest subjects to study, we all know it’s in the middlegame that most results are decided. However, with such a huge number of positional and tactical themes, middlegame training can be hard to come by. This Saturday (3rd September) IM Valeri Lilov is going to fix this in a free, 1 hour middlegame training session, featuring instructive ideas you can use in your own games. https://www.youtube.com/embed/zq28NdM35s8 3525 2016-09-03T17:08:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/secrets-of-chess-tactics-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/f6nTMDa_56w.jpg Secrets of Chess Tactics with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Free webinar: Secrets of Chess Tactics with IM Valeri Lilov Get ready to learn some of the secrets of chess tactics in this Saturday’s free webinar: Every chess player knows the importance of tactical skill in chess and training tactics is one of the most popular forms of practice for most players. However, spending hours solving puzzle after puzzle isn’t the only way to get better at tactics. There are plenty of tips and insights that make spotting combinations and finding winning moves much easier. https://www.youtube.com/embed/f6nTMDa_56w 3796 2016-09-17T17:13:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-play-with-power-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8s1tYV94qMs.jpg How to Play with Power – IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Weekly Webinar: How to Play Chess With Power Getting stuck in a boring position with no attacking chances is a real danger for the competitive player – and it’s easily done. If you’re up against a strong opponent and you take care not to create any weaknesses, you often end up in a balanced position. But would a Kasparov end up in a position like this? Or, if he did, would he let it stay like that? https://www.youtube.com/embed/8s1tYV94qMs 3776 2016-09-24T17:12:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/knowledge-is-power-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BpBxt8-_S-Q.jpg Knowledge is Power with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) In chess, a little knowledge goes a long way. Recognizing the opportunity for a thematic combination, knowing the key move in your favorite opening and being aware of the winning technique in an endgame is enough to win you games on its own. This Saturday (1st October) IM Valeri Lilov is going to show you why chess knowledge is power – and give you a ton of cool tips and tricks to use. This free chess training will arm you with game-winning ideas so that, when the opportunity arrives, you’re ready. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BpBxt8-_S-Q 3581 2016-10-01T17:10:49+00:00 https://chessterra.com/study-at-susan-polgars-chess-university-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QJ9-jwghPKs.jpg Study at Susan Polgar’s Chess University! with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) GM Susan Polgar is one of the greatest chess coaches in the world today. Her teaching methods have produced many Grandmasters, including Super GM and world top 10 player Wesley So. This Saturday (8th October) IM Valeri Lilov is going to talk you through some of Susan’s most powerful coaching material, giving you real insight into advanced play. This free chess training will give you a clear idea of what you should be trying to do at every stage of the game, plus a ton of techniques for solving the on-board problems. https://www.youtube.com/embed/QJ9-jwghPKs 3690 2016-10-08T17:10:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/garry-kasparovs-world-championship-secrets-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mwl8uesuo40.jpg Garry Kasparov’s World Championship Secrets! IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Garry Kasparov fought in 8 world championship matches between 1985 and 2000, facing 4 very different opponents. How was Garry able to consistently meet the challenges he faced and force his way to victory at the very highest level? This Saturday (15th October) IM Valeri Lilov is going to reveal some of the secrets of Garry Kasparov’s world championship play in one of the most instructive 1 hour chess lessons of all time! https://www.youtube.com/embed/mwl8uesuo40 3671 2016-10-15T17:15:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-play-like-mikhail-tal-with-gingergm-simon-williams-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/u152qz0ZBg.jpg How to Play like Mikhail Tal – with GingerGM Simon Williams (Webinar Replay) One of the quickest ways to improve your chess is to model your game on a strong player. And, if you like to play exciting, attacking chess, the number one guy you should look to is Mikhail Tal, the “Magician from Riga”! This Saturday (22nd October) GingerGM Simon Williams is going to show you how to play like Mikhail Tal by analyzing some of his most brilliant wins in a free, 1 hour webinar! Here are some of the things you’ll learn: https://www.youtube.com/embed/_u152qz0ZBg 3739 2016-10-22T17:08:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/unbeatable-mastering-the-art-of-defense-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/swsIDKPce8I.jpg Unbeatable! Mastering the Art of Defense! IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) A common mistake among club players is to focus only on winning more games. The fact is, eliminating losses will help your rating just as much AND save you a ton of stress and disappointment! So how do you avoid those painful defeats? How do you become unbeatable? This Saturday (5th November) IM Valeri Lilov is going to reveal some of the secrets of the art of defense by analyzing the games of some of the games’ greatest defenders including world champions Jose Raul Capablanca, Bobby Fischer and, of course, Tigran Petrosian. https://www.youtube.com/embed/swsIDKPce8I 3731 2016-11-05T18:15:22+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-battle-between-chess-strategy-and-tactics-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ZTpSsTRDtXQ.jpg The Battle Between Chess Strategy and Tactics! IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) One of the biggest obstacles to mastering chess is learning how to combine all the different elements at once. We see a way to win a pawn but our opponent will gain activity. Or we want to keep our pawn structure intact but doing so will invite an attack. What can we learn from the very best players about the battle between chess strategy and tactics? This Saturday (29nd October) IM Valeri Lilov is going to examine some of the most instructive games featuring this clash of styles – the result will help you make the right choices at the critical moments in your own games. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZTpSsTRDtXQ 4001 2016-10-29T17:19:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/rook-and-pawn-endings-the-secrets-of-the-most-common-endgame/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/I6E0WpHSJhM.jpg Rook and Pawn Endings: The Secrets of the Most Common Endgame! target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Let’s face it, two closely matched players determined to win are very likely to end up in a Rook and pawn ending, which makes mastering this endgame essential to success. But where to start? Do you learn all the theoretical positions like the Lucena and Philidor? Some do but find it doesn’t help them in the majority of endgames they actually get on the board. In this video – a free preview of the Kopec Lectures – IM Danny Kopec reveals the 3 most important factors for success in a Rook and pawn ending: all related to activity. These guidelines help you devise a short-term plan to improve your chances of winning. https://www.youtube.com/embed/I6E0WpHSJhM 1121 2016-12-12T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-play-the-positional-queen-sacrifice-like-a-gm-gm-alex-yermolinsky-icc/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/N9zuCdA77_M.jpg How to Play the POSITIONAL Queen Sacrifice! like a GM – GM Alex Yermolinsky – ICC href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | How to Play the POSITIONAL Queen Sacrifice! When most people think of a Queen sacrifice it's the beginning of a beautiful combination ending in checkmate. Why else would we give up our most precious piece except for immediate victory of material gain? Legendary coach GM Alex Yermolinsky has some useful ideas on the little-discussed topic of the positional Queen sacrifice! As you know, when you get stronger at chess, you have to broaden your range of skills in order to beat classically solid opponents. https://www.youtube.com/embed/N9zuCdA77_M 984 2016-12-05T15:44:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-magnus-carlsen-wins-games-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/058Uc3NIH6Y.jpg How Magnus Carlsen Wins Games with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) With the World Champion about to defend his title against Sergey Karjakin, this is the perfect time to look at how Magnus Carlsen wins games. How is it that he’s able to consistently score full points against the best players in the world, even when the position is theoretically drawn after 70 moves! This Saturday (12th November) IM Valeri Lilov is going to reveal how Magnus Carlsen wins games with his expert analysis of some of the Norwegian’s victories. If you’ve ever had to settle for a draw because you couldn’t find a way forward, you’ll want to join this webinar! https://www.youtube.com/embed/058Uc3NIH6Y 3950 2016-11-12T18:13:59+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-lessons-from-gm-yasser-seirawan-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/36EbMX3TOo8.jpg Chess Lessons from GM Yasser Seirawan with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) [Free Webinar] Chess Lessons from GM Yasser Seirawan! Presented by IM Lilov Yasser Seirawan webinarWorld Junior Champion, 4 times US Champion and a FIDE Senior Trainer, GM Yasser Seirawan is a US chess legend. Famed for his expert commentary on top events, Yasser is well respected for his ability to explain complex ideas in a way people just get. And his games are just as instructive. This Saturday (19th November) IM Valeri Lilov is going to showcase some of GM Yasser Seirawan’s best chess lessons, using Yasser’s own games! Get ready to enrich your chess knowledge with some fantastic wins over some of the greatest players of all-time. https://www.youtube.com/embed/36EbMX3TOo8 3671 2016-11-19T18:10:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/gm-susan-polgar-how-to-play-like-a-world-champion-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/527kVpdFM-A.jpg GM Susan Polgar: How to Play Like a World Champion (Webinar Replay) With Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin fighting for the title in New York, we decided to look at what it means to play like a World Champion. What hidden clues to the game do champions see, allowing them to outplay the very best in the world? We are excited to announce GM Susan Polgar, a former World Champion herself, will be revealing some of the secrets of World Championship play in a free webinar this Sunday! https://www.youtube.com/embed/527kVpdFM-A 3766 2016-11-13T18:06:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/roman-dzindzichashvili-the-man-who-creates-gms-im-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/yeFqEYFuBnE.jpg Roman Dzindzichashvili – The Man Who CREATES GMs! IM Lilov (Webinar Replay) [Free Webinar] Roman Dzindzichashvili – The Man Who CREATES GMs! This week’s free webinar is going to uncover the chess secrets of GM Roman Dzindzichasvili – the man who creates GMs! (“Dzindzi” is the guy who coached Gata Kamsky all the way to 2763 Elo! GM Eugene Perelshteyn is another of his students.) Dzindzi’s outstanding success as a coach can be attributed to his ability to break down positions into general principles, helping students understand what they need to do next. https://www.youtube.com/embed/yeFqEYFuBnE 3910 2016-11-26T18:21:58+00:00 https://chessterra.com/carlsen-vs-karjakin-word-chess-championship-2016-8-game-im-valeri-lilov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7B9X2pg66fA.jpg Carlsen vs Karjakin Word Chess Championship 2016 “8 Game” – IM Valeri Lilov Carlsen vs Karjakin Word Chess Championship 2016 “8 Game” – IM Valeri Lilov https://www.youtube.com/embed/7B9X2pg66fA 1309 2016-11-23T22:23:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-with-the-double-fianchetto-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AQz-M5hOIKE.jpg Dominate with the Double Fianchetto! IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) This week’s free webinar is going to reveal an opening system quietly being adopted by the elite players, with Kramnik pioneering it at the top level. The Double Fianchetto system is a flexible, positionally sound opening you can play against nearly anything Black plays and it gives you great attacking chances. This Saturday, IM Valeri Lilov is going to introduce you to the ideas behind this awesome opening in a free webinar. https://www.youtube.com/embed/AQz-M5hOIKE 3341 2016-12-03T18:10:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-play-chess-openings-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/I1pBKFfJfqw.jpg How to Play Chess Openings! with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) As any competitive player knows, getting the opening right is essential if you want to be successful. While the goal may be to reach “a playable middlegame position”, achieving that goal requires a solid understanding of the ideas behind the chess openings. This Saturday, IM Valeri Lilov is going to show you how to play the chess openings properly by revealing some of the hidden strategies behind the major openings. If you want to home in on the right plan, take control of the game and push for victory, this free training will give you a big helping hand. https://www.youtube.com/embed/I1pBKFfJfqw 3016 2016-12-10T18:14:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-art-of-the-positional-sacrifice-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mhqkzaboWlI.jpg The Art of the Positional Sacrifice with IM Valeri Lilov – (Webinar Replay) The Art of the Positional Sacrifice with IM Valeri Lilov – (Webinar Replay) https://www.youtube.com/embed/mhqkzaboWlI 3946 2016-12-17T18:13:29+00:00 https://chessterra.com/daniel-naroditsky-learning-from-a-chess-prodigy-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/j9hrH-7qHZE.jpg Daniel Naroditsky: Learning From a Chess Prodigy – IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) ♕ THE NARODITSKY METHOD FULL COURSE: href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Daniel Naroditsky: Learning From a Chess Prodigy! The question of how to get better at chess is one well known to any chess player. In fact, it’s become a joke that chess players spend more time trying to find out the best way to train than actually training! Now that question has finally been answered in the incredible Naroditsky Method from prodigy and 2646 rated Super GM Daniel Naroditsky – a course that outlines exactly how to improve your chess tactically, positionally, in the opening and in the endgame. https://www.youtube.com/embed/j9hrH-7qHZE 3980 2016-12-24T18:16:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dominate-the-chess-opening-with%f0%9f%8e%93-daniel-naroditsky/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/YDFsHGMHK8M.jpg DOMINATE the Chess Opening with🎓 Daniel Naroditsky!! GM Daniel Naroditsky (FIDE 2619) is an American chess prodigy who holds the record for being the youngest published chess author in history, writing his first book aged just 14 😎. Now in his early 20s, Daniel Naroditsky still has this love of both learning and teaching chess, knowing that explaining his ideas to others helps him formulate them properly too. In this chapter from his Naroditsky Method course, Daniel reveals the two secret opening principles that help him overcome ANY difficulty in the opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/YDFsHGMHK8M 3410 2016-12-28T19:19:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-ideas-behind-the-chess-openings-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ZrT5-MxX0R0.jpg The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings! IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) [Free Webinar!] The Ideas Behind The Chess Openings! The ideas behind the chess openingsNo-one likes having to memorize move after move, line after line just to survive in an opening. It’s exhausting, dangerous (it’s easy to mix move orders up) and offers a very poor rate of return in terms of actual chess results. Ask any coach worth their salt and they’ll recommend you concentrate on the key strategic ideas behind an opening first. This helps you understand why a certain move was played and points you in the right direction should your opponent deviate. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZrT5-MxX0R0 3811 2016-12-31T18:17:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/secrets-of-the-isolani-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bDqCkLSoQPA.jpg Secrets of the Isolani – IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) “He who fears an isolated Queen’s pawn should give up chess” – Siegbert Tarrasch. Don’t give up chess! Instead, master how to play with the isolated Queen’s pawn (aka isolani) and take your game to a whole other level. The answer to the age-old question of “is the isolani a strength or weakness?” is… it’s neither! Until one side makes it strong or weak, that is. This Saturday, IM Valeri Lilov is going to show you how to do precisely that with a fantastic free coaching session on the key strategies for playing both sides of this very important structure. https://www.youtube.com/embed/bDqCkLSoQPA 3670 2017-01-14T18:10:49+00:00 https://chessterra.com/most-amazing-chess-moves-ever-gm-simon-williams-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KPDw4PG87S0.jpg Most Amazing Chess Moves EVER! GM Simon Williams (Webinar Replay) ♕ GINGER GM BUNDLE (offer expired, but you can still get it here at a special price): target="_blank" rel="nofollow" https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPDw4PG87S0 4596 2017-01-07T18:19:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-tactics-simplified-by-gm-susan-polgar-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ykd0Z3IPOXg.jpg Chess Tactics Simplified by GM Susan Polgar [Master Method] target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | JAW-DROPPING Chess Tactics Explained by GM Susan Polgar! We all know the importance of chess tactics and there are few better feelings than spotting an awesome sacrifice and getting to play it in an important game. But what about those complicated positions where it looks like there must be a winning combination but there are so many different options it's almost impossible to find the right line? https://www.youtube.com/embed/ykd0Z3IPOXg 1180 2017-02-16T15:00:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/anatoly-karpov-humiliates-kasparov-with-quiet-positional-moves-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sWmZptKe6J0.jpg Anatoly Karpov HUMILIATES Kasparov with Quiet Positional Moves! – [Master Method] Anatoly Karpov HUMILIATES Kasparov with Quiet Positional Moves! – [Master Method] https://www.youtube.com/embed/sWmZptKe6J0 1161 2017-02-28T16:00:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/killer-attacking-chess-methods-of-the-masters-with-gm-susan-polgar-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/XuqMwZSyp54.jpg KILLER Attacking Chess Methods of the Masters with GM Susan Polgar [Master Method] target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Checkmating the King in the Center with GM Susan Polgar If there is one thing that every chessplayer loves it is to attack the opponent's king. Throw our pieces forward, sacrifice one or two to destroy the defense and deliver a beautiful checkmate. The happiest memories we can have! But while it's very easy to say, it's very difficult to do it right. In this free preview of her Polgar Method Series, GM Susan Polgar, former World Champion, discloses the best ways to attack the enemy king in the center. https://www.youtube.com/embed/XuqMwZSyp54 1433 2017-03-28T15:00:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/essential-chess-endings-the-philidor-position-with-gm-polgar-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iTKq_OtjcDY.jpg ESSENTIAL Chess Endings: The Philidor Position with GM Polgar [Master Method] Essential Rook Endgame Positions with GM Polgar As Capablanca once advised, chess should first be studied from the endgame. And, if you want to be practical, then you should begin by studying the rook endgames as they appear most frequently in tournament play. Exact positions like the Philidor, the Lucena or the Vancura positions should be studied, understood and even memorized, as sometimes you must play 'only moves' to win (or save the game). https://www.youtube.com/embed/iTKq_OtjcDY 777 2017-03-21T13:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/master-the-secrets-of-the-isolani-with-gm-liem-le-quang-fide-2718-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QwV6g5biO00.jpg Master the Secrets of the Isolani with GM Liem Le Quang (FIDE 2718) [Master Method] ♕ THE LE QUANG METHOD FULL COURSE: M Liem Le Quang (rated over 2700 Elo) is currently one of the world’s top 35 players. As he explains, it’s his understanding of different pawn structures that has helped him to achieve his most important goals in chess (including becoming a GM, winning the u14 World Championship in 2005 and the Blitz World Championship in 2013). So when he decided to share his wisdom in his superb Master Method course, he was very keen to teach about the most important pawn structures. https://www.youtube.com/embed/QwV6g5biO00 3112 2017-01-12T20:44:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/maroczy-bind-secrets-with-gm-liem-le-quang-fide-2720-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JBQ5-E8QRlU.jpg Maroczy Bind Secrets with GM Liem Le Quang FIDE 2720 – (Webinar Replay) In today’s webinar, GM Le Quang is going to reveal the secrets of one of the most important positions in chess: the Maroczy Bind! Whether you want more ways to win as White or need strategies to break free as Black, GM Liem Le Quang has got you covered! The Maroczy Bind – formed by White pawns on c4 and e4, making it difficult to play the d5 break – is most often seen against the Sicilian Defense and the Dragon variation in particular. However, it can appear in many other opening lines too, making it very likely you’ll encounter it over the board. https://www.youtube.com/embed/JBQ5-E8QRlU 3480 2017-01-21T18:11:50+00:00 https://chessterra.com/paco-vallejo-reviews-most-embarrassing-losses-fide-2710-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MFJ5Rt7SApQ.jpg Paco Vallejo reviews most EMBARRASSING losses! – FIDE 2710 – [Master Method] target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | How to react to a novelty? How much time you should think in the opening? You should be aware of the time management of your opponent? How to play if you want to win at all costs? Every chess player put a lot of energy and time in studying the different aspects of chess. There are lots of books and excellent video courses about tactics, openings, middlegames, endgames. https://www.youtube.com/embed/MFJ5Rt7SApQ 2384 2017-01-26T15:21:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/powerful-practical-chess-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mxZ9svRK_gQ.jpg Powerful Practical Chess with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Free Webinar: Powerful PRACTICAL Chess with IM Valeri Lilov!! Powerful practical chessYou’ve meticulously built your opening repertoire, sharpened your tactical blade and absorbed all the positional secrets you can. But if you want to get every last half-point from your games and dominate tournaments time and again, you need to master practical chess! This Saturday, IM Valeri Lilov is going to reveal his top tips for managing your time, avoiding blunders and coping with strong opponents. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mxZ9svRK_gQ 3871 2017-02-04T18:14:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/understanding-the-chess-openings-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/V42PI0RaE9w.jpg Understanding the Chess Openings with IM Valeri Lilov – (Webinar Replay) ♕ NEW VALERI LILOV COURSE: https://www.youtube.com/embed/V42PI0RaE9w 3535 2017-02-18T18:11:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-play-dynamic-chess-sacrifices-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RNjY1SQ51Wk.jpg How to play dynamic chess sacrifices with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) ♕ MORE: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" Webinar: How to Play Dynamic Chess Sacrifices! This week, IM Valeri Lilov is going to reveal some of the secrets of dynamic chess sacrifices in a 1 hour webinar covering the new revelations contained in The Lenderman Method. The Lenderman Method is all about dynamic chess, giving up material for some other advantage like piece activity or a big gain in time. This is the kind of advanced play that is lacking from most club players who, understandably, have learned to hang on to their material – unless there’s a checkmate to be had! https://www.youtube.com/embed/RNjY1SQ51Wk 3382 2017-02-25T18:26:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/karpovs-chess-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/c-cbv1kh9Xk.jpg Karpov’s Chess with IM Valeri Lilov – (Webinar Replay) ♕ EXCLUSIVE OFFER RON HENLEY MEGA BUNDLE: ♕ MORE: href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" Webinar: Karpov’s Chess Secrets Revealed! This week, IM Valeri Lilov is going to reveal some of the masterful methods that made former World Champion Anatoly Karpov one of the best players in the world for over 20 years – and the most successful tournament player of all time! If you want to improve your chess, it’s a great idea to model your play on that of a Grandmaster and, if you want to get better at positional chess, there’s no-one better to study than Anatoly Karpov! https://www.youtube.com/embed/c-cbv1kh9Xk 1336 2017-03-05T18:06:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-play-the-london-system-super-gm-style-fide-2507-lemos-deep-dive/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/f5c6uXgo9RA.jpg How to Play the London System – Super GM Style! FIDE 2507 – (Lemos Deep Dive) ♕ LEMOS NEW COURSE THE LONDON SYSTEM: How to Play the London System - Super GM Style! In this video, GM Damian Lemos reveals how to play the London System, a super-flexible opening that is slowly becoming a favorite with the world's top players including Magnus Carlsen, Vladimir Kramnik and, as we see here, Alexander Grischuk (peak rating 2810 Elo!) The most attractive attribute of the London System is that you can play it against nearly anything Black responds with - massively reducing the amount of time spent studying openings. White plays 1.d4, 2.Bf4 and either 3.e3 or 3.Nf3. We end up with a strong pawn on d4, well protected by e3, without blocking in our dark-squared bishop. This gives us harmonious development and no real targets for Black. https://www.youtube.com/embed/f5c6uXgo9RA 1457 2017-02-09T15:00:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-win-with-the-london-system%f0%9f%8f%8b-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DDJVYz8i0CU.jpg How to Win with the London System!🏋 with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) ♕ FULL COURSE "The London System": Free Webinar: How to Play the London System with IM Valeri Lilov!! londonsystemThe London System is a brilliant choice for players without hours of free time to dedicate to opening study each week. It can be played against nearly anything Black comes up with, it’s based entirely on strategic ideas instead of memorization and you can play it either positionally or tactically. https://www.youtube.com/embed/DDJVYz8i0CU 3576 2017-02-11T18:29:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/positional-tactics-improve-your-position-with-calculation-gm-sam-shankland-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/YGTweYHqKRs.jpg Positional Tactics – Improve your Position with Calculation! GM Sam Shankland [Master Method] Positional Tactics – Improve your Position with Calculation! GM Sam Shankland [Master Method] https://www.youtube.com/embed/YGTweYHqKRs 1614 2017-03-14T13:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/play-it-anyway-the-shankland-method-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mS7v74KNOCs.jpg Play it Anyway! The Shankland Method with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) ♕ EXCLUSIVE DEAL THE SHANKLAND METHOD: Free Webinar: Play it Anyway! The Shankland Method ShanklandMMThis week, IM Valeri Lilov is going to show you how to use GM Sam Shankland’s innovative approach to dynamic chess in your own games! Having just won 2 gold medals at the Chess Olympiad, Sam Shankland’s star is on the rise and his incredible new 15 hour course The Shankland Method is going to help a lot of players dominate their games. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mS7v74KNOCs 3810 2017-03-11T18:13:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/combining-strategy-with-calculation-the-shankland-method-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/roQ1HoY6cA0.jpg Combining Strategy with Calculation – The Shankland Method – (Webinar Replay) ♕ 50% discount for 24 hrs only: https://www.youtube.com/embed/roQ1HoY6cA0 3681 2017-03-25T17:09:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kia-a-brutal-response-to-the-french-defense-im-valeri-lilov-lilov-chess-institute/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dO2hzmGqO6E.jpg KIA: A Brutal Response to the French Defense – IM Valeri Lilov (Lilov Chess Institute) KIA: A Brutal Response to the French Defense – IM Valeri Lilov (Lilov Chess Institute) https://www.youtube.com/embed/dO2hzmGqO6E 1173 2017-04-12T16:00:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-refreshing-double-fianchetto-by-gm-damian-lemos-fide-2507-lemos-deep-dive/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Lkviyl_KM3o.jpg The Refreshing Double Fianchetto by GM Damian Lemos FIDE 2507 – (Lemos Deep Dive) The Refreshing Double Fianchetto by GM Damian Lemos FIDE 2507 – (Lemos Deep Dive) https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lkviyl_KM3o 2277 2017-04-05T20:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/valeri-lilov-teaches-you-how-to-master-the-middlegame-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/zzhHkRcMpaE.jpg Valeri Lilov teaches you how to master the middlegame! – (Webinar Replay) href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Free webinar: Valeri Lilov teaches you how to master the middlegame! This might come as a shock but... small mistakes in the middlegame cause around 82% of your losses. In one game you’ll miscalculate a hidden tactical resource, while in other games you “accidentally” exchange the wrong piece, landing in a strategically lost position but regardless…these are all bad middlegame decisions. https://www.youtube.com/embed/zzhHkRcMpaE 3716 2017-04-02T20:13:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/mikhail-tals-attacking-genius-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mhMx9QSBZQ8.jpg Mikhail Tal’s Attacking Genius! IM Valeri Lilov – (Webinar Replay) href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | Free Webinar: Mikhail Tal’s Attacking Genius This week, Valeri Lilov is going to look at one of the big moments in the development of any chess player: choosing a style. Perhaps the best way to do this is to analyze the games of famous players and see which ones you like best. To help you with this, Valeri is going to demonstrate some of the best games from one of the most exciting players in history: Mikhail Tal. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mhMx9QSBZQ8 3515 2017-04-08T17:11:16+00:00 https://chessterra.com/capablancas-masterpieces-simplification-fm-alisa-melekhina-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sl8uB_Bu8Lg.jpg Capablanca’s Masterpieces Simplification! FM Alisa Melekhina [Master Method] ♕ Connect with Alisa and check out her additional content on https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sl8uB_Bu8Lg 2479 2017-04-18T16:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/slaying-the-slav-setup-with-the-london-system-with-gm-damian-lemos-fide-2507-lemos-deep-dive/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t_pJW7X9FjI.jpg Slaying the Slav Setup with the London System with GM Damian Lemos FIDE 2507 (Lemos Deep Dive) Slaying the Slav Setup with the London System with GM Damian Lemos FIDE 2507 (Lemos Deep Dive) https://www.youtube.com/embed/t_pJW7X9FjI 1524 2017-05-01T14:00:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-double-fianchetto-against-the-kings-indian-defense-gm-damian-lemos-lemos-deep-dive/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1aGLvfoo3n0.jpg The Double Fianchetto Against the King’s Indian Defense – GM Damian Lemos (Lemos Deep Dive) href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" | The Double Fianchetto Against the King's Indian Defense If you are still searching for a powerful opening repertoire with the white pieces which gives lots of chances to pull a win AND one that don't need a lot of study, then the Double Fianchetto is your best option. With his refreshing course Double Fianchetto Domination, GM Lemos offers a complete repertoire for white based on powerfully fianchettoing both bishops. Regardless of how black responds, with GM Lemos’ reliable strategy you will gain an advantage and play for a win. https://www.youtube.com/embed/1aGLvfoo3n0 2213 2017-04-24T14:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/secrets-of-positional-chess-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hi2xemZYhsw.jpg Secrets of Positional Chess with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Secrets of Positional Chess This week, Valeri Lilov is going to reveal a few ideas to help you win more games with powerful positional chess. Some people think that positional chess is just the slow maneuvering of the pieces, waiting for something to happen. Not the case! While there are many possible definitions, positional chess can be thought of as the art of improving your pieces, something every player should be focusing on. https://www.youtube.com/embed/hi2xemZYhsw 3426 2017-04-15T17:13:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/hou-yifan-crushes-caruana-in-his-favorite-ruy-lopez/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5V6ymtKLmgo.jpg Hou Yifan Crushes Caruana in his Favorite Ruy Lopez! | href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" The elite Grenke Chess tournament is taking place this month in Germany, featuring some of the world's best players including both Men's and Women's World Champions, Magnus Carlsen and Hou Yifan. As with every tournament he enters, Magnus was the pre-event favorite but it is Hou Yifan who has stolen the headlines early on with 2 great victories including this brilliant win over 2800+ rated Fabiano Caruana. https://www.youtube.com/embed/5V6ymtKLmgo 1925 2017-04-20T16:29:38+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-play-the-taimanov-sicilian-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/uPKjBB856Ao.jpg How to Play the Taimanov Sicilian with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Free Webinar: How to Play the Taimanov Sicilian! How-to-Play-the-Taimanov-SicilianYou know you’d win a ton more games by mastering the Sicilian Defense but there’s just too much theory to learn… right? The Taimanov Sicilian (1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nc6 5 Nc3 a6) features easy-to-learn strategies that let you choose how the game goes while, at the same time, sidestepping 90% of White’s theoretical lines. https://www.youtube.com/embed/uPKjBB856Ao 3141 2017-04-21T21:06:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-deadly-accelerated-dragon-with-im-valeri-llilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kbt72A_x-mY.jpg The Deadly Accelerated Dragon with IM Valeri Llilov (Webinar Replay) The Deadly Accelerated Dragon - Free Webinar! If you love fast development, early attacks and sharp positions, there's only one opening to consider vs. 1.e4 - the Accelerated Dragon. This variation of the Sicilian gives you tremendous attacking options and has a key advantage over the "regular" Sicilian Dragon, namely Black gets to play the crucial ...d5 break in one move! This Friday at noon EST (note, different time and day this week), IM Valeri Lilov is going to teach you how to play this awesome opening by analyzing some great GM games. https://www.youtube.com/embed/kbt72A_x-mY 2951 2017-04-28T17:05:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/valeri-lilovs-middlegame-secrets-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JXSXqXy4_R0.jpg Valeri Lilov’s Middlegame Secrets with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Valeri Lilov’s Middlegame Secrets – Free Webinar! SecretsMiddlegame1As we all know, the middlegame is where most games are won and lost. It’s also the most complicated phase of chess, with positional and strategic considerations having to be balanced with precise calculation. That’s why it’s so important to have a strong set of skills and techniques that will allow you to get an advantage and convert it into a win. https://www.youtube.com/embed/JXSXqXy4_R0 993 2017-05-05T17:06:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-accelerated-dragon-with-gm-damian-lemos-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/LSSGtqqq-7A.jpg The Accelerated Dragon with GM Damian Lemos (Webinar Replay) ♕ 10 GM SECRETS: href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" Master the Accelerated Dragon with GM Damian Lemos! Sitting there behind the black pieces is tiring… Concentrating, calmly responding to each of white’s attacks and maneuvers, and you’re waiting…waiting…waiting for your chance. With the Accelerated Dragon you will have an easy to learn opening that allows black to play for advantage immediately – without risk and without the mind-boggling memorization of lines. https://www.youtube.com/embed/LSSGtqqq-7A 3316 2017-05-06T17:05:58+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischers-deadly-weapon-with-the-ruy-lopez-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sk-xzCCG-Lo.jpg Bobby Fischer’s Deadly Weapon with the Ruy Lopez! IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar replay) ♕ MEGA OFFER ON THE FOXY MEGABUNDLE: Bobby Fischer's Deadly Weapon Against the Ruy Lopez - Webinar! Bobby Fischer was a renowned openings expert. Despite playing a seemingly limited number of openings (1.e4, Sicilian and King's Indian Defenses) he studied them to a depth that was unheard of in the 1960s. That's why when we follow Fischer and play one of his favorite opening lines, we can be sure of getting a good position. https://www.youtube.com/embed/sk-xzCCG-Lo 2546 2017-05-13T17:06:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/understanding-prophylaxis-play-like-a-master-im-valeri-lilov-lilov-chess-institute/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ER5ntnOZSow.jpg Understanding Prophylaxis – Play Like a Master! – IM Valeri Lilov (Lilov Chess Institute) Understanding Prophylaxis – Play Like a Master! – IM Valeri Lilov (Lilov Chess Institute) https://www.youtube.com/embed/ER5ntnOZSow 3615 2017-05-29T15:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-improve-your-calculation-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ZcvRgva48I4.jpg How to improve your calculation! with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) How to Improve your Calculation – Webinar with IM Valeri Lilov This week, IM Valeri Lilov is going to reveal his method for calculating variations, choosing strong candidate moves and seeing further than your opponents. Calculation is an area where 99% of club players are really struggling. Calculated a short sequence of moves The “detail” (an in-between move, a pinned piece, etc) cost him the game – the problem is simply calculation! https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZcvRgva48I4 2661 2017-05-20T17:08:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/calculation-logical-thinking-and-decision-making-in-chess-fm-alisa-melekhina/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/VhBEPCWfvsw.jpg Calculation, logical thinking and decision-making in chess – FM Alisa Melekhina FM Alisa Melekhina's book on competitive gaming strategy and optimal decision-making, "Reality Check" is hot off the printing press! href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" Calculation, logical thinking and decision-making in chess Where most players think of tactics, they would be better off considering calculation. Tactics usually involve the winning of material or a forced checkmate but there is much more to calculate than that. Situations such as a liquid pawn center, choosing which piece to recapture a pawn with or working out how to maneuver a knight to a better square, all require careful calculation. And it's these 'normal' decisions that often separate advanced players from beginners. Simply put, better players make better decisions more often. https://www.youtube.com/embed/VhBEPCWfvsw 4439 2017-05-19T16:00:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/what-are-the-3-keys-of-chess-gm-irina-krush-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/28fslkBwuKo.jpg What are the 3 keys of chess?? – GM Irina Krush [Master Method] Krush's 3 Keys of Chess: Time, Space and Harmony The true nature of chess isn’t easy to pin down. It’s clearly more than pawn structure, knight outposts and King safety, important as those elements are. GM Irina Krush has identified 3 key qualities of the game of chess that comprise every other aspect you can imagine. If you master these, then you will notice immediately that it's very easy to evaluate any position! https://www.youtube.com/embed/28fslkBwuKo 3628 2017-05-23T15:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/understanding-time-space-and-harmony-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/af6CNdS74xM.jpg Understanding Time, Space and Harmony with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Understanding Time, Space and Harmony with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) https://www.youtube.com/embed/af6CNdS74xM 3346 2017-05-27T17:10:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nimzowitschs-my-system-for-the-21st-century-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ri1P4EOyys8.jpg Nimzowitsch’s My System for the 21st Century! with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) ♕ SPECIAL OFFER at FULL COURSE: Webinar: Nimzowitsch's My System for the 21st Century! Aron Nimzowitsch's My System is one of the most famous chess books of all time with many older players naming it as the most helpful in their development. However, the language is old-fashioned and the concepts, while essential building blocks of chess, could be better explained. In this week's webinar, IM Valeri Lilov is going to explain some of the key ideas of Nimzowitsch's My System for the modern chess player. No need to get a dusty old book out and set up your chess board, you'll have an International Master detailing everything live! https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ri1P4EOyys8 3396 2017-06-03T17:07:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-5-elements-of-chess-mastery-gm-lemos-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/wVR3kqpX94.jpg The 5 Elements of Chess Mastery! GM Lemos [Master Method] ♕ Mini-Course "Attack with GM Lemos!": GM Lemos Exposes The 5 Elements of Chess Mastery! There is a problem that every serious chess improver has: "what should I focus on when training?" There are so many topics to study: tactics, endgame, opening, attack, etc. And every one of these is important. But, if you have little time to study, then you would be wondering what topics are the most important to a faster improvement. https://www.youtube.com/embed/_wVR3kqpX94 2251 2017-06-06T20:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-5-key-elements-in-action-gm-lemos-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fnp6Ni2EBR4.jpg The 5 Key Elements in Action – GM Lemos (Webinar Replay) Lots of hours training and no results? Discover the 5 Elements to study to increase your rating the easy way. https://www.youtube.com/embed/fnp6Ni2EBR4 3501 2017-06-10T14:11:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/tactical-pattern-recognition-gm-rafael-leitao-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/b2J9Tt2mVEc.jpg Tactical Pattern Recognition – GM Rafael Leitão (Webinar Replay) Discover how the masters find beautiful combinations with the help of pattern recognition, and use it to detect them in your own games. https://www.youtube.com/embed/b2J9Tt2mVEc 3236 2017-06-10T15:08:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/judit-polgar-goes-over-her-best-games-against-kasparov-%f0%9f%92%aa-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3dCh39RKOI4.jpg Judit Polgar goes over her best games against Kasparov! 💪 [Master Method] Judit Polgar Reveals The Sicilian Secrets! GM Judit Polgar is arguably the best female player in history (being in the absolute Top-Ten). And one of her main weapons, which allowed her to destroy even the best players of the world, was the Sicilian Defense. So, we are glad to announce that Judit has recorded a video course that is destined to be an instant classic: The Judit Polgar Method - Sicilian Defense Mastery: https://www.youtube.com/embed/3dCh39RKOI4 3568 2017-06-13T20:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/judit-polgars-secrets-of-the-sicilian-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/I3CC4vfZWQk.jpg Judit Polgar’s Secrets of the Sicilian (Webinar Replay) Judit reveals everything she learned from an entire career spent playing both sides of the Sicilian. Get the Full Course here: As part of the launch of her incredible Judit Polgar’s Secrets of the Sicilian, we have another awesome live webinar with Judit this Saturday! In case you missed it, Secrets of the Sicilian is Judit’s first ever video chess course in which she analyzes the most instructive, fascinating and difficult games from her career against players like Kasparov, Ivanchuk, Anand and Topalov – plus other Sicilian brilliancies by legends like Tal and Fischer! https://www.youtube.com/embed/I3CC4vfZWQk 2959 2017-06-17T18:05:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-chess-masters-maneuver-im-wgm-martha-fierro-empire-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WQUwqI5vSfs.jpg How chess masters maneuver – IM/WGM Martha Fierro [Empire Chess] ♕ FULL COURSE WITH SPECIAL OFFER: Exchange Power with IM Martha Fierro! Many amateurs think that exchanging pieces is an easy way to achieve a draw, but this is a clear misunderstanding. In fact, an exchange can be the difference between winning or losing! In this free preview of Classical Chess Weapons: The Most Important Ideas in Chess, IM Martha Fierro answers a difficult question: when to exchange? https://www.youtube.com/embed/WQUwqI5vSfs 1234 2017-06-26T16:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/valeri-lilovs-opening-repertoire-for-1-e4-players-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/y_z9az0RTO4.jpg Valeri Lilov’s Opening Repertoire for 1.e4 players! (Webinar Replay) LIVE Training: Valeri Lilov’s Opening Repertoire for 1.e4 players! “Best by test!” That’s how Bobby Fischer described his favorite first move, 1.e4. A hugely popular choice for players of all standards, pushing the King’s pawn 2 squares often leads to open, tactical games. But the 1.e4 player has their work cut out as Black has many ways to respond, each with its own characteristics. In fact, Black can often dictate the type of game that will be played. https://www.youtube.com/embed/y_z9az0RTO4 2911 2017-06-24T17:07:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-tournament-preparation-%f0%9f%a4%93-for-club-players-gm-arakadij-naiditsch-fide-2712-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QAIjADw_ZBk.jpg Chess tournament preparation 🤓 for club players – GM Arakadij Naiditsch – FIDE 2712 [Master Method] Tournament Preparation Secrets by GM Naiditsch If you play chess tournaments you know the feeling when all the things are going well. But also when that’s not the case… Do you ever wonder what happens in the mind of a Top GM? Do you want to know how they prepare for the events, for every opponent? Do you want to enter the secret GM lair? GM Arakadij Naiditsch (2712 FIDE Elo), in his brand new course Naiditsch’s Tournament Preparation Guide, will guide you throw the perfect tournament preparation while he play the GRENKE Chess Classic with fellow guys like Carlsen, Aronian, Caruana and Vachier-Lagrave, among others. https://www.youtube.com/embed/QAIjADw_ZBk 2721 2017-06-27T18:00:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-play-%f0%9f%a4%94-the-french-defense-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/tEf62yWKPYw.jpg How to Play 🤔 the French Defense with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Webinar: How to Play the French Defense!! The French Defense is one of the most trusted openings in chess, popular at all levels from beginner to elite GM. Black's timid-looking 1...e6 actually hides many deep ideas and White can come undone very quickly if they are not careful. In this week's webinar, IM Valeri Lilov is going to explain some of the key ideas of the French Defense, helping you understand this fantastic opening at a whole new level - and hopefully help you to win a ton of games with it too! https://www.youtube.com/embed/tEf62yWKPYw 2715 2017-07-01T17:03:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/top-5-chess-improvement-%f0%9f%99%82-shortcuts-gingergm-simon-williams-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lZC2m4uJvFQ.jpg Top 5 Chess Improvement 🙂 Shortcuts! – GingerGM Simon Williams [Master Method] Build a Solid Foundation with GM Simon Williams! (aka GingerGM) GM Simon Williams (aka GingerGM) delivers the perfect blend of entertainment and education in this chapter from Chess Improvement Secrets for Busy Players (GingerGM Method). As the name suggests, the guiding principle of Simon’s course is to help you make serious rating gains – even if you don’t have much time to train. Many chess improvers think they need to spend hundreds of hours checking the chess openings database, trying to build a complete repertoire. Not so! In this video, Simon explains the basics of the training method he used to reach the IM title – spending WAY less time on chess than his rivals did. https://www.youtube.com/embed/lZC2m4uJvFQ 4276 2017-07-05T16:30:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/gm-simon-williams-presents-%f0%9f%99%8c-gingergm-method-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/4-EMX8RGumY.jpg GM Simon Williams Presents 🙌 GingerGM Method (Webinar Replay) We’ve got a very special webinar for you this week, “GingerGM” Simon Williams is going to reveal some of his most closely-guarded secrets for making rapid improvement – even especially if you don’t have much time to spend on studying! Simon admits that he got his IM title doing a fraction of the work other players needed to do. How? By focusing on a few openings, finding ways to get games that suited his style and strengths and by absorbing patterns and ideas he could use over and over. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4-EMX8RGumY 3851 2017-07-07T20:12:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chigorin-teaches-%f0%9f%a4%93-you-the-chigorin-with-gm-damian-lemos-lemos-deep-dive/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/WkZkY26X-yc.jpg Chigorin teaches 🤓 you the Chigorin with GM Damián Lemos [Lemos Deep Dive] ♕ MINI-COURSE Crush 1.d4 from Move 2 with GM Lemos!: Chigorin teaches you the Chigorin with GM Damián Lemos When playing with the Black pieces against 1.d4, you really have just two options… Don’t defend unless you must! I’m not suggesting a crazy gambit with lots of tricks - that against accurate play is simply a bad defense. No. Wouldn’t you prefer a slightly offbeat opening, that’s dynamic, but also positionally sound – and backed by top players? https://www.youtube.com/embed/WkZkY26X-yc 1352 2017-07-14T14:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/gm-williams-%f0%9f%91%89-presents-gingergm-method-at-50-off-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/KEhcd8BzSuM.jpg GM Williams 👉 Presents GingerGM Method at 50% off (Webinar Replay) GM Williams 👉 Presents GingerGM Method at 50% off (Webinar Replay) https://www.youtube.com/embed/KEhcd8BzSuM 4057 2017-07-09T20:10:59+00:00 https://chessterra.com/gm-williams-chess-improvement-%f0%9f%99%8c-shortcuts-gingergm-method-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/XtepMMZc4.jpg GM Williams chess improvement 🙌 shortcuts! GingerGM Method (Webinar Replay) GM Williams chess improvement 🙌 shortcuts! GingerGM Method (Webinar Replay) https://www.youtube.com/embed/__XtepMMZc4 3920 2017-07-10T20:10:58+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-ultimate-scandinavian-trap-%f0%9f%98%b1-im-valeri-lilov-lilov-chess-institute/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FINJ3sVso7s.jpg The Ultimate Scandinavian Trap 😱 – IM Valeri Lilov (Lilov Chess Institute) ♕ MORE: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" The Ultimate Scandinavian Trap The Scandinavian Defense is one of the most popular defenses in the Club level. With the open center and fluid development, Black hope to trick his opponent with one of the many traps he has. And, in any case, his solid pawn structure usually leads him to stable positions. But, the Scandinavian has a major problem: the black queen gets exposed. So, if White plays aggressively he can quickly have a lead in development. https://www.youtube.com/embed/FINJ3sVso7s 1621 2017-08-03T20:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/combat-%e2%9a%94-the-annoying-alapin-im-valeri-lilov-lilov-chess-institute/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/a0mO0ES2JYI.jpg Combat ⚔ the Annoying Alapin – IM Valeri Lilov [Lilov Chess Institute] Combat the Annoying Alapin Every Sicilian player knows that the Club players tend to avoid the main lines and play some anti-Sicilian line. And that's frustrating. After spending hours studying the main paths, then everybody play another thing! So, it would be fabulous to have an easy-to-play variation against each of them, that can be learn in just a few minutes AND that surprises the opponent gaining the psychological advantage. https://www.youtube.com/embed/a0mO0ES2JYI 1232 2017-08-30T18:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/positional-pawn-sacrifice-%f0%9f%92%80-a-weapon-worth-remembering-gm-alex-lenderman-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fRK67BNNbSc.jpg Positional Pawn Sacrifice 💀: A Weapon Worth Remembering GM Alex Lenderman [Master Method] Positional Pawn Sacrifice 💀: A Weapon Worth Remembering GM Alex Lenderman [Master Method] https://www.youtube.com/embed/fRK67BNNbSc 3522 2017-07-20T15:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crush-1-d4-with-the-chigorin-defense-%f0%9f%9b%a1-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/mM69yWhSh5A.jpg Crush 1.d4 with the Chigorin Defense! 🛡 with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Webinar: How to Crush 1.d4 from Move 2!! - IM Valeri Lilov It's very easy to find yourself on the wrong side of a positional grind when facing 1.d4. White usually pushes the c-pawn next and you're left struggling for room to breathe. It takes patience and slow maneuvering before you can get any sort of activity for your pieces. In this week's free webinar, IM Valeri Lilov is going to introduce you to an opening that gives you rapid development AND instant pressure over the center. A counter-attacking weapon that will take your opponent out of their comfort zone on move 2, handing you an enormous psychological advantage. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mM69yWhSh5A 2681 2017-07-22T17:06:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/10-essential-checkmating-%f0%9f%93%9d-patterns-with-fm-sebastian-fell/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/CLyYaCalSLY.jpg 10 Essential Checkmating 📝 Patterns with FM Sebastian Fell "Chess is 99% tactics", Richard Teichmann It is possible to win a game without chess tactics? No, not really. Even the most perfect positional game need some calculation of variations. When the time of finishing the game arise, tactics are all we have. You can have a great knight, but if you can't mate then it's useless! For that reason, in this video-post I will show you some of the most important checkmating patterns that every chess player should know. Tons of games were played with them, and so you will surely play them in your own games! https://www.youtube.com/embed/CLyYaCalSLY 2567 2017-07-21T21:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/powerful-chess-calculation-%f0%9f%91%8atechniques-by-gm-nadya-kosintseva-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4u8t0aZL3Ew.jpg Powerful Chess Calculation 👊Techniques by GM Nadya Kosintseva!! [Master Method] The Powerful Calculation Method of Russian GMs! Most amateur games are won (or lost) because of blunders or mistakes in calculation. That's a fact we’re probably all familiar with. And improving your calculation ability is probably the fastest way to dramatically improve your results. But how should we go about it? Solving puzzles may keep us sharp but is there a secret to calculating long variations quickly AND accurately? https://www.youtube.com/embed/4u8t0aZL3Ew 3671 2017-07-25T23:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/unbreakable-how-to-save-bad-%f0%9f%a4%94-positions-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6m14tMoUgN8.jpg Unbreakable: How to Save Bad 🤔 Positions with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Regardless of style or level of play, we all get bad positions from time to time - it's inevitable. The difference between masters and club players is that the latter buckle under the pressure and simply fall apart in a few moves. Of course, it doesn't have to be that way. Ever wonder how great defensive players like Capablanca survive even the seemingly most desperate positions? Discover the secrets of great defense in this week's free webinar with IM Valeri Lilov! https://www.youtube.com/embed/6m14tMoUgN8 2831 2017-07-29T17:03:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparov-vs-carlsen-%f0%9f%92%81-who-is-the-best-chess-champion-mf-sebastian-fell/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BeKDa-_6fwA.jpg Kasparov vs Carlsen – 💁 Who Is The Best Chess Champion? – MF Sebastian Fell Kasparov vs Carlsen - Who Is The Best Chess Champion? "It’s clear that he [Kasparov] knew much more than me… [in 2009]", Magnus Carlsen Garry Kasparov retired from competitive chess in 2005, although he has played some exhibition matches and blitz tournaments. That's why the whole chess world went crazy when it was announced a month ago that he will be back playing in an official tournament next week! He will play the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament of the Grand Chess Tour, with elite players like Nakamura, Nepomniachtchi, Aronian, Anand, Karjakin and Caruana, among others. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BeKDa-_6fwA 2055 2017-07-28T20:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/carlsen-vs-kasparov-who-is-better-now-%f0%9f%92%81-with-gm-damian-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/S1c8AHx1WGw.jpg Carlsen Vs Kasparov Who Is Better Now? 💁 with GM Damian Lemos Kasparov vs Carlsen - Who Is Better? "Carlsen is a force of nature", Garry Kasparov Continuing with the topic presented in the last video by FM Sebastián Fell, now it's the turn of GM Damián Lemos to give his verdict: Who is the best chess player in the world? Kasparov or Carlsen? GM Lemos has studied the games of both world champions deeply , he even played against Magnus Carlsen (and got a draw!), and has decided to show two of the most amazing games from each player. https://www.youtube.com/embed/S1c8AHx1WGw 1888 2017-07-31T20:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-opening-repertoire-secrets-%f0%9f%95%b5-with-gm-sokolov-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/E6LvaC_YnPU.jpg Chess Opening Repertoire Secrets 🕵 with GM Sokolov [Master Method] Build your Personal Repertoire with GM Ivan Sokolov Creating an opening repertoire shouldn't be a quick affair. After all, you will be playing the same openings for a long time. And if you don't get confortable positions, then your will be doomed on the middlegame. Do you know what openings are good for you? Do you like to receive advice, on this and also other topics, from a top player? From building an opening repertoire that works for you to the 10 endgames you really must know, Dynamic Chess Secrets gives you everything you need to become a dominant competitive player. https://www.youtube.com/embed/E6LvaC_YnPU 2608 2017-08-09T15:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/10-fastest-chess-opening-traps-%f0%9f%98%ad-with-fm-sebastian-fell/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7iItx8K2hQw.jpg 10 Fastest Chess Opening Traps 😭 with FM Sebastian Fell! “Knowing where the trap is—that's the first step in evading it.”, Frank Herbert, Dune If your opponent plays good opening moves, it's difficult to win a miniature (under 20 moves), although if you set a little trap...😈 In this video, FM Sebastian Fell teaches some of the 10 fastest chess opening traps, giving you the perfect opportunity to win chess games quickly while avoiding painful early defeats yourself! https://www.youtube.com/embed/7iItx8K2hQw 1928 2017-08-04T20:30:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/convert-like-a-champ-%f0%9f%8f%85-with-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ma5hIs-Ojdw.jpg Convert like a Champ! 🏅 with IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) Webinar: Convert like a Champ! - IM Valeri Lilov The endgame is most players' biggest weakness. Drawn to the exciting middlegame with its sacrifices and mating attacks, they don’t pay enough attention to the final phase of the game... and it costs them lots of points! This does, however, present a great opportunity - learn good endgame technique and you will earns tons of easy points! In this week's free webinar, IM Valeri Lilov will demonstrate the great benefits of endgame technique and teach you one of the most critical abilities in chess: how to convert your hard-earned advantage into that priceless win! https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ma5hIs-Ojdw 2167 2017-08-05T17:08:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-mastery-%f0%9f%91%8c-with-super-gm-daniel-naroditsky/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FIT5eKbe1ic.jpg Live Blitz Chess Mastery 👌 with Super GM Daniel Naroditsky! Live Blitz Chess Mastery 👌 with Super GM Daniel Naroditsky! https://www.youtube.com/embed/FIT5eKbe1ic 3490 2017-08-10T14:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/unlock-%f0%9f%94%90-the-power-of-the-rooks-im-valeri-lilov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pAnjNvj3F5s.jpg Unlock 🔐 the power of the rooks! IM Valeri Lilov (Webinar Replay) ♕ 50% "The Sokolov Method": https://www.youtube.com/embed/pAnjNvj3F5s 3581 2017-08-12T17:12:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/3-best-chess-openings-%f0%9f%91%8d-for-beginners-with-fm-sebastian-fell/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/9dOSVbRyNCA.jpg 3 Best Chess Openings 👍 for Beginners with FM Sebastian Fell ♕ Want to Learn More, take this special offer: 3 Best Chess Openings for Beginners "Your only task in the opening is to reach a playable middlegame.", GM Lajos Portisch In today's free video, FM Sebastian Fell will share with you 3 of the best openings for beginners. He starts the video with a very important introduction: "As a trainer, I always discourage my beginner students to study openings. For your level, the opening should only help you to get a good middlegame position, so there is no need to memorize or spend lots of hours studying openings. It's better to simply know what to do and next to study the middlegame and the endgame, as they are the most important stages of the game." https://www.youtube.com/embed/9dOSVbRyNCA 2183 2017-08-11T22:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/5-best-chess-training-tools-%f0%9f%9b%a0-with-gm-damian-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/C84zAE6KDBs.jpg 5 Best Chess Training Tools 🛠 with GM Damian Lemos! Want more GM advice on improving your chess? Then signup today for GM Damian Lemos' FREE rapid improvement masterclass that will give you the most ELO gain in the shortest amount of time! ► The chess world is very different from what it was 20 years ago. The internet changed everything, allowing chess players from all over the world to play each other live as well as to access a whole host of chess training tools. https://www.youtube.com/embed/C84zAE6KDBs 950 2017-08-28T13:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/3-best-chess-openings-for-club-players-%f0%9f%91%8d-with-gm-damian-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/mBjo09IboYU.jpg 3 Best Chess Openings for Club Players 👍 with GM Damian Lemos! 🤝 “Choose an opening… which is sound, regardless of fluctuations in current theory.“, Horowitz and Reinfeld. GM Damian Lemos gives his recommendation on which openings to play if you are a club player. Damian’s opinion on improving your openings is well established: it’s more important to know ideas than to memorize moves. That’s why, instead of choosing “trendy” variations with long lines of precise moves to remember, he suggests sticking to positionally sound, active chess openings. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mBjo09IboYU 1828 2017-08-17T15:50:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparov-is-back-%f0%9f%92%aa-with-gms-naroditsky-and-shankland-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vUK9MKGMeqU.jpg Kasparov is Back 💪 with GMs Naroditsky and Shankland! (Webinar Replay) St Louis Special: Kasparov is Back with GMs Naroditsky and Shankland! After a 12 year hiatus, Garry Kasparov has returned to play an official, rated tournament with the best of the new generation! Considering his legendary status, there were very high expectations of Garry and his results perhaps fell slightly short – but, results aside, how good was his play? We’ve asked 2 former prodigies, GMs Daniel Naroditsky (fomer World Youth Chess Champion U12) and Samuel Shankland (gold medalist in the last Chess Olympiad) to share their thoughts on Kasparov’s chess in a special, free webinar! https://www.youtube.com/embed/vUK9MKGMeqU 4141 2017-08-19T20:14:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/beatdown-%f0%9f%91%8c-kasparov-makes-nakamura-eat-his-words-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5nx9FRIJ5FQ.jpg Beatdown! 👌 Kasparov makes Nakamura eat his words! – (Webinar Replay) A few years ago, Nakamura brought in Garry Kasparov for some training, hoping to close the gap on Magnus Carlsen. They worked together for about a year –it didn’t end well. During the 2011 London Chess Classic, Nakamura was asked about how helpful the partnership was proving and, to the surprise of interviewer Daniel King, Hikaru basically said Kasparov was only useful for his openings. Did they look at middlegames? https://www.youtube.com/embed/5nx9FRIJ5FQ 3636 2017-08-20T20:08:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-training-%f0%9f%8f%8b-for-club-players-with-gm-naroditsky/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/m-B-82PqKYo.jpg Chess Training 🏋 for Club Players with GM Naroditsky Chess Training 🏋 for Club Players with GM Naroditsky https://www.youtube.com/embed/m-B-82PqKYo 3716 2017-08-21T20:08:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/5-best-chess-opening-traps-%f0%9f%90%80-for-beginners-with-fm-sebastian-fell/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/W05mH0AhiL8.jpg 5 BEST Chess Opening Traps 🐀 for Beginners with FM Sebastian Fell! 5 Best Chess Opening Traps for Beginners “Chess is a fairy tale of 1,001 blunders 😱”, Savielly Tartakower. The first thing you should do when you learn a new chess opening is learn all the chess opening traps associated with it! There’s no point knowing the middlegame strategy that comes from the pawn structure if you lose your queen on move 6. Now we are going to look at some classic opening traps for beginners, giving you the opportunity to get some quick chess wins. https://www.youtube.com/embed/W05mH0AhiL8 1707 2017-08-25T13:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/world-chess-champion-%f0%9f%8f%86-viswanathan-anand-teaches-chess-endgames-chess24/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DP9MDLc0k-I.jpg World Chess Champion 🏆 Viswanathan Anand Teaches Chess Endgames [chess24] ♕ MORE: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" Anand Teaches How to Play the Endgame Multiple World Chess Champion GM Viswanathan "Vishy" Anand is widely known as one of the best players of the last 3 decades. He was the first Indian GM, exerting big influence into one of the leading countries nowadays. A great lecturer himself, nobody doubts about his great understanding on the game. In this video, part of his course "Learn to play chess with a World Champion", he explores the most important concepts in the endgame, analyzing the basic pawn endgames everybody should know. https://www.youtube.com/embed/DP9MDLc0k-I 873 2017-09-15T19:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sicilian-defense-sacrifices-%f0%9f%92%80-with-wgm-sopiko-guramishvili-chess24/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pbq_Re0vGtU.jpg Sicilian Defense Sacrifices 💀 with WGM Sopiko Guramishvili [chess24] ♕ MORE: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" Strange Sicilian Sacrifices with Sopiko Guramishvili! Whether you face the Sicilian Defense as White or are a 1...c5 player yourself, you need to be familiar with all manner of Sicilian sacrifices. Some will help you win beautiful games and others you just need to know to stay safe! In this video, IM Sopiko Guramishvili, aka Miss Tactics, looks as some of the more unusual Sicilian sacrifices: those taking place on the e6, f6, b5 and f5 squares. https://www.youtube.com/embed/pbq_Re0vGtU 1267 2017-09-07T14:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/precise-chess-calculation-secrets-%f0%9f%95%b5%ef%b8%8f-with-gm-bryan-smith-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7sbDGyQVBtE.jpg Precise Chess Calculation Secrets 🕵️ with GM Bryan Smith! [Master Method] Precise Calculation Secrets with GM Bryan Smith How can you learn to calculate long variations accurately? And how do GMs calculate them so easily 🥇? That’s the topic for this chapter from GM Bryan Smith’s “4 Pillars of Chess Strength”. American GM Bryan Smith believes there are just a few factors that really make the difference in becoming a top player. He calls them “The 4 Pillars of Chess Strength”. https://www.youtube.com/embed/7sbDGyQVBtE 1929 2017-09-03T13:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/training-the-secret-%f0%9f%a4%90-of-any-successful-plan-im-valeri-lilov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/e7s-9VvVs24.jpg Training: The Secret 🤐 of ANY Successful Plan – IM Valeri Lilov Webinar: Planning Mastery with IM Valeri Lilov At some point, we all sit, staring at the board, thinking "I have no idea what to do here!" But there's no need to tear your hair out...IM Valeri Lilov is going to help you find the winning idea with a free webinar on the mysterious art of planning! You might have heard the saying "fail to plan and you plan to fail". Or "a bad plan is better than no plan". But we can do better than that and, this Saturday, you will learn the key elements of any successful plan. https://www.youtube.com/embed/e7s-9VvVs24 3591 2017-08-26T17:06:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-powerful-%e2%9a%a1-exchange-sacrifice-with-gm-damian-lemos-masterclass/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RoUT8IM_fIo.jpg The Powerful ⚡ Exchange Sacrifice with GM Damian Lemos [Masterclass] Who doesn't like to attack? To create spectacular games and play amazing moves that will shock your opponent. That's the dream for many of us. But it shouldn't be only a dream! In the brand new course Damian Lemos’ Attacking Masterclass, GM Damian Lemos brings you 10 hours of GM training with the most powerful attacking ideas against every typical defensive formation. Destroy any defence with the ultimate attacking toolkit! https://www.youtube.com/embed/RoUT8IM_fIo 2896 2017-08-31T17:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/positional-vs-tactical-%f0%9f%98%8f-chess-with-im-valeri-lilov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/V5TM9ragNwY.jpg Positional vs. Tactical 😏 Chess with IM Valeri Lilov ♕ Learn More with this special offer: Positional vs Tactical Chess We proudly present IM Valeri Lilov, that will make a new free video lesson every Wednesday in exclusive for iChess.net. Today's topic is Positional vs Tactical Chess, and I will anticipate the conclusion: there is no battle between positional and tactical chess! IM Lilov examines 3 recent master games, from top GMs Aronian, Caruana and Ray Robson. The three are great attacking games, so we can quickly anticipate that they are tactical chess games. But Lilov demonstrates that we are wrong. https://www.youtube.com/embed/V5TM9ragNwY 1664 2017-09-06T13:30:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-secret-%f0%9f%a4%90-of-alekhines-astonishing-sacrifice-with-im-lilov-free-chess-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/VJLxI0M-Bu4.jpg The Secret 🤐 of Alekhine’s Astonishing Sacrifice with IM Lilov (Free Chess Training) Free Training: The Secret of Alekhine's Astonishing Sacrifice Is there a chess player who doesn't love to see a beautiful sacrifice? The surprise move that confuses opponent and onlookers alike, the hesitant capture followed by your glorious combination leaving the game won and everyone suitably impressed. But how can we evaluate sacrifices accurately? And we are not talking about simple sacrifices that end with mate. No. The most amazing sacrifices are what Spielmann would call "true sacrifices", when there is no quick win, just lines of attack opened and some initiative. https://www.youtube.com/embed/VJLxI0M-Bu4 3426 2017-09-02T17:07:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-art-%f0%9f%8e%a8-of-checkmate-with-im-valeri-lilov-free-chess-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MuRtner4uTc.jpg The Art 🎨 of Checkmate with IM Valeri Lilov! (Free Chess Training) "Modern chess is too concerned with things like pawn structure. Forget it, checkmate ends the game." - Nigel Short. As chess players, our relationship with the checkmate often changes over the years. We start with very direct attempts at mating our opponent with the classic Bc4/Qf3 attack on f7, then slowly change our ways as we realize bold attacks can be too risky against better players. But this doesn't mean we have to become boring, maneuvering-in-closed-positions type players. Far from it! Introduce some more subtle and well planned attacks and we can deliver checkmate against anyone. (Yes, even 2800s sometimes have to resign because of unavoidable mate). https://www.youtube.com/embed/MuRtner4uTc 3521 2017-09-09T17:05:37+00:00 https://chessterra.com/king-hunting-mastery-%f0%9f%91%91-with-gm-sam-shankland-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hELzLhucKkY.jpg King Hunting Mastery 👑 with GM Sam Shankland [Master Method] King Hunting Mastery 👑 with GM Sam Shankland [Master Method] https://www.youtube.com/embed/hELzLhucKkY 2505 2017-09-11T13:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-win-in-chess-%f0%9f%a4%93-patience-and-pressure-with-im-valeri-lilov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/EL2K9m_qpTE.jpg How to Win in Chess: 🤓 Patience and Pressure with IM Valeri Lilov ♕ Learn More with this special offer: How to Win in Chess: Patience and Pressure IM Valeri Lilov is here again with a new free video, exclusive for our readers, discussing one of the main secrets to success in chess: to win in chess you need a mixture of patience and pressure. If you think that you need to outplay your opponents with brilliant combinations in every game, IM Lilov will show you that you are wrong. The best way to win is to improve the position of your pieces, putting a little pressure over the opponent, until he starts making small mistakes. You can't win if your opponent doesn't make mistakes, so you should try to force them! https://www.youtube.com/embed/EL2K9m_qpTE 2047 2017-09-20T14:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-training-%f0%9f%8f%8b-shortcuts-to-improve-fast-with-gm-damian-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7S2YYSmpb6A.jpg Chess Training 🏋 Shortcuts To Improve Fast with GM Damian Lemos ♕ Learn More with this special offer: Chess Training Shortcuts To Improve Fast Every chess player wants to improve, to win more games and understand a little more about this ancient game. That's the reason why GM Damian Lemos has prepared for you a new video with the most important chess training shortcuts to improve fast. As a continuation of his last video 5 Best Chess Training Tools, he recommends you simple but powerful training tips to get more from your studying hours. https://www.youtube.com/embed/7S2YYSmpb6A 1693 2017-09-18T20:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/garry-kasparovs-%f0%9f%91%89-top-5-chess-combinations-with-gm-nadya-kosintseva/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hVOr7O-k7I4.jpg Garry Kasparov’s 👉 Top 5 Chess Combinations with GM Nadya Kosintseva ♕ Learn More with this special offer: Garry Kasparov's Top 5 Chess Combinations After Garry Kasparov's come back in the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz a few weeks ago, amateurs around the world start discussing the same old question: is Garry Kasparov the best chess player of all time? But many young amateurs weren't chess fans when the Beast From Baku was at the top. Former Russian champion and gold medal winner with Rusia in two Olympiads and three European Team Chess Championships, GM Nadya Kosintseva, will show Kasparov's best combinations. Discover the powerful attacking and calculating skills that terrified his opponents and fascinated the chess fans around the globe. https://www.youtube.com/embed/hVOr7O-k7I4 2743 2017-09-19T14:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/winning-pawn-endgames-%f0%9f%91%89-the-easy-way-with-im-valeri-lilov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/xIYdkjjODGE.jpg Winning Pawn Endgames 👉 the Easy Way with IM Valeri Lilov! Live Training: Winning Pawn Endgames the Easy Way with IM Valeri Lilov! 90% of club players misplay the endgame, needlessly dropping points and missing opportunities. Ask them why they don’t spend more time studying this critical phase and they’ll tell you it’s boring to study. Everyone wants to create brilliant attacks, but concepts like triangulation seem dull and not all that useful. But that’s exactly the reason why studying the endgame is the easiest way to improve your results in your games. When you reach a certain level of knowledge, you can just exchange every piece and win, as your opponents won’t know what to do! https://www.youtube.com/embed/xIYdkjjODGE 2578 2017-09-16T22:51:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/take-advantage-of-your-opponents-%f0%9f%a4%93-time-pressure-with-im-valeri-lilov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GbBxPW9IP9w.jpg Take Advantage of your Opponent’s 🤓 Time Pressure with IM Valeri Lilov ♕ Exclusive 50%OFF The Naroditsky Method 2: Using too much time during a game is major problem for many players at all levels (just ask Ivanchuk). The clock is an important factor in the game. Just like material or positional advantages, having more time than your opponent can give you a win – even if the position is balanced! As Alekhine once said: “The fact that a player is very short of time is, to my mind, as little to be considered as an excuse as, for instance, the statement of the law-breaker that he was drunk at the moment he committed the crime.” https://www.youtube.com/embed/GbBxPW9IP9w 2691 2017-09-23T16:57:29+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-break-%f0%9f%91%8a-your-opponents-resistance-by-im-valeri-lilov-free-chess-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/yQRWoQUH8wM.jpg How to Break 👊 your Opponent’s Resistance! by IM Valeri Lilov [Free Chess Training] ♕ Exclusive Offer - Masterclass Vol02: https://www.youtube.com/embed/yQRWoQUH8wM 2225 2017-09-30T17:04:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparovs-best-attacks-%f0%9f%97%a1-by-gm-damian-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/gpOrVcXWIZE.jpg Kasparov’s Best Attacks 🗡 by GM Damian Lemos ♕ Learn More with this special offer: Kasparov's Attacking Power Garry Kasparov's games give us lot of material to study. Specifically, his brilliant games, full of spectacular combinations, incredible sacrifices and flashy variations. Many games from the former World Champion are worth to analyze. Consider to be the greatest chess player of all time, the best player of the world for 20 years, his long career are full of great games, from positional masterpieces to tactical jewels. https://www.youtube.com/embed/gpOrVcXWIZE 1874 2017-09-25T13:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scandinavians-achilles-heel-%f0%9f%a4%94-with-im-lawrence-trent-chess24/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/c5fpx4FYRwE.jpg Scandinavian’s Achilles’ Heel 🤔 with IM Lawrence Trent [chess24] ♕ MORE: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" Scandinavian's Achilles' Heel In games between amateurs and club players, the Scandinavian Defense (1.e4 d5) is one of the most popular choices for players who want attacking possibilities and little opening theory. The Scandinavian allows Black to get his desire position without anti-Scandinavian variations (like against the Open Sicilian, which can be avoided in many ways). https://www.youtube.com/embed/c5fpx4FYRwE 780 2017-09-21T13:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learn-%f0%9f%93%83-from-your-own-mistakes-with-gm-daniel-naroditsky-master-method/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DYnS3j5QGIs.jpg Learn 📃 From Your Own Mistakes With GM Daniel Naroditsky [Master Method] Learn From Your Own Mistakes With GM Daniel Naroditsky "How to improve in chess?" That's the most repeated question between chess players. No matter if you are a beginner, a club player or a master, you want to win more games, and therefore to improve and play better. The most common answer is "Analyze your games and learn from your own mistakes." But, how to do it? Former chess prodigy GM Daniel Naroditsky tackles these important questions in his brand new course The Naroditsky Method 2: Achieving your Chess Potential. The course is devoted to the most common mistakes every chess players make during a game, most of them didn't covered in any other chess source! https://www.youtube.com/embed/DYnS3j5QGIs 2787 2017-09-23T13:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/5-chess-tactics-%f0%9f%a4%93-that-will-blow-your-mind-with-gm-nadya-kosintseva/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TYkYWu3xETA.jpg 5 Chess Tactics 🤓 That Will Blow Your Mind with GM Nadya Kosintseva ♕ Learn More with this special offer: 5 Chess Tactics That Will Blow Your Mind Today, GM Nadya Kosintseva wants to share with you her favorite chess tactics. The best way to train chess tactics, pattern recognition and imagination is to solve chess compositions, so Nadya is showing the most fantastic compositions she has ever seen. Chess compositions are real works of art. Usually, composers extract combinations or tactical ideas from real games and perfect them so that every piece has its role and subtle moves are needed to create the final blow. But, to achieve perfection and beauty, there is a need of surprising and paradoxical moves. And these moves are not easy to find! https://www.youtube.com/embed/TYkYWu3xETA 2751 2017-09-26T14:30:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-training-%f0%9f%8f%8b-secrets-to-become-a-grandmaster-with-gm-rafael-leitao/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/zpQZeb95kcg.jpg Chess Training 🏋 Secrets to Become a Grandmaster! with GM Rafael Leitão What does it take to become a Grandmaster? Hard work? Sure. Talent? Maybe. But what specifically should an ambitious player study and work on to reach the highest height? This Friday (22 September), those questions are going to be answered by somebody who has achieved the GM title. GM Rafael Leitao has identified 20 books and lessons that helped him the most in the pursuit of his title and wants to share with you the training secrets he learned. https://www.youtube.com/embed/zpQZeb95kcg 3185 2017-09-23T00:27:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-power-%e2%9a%a1-of-candidate-moves-by-im-valeri-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ipysiuvrVnA.jpg The Power ⚡ of Candidate Moves! by IM Valeri Lilov – [FREE TRAINING] The Power ⚡ of Candidate Moves! by IM Valeri Lilov – [FREE TRAINING] https://www.youtube.com/embed/ipysiuvrVnA 3441 2017-10-07T17:09:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparovs-positional-masterpiece-%f0%9f%8e%af-by-gm-damian-lemos-masterclass/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/UNAclNm7Xk.jpg Kasparov’s Positional Masterpiece 🎯 by GM Damian Lemos [Masterclass] GM Damian Lemos commentating on Kasparov's positional masterpiece ever!! 🎨 One of the most expensive chess video series ever made! Get instant digital access to the rest of this 9½ hour chess series ► Garry Kasparov is very well-known as an attacking genious. But, to be a World Champion, Garry had to master every single aspect of chess. In this free preview of the brand new Positional Chess Masterclass, GM Damian Lemos will dive deep into the most incredible Kasparov's positional masterpiece ever. Kasparov crushed one of the best defensive player in history, former World Champion Tigran Petrosian, in only 24 moves! https://www.youtube.com/embed/-UNAclNm7Xk 1841 2018-01-04T13:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-improvement-secrets-%f0%9f%a4%90-for-the-busy-player-by-gm-simon-williams/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3paruGWDni0.jpg Chess Improvement Secrets 🤐 for the Busy Player by GM Simon Williams GingerGM ”Simon Williams is going to reveal some of his most closely-guarded secrets for making rapid improvement – even especially if you don’t have much time to spend on studying! ► ► Come checkout the iChess.net shop, we have the world’s largest collection of chess videos and chess courses: ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: https://www.youtube.com/embed/3paruGWDni0 3581 2017-10-13T15:12:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-most-exciting-draw-in-chess-history-%f0%9f%93%9c-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/9XUvp__SPJU.jpg The Most Exciting Draw in Chess History 📜! – [FREE Training] DISCOUNTED PRICE!! Super training package: ► Come checkout the iChess.net shop, we have the world’s largest collection of chess videos and chess courses: ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: Checkout our most recent video: ********** FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: *********** ********** Our Other YouTube Channels *********** https://www.youtube.com/embed/9XUvp__SPJU 3191 2017-10-14T17:07:37+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-training-%f0%9f%8f%8bshortcuts-by-gm-simon-williams/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8lgySJ34Tbg.jpg Chess Training 🏋Shortcuts by GM Simon Williams GingerGM ”Simon Williams is going to reveal some of his most closely-guarded secrets for making rapid improvement – even especially if you don’t have much time to spend on studying! ► ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: Checkout our most recent video: ********** FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: *********** ********** Our Other YouTube Channels *********** https://www.youtube.com/embed/8lgySJ34Tbg 3731 2017-10-15T15:07:53+00:00 https://chessterra.com/stop-blundering-in-chess-%f0%9f%91%8a-with-im-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/alWAum3GN2Q.jpg Stop Blundering in Chess 👊 with IM Lilov!! -[Free Training] Ready to smash the barriers to your chess success and achieve your potential? IM Anna Rudolf shows you how to conquer the 5 barriers that hold players back in her stunning, new, 15 hour Anna Rudolf Method. Get a Special Offer here ► Every now and then, most of us make blunders that keep us up at night. That terrible realization when you know you spoiled a great game and lost because of one single move. https://www.youtube.com/embed/alWAum3GN2Q 2931 2017-10-28T17:07:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/smash-the-barriers-to-your-chess-success-%f0%9f%8f%8bwith-im-rudolf-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/EE-K2Z00sgY.jpg Smash the Barriers to your Chess Success! 🏋with IM Rudolf – Free Training Ready to smash the barriers to your chess success and achieve your potential? IM Anna Rudolf shows you how to conquer the 5 barriers that hold players back in her stunning, new, 15 hour Anna Rudolf Method. Get a Special Offer here ► ► Come checkout the iChess.net shop, we have the world’s largest collection of chess videos and chess courses: ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: https://www.youtube.com/embed/EE-K2Z00sgY 4336 2017-10-30T21:18:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/take-the-sting-out-%f0%9f%92%89-of-the-queens-gambit-by-accepting-it-with-im-valeri-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bKAMeUry8Dk.jpg Take the sting out 💉 of the Queen’s Gambit… By accepting it! with IM Valeri Lilov [Free Training] DISCOUNTED PRICE!! 💥Super training package: d4 players love to put us into a positional bind. The closed positions that arise from 1.d4 often lead to slow maneuvers, with White always one step ahead. But what if there was a way to shake your opponent from their comfort zone and force them to play an open position? Well, there is! Play the Queen's Gambit Accepted! Accepting the Gambit with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4! gives you a more open game, with easy development, and a clear route to equality. White, as usual, has many options to answer 2...dxc4, but all of them have their drawbacks. https://www.youtube.com/embed/bKAMeUry8Dk 3569 2017-11-04T17:06:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/shock-d4-players-with-the-english-defense-%f0%9f%98%b1-with-im-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ZLiJDrMT5A.jpg Shock d4 players with the English Defense! 😱 with IM Lilov [Free Training] Ready to discover the ideas behind this opening weapon and take your opponents out of their comfort zone? If you want to get a better understanding of the English Defense, you can't miss this Special Course.► If you love to play attacking chess as Black, then you have many good options against 1.e4. But 1.d4 and 1.c4 are tougher nuts to crack. These d4 and c4 players know their structures and the ideas behind them very well. They enjoy these positions and feel comfortable. https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ZLiJDrMT5A 2782 2017-11-11T17:54:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/evaluate-%f0%9f%93%9d-chess-positions-immediately-im-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ma-xr8AOnkU.jpg Evaluate 📝 Chess Positions Immediately! – IM Lilov [Free Training] Get the chess training you need to achieve your chess goals with the Lilov Chess Institue Bundle (1-4). 66 HOURS of coaching from Valeri - with a 67% discount! Click here: Free Training: Evaluate Chess Positions Immediately! - IM Lilov Do you ever watch live broadcasts or live blitz session? Do you wonder how the GMs evaluate positions in the blink of the eye? They're not magicians with secret powers! They know how to quickly read a position and find the most important factors - the plan flows from there. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ma-xr8AOnkU 3341 2017-11-18T18:06:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/take-your-%f0%9f%91%89-tactics-to-a-new-level-with-gm-simon-williams-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RBUtyzkbKRU.jpg Take your 👉 Tactics to a new level with GM Simon Williams – [Free Training] Ready to take your game to a whole new level?🚀Get Simon William’s incredible, new, 15+ hour Revolutionize your Chess (GingerGM Method 2) with a special offer by clicking ► ► Come checkout the iChess.net shop, we have the world’s largest collection of chess videos and chess courses: ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: Checkout our most recent video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/RBUtyzkbKRU 3897 2017-11-23T18:10:26+00:00 https://chessterra.com/gingergm-%f0%9f%9a%80-2-with-simon-williams-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bdEHJADxBf0.jpg GingerGM 🚀 2 with Simon Williams – [Free Training] Ready to take your game to a whole new level?🚀Get Simon William’s incredible, new, 15+ hour Revolutionize your Chess (GingerGM Method 2) for half-price by clicking ► ► Come checkout the iChess.net shop, we have the world’s largest collection of chess videos and chess courses: ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: Checkout our most recent video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/bdEHJADxBf0 4391 2017-11-25T18:24:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/secrets-of-bobby-fischers-sacrifices-%f0%9f%95%b5-with-im-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/w-dN8-il84Q.jpg Secrets of Bobby Fischer’s Sacrifices 🕵 with IM Lilov – [Free Training] Robert James Fischer was arguably the greatest chess player of all-time. His dominance of the chess world was so impressive that he completely destroyed two of the best players in two consecutive matches 12-0… without even drawing one game! He undoubtedly was a genius that worked very hard to achieve his potential. We don’t have the time to study 24 hours a day like him, but we can use his games to benefit from his discoveries! https://www.youtube.com/embed/w-dN8-il84Q 3192 2017-12-02T18:04:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-most-brilliant-%f0%9f%94%86-sicilian-sacrifices%f0%9f%98%af-with-im-valeri-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/h-L7rkkArL0.jpg The Most Brilliant 🔆 Sicilian Sacrifices😯 with IM Valeri Lilov [Free Training] Now you get to enter Naiditsch’s Dojo and develop the fighting skills 🕵 and warrior-monk mentality that will turn you into a serial ☠ winner. Get your copy for half-price here. ► Free Training: The Most Brilliant Sicilian Sacrifices – IM Lilov Are you ready to see some of the most impressive Sicilian games ever played? To witness the most astonishing chess sacrifices of recent times? And, even, to train your tactical skills? https://www.youtube.com/embed/h-L7rkkArL0 3411 2017-12-09T18:07:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-calculation-%f0%9f%94%a2-how-to-get-better-at-it-im-valeri-lilov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mB-EYvP477Q.jpg Chess Calculation 🔢: How to Get Better at it! – IM Valeri Lilov It's the most important skill in chess and pretty much defines how far you'll go in the game. And, like many skills, it's one that gets neglected when we hit a certain level. We can already calculate well so why should we put in a ton of effort to go from "good" to "great"? WebinarBf5Well, it turns out you don't need a huge amount of effort. Just good habits repeated often. And, in Saturday's free webinar, IM Valeri Lilov is going to demonstrate some of his favorite "best practices" for finding forcing moves, solving combinations and avoiding costly mistakes. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mB-EYvP477Q 2595 2017-12-23T17:51:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-training-%f0%9f%8f%8b-with-gingergm-simon-williams-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/tWfpunJxYw.jpg Chess Training 🏋 with GingerGM Simon Williams! – [Free Training] ► Come checkout the iChess.net shop, we have the world’s largest collection of chess videos and chess courses: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: Checkout our most recent video: ********** FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: *********** ********** Our Other YouTube Channels *********** https://www.youtube.com/embed/_tWfpunJxYw 3786 2017-12-28T18:10:37+00:00 https://chessterra.com/get-better-%f0%9f%a4%93-at-chess-with-gingergm-simon-williams-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kpg_qe0-ok4.jpg Get better 🤓 at chess with GingerGM Simon Williams! – [Free Training] ► Come checkout the iChess.net shop, we have the world’s largest collection of chess videos and chess courses: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: Checkout our most recent video: ********** FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: *********** ********** Our Other YouTube Channels *********** https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpg_qe0-ok4 3725 2017-12-29T20:09:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparovs-masterclass-%f0%9f%91%8dlearn-from-the-legends-with-im-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qivFMApVRP4.jpg Kasparov’s Masterclass! 👍Learn from the legends with IM Lilov – [FREE TRAINING] You can't miss this offer: ► Come checkout the iChess.net shop, we have the world’s largest collection of chess videos and chess courses: ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: Checkout our most recent video: ********** FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: *********** ********** Our Other YouTube Channels *********** https://www.youtube.com/embed/qivFMApVRP4 3581 2017-12-30T18:08:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/magnus-carlsens-best-chess-game-%f0%9f%8f%86-by-gm-eugene-perelshteyn/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MQrthYueqLM.jpg Magnus Carlsen’s Best Chess Game 🏆 by GM Eugene Perelshteyn Do you want to learn more about Magnus Carlsen's winning techniques 🏆 and the thinking processes of other Super-GMs?Are you ready for winning every chess match? click here: Magnus Carlsen's Best Chess Game It is always a great source of inspiration to see some of the best games from the world's strongest chess players. If we think of Garry Kasparov's best chess game, for example, his famous game against Veselin Topalov which was played back in 1999 immediately comes to mind. https://www.youtube.com/embed/MQrthYueqLM 1057 2018-01-12T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/attacking-secrets-of-the-world-champions-%f0%9f%91%8a-with-im-valeri-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fLw6s-PpuZU.jpg Attacking Secrets of the World Champions! 👊 with IM Valeri Lilov [Free Training] Get 135 hours of material from one of the most famous chess coaches in the world, GM Susan Polgar ► href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" ► Come checkout the iChess.net shop, we have the world’s largest collection of chess videos and chess courses: ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: Checkout our most recent video: ********** FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: *********** https://www.youtube.com/embed/fLw6s-PpuZU 3137 2018-01-06T18:05:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/club-players-manifesto-%f0%9f%93%9d-with-gm-damian-lemos-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3p-rXcVfu9s.jpg Club Player’s Manifesto 📝 with GM Damian Lemos – [Free Training] It’s time to take the guesswork out of chess improvement! The Club Player’s Manifesto contains 39 hours of the best advice and most important ideas for club players looking to reach expert level and beyond. ► ► Come checkout the iChess.net shop, we have the world’s largest collection of chess videos and chess courses: ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: https://www.youtube.com/embed/3p-rXcVfu9s 3660 2018-01-10T23:07:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/mind-bending-exchange-sacrifices-%f0%9f%99%89-with-im-valeri-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ChE4zOazLnE.jpg Mind-Bending Exchange Sacrifices 🙉 with IM Valeri Lilov!! [FREE Training] Learn the secrets of positional technique with GM Grivas’ 15 hour Advanced Chess School (the Grivas Method) 🎯 - packed full of topics that are virtually never discussed outside private lessons. Get your copy ► IM Valeri Lilov presents a chess webinar dedicated to the classic theme of the exchange sacrifice, one of the most powerful positional weapons at your disposal – if you know when and how to play it! https://www.youtube.com/embed/ChE4zOazLnE 3366 2018-01-13T18:13:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/master-of-chess-sacrifices-%e2%98%a0-with-im-valeri-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fuOyPvaQL84.jpg Master of Chess Sacrifices ☠ with IM Valeri Lilov!! [FREE Training] The art of sacrifice in chess is one of the most beautiful and admired skills, yet one of the hardest to master. We marvel at the calculation skills of a Kasparov or Tal, yet quite often we fail in our own games due to faulty assessment of the conditions required for a successful attack, or simply through basic analytical errors. Quite often, as chess players, we fail to spot opportunities for sacrifices – mainly because we aren’t familiar enough with the typical motifs and patterns, and so we aren’t looking for them. https://www.youtube.com/embed/fuOyPvaQL84 3307 2018-01-20T18:04:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-tactics-to-trap-the-uncastled-king-%f0%9f%91%91-with-im-valeri-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4YZLXgI5t0o.jpg Chess Tactics to Trap the Uncastled king 👑 with IM Valeri Lilov! – [Free Training] ► Want GM Lemos' new, 9 hour Chess Tactics Masterclass? It's a deep investigation into the secrets of tactical genius.🎮 Get your copy for half-price here! ► In chess, as in warfare, how quickly you mobilize your forces can be the deciding factor between a blitzkrieg victory and a humiliating surrender. To trap the uncastled king requires attacking verve, a sense of urgency and a fine grasp of tactics – all qualities that IM Valeri Lilov explains step-by-step in this week’s iChess Webinar. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4YZLXgI5t0o 2161 2018-01-27T17:48:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/anands-best-chess-games-%f0%9f%8f%86-by-gm-eugene-perelshteyn/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JbvKEpV1P7A.jpg Anand’s Best Chess Games 🏆 by GM Eugene Perelshteyn Do you want to spot stunning tactics and combinations like Anand at the board, too? 😵 Click here and get a special discount on "Empire Chess Tactics and Sacrifices Domination Bundle". ► When talking about the greatest chess players of all time, we often talk about Magnus Carlsen or Garry Kasparov and compare their weaknesses and strengthens. Not long ago, however, Magnus Carlsen was very young and still on his way to become one of the world's strongest grandmasters. At that time, a Super-Grandmaster from India dominated the chess world, became World Chess Champion and defended his title for many years against various challengers such as Vladimir Kramnik, Boris Gelfand and Veselin Topalov. https://www.youtube.com/embed/JbvKEpV1P7A 1355 2018-02-02T14:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-accelerated-dragon-%f0%9f%9b%ab-crush-white-with-the-sicilian-defense-part-1-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/19bJdFte2v0.jpg The Accelerated Dragon: 🛫 Crush White with the Sicilian Defense [Part 1/3] Do you want to learn more about the key concepts, the theory and common tactical ideas of the Accelerated Dragon? Get a special discount on "The Accelerated Dragon (Lemos Deep Dive)". ► The Accelerated Dragon: Crush White with the Sicilian Defense Many chess players struggle to find a decent chess opening for Black against 1.e4. It is tough to find a good chess opening which fulfills the following three criteria: https://www.youtube.com/embed/19bJdFte2v0 1326 2018-02-05T14:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-genius-magnus-carlsen-%f0%9f%a4%94-why-is-he-the-best-with-im-lilov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SgHJkIwhOrY.jpg Chess Genius Magnus Carlsen: 🤔 Why is he the best? with IM Lilov ► EXCLUSIVE: Get ALL 73 chess24 courses in the Mega Bundle - The world has been wowed by chess genius Magnus Carlsen for over a decade now, as he continues to smash all-time records – most recently with his exciting sixth win at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee and his amazing World Blitz Championship victory in Riyadh. But just how does he do it? This is a question that has puzzled many strong players, including many of the world’s top grandmasters, who are still struggling to find a way to match his incredible positional understanding. https://www.youtube.com/embed/SgHJkIwhOrY 3806 2018-02-03T18:13:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/positional-chess-using-tactics-to-achieve-your-goals-with-gm-shankland-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/owFUt6odClo.jpg Positional Chess: Using Tactics to Achieve Your Goals! with GM Shankland [Free Training] Do you ever find that you are playing a good positional game of chess, but can’t find a way to realize your advantage? That somehow the knockout blow, key tactic, or decisive breakthrough, eludes you, and all your good work is wasted? This is a surprisingly common problem that afflicts many chess players of all abilities, from average and strong amateurs – even through to super GMs and World Champions! https://www.youtube.com/embed/owFUt6odClo 3551 2018-02-07T21:08:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/webinar-bobby-fischers-deadly-system-the-kings-indian-attack/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/x0_12-R0iIo.jpg Webinar: Bobby Fischer’s Deadly System: the King’s Indian Attack! Get the ULTIMATE chess library, the incredible 165 volume Foxy Mega Bundle 😍! Includes coaching on all major openings, middlegame/endgame training and more! Click here to save 75%! ► Chess openings that are based on particular formations (such as the London System and Colle) are often viewed as less sharp, leading to a level game that makes it harder for White to win. But there is one system that blows that idea out of the water. The King's Indian Attack is reached by playing 1.e4 followed by d3, Nd2, Ngf3, g3, Bg2, and 0-0. Doesn't look much? Well, it was the favorite attacking weapon of none other than Bobby Fischer for practically his entire career! And seeing as Bobby Fischer loved openings that gave him the best chance of playing for a win, it's worth checking out. https://www.youtube.com/embed/x0_12-R0iIo 3037 2018-02-10T18:25:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/100k-youtube-followers-celebration-%f0%9f%8e%89with-gm-damian-lemos/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/B1WwusnNAgE.jpg 100K Youtube Followers Celebration 🎉with GM Damian Lemos ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: Checkout our most recent video: ********** FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: *********** ********** Our Other YouTube Channels *********** https://www.youtube.com/embed/B1WwusnNAgE 3872 2018-02-13T18:09:22+00:00 https://chessterra.com/100k-youtube-subscriber-celebrations-continue-%f0%9f%8e%89with-gm-damian-lemos-feb-15-at-12-pm-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/X77y5jFi7kM.jpg 100k Youtube Subscriber Celebrations Continue! 🎉with GM Damian Lemos – Feb 15 at 12 PM EST ********** Other Videos from iChess ********** ► Check out award winning Master Method video series: Checkout our most recent video: ********** FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: *********** ********** Our Other YouTube Channels *********** https://www.youtube.com/embed/X77y5jFi7kM 3700 2018-02-15T18:07:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/winning-with-the-kings-gambit-%f0%9f%8f%86-im-valeri-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iyoQB9AvvRE.jpg Winning with The King’s Gambit 🏆 – IM Valeri Lilov – [Free Training] Get the ULTIMATE chess library, the incredible 165 volume Foxy Mega Bundle 😍! Includes coaching on all major openings, middlegame/endgame training and more! Click here to save 75%! ► The King's Gambit - a chess opening from the romantic era of the game that many overlook nowadays. Although not seen regularly at the top level, there are several grandmasters who have added this opening to their repertoire and have found a lot of success with it. These players include Hikaru Nakamura and Nigel Short. Boris Spassky used the King's Gambit to record a wins against the legend Bobby Fischer, Susan Polgar and even David Bronstein who was something of a King's Gambit expert. https://www.youtube.com/embed/iyoQB9AvvRE 2597 2018-02-17T18:04:53+00:00 https://chessterra.com/webinar-explosive-tactics-%f0%9f%92%a3-for-black-in-the-sicilian-najdorf-gm-rafael-leitao-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ZppEt7UXBac.jpg Webinar: Explosive Tactics 💣 for Black in the Sicilian Najdorf – GM Rafael Leitao [Free Training] Are looking for an opening for Black against 1. e4 where you are guaranteed to be able to fight for a win in every variation? Then the Sicilian Najdorf is for you. It is a very aggressive weapon (perhaps the most aggressive) for Black against 1. e4, and consistently provides the most double-edged positions in chess. From the very first moves, the Sicilian Najdorf presents a level of danger for both sides that is unseen in any other chess opening - providing an exceptionally high percentage of decisive results. The reasons for this are simple - the Sicilian Najdorf creates huge imbalances by the very nature of the structure. In most variations, Black makes long-term positional concessions in exchange for immediate and long-term tactical compensation and activity in the form of rapid minor piece development, strong counter play and constant opportunities to bust the game open. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZppEt7UXBac 3300 2018-02-21T17:59:15+00:00 https://chessterra.com/great-games-with-%f0%9f%91%91-the-kings-indian-defense-im-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/i8VAep8fzGE.jpg Great Games With 👑 The King’s Indian Defense – IM Lilov [Free training] The Kings Indian Defense is one of the most solid defenses in chess, and as such it is one of the most common. Black starts by building a super strong defense for his king before looking later on for a counter attack. It very often leads to fascinating positions where Black gets a good attack on White's King. The Kings Indian Defense usually begins with the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6. It's a hypermodern opening which means that Black allows White to initially seize control of the center before attacking it indirectly later on after all Black's pieces have been developed. As such, White usually gets a space advantage and typically puts strong pressure on the queenside. However, there are decent responses Black can play no matter the style of player. https://www.youtube.com/embed/i8VAep8fzGE 3006 2018-02-24T18:05:59+00:00 https://chessterra.com/punishing-bad-chess-openings-%f0%9f%91%8a-im-valeri-lilov-free-training/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QiS5Xc-VL0Y.jpg Punishing Bad Chess Openings 👊 IM Valeri Lilov [Free Training] Every player has played a bad chess opening at some point in their chess careers, but usually that's because we make mistakes or we got caught out by a strange move from the opponent. Sometimes the opponent will deliberately play a bad chess opening in the hopes you might not be familiar with how to face it and fall into a game losing blunder early on. Truth is, however, that the bad chess openings are bad for a reason, and you don't need to learn theory for every single opening out there. There are opening principles, such as fighting for control of the center, that ensure you don't fall victim to such tricks. https://www.youtube.com/embed/QiS5Xc-VL0Y 1272 2018-03-03T18:34:38+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nigel-short-reviews-his-1992-match-against-anatoly-karpov-webinar-replay/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/l_JJF2XoST8.jpg Nigel Short Reviews his 1992 Match Against Anatoly Karpov [Webinar Replay] Join Grandmaster Nigel Short for an exclusive live stream with iChess! Probably the most famous British figure in chess ever, Nigel is currently the oldest player to be ranked in the FIDE Top 100. He is well known, of course, for his moment of triumph in defeating Anatoly Karpov in a World Championship qualifier and winning the right to play Garry Kasparov for the World Chess Championship in 1993, becoming the first Englishman to do so. https://www.youtube.com/embed/l_JJF2XoST8 4047 2018-03-07T18:19:53+00:00 https://chessterra.com/tactics-in-the-sicilian-dragon-%f0%9f%90%89-im-valeri-lilov-noon-est-sat-april-14th/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/0_1mouj8-ZI.jpg Tactics in The Sicilian Dragon 🐉 IM Valeri Lilov [Noon EST, Sat April 14th] One of the most aggressive (if not THE most aggressive) lines of the Sicilian, the Dragon variation is a double-edged weapon - ambitious on the one side, but at the same time sharp and risky. One thing is for sure - the Sicilian Dragon has one of the best names out of all chess openings, called so as some people think Black's kingside pawn structure looks like the mythological creature. The Sicilian Dragon has been played by many top Grandmasters, including Carlsen, Radjabov, Nakamura, Ivanchuk, Shirov, and Kasimdzhanov. It's an opening perfect for the tactical player who likes seizing the initiative and making sacrifices that Tal would have been proud of. Black has rich dynamical resources and numerous options to give decent counter play. https://www.youtube.com/embed/0_1mouj8-ZI 2942 2018-04-14T17:05:15+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-opening-%f0%9f%93%96-im-valeri-lilov-may-12th-noon-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/TnpljIw_RMw.jpg How To Choose a Chess Opening 📖 IM Valeri Lilov – May 12th Noon EST Chess openings are a regular topic of discussion. While they are arguably not the most important phase, they do shape the course of the rest of the game. But there are a large number of chess openings, so many possible first moves, that it begs the question: what opening should you choose?  Picking the correct opening is one of the most important decisions you will need to make in your chess career. After all, there is no point starting the game with an opening that leads you into a position that you find difficult and uncomfortable. https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnpljIw_RMw 3096 2018-05-12T17:08:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-i-won-the-2018-us-chess-championship-sam-shankland-%f0%9f%a5%87-live-at-noon-est-sat-26th-may/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cr4bI_eeO4c.jpg How I Won the 2018 US Chess Championship – Sam Shankland 🥇 [Live at Noon EST, Sat 26th May] We’ve put together a bundle of all the courses Sam Shankland has done for iChess including both Master Methods and 80/20 Tactics Multiplier course on the Grunfeld. Get all 46 hours for only $99 during this webinar. ► When Sam Shankland won the US Chess Championship a few weeks ago, beating Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So and Hikaru Nakamura to the title, we weren’t all that surprised. This is a guy with the champion mindset, a guy who prepares for victory when training and goes all out during play. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cr4bI_eeO4c 3481 2018-05-26T17:03:49+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-how-to-tackle-any-chess-endgame-im-valeri-lilov-sat-16-june-noon-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/5ItwP8gkZPY.jpg Live Stream: How to Tackle ANY Chess Endgame – IM Valeri Lilov [Sat 16 June, Noon EST] Want to squeeze every last half-point from your chess endgames? Ever wondered what it is that separates the champions from those in 2nd place? We have found that, more than anything else, it’s the ability to squeeze victories out of games others would only draw. IM Valeri Lilov has just launched his new course, Practical Endgames for Club Players, and in this live stream, Valeri is going to give you a taste of how you can master this endgame technique. https://www.youtube.com/embed/5ItwP8gkZPY 2385 2018-06-16T17:07:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/attacking-chess-gingergm-style-live-stream-with-gm-simon-williams-wed-27-june-9am-est-2pm-uk/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bPmzBGbIC9o.jpg Attacking Chess – GingerGM style! Live Stream with GM Simon Williams [Wed 27 June 9am EST/ 2pm UK] Want powerful attacking chess ideas? The GingerGM Simon Williams has them by the bucket load in "Spicy Attacks and More". Get the new 21 hour collection of his premium chess.com training videos - half price until July 1st! ► Attacking chess is what the GingerGM is all about! None of that slow, positional, defensive chess. Simon Williams takes no greater pleasure than launching crazy aggressive attacks at the opponent in true Mikhail Tal style, sacrificing pieces in the progress and throwing harry the h-pawn up the board! https://www.youtube.com/embed/bPmzBGbIC9o 3773 2018-06-27T14:12:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-the-deadly-accelerated-dragon-gm-ron-henley-sat-14th-july-noon-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cYXuO6djAgc.jpg Live Stream: The Deadly Accelerated Dragon – GM Ron Henley (Sat 14th July, Noon EST) The Sicilian Dragon is is an opening for warriors, for players who want to go all out in battle, looking to take home the spoils. And there’s no better person to teach you how to emerge victorious than American GM Ron W. Henley. GM Henley, aside from being a strong player in his own right, acted as second, analyst and trainer for former World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov in many of his matches in the 1990s. Ron also trained 7-time US Women’s Champion, GM Irina Krush. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cYXuO6djAgc 3801 2018-07-14T17:10:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-how-to-face-the-yugoslav-attack-gm-ron-henley-mon-16-july-noon-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/VjLZeduRr3I.jpg Live Stream: How to Face the Yugoslav Attack – GM Ron Henley [Mon 16 July, Noon EST] The Sicilian Dragon is is an opening for for players who want to go all out in battle, looking to take home the spoils. It's sharp, and aggressive and isn't for the faint of heart. There’s no better person to teach you how to emerge victorious than American GM Ron W. Henley. GM Henley, aside from being a strong player in his own right, acted as second, analyst and trainer for former World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov in many of his matches in the 1990s. Ron also trained 7-time US Women’s Champion, GM Irina Krush. https://www.youtube.com/embed/VjLZeduRr3I 2012 2018-07-16T16:49:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-dealing-with-the-maroczy-bind-in-the-dragon-gm-ron-henley-wed-18-july-2pm-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/WM759X1yz4.jpg Live Stream: Dealing with the Maroczy Bind in the Dragon – GM Ron Henley [Wed 18 July, 2PM EST] The Sicilian Dragon is is a sharp chess opening for Black and is suitable for players who love to play aggressively and go all out in battle. There’s no better person to teach you how to emerge victorious than Sicilian Dragon expert, GM Ron W. Henley. GM Henley, aside from being a strong player in his own right, acted as second, analyst and trainer for former World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov in many of his matches in the 1990s. Ron also trained 7-time US Women’s Champion, GM Irina Krush. https://www.youtube.com/embed/_WM759X1yz4 2891 2018-07-18T19:01:37+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-how-to-learn-a-chess-opening-%f0%9f%93%96-im-valeri-lilov-sat-28th-july-noon-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dfCxv95r6zQ.jpg Live Stream: How To Learn a Chess Opening 📖 IM Valeri Lilov [Sat 28th July, Noon EST] Every single game of chess asks you an important question right from the start, right from the very first move: what chess opening should you play? Deep opening knowledge is crucial in competitive chess. Between equal players, it often makes the difference between winning and drawing. Of course, there are general chess opening principles you should bear in mind no matter what moves you make. For example, it's best to develop your pieces quickly rather than waste time with many pawn moves or losing time by moving the same piece more than once during the opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/dfCxv95r6zQ 2686 2018-07-28T17:04:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-anatoly-karpov-on-magnus-carlsen-vs-fabiano-caruana-noon-est-sat-18th-aug/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/YODTxpT80O0.jpg Live Stream: Anatoly Karpov on Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana [Noon EST, Sat 18th Aug] Join the legendary Anatoly Karpov for an exclusive live stream with iChess! Karpov hardly needs an introduction. Official World Chess Champion from 1975 to 1985, and again from 1993 to 1999, his decades at the very top of chess cements Anatoly as one of the greatest players of all time, without doubt. Karpov is joined by his long-time friend Grandmaster Ron Henley. Aside from being a strong player in his own right, Ron acted as second, analyst and trainer for Karpov in many of his matches in the 1990s. Ron also trained 7-time US Women’s Champion, GM Irina Krush. https://www.youtube.com/embed/YODTxpT80O0 3110 2018-08-18T16:57:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-bobby-fischers-greatest-chess-games-im-valeri-lilov-sat-8-sept-3pm-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/D-u27qNJO8A.jpg Live Stream: Bobby Fischer’s Greatest Chess Games – IM Valeri Lilov [Sat 8 Sept, 3PM EST] Any chess coach worth their salt will tell you that if you want to improve your chess skills, you should study the games of the great players of the past. There is no quicker way to get the intuitive feel for good moves that you need if you’re to be successful in competitive play. It's safe to say that every titled chess player in the world has spent time learning from the greatest players from history and has had their own play style influenced somewhat by their favorite players. https://www.youtube.com/embed/D-u27qNJO8A 2996 2018-09-08T20:06:53+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-chess-prophylaxis-chess-strategy-with-im-valeri-lilov-sat-29-sept-1240pm-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CgpuInP9D8k.jpg Live Stream: Chess Prophylaxis – Chess Strategy with IM Valeri Lilov [Sat 29 Sept 12:40pm EST] They say that a bad plan is better than no plan at all. But, what really counts is also being able to stop your opponents from carrying out their plans on the board! It's rather satisfying watching your opponent squirm on the other side of the board when their every planned move is thwarted before they can even play it. Not only can this frustrate your opponent, but it can lead to them making desperate moves that only weaken their position. https://www.youtube.com/embed/CgpuInP9D8k 1406 2018-09-29T17:13:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-the-world-chess-championship-2018-so-far-im-valeri-lilov-sat-24-nov-noon-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/V5jpHUqqlbk.jpg Live Stream: The World Chess Championship 2018 So Far – IM Valeri Lilov [Sat 24 Nov, Noon EST] It is a match chess fans have been waiting for with great excitement. Reigning world chess champion Magnus Carlsen set to face his toughest defense of the title yet, against Fabiano Caruana. In this live stream, IM Valeri Lilov takes a look back at the games played in the match so far and picks out his favorite moments. Despite the multitude of draws, there are plenty of highlights and exciting moments as the two top players in the world fight for the slightest advantage. https://www.youtube.com/embed/V5jpHUqqlbk 1246 2018-11-24T17:39:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-great-najdorf-sicilian-games-im-valeri-lilov-sat-15-dec-noon-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ushUYQX7ag.jpg Live Stream: Great Najdorf Sicilian Games – IM Valeri Lilov [Sat 15 Dec Noon EST] The Sicilian Najdorf is considered to be one of the most exciting chess openings you can play, bring one of the most-feared counterattacking options against the move 1.e4. The Sicilian Najdorf is a chess opening for Black against 1.e4 which starts with the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6. It is an early declaration of war to any e4-player and usually leads to breathtaking dynamic and double-edged positions. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ushUYQX7ag 1705 2018-12-15T17:49:38+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-learn-birds-opening-1-f4-with-im-valeri-lilov-sat-12-jan-noon-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vhYOorSqXVs.jpg Live Stream: Learn Bird’s Opening (1.f4!) with IM Valeri Lilov [Sat 12 Jan, Noon EST] 1.f4 isn't a move for the faint of heart. Right from the very first move, White is weakening his king's position. The idea is that White wants to control the e5-square, getting good attacking potential at the expense of the weakened king. Bird's opening has given us some of the most beautiful games in chess history and is one of the most aggressive options you can play as White. It is not often seen at the top level of chess as it is too risky and doesn't have as good chances as standard openings after 1.d4, 1.e4, 1.Nf3 etc. However, this is an opening you can throw out onto the board every now and then as a super-surprise weapon to catch your opponent unawares and leave them wondering what happened. https://www.youtube.com/embed/vhYOorSqXVs 2451 2019-01-12T17:50:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-attacking-the-king-with-im-valeri-lilov-sat-9-march-noon-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/UTJWi-zlxxY.jpg Live Stream: Attacking the King with IM Valeri Lilov [Sat 9 March, Noon EST] Whether you're a slow positional player, or someone who likes plenty of sharp tactics on the board, the ability to successfully attack your opponent’s king is an essential skill for any ambitious chess player. After all, no matter what style you play, you'll never checkmate the king - and ultimately win the game - unless you attack at some point. In this live stream, IM Valeri Lilov will teach you some key attacking concepts, and show you some of the most crushing attacks from the world's top players. By exploring the attacks and tactics, you'll be able to better recognize them in your own games. Pattern recognition is everything in chess. https://www.youtube.com/embed/UTJWi-zlxxY 2037 2019-03-09T17:51:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-stream-learning-from-susan-polgars-best-games-with-im-valeri-lilov-sat-may-25-noon-est/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qT7tDXsC4vM.jpg Live Stream: Learning from Susan Polgar’s Best Games – with IM Valeri Lilov [Sat May 25, Noon EST] Without a doubt, Susan Polgar is one of the strongest female chess players in history. She was the first woman to earn the grandmaster title through tournament play, and is a four-time Women's World Chess Champion. Success came from a young age. Susan won the Budapest Championship for Girls under 11 at just 4 years of age, with a perfect score of 10-0! By the time she was 15 years old, she was the top-ranked woman player in the world. She remained in the top three for the next 23 years! https://www.youtube.com/embed/qT7tDXsC4vM 2021 2019-05-25T16:55:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/king-and-pawn-vs-king-and-pawn-chess-endgames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AyK_8WTL7C8.jpg King and Pawn vs King and Pawn | Chess Endgames Endgames where each side has the King and a Pawn are usually drawn, but there are exceptions which lead to winning positions! For an introduction to King and Pawn endgames, watch the video on opposition: When it comes to king and pawn endgames, regardless of which ones precisely (king and pawn vs king or king and pawn vs king and pawn, or any other combination), three quintessential rules apply: 1. Opposition – when the kings are an odd number of squares apart, whoever is not to move has the opposition. This means that the other side has a compulsion to move which often leads to an unfavorable position. https://www.youtube.com/embed/AyK_8WTL7C8 1574 2019-06-18T14:41:32+00:00 https://chessterra.com/partai-fenomenal-bobby-fischer-vs-boris-spassky-game-6-pembukaan-gambit-menteri-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/yt9dXmVvHkw.jpg Partai Fenomenal Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky game 6 Pembukaan gambit menteri Partai Fenomenal Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky game 6 Pembukaan gambit menteri https://www.youtube.com/embed/yt9dXmVvHkw 664 2019-03-23T12:00:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/blunders-are-there-to-be-made-kostic-vs-capablanca-game-2-1919/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OBErU0-VSXI.jpg Blunders are There to Be Made | Kostić vs Capablanca || Game 2 (1919) Download agadmator chess clock here Watch Capablanca Saga from the beginning here Borislav Kostic vs Jose Raul Capablanca Capablanca - Kostic (1919), Havana CUB, rd 2, Mar-26 Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo. Italian Four Knights Variation (C50) 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Qd2 O-O 8. O-O-O Be6 9. Nd5 Bd5 10. ed5 Be3 11. fe3 Ne7 12. e4 Qd7 13. d4 ed4 14. Qd4 Ng6 15. e5 de5 16. Ne5 Ne5 17. Qe5 Rfe8 18. Qc3 Qd6 19. g3 Re4 20. Rhe1 Rae8 21. Bb3 Kf8 22. a3 h5 23. Re4 Re4 24. Re1 Nd5 25. Bd5 Re1 26. Qe1 Qd5 27. Kb1 a5 28. a4 b6 29. b3 f6 30. Qc3 Qe5 31. Qf3 Ke7 32. Qd3 Kf7 33. h4 Qd6 34. Qf3 g6 35. g4 hg4 36. Qg4 f5 37. Qg5 Ke8 38. Ka2 Qe6 39. h5 gh5 40. Qh5 Kd7 41. Kb1 Kc6 42. Kc1 Qe3 43. Kd1 f4 44. Qg5 Qd4 45. Ke2 Qe4 46. Kd1 Qd5 https://www.youtube.com/embed/OBErU0-VSXI 902 2019-06-18T17:28:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/cant-believe-carlini-says-trash-talking-td-has-herpes-carlini-vs-james-3td/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CEzH-ntQuNQ.jpg Can't Believe Carlini Says Trash Talking TD Has Herpes! Carlini vs. James 3TD Can't Believe Carlini Says Trash Talking TD Has Herpes! Carlini vs. James 3TD https://www.youtube.com/embed/CEzH-ntQuNQ 1011 2019-06-18T13:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2019-croatia-grand-chess-tour-preview-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/LXcAYuAbixg.jpg 2019 Croatia Grand Chess Tour: Preview He's Back! Magnus Carlsen joins the Classical Chess action with the 11 other full-Tour players for the 2019 Croatia Grand Chess Tour, the second leg of the 2019 Grand Chess Tour. https://www.youtube.com/embed/LXcAYuAbixg 31 2019-06-18T17:44:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/studiujemy-partie-mistrzow-bobby-fischer/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/XqTb84aP5Go.jpg Studiujemy partie mistrzów – Bobby Fischer Przedstawiam Wam przepiękną lekcję taktyczną od wybitnego nauczyciela, amerykańskiego szachisty, arcymistrza, mistrza świata - Bobby Fischer. Zapraszam ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/XqTb84aP5Go 806 2017-06-19T18:15:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-speaking-during-flight-to-denmark-en-route-to-iceland/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/H6OwM8k5_g.jpg Bobby Fischer speaking during flight to Denmark, en route to Iceland (24 Mar 2005) SHOTLIST 1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bobby Fischer, former world chess champion: Q: "How does it feel to be free?" "Great, great." 2. https://www.youtube.com/embed/_H6OwM8k5_g 181 2015-07-24T13:43:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/boris-spassky-vs-robert-james-fischer-bobby-fischer/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/L8MlGHJKAuM.jpg Boris Spassky Vs Robert James Fischer (Bobby Fischer) A video footage of Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer in World Chess Championship 1972 held at Laugardalshöll arena in Reykjavík, Iceland and has been ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/L8MlGHJKAuM 112 2013-01-31T13:47:58+00:00 https://chessterra.com/%d8%a8%d9%88%d8%a8%d9%8a-%d9%81%d9%8a%d8%b4%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d8%b3%d8%b7%d9%88%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d9%88%d8%ab%d8%a7%d8%a6%d9%82%d9%8a%d8%8c-%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%ac%d9%85%d8%a9-%d8%b9%d9%85%d8%b1-%d9%81/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/A5YUsgHJFHY.jpg بوبي فيشر الأسطورة.. وثائقي، ترجمة عمر فايد Bobby Fischer, Anything to Win سواءً ما كنت من محبي لعبة الشطرنج أم لا . . فأنت معني بمشاهدة هذا الوثائقي المهم، بوبي فيشر بطل العالم في الشط... https://www.youtube.com/embed/A5YUsgHJFHY 2557 2013-06-03T07:27:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/magnus-carlsens-favourite-bobby-fischer-game/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/epoOVt3EIfA.jpg Magnus Carlsen's favourite Bobby Fischer game During the 2016 world championship Magnus Carlsen was asked which was his favourite Bobby Fischer game. He picked a game from the 1964 US ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/epoOVt3EIfA 592 2016-12-10T12:03:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nunca-desista-bobby-fischer/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ooPvnhoOxQc.jpg Nunca desista – Bobby Fischer Nunca desista – Bobby Fischer https://www.youtube.com/embed/ooPvnhoOxQc 726 2019-05-13T14:19:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/cant-believe-carlini-plays-grob-vs-dr-grob-himself-fm-mark-has-a-phd-in-grobonomics/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Mw3-CQ7imrk.jpg Can't Believe Carlini Plays Grob vs. Dr. Grob Himself! (FM Mark Has a Phd in Grobonomics) Can't Believe Carlini Plays Grob vs. Dr. Grob Himself! (FM Mark Has a Phd in Grobonomics) https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mw3-CQ7imrk 973 2019-05-16T13:00:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/he-thought-he-won-but-when-he-played-these-2-moves-sf-jeff-vs-anaconda-al/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Fky9BCMlOwY.jpg He Thought He Won, But When He Played These 2 Moves! SF Jeff vs. Anaconda Al He Thought He Won, But When He Played These 2 Moves! SF Jeff vs. Anaconda Al https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fky9BCMlOwY 776 2019-05-03T13:00:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-most-beautiful-checkmate-on-coffee-chess/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/F3hUyl_-T-8.jpg The Most Beautiful Checkmate On Coffee Chess! The Most Beautiful Checkmate On Coffee Chess! https://www.youtube.com/embed/F3hUyl_-T-8 514 2018-02-10T15:32:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bacrot-plays-like-tal-in-a-tactical-giuoco-piano/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OPEoiNbw-P0.jpg Bacrot plays like Tal in a tactical Giuoco Piano Bacrot plays a Tal-like tactical miniature in the Giuoco Piano. Harikrishna plays well in the opening but makes several blunders which decide the game. The Italian game is known for being either slow and maneuvering or a wild tactical game, this one was the latter. A great example of how following opening principles will not suffice in giving you a pleasant middlegame unless you plan well ahead and mind your opponent's threats on time. https://www.youtube.com/embed/OPEoiNbw-P0 561 2018-02-08T23:11:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/mvl-sacrifices-a-pawn-for-a-huge-intiative-against-grischuk-giuoco-piano/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/A62SkEc8u74.jpg MVL Sacrifices a pawn for a huge intiative against Grischuk (Giuoco Piano) An Italian game (Giuoco Piano) played between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Alexander Grischuk in rd. 4 of the World Cup 2017. held in Tbilisi Georgia. It was an even positional game until MVL came up with a brilliant pawn sacrifice which gave him five tempi that pushed Grischuk back to the last two ranks. An exceptionally instructive example of material vs quality vs time, Kasparov's philosophy of three essential assets in chess. https://www.youtube.com/embed/A62SkEc8u74 745 2018-02-09T21:26:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-so-weakens-too-many-squares-against-mvl-in-the-giuoco-piano/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Pkqy26RY5Kk.jpg Wesley So weakens too many squares against MVL in the Giuoco Piano A game from the Sinquefield Cup 2017. between Maxim Vachier-Lagrave and Wesley So. It was a highly instructional Giuoco Piano in which MVL showed how to exploit weak squares in your opponents position by being patient. Wesley So created too many weaknesses which were easily exploited and ended up playing a key blunder which decided the game. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pkqy26RY5Kk 618 2018-02-10T12:47:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nakamuras-risky-play-in-the-sicilian-dragon-pays-off/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Nvq2qHYcAMM.jpg Nakamura’s risky play in the Sicilian Dragon pays off Hikaru Nakamura plays with no fear against Duda in an exciting Sicilian Dragon. He took risks in several key positions and it paid off with interest, since Duda was unable to react well enough. Game from round 5 of the Tradewise Gibraltar 2018. After 10 rounds, the tournament had a 7-way tie for first place (Nakamura, Le Quang Liem, Rapport, Vachier-Lagrave, Adams and Aronian). Only four players went through to the semifinal playoff. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nvq2qHYcAMM 497 2018-02-10T16:14:15+00:00 https://chessterra.com/anands-passed-pawn-destroys-hou-yifan-queens-gambit-declined/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/wUuCXfyjeWU.jpg Anand’s passed pawn destroys Hou Yifan (Queen’s Gambit Declined) An instructive game in the Queen's Gambit Declined between Vishy Anand and Hou Yifan from the Tata Steel Tournament 2018. Anand shown how deadly a passed pawn can be if not prevented on time. Hou Yifan dedicated all her attention to it and still failed to stop it from winning the game for Anand. https://www.youtube.com/embed/wUuCXfyjeWU 450 2018-02-11T21:30:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/aronian-creates-a-menacing-attack-sethuraman-didnt-see-coming-english-opening-a13/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/89c3rqRnxho.jpg Aronian creates a menacing attack Sethuraman didn’t see coming (English Opening, A13) Aronian’s trademark English proves too much to cope with for his opponent once again. Sethuraman managed to achieve an equal position out of the theoretical Agincourt defense in the English, but then came under a swift, unexpected attack and failed to defend well. A game in which Aronian made six queen moves in the opening and Sethuraman didn’t exploit that on time. This is a great example of how strong attacking players put pressure on their opponents with relentless advances on both sides of the board. Games like this one should be analysed in detail by those who want to improve their conversions in better positions and by those looking to get attacking ideas in 1.c4 openings. https://www.youtube.com/embed/89c3rqRnxho 580 2018-02-14T21:00:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/carlsen-shows-how-the-taimanov-sicilian-is-played/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BDRv_BBY65Q.jpg Carlsen shows how the Taimanov Sicilian is played Magnus Carlsen vs Maxim Matlakov in the Tata Steel 2018. A super instructive Sicilian Taimanov in which Carlsen wasn't worried about creating weaknesses by doubling his pawns and thus managed to create enough imbalances which gave him winning chances. Matlakov played well, but entered an ending which Magnus was bound to convert, and did so easily. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BDRv_BBY65Q 568 2018-02-15T21:35:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-surprisingly-exciting-exchange-caro-kann-%e2%8e%b8kramnik-caruana-tata-steel-2018/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BrvDqdDaofI.jpg A surprisingly exciting Exchange Caro-Kann ⎸Kramnik – Caruana, Tata Steel 2018. A game between Vladimir Kramnik and Fabiano Caruana from the Tata Steel tournament 2018. A brilliant Caro-Kann, exchange variation (B13), in which Kramnik played for the initiative the whole game, not following main line exchange Caro-Kann, which can often be slow and boring. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BrvDqdDaofI 603 2018-02-16T17:20:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/english-opening-agincourt-kramnik-equalises-against-giri-but/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2k2zwvtTm80.jpg English Opening (Agincourt) – Kramnik equalises against Giri, but… Giri and Kramnik play a weird English which transposes twice. It starts as an Agincourt defense, turns into a symmetrical English, and then ends up being a Taimanov Sicilian-English hybrid. The game was played in the 2018. Tata Steel tournament played in the Netherlands (Giri's home ground). Giri opened with c4 which he doesn't do that often. He played it twice more in the same tournament and won all three games (!). Here are his games against Adhiban and Mamedyrov. https://www.youtube.com/embed/2k2zwvtTm80 473 2018-02-18T20:43:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caruana-just-wasnt-himself-that-day-%e2%8e%b8queens-gambit-declined/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/XKfnvrqibxU.jpg Caruana just wasn’t himself that day ⎸Queen’s Gambit Declined An instructive Queen's Gambit Declined played in the Tata Steel Tournament. Caruana made some mistakes which he normally never would do. This gave Karjakin an easy task of creating a superior position and converting easily. https://www.youtube.com/embed/XKfnvrqibxU 687 2018-02-19T18:36:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/four-knights-game-by-the-12-year-old-chess-prodigy-aeroflot-open-2018-round-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8ZHDKlPv0u0.jpg Four Knights Game by the 12 year old chess prodigy (Aeroflot Open 2018., round 2) The Aeroflot Open of 2018. just started yesterday and there were already a few interesting games played, even thought a lot of draws were played. This is an exciting game between the Indian wunderkind Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Igor Lysyj, a Russian GM. It was a Four Knights Game (4. Bb5). https://www.youtube.com/embed/8ZHDKlPv0u0 549 2018-02-21T21:22:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ivanchuk-outplays-tingjie-lei-in-the-tarrasch-french-tradewise-gibraltar-2018/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/x6JYCeUC2Es.jpg Ivanchuk outplays Tingjie Lei in the Tarrasch French (Tradewise Gibraltar 2018.) A very instructive Tarrash French played in Gibraltar between Ivanchuk and Lei. https://www.youtube.com/embed/x6JYCeUC2Es 659 2018-02-23T00:00:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fedoseev-plays-a-weird-queens-pawn-game-aeroflot-open-2018/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rWdefeCpdjo.jpg Fedoseev plays a weird Queen’s Pawn Game (Aeroflot Open 2018.) Vladimir Fedoseev breaks every possible opening rule in a Queen's Pawn Game against Arman Mikaelyan. The game was played in round 3 of the Aeroflot Open 2018. An instructional game which shows how lead in development and more active pieces aren't enough to win a chess game. Fedoseev proved that perfectly. https://www.youtube.com/embed/rWdefeCpdjo 540 2018-02-23T17:57:45+00:00 https://chessterra.com/french-defense-advanced-variation-lesson-by-vladimir-fedoseev-aeroflot-open-2018/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OBdwqgQ9pLo.jpg French Defense – Advanced Variation lesson by Vladimir Fedoseev (Aeroflot Open 2018.) Vladimir Fedoseev plays a highly instructional Advanced French Defense in round three of the Aeroflot Open 2018. This game should be in textbooks on the French Defense because it shows exactly how to organize, prepare and execute a pawn break which will open the position and give you the initiative. Fedoseev did it perfectly in this game against Paravyan. He is now at 3/4 at the tournament. You can see his round two game here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/OBdwqgQ9pLo 522 2018-02-24T08:48:45+00:00 https://chessterra.com/queens-gambit-declined-ragozin-by-a-brilliant-russian-prodigy/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/57QDgJ9ucmY.jpg Queen’s Gambit Declined (Ragozin) by a brilliant Russian prodigy Andrey Esipenko played white against Johan Solomon in round 6 of the Aeroflot Open (2018.). The game was a classical Queen's Gambit Declined, Ragozin Variation. https://www.youtube.com/embed/57QDgJ9ucmY 716 2018-02-26T18:39:59+00:00 https://chessterra.com/levon-aronian-misses-a-win-against-ding-liren-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/f5DcvpP1Tig.jpg Levon Aronian misses a win against Ding Liren ⎸2018 Candidates Round 1 The most importan event in the chess calendar kicked off today. The 2018 candidates! Eight of the world's best will play a round-robin to determine the challenger who will face Carlsen in the match for world champion. Shahkriyar Mamedyarow, 32, Azerbaijan, Elo 2809, World rank: 2, qualified via the Grand Prix Wesley So: 24, USA, Elo 2799, World rank: 4, qualified by rating Fabiano Caruana: 25, USA, Elo 2784, World rank: 7, qualified by rating https://www.youtube.com/embed/f5DcvpP1Tig 627 2018-03-10T19:29:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caruana-crushes-wesley-so-in-the-catalan-opening-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-rd-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6wnqVHESqyg.jpg Caruana crushes Wesley So in the Catalan Opening ⎸2018 Candidates Rd.1 2018 Candidates Tournament has started! Round one just finished and it brought four exciting games. Players didn't go for boring openings and calculation which would reduce losing chances to a minimum. All games were extremely aggressive and all eight players proved worthy to be at the candidates. This was an American clash between Caruana and So. They played an instructional Catalan in which the advantage went back and forth until So played a series of weakening moves which made him go defensive and eventually get a losing position. https://www.youtube.com/embed/6wnqVHESqyg 662 2018-03-10T20:48:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/mamedyarov-plays-a-textbook-queen-endgame-against-karjakin-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-rd-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/aYB5Kwyg4-k.jpg Mamedyarov plays a textbook queen endgame against Karjakin ⎸2018 Candidates Rd.1 2018 Candidates Tournament has just started and round one brought four games we could have only wished for. In this encounter two giants were paired. Sergey Karjakin, last challenger to Magnus Carles and the previous candidates tournament winner and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, the one player that has has a major increase in performance and rating last year. He is currently world's number two and a favorite to win the tournament. https://www.youtube.com/embed/aYB5Kwyg4-k 765 2018-03-11T00:15:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kramnik-shows-his-former-strength-against-grischuk-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-rd-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/4UqFSRQYL-w.jpg Kramnik shows his former strength against Grischuk ⎸2018 Candidates Rd.1 Vladimir Kramnik, who is the wild card at the 2018 Candidates Tournament (meaning he was elected to play by the organiser), the oldest of all eight players, and the only former world champion in the group, was not given much chance before the tournament, but his round 1 game against Alexander Grischuk will have proven many people wrong. He played a marvelous game in the King's Indian, won an exchange and then converted into an easily winning endgame by giving back material. He is definitely still a force to be reckoned with! https://www.youtube.com/embed/4UqFSRQYL-w 748 2018-03-11T02:03:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/mamedyarov-and-aronian-resolve-the-clash-of-favorites-peacefully-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-rd-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/XONzD8tdp74.jpg Mamedyarov and Aronian resolve the clash of favorites peacefully ⎸2018 Candidates Rd.2 2018 Candidates tournament is under way and the first game to finish is the clash between Mamedyarov and Aronian, perhaps two of the biggest favorites; world's number two with the highest increase in rating last year and Aronian, who most consider a worthy challenger for Magnus Carlsen. It was a peaceful Nimzo-Indian (Qc2 classical), with a subtle novelty by Mamedyarov on move 11. Unfortunately, unlike in yesterday's round, players were not as ambitious and they agreed to a quick draw after only 90 minutes of play. https://www.youtube.com/embed/XONzD8tdp74 431 2018-03-11T17:36:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kramnik-plays-his-signature-berlin-defense-against-karjakin-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-rd-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Fv3G8fAgz18.jpg Kramnik plays his signature Berlin Defense against Karjakin ⎸2018 Candidates Rd.2 Round 2 of the 2018 Candidates Tournament didn't bring as much excitement as the first round, and players took far less risks. This game was played between Vladimir Kramnik, the tournament wild card, who got off to a great start yesterday by defeating Alexander Grischuk, and the former challenger for the world championship title, Sergey Karjakin. It was the "Berlin endgame", which Kramnik had so successfully employed against Kasparov in their battle for the world champion. A somewhat dull opening which many caonsider "overanalyzed" to be exciting. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fv3G8fAgz18 619 2018-03-11T21:46:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ding-liren-and-caruana-were-in-fighting-spirits-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-rd-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iYHhza0Sk2M.jpg Ding Liren and Caruana were in fighting spirits ⎸2018 Candidates Rd.2 Ding Liren and Caruana have managed to play a mega-exciting draw in round 2 of the 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament. The game was a QGD which ended up transposing to a Catalan opening, and the players entered a highly volatile exchange sacrifice line for black which made the game extremely exciting. Both sides had winning chances but the game ended in a draw. Caruana now stands grat with 1.5/2 and the white pieces in tomorrows game, while Ding Liren still has to gain his first full point of the tournament after drawing in the first two rounds. https://www.youtube.com/embed/iYHhza0Sk2M 843 2018-03-11T23:27:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kramnik-crushes-aronian-in-27-moves-with-the-berlin-defense-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/S-gMe5ccTz0.jpg Kramnik crushes Aronian in 27 moves (with the Berlin Defense!) ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 3 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, round 3. Levon Aronian - Vladimir Kramnik, Ruy Lopez (C65, Berlin Defense) Round three of the Candidates is still under way, but Kramnik's game has already finished. He is in complete beast mode this tournament and he has proved that in today's game as well. The game was Kramnik's favorite Berlin defense and he used it to completely outrank Aronian. He played an attacking brilliancy and managed to defeat Aronian in just 27 moves, without giving him a chance! https://www.youtube.com/embed/S-gMe5ccTz0 692 2018-03-12T18:25:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/giuoco-pianissimo-directed-by-karjakin-and-grischuk-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/O_1sK74xBQ4.jpg Giuoco Pianissimo directed by Karjakin and Grischuk ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 3 2018 World Chess Candidates, Round 3, Sergey Karjakin vs Alexander Grischuk Italian Game, C50 Giuoco Pianissimo (four knights) Round three brought less excitement than the previous rounds (with the exception of Kramnik's brilliancy in the Berlin Defense). Players seem to be calculating much more and trying to recuperate from starting off on the wrong foot in the candidates. In this game, Karjakin and Grischuk played a Giuoco Pianissimo in the true sense of the word. A slow, drawish game with not much excitement and no real winning chances for either side. It's still highly instructional in a sense that you can learn how to control a bad streak in chess. This is how great players "stop the bleeding" when things aren't going too well. https://www.youtube.com/embed/O_1sK74xBQ4 587 2018-03-13T08:22:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-hyperaggressive-sicilian-najdorf-by-caruana-and-mamedyarov-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/OgZL_TAJ31Q.jpg A hyperaggressive Sicilian Najdorf by Caruana and Mamedyarov ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 3 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 3, Fabiano Caruana vs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 1. Kramnik, Vladimir 2.5/3 ! 2. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar 2/3 5. Grischuk, Alexander 1.5/3 https://www.youtube.com/embed/OgZL_TAJ31Q 867 2018-03-13T19:09:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-so-finally-stops-the-bleeding-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dMfqFTjNOxc.jpg Wesley So finally stops the bleeding ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 3 Wesley So vs Ding Liren, Ruy Lopez, Marshall Attack (C89) 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 3 Wesley So unfortunately started the candidates tournament the worst possible way, losing the first two games. The psychological state he must have been in before round 3 is unimaginable. Him and Ding Liren played a Ruy Lopez in which Ding decided to go for the aggressive Marshall Attack, a variation which often brings exciting games. https://www.youtube.com/embed/dMfqFTjNOxc 662 2018-03-13T20:50:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/has-he-given-up-%e2%8e%b8mamedyarov-vs-so-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IVT7TKSRj30.jpg Has he given up? ⎸Mamedyarov vs So ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 4 Wesley So has had four difficult days at the start of the tournament. He lost in rounds 1 and 2, and drew yesterday. He must have been wrecked before this game. Him and Mamedyarov entered a well known Nimzo-Indian line in which they both initiated trades and went on to draw in 90 minutes. This result is very unfortunate for Wesley So's fans, as he now faces a long road to catching up with the leaders. I hope he can finally get a win tomorrow! https://www.youtube.com/embed/IVT7TKSRj30 601 2018-03-14T19:17:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/aronian-humiliates-karjakin-in-the-vienna-variation-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/0-0nUersHKQ.jpg Aronian humiliates Karjakin in the Vienna Variation ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 4 Sergey Karjakin vs Levon Aronian, QGD, Ragozin, Vienna Variation, D39 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament Karjakin went into round 4 with only 1/3, drawing two games and losing one, while Aronian had 2/3. Both players needed a win badly in order to get close to the leaders and stand a chance to win, as second place is as good as nothing at the candidates. Only the winner gets to challenge Magnus Carlsen for the title. https://www.youtube.com/embed/0-0nUersHKQ 1031 2018-03-14T20:57:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kramnik-and-caruana-fight-like-madmen-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/SUm7XOxQ-18.jpg Kramnik and Caruana fight like madmen! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 4 Vladimir Kramnik vs Fabiano Caruana, Petrov's Defense, C42 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament Rd.4 The Game of 2018?! A completely mad game played by Kramnik and Caruana. A wild game which is unimaginable for a Petrov's Defense. They battle in complete beast mode for 60 moves and the advantage switches from one to another several times. Both players were losing and winning several times and Kramnik managed to sacrifice a piece and play an attacking brilliancy which is rarely seen, even in high level chess. https://www.youtube.com/embed/SUm7XOxQ-18 802 2018-03-15T00:36:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/anti-moscow-gambit-%e2%8e%b8grischuk-vs-ding-liren-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/G6O4rcBHiQA.jpg Anti-Moscow Gambit ⎸Grischuk vs Ding Liren ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 4 Alexander Grischuk plays a hyperaggressive game in a Semi-Slav (Anti-Moscow) against Ding Liren in the chess candidates tournament of 2018. 1. Caruana, Fabiano (3/4) 2. Kramnik, Vladimir (2.5/4) 3. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2.5/4) 6. Grischuk, Alexander (2/4) 7. Karjakin, Sergey (1/4) !! https://www.youtube.com/embed/G6O4rcBHiQA 771 2018-03-15T08:28:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/why-is-everyone-trying-to-copy-alpha-zero-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-5/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/koQqAActF_k.jpg Why is everyone trying to copy Alpha Zero? ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 5 Fabiano Caruana vs Sergey Karjakin, 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 5 Players have had a very different start to the tournament. Caruana was in clear first before round 5, with 3/4, while Sergey Karjakin was in last place, with only two draws from the first four rounds. They played a Catalan/Queen's Gambit Declined hybrid position very much like the ones Alpha Zero chose to play against Stockfish. Those positions have become more and more popular since then, and hence more and more drawish, since everyone studies them in detail. A draw is not a good result for either player, so let's hope they play better tomorrow! https://www.youtube.com/embed/koQqAActF_k 408 2018-03-15T19:20:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ding-liren-plays-the-open-catalan-against-mamedyarov-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-5/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/yskjqPL0Pss.jpg Ding Liren plays the open Catalan against Mamedyarov ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 5 The Catalan Opening has become the new Ruy Lopez on top level! Alpha Zero's match against Stockfish made everyone take it up and completely change their repertoire. It's now onw of the most often played openings on higher levels and players on in the Candidates Tournament seem to want to play like an AI as well. This game was completely drwish from move one, and neither player has shown a will to attack or struggle for a full point, which is most dissapointing. The whole rounf 5 didn't have a single decisive result as well. This means that Caruana remains the sole leader for now, which I think is great as I consider him the most serious opponent to Magnus Carlsen of all eight candidates. https://www.youtube.com/embed/yskjqPL0Pss 470 2018-03-15T22:57:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/alexander-grischuk-plays-the-benoni-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-5/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TMOsn_vjiXo.jpg Alexander Grischuk plays the Benoni! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 5 Levon Aronian vs Alexander Grischuk, Benoni Defense, A65 2018 World Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 5 To see the Benoni in such a strong event is a major surprise! One of the most volatile and unsafe openigns for black! The same weapon Bobby Fischer used to surprise Spassky in Round 3 of their match in Reykjavik. The Benoni always produces fun games, and this one was no exception. The advantage switched from Aronian to Grischuk and back several times, but the end result was unfortunaltely a draw, after Aronian blundered with a move there is no explanation for. Instead of taking a piece with check, he just checked from a different square, blundering away the win! https://www.youtube.com/embed/TMOsn_vjiXo 800 2018-03-16T17:49:15+00:00 https://chessterra.com/qgd-semi-tarrasch-by-wesley-so-and-kramnik-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-5/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/GCzDtzypM5M.jpg QGD Semi-Tarrasch by Wesley So and Kramnik ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 5 Four draws were played in Rd.5 of the candidates tournament! Definitely not what we'd hoped for. Almost all eight players went into the round firstly not wanting to lose, and just then trying to win. I hope their attitudes change in tomorrow's games! https://www.youtube.com/embed/GCzDtzypM5M 666 2018-03-16T18:58:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ding-liren-goes-for-repetition-at-move-18-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-6/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/j4dF05I42C4.jpg Ding Liren goes for repetition at move 18.! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 6 Ding Liren vs Sergey Karjakin, Neo-Grunfeld Defense, Classical D78 2018 World Chess Candidates Tournament, Rd. 6 An embarassing performance by the Chinese super GM. DIng Liren went for a repetition on move 18. against Sergey, who has tried to play an interesting attacking game. Definitely not the way to play if you want to become the world champion. 2. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 4/6 5. Alexander Grischuk 3/6 https://www.youtube.com/embed/j4dF05I42C4 344 2018-03-17T11:25:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-so-plays-a-brilliant-ruy-lopez-and-crushes-aronian-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-6/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/l1-RW0uQi2U.jpg Wesley So plays a brilliant Ruy Lopez and crushes Aronian ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 6 Wesley So – Levon Aronian, Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), Closed C84 2018 World Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 6 Wesley So finally got his first win at the candidates tournament! After having a horrible start to the tournament (1.5/5), he played a masterful attacking game against Levon Aronian. It was a closed Ruy Lopez, in which Aronian tried to go for the drawing Marshall Attack, but Wesley declined to enter the variation and played an imprecise but aggressive alternative which brought a unique attacking position for white. https://www.youtube.com/embed/l1-RW0uQi2U 998 2018-03-18T00:13:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caruana-and-grischuk-battle-in-a-kings-indian-benoni-hybrid-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-6/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/OsW-j4gtFWc.jpg Caruana and Grischuk battle in a King’s Indian – Benoni hybrid ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 6 Fabiano Caruana – Alexander Grischuk, King's Indian Defense, Normal, E60 2018 World Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 6 Fabiano Caruana was in first place before the game (with 3.5/5) and he must have wanted to have a fighting game which could bring him victory against Alexander Grischuk (who was at 2.5/5). They entered a starting position of the King’s Indian Defense when Caruana decided to deviate with 4.e3, and after a few moves force Grischuk to strike with c5 which led to a transposition to a Modern Benoni – King’s Indian hybrid. https://www.youtube.com/embed/OsW-j4gtFWc 689 2018-03-18T01:22:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/mamedyarov-beats-kramnik-with-engine-strength-chess-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-6/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/6JeEgotOxs4.jpg Mamedyarov beats Kramnik with engine strength chess ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 6 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Vladimir Kramnik, Queen’s Gambit Declined, Exchange Variation, D35 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 6 Mamedyarov continues his brilliant attacking play in round 6! He played a game with almost no mistakes against Kramnik. It was an often boring Exchange Variation of Queen’s Gambit Declined and Mamedyarov played it very instructionally. He managed to exploit and capitalize on every single minor mistake his opponent made. He accumulated his advantage, gained the initiative, and finally managed to go a pawn up and gain a completely winning position. https://www.youtube.com/embed/6JeEgotOxs4 882 2018-03-18T02:47:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-lesson-in-the-queens-gambit-declined-ragozin-defense-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-7/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/DGTXLlcPW-Y.jpg A lesson in the Queen’s Gambit Declined – Ragozin Defense ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 7 Alexander Grischuk vs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Queen's Gambit Declined, Ragozin Defense, D38 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 7 Shakhriyar Mamedarov was in first place before round 7, with 4/6, and he reasoned that a draw is a favorable result with the black pieces. Having entered the game with such mindset he took the first opportunity to repeat moves and get a draw. It was a highly theoretical Queen's Gambit Declined Ragozin Defense, and 90% of the moves played were well known and played before, so it wasn't really a proper chess game even! https://www.youtube.com/embed/DGTXLlcPW-Y 340 2018-03-18T18:04:48+00:00 https://chessterra.com/aronian-goes-berserk-against-caruana-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-7/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/gM6xHSXk1iI.jpg Aronian goes berserk against Caruana! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 7 Levon Aronian vs Fabiano Caruana, Queen's Gambit Declined, Ragozin, Vienna Variation, D39 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 7 Levon played in absolute beast mode today! He made a boring opening look like the most aggressive Sicilian! He pushed for a win with a series of hyper aggressive but imprecise moves and managed to regain equality despite being material down and weakening his king irreparably. https://www.youtube.com/embed/gM6xHSXk1iI 772 2018-03-18T19:27:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/karjakin-plays-a-positional-masterpiece-in-the-nimzo-indian-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-7/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/NT4mJUaxvA0.jpg Karjakin plays a positional masterpiece in the Nimzo-Indian ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 7 Sergey Karjakin vs Wesley So, Nimzo-Indian Defense, E46 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 7 The former challenger for the world championship title, Sergey Karjakin, has finally started playing the chess he is known for! He played a positional masterpiece in the Nimzo-Indian Defense against Wesley So. Both players have had a rough start to the Candidates Tournament, and were at the bottom of the scoreboard before round 7, so they’ve definitely wanted to push for a win at all costs. https://www.youtube.com/embed/NT4mJUaxvA0 680 2018-03-18T22:51:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-very-instructional-endgame-kramnik-vs-ding-liren-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-7/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/DDfJwdRvm-4.jpg A very instructional endgame (Kramnik vs Ding Liren) ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 7 Vladimir Kramnik vs Ding Liren, English Opening, A28 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 7 Vladimir Kramnik has shown real versatility in his opening repertoire, and so far he has played e4, d4 and c4 on move 1 which is very rare in only 7 games for any GM. This was an English Opening in which he stood worse and had to give up his queen for knight and rook, but Ding Liren failed to convert on the advantage. https://www.youtube.com/embed/DDfJwdRvm-4 918 2018-03-19T15:47:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sergey-karjakin-plays-a-novelty-in-the-open-catalan-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-8/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/KGo5uh4jSWk.jpg Sergey Karjakin plays a novelty in the Open Catalan ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 8 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Sergey Karjakin, Catalan Opening, Open (E05) 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 8 Top level chess is becoming more and more influenced by engines and, recently, even by artificial intelligence. Due to the recent match between Alpha Zero and Stockfish the Catalan Opening has become the go to weapon for players with the white pieces who wish to ensure the highest possible advantage out of the opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/KGo5uh4jSWk 611 2018-03-19T21:07:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/grischuk-gives-kramnik-a-free-lesson-in-the-qgd-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-8/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/wCqzqhCS1_g.jpg Grischuk gives Kramnik a free lesson in the QGD ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 8 Alexander Grischuk – Vladimir Kramnik, Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch (D40) 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 8 Vladimir Kramnik has stopped playing his best chess it would seem. After starting the Candidates Tournament with several impressive victories, he now seems to be playing much weaker, and going for strange middle game positions which he must know aren't that solid. It might be due to his claim that he isn't really a favorite here, and that his performance is more exhibitional, but I must say I highly doubt that. He must have a strong wish to compete for the title once more and if he had the chance to win I'm sure he wouldn't miss it for the world. https://www.youtube.com/embed/wCqzqhCS1_g 1078 2018-03-20T14:02:16+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-very-instructional-petrovs-defense-middlegame-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-8/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/BcSpaFej2Yo.jpg A very instructional Petrov’s Defense middlegame ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 8 Wesley So – Fabiano Caruana, Petrov's Defense C42, Cozio (Lasker) Attack 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 8 Fabiano Caruana was the leader after round 7, and he is still in clear first after this game! Him and Wesley So played an unusually exciting Petrov’s Defense in which Wesley took a lot of risks, ended up losing the exchange, but managed to draw eventually. Fabiano now stands a real chance to win the Candidates tournament because he had the black pieces twice in a row now, and with only six rounds to go hi will play white in 4 games! If he manages to keep playing this precise we might see him challenge Magnus Carlsen for the title in a few months! https://www.youtube.com/embed/BcSpaFej2Yo 716 2018-03-20T15:55:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-textbook-berlin-defense-draw-by-wesley-so-and-grischuk-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-9/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lL-DKeuU7R8.jpg A textbook Berlin Defense draw by Wesley So and Grischuk ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 9 Wesley So – Alexander Grischuk, Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense, C67 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 9 Alexander Grischuk has played a professional game today. And by professional I mean a quick draw with black in a completely risk-free fashion. He chose the Berlin Defense and Wesley So didn’t go for the “Berlin endgame”, but they entered a similarly boring variation which offers neither side a chance to attack. https://www.youtube.com/embed/lL-DKeuU7R8 423 2018-03-20T17:54:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sergey-karjakins-blitzkrieg-runs-kramnik-over-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-9/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/9CzaX8lo9gw.jpg Sergey Karjakin’s blitzkrieg runs Kramnik over ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 9 Sergey Karjakin vs Vladimir Kramnik,Queen’s Gambit Declined, Exchange Variation, D35 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 9 Sergey Karjakin has started playing bravely! In today's game he played an attacking masterpiece, going at Kramnik's king from move 9.! It was an Exchange Variation of the QGD by transposition from the English Opening. He pushed with Harry the h pawn instead of going for slow, precise and passive development. He immediately made Kramnik go on the defensive and it paid off! https://www.youtube.com/embed/9CzaX8lo9gw 642 2018-03-20T21:12:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-theoretical-catalan-turns-into-chaos-%e2%8f%90-2018-candidates-round-9/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/mvuc4YrdEWk.jpg A theoretical Catalan turns into chaos! ⏐ 2018 Candidates, Round 9 Fabiano Caruana – Ding Liren, Catalan E00 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 9 Fabiano and Ding Liren have played one of the most exciting games of the tournament so far! It was a theoretical Catalan position in which they managed to complicate things right out of the opening. They entered a very complex tactical variation in which both sides had a chance to blunder, but both players calculated well and somehow ended up in an equal middlegame position with not too much for either side. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mvuc4YrdEWk 1319 2018-03-21T19:54:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/it-looks-like-aronian-will-not-be-challenging-magnus-carlsen-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-9/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/mMYnJR6eVxc.jpg It looks like Aronian will not be challenging Magnus Carlsen ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 9 Levon Aronian vs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Catalan, Open E03 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 9 The Catalan Opening is becoming by far the most popular variation lately, ever since Alpha Zero proved it was rock-solid and that it gives most advantage to white out of the opening. That made most players at top level at least study it a lot more, if not employ it immediately themselves. So far it has been played several times at the Candidates Tournament, and most opening-middlegame transitions have been similar, with players following main line theory. This made me think that the Catalan has become an opening which players with white use when they want to reduce losing chances, more so than when they are pushing for a win! The reason for that is that every top GM must know it by heart and be well prepared for it, hence the games have an incredibly high possibility of ending in a draw. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mMYnJR6eVxc 546 2018-03-21T21:27:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ding-liren-plays-10-consecutive-draws-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-10/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TxCRBWC1b7o.jpg Ding Liren plays 10 consecutive draws! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 10 Ding Liren vs Wesley So, Queen's Gambit Declined, D37 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 10 I must say I’m very disappointed with what Ding Liren and Wesley So have shown in this game, but also with what they had been showing throughout the Candidates Tournament. This was Ding’s 10th consecutive draw! I find that completely astonishing and can’t believe that any player would waste his chance at the world championship title in such fashion. In this game he had the white pieces and he failed to make a single attacking move, or to risk his position at all. https://www.youtube.com/embed/TxCRBWC1b7o 467 2018-03-22T17:30:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/alexander-grischuk-and-sergey-karjakin-play-a-peaceful-catalan-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-10/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/l4fTfJh0sZo.jpg Alexander Grischuk and Sergey Karjakin play a peaceful Catalan ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 10 Alexander Grischuk vs Sergey Karjakin, Catalan Opening, E00 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 10 Since the Catalan is the most often played opening at the Candidates Tournament, I'm pleased to say that this game at least offers a slightly different variation. The players have transposed to a Bogo-Indian on move 9, exiting main line Catalan theory. After entering the middlegame, Alexander Grischuk unfortunately went for a tactical queen exchange which immediately made the position completely equal and took away any attacking possibilities for either side. https://www.youtube.com/embed/l4fTfJh0sZo 449 2018-03-22T19:08:38+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kramnik-plays-like-mikhail-tal-reincarnated-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-10/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ZhNHYD_bqiY.jpg Kramnik plays like Mikhail Tal reincarnated! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 10 Vladimir Kamnik vs Levon Aronian, C50, Giuoco Piano (Italian Game) 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 10 This game will be remembered for a long time to come! Vladimir Kramnik used one of the slowest openings, the peaceful Giuoco Piano, to destroy Levon Aronian. He played in the style of Tal, Morphy and Fischer, building up the pressure and positioning his pieces until he was ready for a blitzkrieg. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZhNHYD_bqiY 652 2018-03-22T20:37:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/mamedyarov-and-caruana-battle-for-the-lead-in-a-fighting-catalan-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-10/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/il4kcTfKoYY.jpg Mamedyarov and Caruana battle for the lead in a fighting Catalan ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 10 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Fabiano Caruana, Open Catalan, E04 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 10 The tournament leader before round 10, Fabiano Caruana, faced Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, who was just behind him with only half a point less. They played a very instructional Open Catalan in which Mamedyarov deviated from the main line very soon in the opening, perhaps trying to get Caruana out of his preparation. https://www.youtube.com/embed/il4kcTfKoYY 697 2018-03-22T23:38:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/passive-play-by-wesley-so-against-mamedyarov-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-11/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/rNSlUCRMkdI.jpg Passive play by Wesley So against Mamedyarov ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 11 Wesley So vs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, E06, Catalan, Closed 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 11 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov faced Wesley in yet another Catalan today. Before round 11 he was at 6/10, trailing behind the current leader, Fabiano Caruana by only half a point, so he definitely didn’t want to risk defeat and the opening suited him. It was Wesley So who decided to go for such a well analyzed and theoretically trodden variation which provides very little tactical possibilities for either player. https://www.youtube.com/embed/rNSlUCRMkdI 459 2018-03-23T18:56:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fabiano-caruana-remains-on-top-of-the-leaderboard-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-11/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/bTC1zEMKnD4.jpg Fabiano Caruana remains on top of the leaderboard! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 11 Fabiano Caruana vs Vladimir Kramnik, D31, Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Slav Defense, Marshall Gambit (by transposition) 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 11 Caruana is still in the lead after round 11. He drew Kramnik with the white pieces, but since Mamedyarov, who was right behind him with half a point less also drew his game, the situation at the top of the scoreboard didn’t change. What’s even more exciting is the fact that Caruana went for the aggressive Marshall Gambit (not the one in Ruy Lopez) with an early e4 in the semi-slav, which often produces double edged and interesting games. This came as a much awaited change after we’ve seen countless drawing Catalans in the first 10 rounds. https://www.youtube.com/embed/bTC1zEMKnD4 568 2018-03-23T21:40:22+00:00 https://chessterra.com/karjakin-demolishes-the-pre-tournament-favorite-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-11/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/4CeIWBlZgbg.jpg Karjakin demolishes the pre-tournament favorite! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 11 Levon Aronian vs Sergey Karjakin, A13, English Opening, Agincourt Defense (Catalan Accepted) 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 11 Sergey Karjakin is back! After having started the Candidates Tournament on the wrong foot, he has now managed to come back with an amazing victory against Aronian. And to make matters worse for the Armenian, he did it with in his signature English Opening. Both players played on almost engine level, and the game was extremely complex and, surely, both physically and mentally exhausting. There were no “one-move” tactical tricks, but a constant positional struggle for supremacy on the board in which Karjakin ended up victorious. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4CeIWBlZgbg 796 2018-03-24T00:23:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ding-liren-played-like-there-is-no-tomorrow-finally-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-11/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/v1NNjuN-7vc.jpg Ding Liren played like there is no tomorrow! (finally) ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 11 Ding Liren vs Alexander Grischuk, English Opening, Tarrasch Defense, A35 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 11 Ding Liren has played his 11th consecutive draw! He should not be blamed for this one, though, as he played an absolutely brilliant attacking game against Alexander Grischuk. They played a symmetrical English Opening, which entered a Tarrasch by transposition, a variation which isn’t very popular on top level. https://www.youtube.com/embed/v1NNjuN-7vc 1248 2018-03-24T15:11:16+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sergey-karjakin-plays-the-russian-immortal-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-12/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/oL1biu6Ec2E.jpg Sergey Karjakin plays the Russian Immortal! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 12 Sergey Karjakin vs Fabiano Caruana, C42, Petrov's Defense (Russian Game) 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 12 Sergey Karjakin played an immortal Russian Game today! He faced the tournament leader, Fabiano Caruana, who was in clear first after 11 rounds. Sergey had started the tournament horribly, but he managed to pick himself up and play much better as the rounds went by and he crushed Aronian in round 11 which brought him to the second place on the scoreboard! And today he played one of his best games ever against Caruana and demolished him so badly, that after 20 moves blacks position was resignable. https://www.youtube.com/embed/oL1biu6Ec2E 473 2018-03-24T18:51:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ding-liren-shows-mamedyarov-the-power-of-the-passed-pawn-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-12/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/tf0zuJyhA8Y.jpg Ding Liren shows Mamedyarov the power of the passed pawn! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 12 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Ding Liren, Queen’s Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch Defense, D41 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 12 Ding Liren finally broke his drawing streak! After drawing 11 consecutive games he played a brilliancy in the Semi-Tarrasch. He was black against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, and they played a very well known theoretical line in the Queen’s Gambit Declined in which white ends up with a formidable central structure, but black aims to destroy it as soon as possible and has relative compensation with active pieces. https://www.youtube.com/embed/tf0zuJyhA8Y 597 2018-03-24T20:19:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/black-in-the-exchange-caro-kann-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/YsUuWUnBbAQ.jpg Black in the Exchange Caro-Kann ⎸Road to GM , Game 1 Bogojevic Ranko vs Stjepan Tomic, Caro-Kann, Exchange Variation (B13) 5th Croatian League Center, Round 1 This is the first game I played since I began my channel. My plan is to analyze all the games I play, regardless of the result. I believe that will provide a lot of useful information for players who are close to my rating, since most videos out there cover games of players who are 700 points higher rated. That's useful as well, but learning from the mistakes made by players similar to your own level can help you improve faster. https://www.youtube.com/embed/YsUuWUnBbAQ 1191 2018-03-25T14:45:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/creating-plans-in-the-closed-ruy-lopez-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-12/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/oSwAAeN7REI.jpg Creating plans in the Closed Ruy Lopez ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 12 Alexander Grischuk vs Levon Aronian, C84, Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), Closed 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 12, Berlin, Germany, 03/24/2018 The Spanish Game, or the Ruy Lopez is one of the most theoretically known and most often played e4 openings. This game, played in rd.12 between Grischuk and Aronian, despite ending in a draw, was a very instructive example of how you should a approach a chess position. There is a saying which goes something like “better to have a bad plan than no plan at all”. And that’s very true. In this game both players have attempted to create plans and started executing them, whether it took a single move or a series of 10 moves. https://www.youtube.com/embed/oSwAAeN7REI 639 2018-03-26T09:36:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kramnik-storms-wesley-so-in-the-charousek-variation-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-12/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/8N6-JV_7MIc.jpg Kramnik storms Wesley So in the Charousek Variation ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 12 Vladimir Kramnik vs Wesley So, D31, Queen’s Gambit Declined, Charousek (Petrosian) Variation 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 12, Berlin, GER, 03/24/18 Vladimir Kramnik and Wesley So played a relatively risk-free game, as they both no longer stood a practical chance to win the Candidates Tournament. And whether you come in 2nd, 5th or 8th Is almost completely irrelevant since only the winner gets to challenge Magnus Carlsen for the title of the world chess champion. https://www.youtube.com/embed/8N6-JV_7MIc 491 2018-03-26T10:28:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/karjakin-doesnt-push-for-a-win-which-could-have-secured-1st-place-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-13/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cJyl7wRi0ZY.jpg Karjakin doesn’t push for a win (which could have secured 1st place!) ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 13 Wesley So vs Sergey Karjakin, E37, Nimzo-Indian Defense, Classical, Noa Variation 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 13, Berlin, Germany, 03/26/18 Before round 13 Sergey Karjakin was in clear first! He had 7/12, same as Fabiano Caruana, but he had more victories (and losses), which are worth more than draws in this tie-break system, so he would be a clear winner with no tie-breaks if the tournament finished after round 12. Today he faced Wesley So with the black pieces and he had a chance to almost secure victory at the Candidates and to challenge Magnus Carlsen for the title for the second consecutive time! https://www.youtube.com/embed/cJyl7wRi0ZY 456 2018-03-26T15:38:59+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caruanas-relentless-onslaught-crushes-aronian-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-13/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lJZbpR8EAnk.jpg Caruana’s relentless onslaught crushes Aronian! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 13 Fabiano Caruana vs Levon Aronian, Ruy Lopez, Closed (C88), Anti-Marshall Systems 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 13, Berlin, Germany, 3/26/18 Fabiano is back in the lead! Before round 13 him and Sergey Karjakin were both at 7/12, but with Sergey in clear first due to having a higher number of decisive results. He drew his today’s game against So quickly, and didn’t fight for a win, which gave a chance for Caruana to take over the lead once more! https://www.youtube.com/embed/lJZbpR8EAnk 801 2018-03-26T17:47:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/an-instructive-neo-grunfeld-middlegame-transition-idea-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-13/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BXeCZy54kIU.jpg An instructive Neo-Grünfeld middlegame transition idea ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 13 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Alexander Grischuk, D78, Neo-Grünfeld Defense, Classical variation, Modern Defense 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 13, Berlin, Germany, 3/26/18 The Candidates tournament has become a close three-way race for 1st place! Mamedyarov and Grischuk played a decisive game in round 13, which literally decided which one of them would join Caruana and Karjakin in the running for the opportunity to challenge Magnus Carlsen! If they drew, neither would stand a chance (perhaps not even theoretically), but with a win, they both stood great chances! https://www.youtube.com/embed/BXeCZy54kIU 805 2018-03-27T09:37:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kramnik-goes-wild-in-the-agincourt-english-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-13/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bCVbDOl6VyQ.jpg Kramnik goes wild in the Agincourt English! ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 13 Ding Liren vs Vladimir Kramnik, A13, English Opening, Agincourt Defense 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 13, Berlin, Germany, 03/26/18 Ding Liren didn’t manage to win his crucial encounter of the Candidates Tournament! Before round 13 he was at 6.5 points, and if he wanted to stand a chance at 1st place he just had to win since Caruana and Karjakin were half a point ahead of him with 7/12. With only two rounds to go this would have given him great practical chances and create a four-way fight for who will get to challenge Magnus. https://www.youtube.com/embed/bCVbDOl6VyQ 692 2018-03-27T11:18:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-lesson-in-the-symmetrical-english-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-14/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5ZK_DZUqaZA.jpg A lesson in the Symmetrical English ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 14 Levon Aronian vs Wesley So, A35, English Opening, Symmetrical Variation 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 14, Berlin, Germany, 03/27/18 While Round 14 meant winning or losing for players on top of the scoreboard, for Levon and Wesley it was a friendly encounter with no real impact. Both stood no chance to win the tournament so the result was really irrelevant and they drew in under one hour and right out of the opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/5ZK_DZUqaZA 440 2018-03-27T15:45:26+00:00 https://chessterra.com/car-you-ana-magnus-will-be-facing-fabiano-for-the-title-%e2%8e%b8final-round-vs-grischuk/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bSqG_cvkVwI.jpg Car-YOU-Ana! Magnus will be facing Fabiano for the title! ⎸Final Round vs Grischuk Alexander Grischuk vs Fabiano Caruana, C43, Petrov's Defense, Modern Attack 2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 14 Caruana won the Candidates Tournament! He defeated Alexander Grischuk in the last round and he finished in clear first! He will be challenging Magnus Carlsen for the title later this year. Coming into the last round the situation on the scoreboard was still very complex, and three players had a practical chance to win. Fabiano was at 8/13, and in clear first, but Mamedyarov and the last challenger for the title, Sergey Karjakin, were following just behind him with only half a point less (7.5/13). https://www.youtube.com/embed/bSqG_cvkVwI 1192 2018-03-27T21:49:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kramnik-and-mamedyarov-duel-in-the-catalan-%e2%8e%b82018-candidates-round-14/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bLR6RgvLnIA.jpg Kramnik and Mamedyarov duel in the Catalan ⎸2018 Candidates, Round 14 Vladimir Kramnik vs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, E05, Catalan Opening, Open Variation 2018 World Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 14, Berlin, Germany, 03/27/18 Mamedyarov faced Kramnik in the final round and his final chance at winning the Candidates and challenging Magnus for the title. The situation on the scoreboard wasn’t ideal for him. Him and Sergey Karjakin were both at 7.5/13, but Fabiano, the tournament leader ever since rd.4 was half a point ahead. That meant that he was the only one who could decide his own faith coming into round 14, and Sergey and Shak had to rely on the other two players doing badly as well as winning themselves. https://www.youtube.com/embed/bLR6RgvLnIA 963 2018-03-28T12:25:49+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ruy-lopez-ideas-principles-and-common-variations-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GFWI3gkizZg.jpg Ruy Lopez – Ideas, Principles and Common Variations ⎸Chess Openings Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) is the most valuable weapon for 1. e4 players. It follows the basic opening principles and teaches you how to control the center, develop pieces and react to your opponent’s threats properly. In this video I will be covering the main variations of the Ruy Lopez, explaining the basic principles and ideas behind each one, but each individual variation will be covered in much more detail in a separate video. Mastering the Ruy Lopez is something every string chess player has to tackle at some point and there hasn’t been a single world champion or a super grandmaster who doesn’t have it as a major weapon in their opening repertoire. https://www.youtube.com/embed/GFWI3gkizZg 1079 2018-03-30T13:37:53+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ruy-lopez-exchange-variation-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/W72Vw-DxvA0.jpg Ruy Lopez – Exchange Variation ⎸Chess Openings Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), C68 – plans and ideas for both sides, main lines and traps. Learn the opening theory of the Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) here: The Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez (also known as the Spanish Game) begins with the moves: The Spanish Game starts after white plays 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bb5. And this is now the Ruy Lopez. And each move so far was designed to increase control over key central squares, and white is trying to push through with d4, and attack the e5 pawn, the e5 square, and black is fighting to stop that, simply. https://www.youtube.com/embed/W72Vw-DxvA0 854 2018-03-31T11:22:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/challenger-vs-world-champion-%e2%8e%b82018-grenke-chess-classic-round-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ruTyGZ_lp_g.jpg Challenger vs World Champion! ⎸2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 1 Fabiano Caruana vs Magnus Carlsen, King's Indian Defense (E61) 2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 1, Karlsruhe, Germany, 03/31/18 The Grenke Chess Classis is the elite portion of the chess festival held in Karlsruhe each year. This year’s setup includes chess superstars such as Anand, Hou Yifan, Aronian, Georg Meier, and, what’s most exciting, the world champion Magnus Carlsen and the challenger Fabiano Caruana. Caruana won the Candidates Tournament just a few days prior to the tournament so this is the first encounter between the two, and a great prelude to their upcoming London match (between 9 and 28 November 2018). https://www.youtube.com/embed/ruTyGZ_lp_g 904 2018-03-31T22:33:48+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ruy-lopez-breyer-variation-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0mOJpBF1VLM.jpg Ruy Lopez – Breyer Variation ⎸Chess Openings Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) – Breyer Variation (C95) – Opening theory, plans, ideas, thematic maneuvers and opening traps. Learn the Ideas, Principles and Common Variations in the Ruy Lopez in this introduction video: The Breyer Variation branches out of the Closed Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), and it’s one of the most popular continuations on top level. It has been played ever since the 1950-es, as one of the main weapons for black to fight the onslaught by white in the “Spanish torture”. https://www.youtube.com/embed/0mOJpBF1VLM 1156 2018-04-01T14:27:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/magnus-carlsen-strikes-with-the-bishops-opening-%e2%8e%b82018-grenke-chess-classic-round-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sQtav0zKE6k.jpg Magnus Carlsen strikes with the Bishop’s Opening! ⎸2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 2 Magnus Carlsen vs Hou Yifan, Bishop's Opening, C24 2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 2, Karlsruhe, Germany, 04/01/18 Magnus Carlsen faced the highest rated female chess player, Hou Yifan, in the 2nd round of the Grenke Chess Classic. Once again he chose an unorthodox opening! After his King’s Indian against Caruana yesterday – watch the game here: In today’s game he chose the Bishop’s Opening. An extremely rarely played line on grandmaster level. The Bishop’s Opening is based around attacking f7, the Achilles heel in black’s position. As opposed to the Giuoco Piano or the Ruy Lopez, this variation strikes at f7 immediately, and stops d5 by black as well. Two main exponents of the opening are Akiba Rubinstein, and John Nunn (with only a ten or so games each, but still). https://www.youtube.com/embed/sQtav0zKE6k 1349 2018-04-01T22:39:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ruy-lopez-archangel-arkhangelsk-variation-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/gf-5PDa619E.jpg Ruy Lopez – Archangel (Arkhangelsk) Variation ⎸Chess Openings Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) – Archangel Variation – The most aggressive way to face the Spanish torture For the theory in the Ruy Lopez watch this video on the basics: Learn the Breyer Variation – a positional approach by black: The Archangel (or Arkhangelsk) defense is a great response to the Ruy Lopez. It’s one of the best ways for black to fight for an advantage early on, without leaving white with a free hand in the center. https://www.youtube.com/embed/gf-5PDa619E 776 2018-04-02T09:39:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/meier-vs-caruana-%e2%8e%b8a-novelty-in-the-exchange-ruy-lopez-%e2%8e%b82018-grenke-chess-classic-round-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OmCY9Ue-o_8.jpg Meier vs Caruana ⎸A novelty in the Exchange Ruy Lopez ⎸2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 3 Georg Meier vs Fabiano Caruana, Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) Exchange Variation, C69 2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 3, Karlsruhe, Germany 04/02/18 In depth theory of the Exchange Ruy Lopez: Fabiano Caruana, the new challenger for the World Championship title has face Germany’s no1. in round 3 of the Grenke Chess Classic. He drew in the first two rounds, perhaps still recuperating from the exhausting Candidates Tournament, but in this game he played the super-precise, attacking chess that got him to challenge Magnus. Meier played the Exchange Ruy Lopez, which Caruana allowed with Nc6 (he usually plays Nf6, going for the Petrov’s Defense). https://www.youtube.com/embed/OmCY9Ue-o_8 1066 2018-04-03T10:30:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/eugenio-torre-vs-wesley-so-%e2%8e%b8clash-of-the-titans-%e2%8e%b8the-masters/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/VToK5IrDfA0.jpg Eugenio Torre vs Wesley So ⎸Clash of the Titans ⎸The Masters Eugenio Torre vs Wesley So, Slav Defense, D15, Chameleon Variation Battle of Grandmasters, Dapitan City, Phillipines, 2009. This is the first video in the series about the great masters of the 20th century, and who better to start with than Eugenio Torre, the man who revolutionized Asian chess. Eugenio Torre was born in the Philippines in 1951. He was a promising young player and in 1974. he became a grandmaster at the age of 22 (which was very early for those days). He was the first Asian grandmaster in history! https://www.youtube.com/embed/VToK5IrDfA0 710 2018-04-03T15:06:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/vincent-keymer-refutes-rapports-piece-sacrifice-in-cold-blood-%e2%8e%b82018-grenke-open-round-9/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/W5XA4M4eC8M.jpg Vincent Keymer refutes Rapport’s piece sacrifice in cold blood ⎸2018 Grenke Open, Round 9 Richard Rapport vs Vincent Keymer, Queen's Gambit Declined, Modern Variation D50 2018 Grenke Chess Open, Round 9, Karlsruhe, Germany, 04/03/18 The young German IM Vinced Keymer stirred up the chess world in recent days! He won the Grenke Open! Despite being the 99th seed, this little genius managed to outperform the competition with brilliant, precise, aggressive and imaginative chess. In a field dominated by strong grandmasters and superstars such ac Alexey Shirov, Ettiene Bacrot and Wang Hao, this inexperienced talent came in 1st place! An unbelievable achievement! https://www.youtube.com/embed/W5XA4M4eC8M 958 2018-04-03T18:36:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-underestimating-vincent-keymer-backfired-%e2%8e%b82018-grenke-open-round-7/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/YFbSVvgevY4.jpg How underestimating Vincent Keymer backfired! ⎸2018 Grenke Open, Round 7 Rainer Buhmann vs Vincent Keymer, Reti Opening, A06 2018 Grenke Chess Open, Round 7, 04/01/18 Young Vincent Keymer, who is only 13 years old won the Grenke Open tournament. In a field with tens of strong grandmasters he managed to come ahead of the competition (and he was the 99th seed). This is his game from round 7 against a German GM Reiner Buhmann, who is rated 2588 FIDE (Vincent is 2403), a formidable opponent. https://www.youtube.com/embed/YFbSVvgevY4 795 2018-04-04T12:42:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/hou-yifan-vs-judit-polgar-%e2%8e%b8greatest-women-in-chess-fight-in-the-taimanov-sicilian/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/aygO7kJQhPw.jpg Hou Yifan vs Judit Polgár ⎸Greatest women in chess fight in the Taimanov Sicilian Hou Yifan vs Judit Polgár, Sicilian Defense, Paulsen, Taimanov Variation, B46 A game played back in 2012. between two legends of female chess; Hou Yifan and Judit Polgár. Hou Yifan was born in 1994., so she was 18 at the time of the game. She has had an amazing career even up until that point and even by male standards. She became a WGM at thirteen, in 2007., and in 2008. she got her grandmaster title. She is the youngest ever female grandmaster. She is also the youngest ever player to participate in the Women’s World Championship at only 12 years old, in 2006. At sixteen she won her first world championship title (first out of three), and in 2015. she became the strongest female player and the highest rated woman in chess. https://www.youtube.com/embed/aygO7kJQhPw 909 2018-04-04T15:14:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caruana-crushes-naiditsch-in-an-equal-endgame-magnus-style-%e2%8e%b82018-grenke-chess-classic-round-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/iVGh9R4Vq20.jpg Caruana crushes Naiditsch in an equal endgame (Magnus style) ⎸2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 4 Fabiano Caruana vs Arkadij Naiditsch, Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense, C65 2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 4, Germany, Baden Baden, 04/04/18 Fabiano Caruana is playing chess worthy of a world champion (or at least the challenger for the title). He faced Arkadij Naiditch in rd.4 of Grenke Classic and managed to score a full point, which now brings him to ¾, sharing first place. He went for the Ruy Lopez and Naiditch played Nf6, the dreaded Berlin Defense. They didn’t go for the queen exchange and the endgame because Fabiano continued with d3, entering a maneuvering position which is unique in the Spanish game since the moves a6 or b5 weren’t played yet. https://www.youtube.com/embed/iVGh9R4Vq20 1072 2018-04-04T21:10:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/anatoly-karpov-vs-eugenio-torre-%e2%8e%b8manila-1976-%e2%8e%b8the-masters/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TnUwpkKtJlA.jpg Anatoly Karpov vs Eugenio Torre ⎸Manila 1976 ⎸The Masters Anatoly Karpov vs Eugenio Torre, B67, Sicilian Defense, Richter-Rauzer Variation 1976, Manila, Philippines, Kings Challenge Chess Tournament This is the second video in the series about the great chess masters of the 20th century. It covers Eugenio Torre’s immortal victory over Anatoly Kaprov, who was the world champion at the time. The game took place in Manila in 1976., soon after the Manila Interzonal which helped determine the challenger to Karpov in his World Championship Match. It was a double round robin with four players. Anatoly Karpov, the world champion at the time (since 1974., when Bobby Fischer forfeited his title without a fight), Eugenio Torre, Walter Browne (2585 ELO) and Ljubomir Ljubojevic (2620 ELO). https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnUwpkKtJlA 1029 2018-04-05T11:53:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/mvl-plays-a-tactical-anti-marshall-against-aronian-%e2%8e%b82018-grenke-chess-classic-round-5/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Tc6FcpdA2ls.jpg MVL plays a tactical Anti-Marshall against Aronian ⎸2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 5 Maxime Vechier-Lagrave vs Levon Aronian, Closed Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), C88, Anti-Marshall 2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 5, Baden Baden, 04/05/18 Maxime Vechier-Lagrave was sharing first place with Caruana and Vitiugov before round 5 with three points from the first four rounds. He had a great start to the tournament. In this game he faced Levon Aronian, who was at 2.5/4. They played a Closed Ruy Lopez. MVL declined Aronian’s specialty – the Marshall Attack by playing a4 instead of c3 on move 8, and they entered a well known aggressive line in the Closed Spanish. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tc6FcpdA2ls 765 2018-04-05T16:31:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/vincent-keymer-destroys-the-rat-defense-%e2%8e%b82018-grenke-open-round-8/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/eGBDYVIDUhI.jpg Vincent Keymer destroys the Rat Defense! ⎸2018 Grenke Open, Round 8 Vincent Keymer vs Gabor Papp, Rat Defense (Pillsbury), A41 2018 Grenke Chess Open, Round 8, Karlsruhe, Germany The young German genius, Vincent Keymer won the Grenke Open Tournament with an astonishing performance, scoring 8/9, with seven victories and two draws. No losses! In a field dominated by strong grandmasters, some even over 2700 fide, this brilliant IM managed to play with such confidence and precision that no one ever came close to challenging him for 1st place. https://www.youtube.com/embed/eGBDYVIDUhI 934 2018-04-05T18:14:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/karpov-crushed-by-e-t-the-extra-torrestrial-%e2%8e%b8the-masters-eugenio-torre/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/gfc1bGSmOk.jpg Karpov crushed by E.T. (The Extra-Torrestrial) ⎸The Masters – Eugenio Torre Eugenio Torre vs Anatoly Karpov, E42 Nimzo-Indian Defense, Hübner Variation, Rubinstein (5.Ne2) London 1984., Phillips & Drew GLC Kings Tournament This is one of Eugenio Torre’s most memorable games. He faced one of the strongest chess players at the time, Anatoly Karpov (still the world champion). The game was a part of the Phillips & Drew GLC Kings Tournament held in London, which was a part of the “UK chess renaissance” during the 80-es. The country saw a rise in popularity of chess and there were numerous tournaments and investors who paid to help organize them. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-gfc1bGSmOk 1034 2018-04-06T13:01:59+00:00 https://chessterra.com/magnus-tries-to-surprise-aronian-in-the-english-opening-and-fails-%e2%8e%b82018-grenke-round-6/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dTXpUa-odbs.jpg Magnus tries to surprise Aronian in the English Opening (and fails) ⎸2018 Grenke, Round 6 Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, English Opening, A18, Flohr-Mikenas System 2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 6, Baden Baden, Deutschland, 04/06/18 Magnus Carlsen faced Levon Aronian in rd.6. They were both at 3 points prior to this game (trailing half a point behind the leaders), so they were both looking for a win to get back in the running for first place. The most interesting thing about the game was the opening Magnus chose. He went for Levon’s signature English Opening. If there is an expert on 1.c4 it’s Aronian, and choosing it against him is almost a provocation. What’s worse, Magnus chose a like Aronian had prepared before, and even played it once before. What he probably wasn’t counting on is Levon knowing it more in depth than him. https://www.youtube.com/embed/dTXpUa-odbs 1048 2018-04-06T21:49:45+00:00 https://chessterra.com/vishy-anand-sacrificed-a-bishop-and-lost-%e2%8e%b82018-grenke-chess-classic-round-6/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mg6tLAEg1i0.jpg Vishy Anand sacrificed a bishop …and lost ⎸2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 6 Matthias Blübaum vs Viswanathan Anand, D21, Queen's Gambit Accepted, Rosenthal Variation 2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 6, Baden Baden, Deutschland, 04/06/18 Matthias Blübaum, the German GM (and the underdog in the Grenke Classic) played a very instructive game against the ex-world champion Viswanathan Anand. Vishy tried to get Matthias out of his preparation early on. First he played the Queen's Gambit Accepted, a fairly uncommon opening for him, and then he decided to go for a major deviation from main line theory on move five! He went for a line which had only been played 30 times before (compared to thousands of games with the most common continuation). https://www.youtube.com/embed/mg6tLAEg1i0 826 2018-04-07T09:08:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ruy-lopez-berlin-defense-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/eM1yKnw2g2w.jpg Ruy Lopez – Berlin Defense ⎸Chess Openings Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) – Berlin Defense (C65 - 67) ⎸Chess Openings for Tournament Players For the theory of the Ruy Lopez watch this video on the basics: The Breyer Variation in depth – a positional approach by black: The Exchange Variation – the simple approach by white: The Archangel Variation – black’s most aggressive line: The Berlin Defense is one of the most popular, if not the most popular defense for black. It was introduced by the great Vladimir Kramnik (even though it has been played previously, it was never analyzed in depth or employed properly). He prepared the Berlin for his World Championship match against Garry Kasparov in 2000. He used the opening to fight Garry’s e4, and his Ruy Lopez, which is by far the most aggressive way for white to play against 1…e5 by black. https://www.youtube.com/embed/eM1yKnw2g2w 1170 2018-04-07T14:26:49+00:00 https://chessterra.com/beware-fabiano-the-conqueror-%e2%8e%b82018-grenke-chess-classic-round-7/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PCQrTfEcUN0.jpg Beware Fabiano the Conqueror! ⎸2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 7 Fabiano Caruana is playing better chess than Magnus! This attacking masterpiece against MVL is just another confirmation! Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Fabiano Caruana, A28, English Opening, King's English Variation, Four Knights 2018 Grenke Chess Classic, Round 7 Fabiano Caruana is in clear first after round 7 of the Grenke Chess Classic! He won an absolutely amazing attacking game against Maxime with the black pieces. His fearlessness and relentless pressure he kept putting on white were inconceivable. They opened with a theoretical King's English, four knights, a position Maxime has more experience in. Out of the opening it was relatively equal, but as soon as they got out of theory it seemed as if Caruana was playing someone 500 points lower rated. https://www.youtube.com/embed/PCQrTfEcUN0 645 2018-04-07T21:51:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/i-defeated-myself-this-game-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/n5oLgZz_eug.jpg I defeated myself this game ⎸Road to GM A slight edge in an attacking position ruined because of cowardly play and lack of proper planning in the middlegame. Zdenko Nesek vs Stjepan Tomic, Queen’s Pawn Game, Torre Attack (E03) 5th Croatian League, 04/08/18 I played an opponent rated 2014 (around 240 ELO points higher rated than me) on board one. I got to replace one of my teammates so I played on a higher board than usual. I couldn’t prepare for my opponent because he had no games online, so I had to do with two games from ten years ago which my friend played against him. And what’s worse the only thing I knew was that he played 1.d4 and 2.Nf3 as a response to 1…d5. Not much to go with. https://www.youtube.com/embed/n5oLgZz_eug 1193 2018-04-08T16:26:50+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischers-deadly-kings-indian-%e2%8e%b8donovan-vs-fischer-57th-us-open-1956/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sralN7M_bTI.jpg Bobby Fischer’s deadly King’s Indian ⎸Donovan vs Fischer, 57th US Open (1956) „I don't believe in psychology. I Believe in good moves.“ – Bobby Fischer Jeremiah F. Donovan vs Robert James Fischer, King’s Indian Defense, Orthodox Variation, E94 57th US Open, 1956., Oklahoma City This is the first video in the series about the greatest chess player of all time. I will cover 50 games played throughout his career (from 1956. To 1972.) and follow his progress as a chess player. The first game is his brilliant victory over Donovan from 1956., when he was just 13 years old. It was played only a few months before “the game of the century” in which he humiliated Byrne. https://www.youtube.com/embed/sralN7M_bTI 721 2018-04-09T08:00:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chigorin-variation-of-the-closed-ruy-lopez-spanish-game-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SK1uQyXUvqE.jpg Chigorin Variation of the Closed Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) ⎸Chess Openings Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), Closed – Chigorin Variation (C96 - 98) ⎸Chess Openings for Tournament Players For the theory of the Ruy Lopez watch this video on the basics: The Breyer Variation in depth – a positional approach by black: The Exchange Variation – the simple approach by white: The Archangel Variation – black’s most aggressive line: The Berlin Defense – Kramnik’s strongest weapon: The Chigorin Variation of the Closed Ruy Lopez is considered to be one of the best ways to challenge white after 3.Bb5, entering the Spanish Game or the Ruy Lopez. It was named after Mikhail Ivanovich Chigorin (1850.-1908.), one of the early chess masters who helped develop the early theory. He was one of the strongest players at the time and he played two matches for the world championship title against Wilhelm Steinitz but he lost both times. https://www.youtube.com/embed/SK1uQyXUvqE 1062 2018-04-09T15:48:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-game-of-the-century-%e2%8e%b8bobby-fischers-immortal-at-age-13-vs-donald-byrne/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fklAqPb0c9U.jpg “The game of the Century” ⎸Bobby Fischer’s immortal at age 13 (vs Donald Byrne) Bobby Fischer's immortal victory over Donald Byrne played in 1956. This game features the most brilliant combination of attacking moves in chess history. Donald Byrne vs Robert James Fischer, Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Attack (D92) Third Rosenwald Trophy Tournament, 1956, New York This game is called “The game of the Century” for a very good reason. It's one of Bobby Fischer's most famous chess games, and what he did in it, and the moves he played were unlike anything seen before or after. He played a chess masterpiece so beautiful and complex that his ideas were inconceivable for most people even after they were played, and no one had even considered the moves he played during the game. He faced Donald Byrne in a very strong tournament (later to become the US Championship). Byrne was a very strong IM at the time and a very formidable opponent for young Fischer, who was just thirteen at the time. He was amazingly strong but nowhere near his peak strength he achieved in the 60-es and 70-es. https://www.youtube.com/embed/fklAqPb0c9U 1043 2018-04-10T15:44:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/alekhines-immortal-triple-queen-sacrifice-%e2%8e%b8bogoljubov-vs-alekhine-hastings-1922/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/bS8ElQ07EJQ.jpg Alekhine’s Immortal Triple Queen Sacrifice ⎸Bogoljubov vs Alekhine, Hastings 1922. Efim Bogoljubov vs Alexander Alekhine, Dutch Defense, A90, Nimzo-Dutch Variation This is the famous Triple Queen Sacrifice game played between Bogoljubov and Alekhine (Aljehin) in the elite portion of the Hastings tournament of 1922. The organizers invited four of the best European masters and two English masters to compete in a double round-robin, in what was one of the strongest tournaments at the time. Along with Efim Bogoljubov and Alexander Alekhine, the other participants were Siegbert Tarrasch, Akiba Rubinstein, George Allan Thomas and Fred Dewhirst Yates. https://www.youtube.com/embed/bS8ElQ07EJQ 878 2018-04-10T19:56:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischers-first-us-championship-title-%e2%8e%b8fischer-vs-bisguier-1957/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/OJhvxDJGN6s.jpg Bobby Fischer’s first US Championship title! ⎸Fischer vs Bisguier 1957 Bobby Fischer's first US Championship title! This is his round 5 victory over Arthur Bisguier in which Fischer played a brilliant positional Winawer French. Robert James Fischer vs Arthur Bisguier, French Defense, Winawer, Advance Variation (C16) US Championship (1957/58), New York, Round 5 After his appearance at the Third Rosenwald Trophy (1956), in which he played the game of the century against Donald Byrne, Bobby Fischer continued his steep rise towards being the best US chess player. In the 10th Championship which took place in 1957.-’58., Bobby had his first major success which brought him world wide recognition. He won the tournament convincingly, scoring 10.5/13, in clear first. He came ahead of his biggest rival, Samuel Reshevsky, who finished 2nd. https://www.youtube.com/embed/OJhvxDJGN6s 746 2018-04-11T11:22:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-tame-the-dragon-%e2%8e%b8bobby-fischer-vs-bent-larsen-portoroz-1958/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TDMulNPyLvU.jpg How to tame the Dragon! ⎸Bobby Fischer vs Bent Larsen (Portoroz 1958) Learn how to crush the Sicilian Dragon (Bobby Fischer style)! Bobby was only 15 years old when he played this super-precise attacking masterpiece against Larsen. Robert James Fischer vs Bent Larsen, Sicilian Defense, Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack B77 1958 Portorož Interzonal Tournament, Round 8 The Portorož Interzonal was a 21-player round robin which was to determine six players who would qualify for the Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade Candidates Tournament (to decide the challenger to Mikhail Botvinnik, who was the world champion at the time). Along with Bobby Fischer and Bent Larsen, many other chess geniuses competed; Tal, Benko, Petrosian, Gligorić… https://www.youtube.com/embed/TDMulNPyLvU 615 2018-04-11T17:15:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fischer-humiliates-his-biggest-rival-in-10-moves-%e2%8e%b8fischer-vs-reshevsky-1958/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mq9CWFSWZ0M.jpg Fischer Humiliates his Biggest Rival in 10 Moves ⎸Fischer vs Reshevsky 1958 Bobby Fischer vs Samuel Reshevsky, Sicilian Defense, Old Sicilian (B32), by transposition from the Accelerated Dragon This one of Bobby’s most famous piece sacrifices. It was played in a game against his arch-enemy Samuel Reshevsky, the best US played until Fischer was born. Reshevsky was born in Poland, and he was a chess child prodigy at a very early age. He held simultaneous exhibitions at the age of 7, and he became well known as one of the strongest players in what was then the Russian Empire. His parents soon decided to capitalize on his talent and moved to US where he would be much easily recognized. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mq9CWFSWZ0M 803 2018-04-12T09:56:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/master-the-marshall-attack-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings-ruy-lopez-marshall-c89/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/OzFVBBVHAZs.jpg Master the Marshall Attack ⎸Chess Openings, Ruy Lopez, Marshall (C89) The Marshall Attack is one of the most aggressive ways to fight the Ruy Lopez. Black gives up a central pawn in exchange for attacking pressure and piece activity. For the theory of the Ruy Lopez watch this video on the basics: The Breyer Variation in depth – a positional approach by black: The Chigorin Variation in depth – attacking the Spanish: The Exchange Variation – the simple approach by white: https://www.youtube.com/embed/OzFVBBVHAZs 1190 2018-04-12T15:11:53+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fischers-positional-masterpiece-against-wolfgang-unzicker-%e2%8e%b8zurich-1959/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/RyN8Pfr45w.jpg Fischer’s positional masterpiece against Wolfgang Unzicker ⎸Zürich 1959 Unzicker’s Chigorin Defense was too weak to stop Bobby Fischer. He played a maneuvering, positional game in style of Karpov or Petrosian … until it was time to strike. Robert James Fischer vs Wolfgang Unzicker, Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), Chigorin Defense C97 For the theory of the Ruy Lopez and the Closed Ruy Lopez watch this video on the basics: Chigorin Defense in depth: The 1959 tournament held in Zürich, Switzerland was one of the strongest at the time, and, perhaps, one of the most famous chess tournaments of the 20th century. Ten foreign players were invited to play, along with 6 strongest Swiss players (including Keller). Among the invited were the strongest grandmasters at the time (five of whom fought at the Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade candidates the same year); Mikhail Tal, Paul “the second” Keres, Svetozar Gligorić, Fischer, Unzicker, Larsen and Olafsson. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-RyN8Pfr45w 1130 2018-04-13T12:29:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caro-kann-defense-introduction-main-variations-ideas-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Jiz7KLKjLas.jpg Caro-Kann Defense (introduction, main variations & ideas) ⎸Chess Openings Caro-Kann is a great weapon to add to your repertoire against 1. e4. There are numerous ways to fight white’s opening advantage and to get a lot of attacking chances. The starting move of the opening is 1…c6, in response to e4. With this move black is preparing to challenge the center by pushing d5 (instead of challenging it directly as he does in the symmetrical e4 e5 openings or in the Sicilian Defense). The Caro Kann is a very flexible opening choice and it branches out into several key variations. Each will be briefly mentioned in this video, with the basic move order, ideas and plans for both sides. A separate video will be made for each individual variation where I will go into much more depth theoretically, as well as provide practical advice on move order and traps to set or to avoid. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jiz7KLKjLas 1564 2018-04-13T17:34:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/first-time-the-marshall-attack-was-played-and-beaten-%e2%8e%b8capablanca-vs-marshall-1918/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/9fQRvcxSdYg.jpg First time the Marshall Attack was played (and beaten) ⎸Capablanca vs Marshall 1918 Frank Marshall prepared the move d5 (what became known as The Marshall Attack) for 10 years, and when he finally got to play it Capablanca crushed him. Learn the theory of the Marshall Attack in this video: Jose Raul Capablanca vs Frank James Marshall, Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), C89 Marshall Attack This is the game in which Marshall first played his signature pawn gambit, starting with the move 8…d5. At the time this idea was a complete novelty, and Capablanca couldn’t have seen it before. Marshall is said to have prepared this move for 10 years before he got to use it in a game, and he must have wanted to use it against a very strong opponent. Capablanca was perfect for his experiment. Capablanca was the strongest chess player at the time, despite Lasker still being the world champion (that will soon change, when Capablanca wins the title in their 1921 match). Marshall wasn’t bad, of course, but he was nowhere near Capablanca. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9fQRvcxSdYg 705 2018-04-14T13:00:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-checkmates-paul-the-second-keres-%e2%8e%b8bled-zagreb-belgrade-1959/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/2oDnlkaAR5I.jpg Bobby Fischer checkmates Paul “the second” Keres ⎸Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade 1959 Paul Keres vs Robert James Fischer, Sicilian Defense, Najdorf B99 1959 Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade Candidates Tournament, Round 1 Bobby Fischer was just 16 in 1959., and he qualified for the biggest tournament in the chess calendar (apart from the world championship match), the candidates tournament. It was held in former Yugoslavia, which meant that he had to travel to a whole other continent alone (his mother had already moved away from their flat in NY). This had to be stressful for him, no matter how experienced he already was. https://www.youtube.com/embed/2oDnlkaAR5I 1155 2018-04-14T16:56:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/white-against-a-weird-scandinavian-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TWymeye9OR8.jpg White against a weird Scandinavian ⎸Road to GM I accidentally let my opponent see my opening preparation in the playing hall. He changed what he usually plays and got a worse position. Tomic vs Livic, Scandinavian Defense, B01 Mieses-Kotroc Variation 5th Cro. League, Rd.3, 04/15/18 After my embarrassing defeat in rd.2 of the league, I have decided to play aggressively at all costs and never to lack an active plan in the position. It’s better to get in zeitnot then to play without a plan. I prepared for my opponent (who is about 100 ELO points higher rated than me) for several days. I all I knew was that the plays g6 against e4, but, still, it was a lot to start from. All of his games I managed to find were pretty old, though, so he might have decided to play something else. https://www.youtube.com/embed/TWymeye9OR8 1471 2018-04-15T15:46:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fischer-vs-gligoric-%e2%8e%b8the-sack-sack-mate-method-%e2%8e%b81959-candidates/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/iF2sJDcdxUc.jpg Fischer vs Gligoric ⎸The “Sack, Sack, Mate” method ⎸1959 Candidates A very instructive game for players who wish to learn how to fight the Sicilian Defense. Bobby Fischer’s method – “Sack, Sack, Mate”, worked almost every time. He would place all his pieces to optimal squares for a kingside blitzkrieg and crush his opponents. Robert James Fischer vs Svetozar Gligorić, Sicilian Defense, Classical B57 Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade Candidates Tournament, 1959, Round 4 Bobby Fischer was just 16 in 1959., and he qualified for the biggest tournament in the chess calendar (apart from the world championship match), the candidates tournament. It was held in former Yugoslavia, which meant that he had to travel to a whole other continent alone (his mother had already moved away from their flat in NY). This had to be stressful for him, no matter how experienced he already was. https://www.youtube.com/embed/iF2sJDcdxUc 807 2018-04-15T19:14:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caro-kann-defense-advance-variation-in-depth-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/m9uHKJ1WgbM.jpg Caro-Kann Defense – Advance Variation in Depth ⎸Chess Openings The Advance Variation is the most precise way for white to fight the Caro-Kann Defense, but it's also an extremely solid position for black, who creates a pawn triangle in the center and resolves the problem of „the bad bishop“. For the introduction to the Caro-Kann watch this video: Caro-Kann Defense, B12 Advance Variation – Chess Openings for Tournament Players The advance variation became the most popular way for white to fight the Caro-Kann, it even surpassed the main lines which occur after 3.Nc3 for white. White simply advances his e pawn, gaining central space and getting more room for maneuvering. In exchange, black is able to play Bf5 fast, getting rid of his potentially worst piece, and he can then close down his pawn triangle with e6. Black thus has a perfectly solid central structure and white gets more space in exchange. https://www.youtube.com/embed/m9uHKJ1WgbM 1217 2018-04-16T11:50:32+00:00 https://chessterra.com/capablanca-draws-first-blood-%e2%8e%b8capablanca-vs-lasker-1921-world-championship/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/fbna37HW7rI.jpg Capablanca Draws First Blood ⎸Capablanca vs Lasker 1921 World Championship Game 5 in the historical World Championship match between Capablanca and Lasker. Jose Raul Capablanca vs Emanuel Lasker, Queen’s Gambit Declined, Orthodox Defense, D63 1921 World Championship Match, Havana, Cuba, Game 5 This was one of the most famous world championship matches in chess history. After more than 10 years of trying to arrange the match, it was finally held in 1921. At the time Emanuel Lasker was the official champion. Ever since 1909., Jose Raul Capablanca tried to play him for the title, but Lasker kept declining. In 1920., Lasker finally accepted, but not to play, but he resigned his title to the Cuban, forfeiting without a fight. Capablanca wouldn’t have the title that way, and he managed to persuade Emanuel to play. https://www.youtube.com/embed/fbna37HW7rI 1338 2018-04-16T20:15:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caro-kann-defense-exchange-variation-and-how-to-punish-it-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SMIhNIXoMNk.jpg Caro-Kann Defense – Exchange Variation (and how to punish it!) ⎸Chess Openings The Exchange Caro-Kann is a very passive way for white to fight for an advantage against 1…c6. With the exception of the Panov-Botvinnik Attack, which will be covered in a separate video, this variation lets black equalize straight out of the opening if he plays well. Caro-Kann Defense – Exchange Variation, B13 – Chess Openings for Tournament Players For the basics of the Caro-Kann Defense, an overview of the common variations and the basic plans for both colors check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/SMIhNIXoMNk 1039 2018-04-17T14:26:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-vs-us-junior-champion-%e2%8e%b8pirc-defense-b07/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/jI8GP_UTxlU.jpg Bobby Fischer vs US Junior Champion ⎸Pirc Defense B07 Even though Robin Ault was the ’59 Junior Champion, Bobby Fischer was two years younger than him! He played this game immediately after returning from the Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade Candidates. Robert James Fischer vs Robin Ault, Pirc Defense, Byrne Variation B07 1959/60 US Chess Championship, Round 5, New York Having returned from the Candidates in Yugoslavia, Bobby must have been the favorite to win the US Championship. He just played 28 games against the world’s best! Unfortunately he only finished 5th, and didn’t get to challenge Botvinnik for the title, but it was still immense experience. As expected, Bobby mopped up the competition and won in clear first. https://www.youtube.com/embed/jI8GP_UTxlU 873 2018-04-17T21:15:26+00:00 https://chessterra.com/panov-botvinnik-attack-fight-the-caro-kann-aggressively-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/hWLTjQ8LMeE.jpg Panov-Botvinnik Attack – Fight the Caro-Kann aggressively ⎸Chess Openings The Panov-Botvinnik Attack is the best way to fight the Caro-Kann Defense. Learn how to attack black straight out of the opening, and, if you play the Caro-Kann, learn how to defend against this aggressive opening. Caro-Kann Defense – Panov-Botvinnik Attack B14 ⎸Chess Openings for Tournament Players The opening was named after Vasily Panov, a Soviet player from the 1930-es and Mikhail Botvinnik. This is the most aggressive way for white to fight for an opening advantage against 1…c6 by black. The Karo-Kann aims to fight for the center on the second move (preparing d5), and with the move c4, which signifies the Panov, white aims to disrupt black’s central struggle and gain an edge in the attack. Technically, white is best off playing the advance variation, or the main line, but, practically, the Panov-Botvinnik gives white excellent attacking prospects. https://www.youtube.com/embed/hWLTjQ8LMeE 1126 2018-04-18T16:04:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/first-time-bobby-fischer-faced-boris-spassky-%e2%8e%b81960-mar-del-plata/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/8h1p_hq0csg.jpg First time Bobby Fischer faced Boris Spassky ⎸1960 Mar del Plata Boris Spassky vs Robert James Fischer, King’s Gambit Accepted, C39 Kieseritsky Gambit, Rubinstein Variation 1960 Mar del Plata, Argentina, Round 2 This game is the first encounter between the two giants who will face each other in the World Championship match twelve years later in Iceland. At the time, Bobby Fischer was only 17 years old, Spassky was 23, so they were both still about to reach their peak strength. Spassky was, however, already considered to be one of the strongest Soviet players. The Mar del Plata tournament was a very strong event in which four strong foreign grandmasters got invited to play against the best Argentinians. Fridrik Olafsson from Iceland, Spassky and Bronstein rom USSR and Fischer from the US were the international players. https://www.youtube.com/embed/8h1p_hq0csg 930 2018-04-18T20:33:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/akobian-smashed-onischuk-with-the-dutch-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ro4vqoCtCh4.jpg Akobian smashed Onischuk with the Dutch! ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 1 Alexander Vasilyevich Onischuk vs Varuzhan Eduardovich Akobian, Dutch (A84), Rubinstein Variation 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 1, St. Louis, 04/18/18 The US Championship just started, and all eyes are on Fabiano Caruana, the challenger for the World Championship title. He is by far the biggest favorite, but several other players could cause him trouble. Firstly, Wesley So, the young genius who had a rough Candidates Tournament and a bad start to 2018., but you can’t tell when he’ll start playing in top form and dominate the field. Secondly, Var Akobian. This is his round 1 game against Onischuk with which he definitely made a statement saying that he is one of the favorites to win the US Championship. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ro4vqoCtCh4 586 2018-04-19T11:23:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/rossolimo-attack-gone-wrong-%e2%8e%b8zherebukh-vs-wesley-so-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/R460yXXaGSk.jpg Rossolimo Attack gone wrong ⎸Zherebukh vs Wesley So ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 1 Yaroslav Zherebukh vs Wesley So, Sicilian Defense, Rossolimo (Canal-Sokolsky) Attack B51 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 1, St. Louis, 04/18/18 Wesley So has started the US Championship with a fighting victory! He faced Zherebukh (2640, 150 points lower rated) with the black pieces. Since 2018., was a very bad year for Wesley so far, he really has to do something at this tournament. Even though Fabi is a clear favorite and in top form now, Wesley stands a chance to become the US Champion! The only other decisive result from round 1 was Var Akobian’s crazy victory in the Dutch ( so Wesley is ahead of Caruana at the start! https://www.youtube.com/embed/R460yXXaGSk 884 2018-04-19T14:55:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fantasy-variation-of-the-caro-kann-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/0yMkAJ6Pyig.jpg Fantasy Variation of the Caro-Kann ⎸Chess Openings The Fantasy Variation can be a great surprise weapon for white against the Caro-Kann Defense. For the basics of the Caro-Kann, main variations, ideas and opening principles, watch this video: The Fantasy Variation (also known as the Tartakower or the Maróczy) starts after the moves: 3.f3 – With this move white is simply reinforcing his central e4 pawn (as opposed to playing Nc3, e5 or exd5). This move is double edged for white. It’s taking away the natural square for the g1 knight to develop to, and it’s weakening the squares around the king. In exchange, white gets a stronger grip on the center. https://www.youtube.com/embed/0yMkAJ6Pyig 1009 2018-04-19T18:44:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caruana-annihilates-the-winawer-french-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/SM1wWojA36s.jpg Caruana annihilates the Winawer French! ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 2 Fabiano Caruana vs Aleksandr Lenderman, French Defense, Winawer C18 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 2, St. Louis, 04/19/18 After drawing first round against Liang in a fighting 50-move Sicilian, Fabiano Caruana played a swift blitzkrieg win against Lenderman yesterday! He faced the Winawer French and found a continuation that has only been played once before. It gave him a slight improvement on the common lines and must have confused his opponent. After only 20 moves, Lenderman’s position was busted! Caruana finished the game off by creating insurmountable pressure and pinning almost every black piece on the board. This provided a simple, winning tactic which won a piece and the game! https://www.youtube.com/embed/SM1wWojA36s 614 2018-04-20T10:27:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-spanish-torture-orchestrated-by-wesley-so-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ex7XP93R4cE.jpg The Spanish Torture orchestrated by Wesley So ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 2 Wesley So vs Alexander Vasilyevich Onischuk, Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), Closed C84 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 2, St. Louis, 04/19/18 Wesley so is in berserk mode! He started the 2018 US Chess Championship with two very convincing victories. He played both games with amazing positional, tactical and theoretical precision, not missing almost a single improvement. In round 2 he faced Alexander Onischuk, who’d lost the first game as well. They entered a slightly uncommon Closed Ruy Lopez (with white playing d3 instead of Re1) in which Wesley knew exactly what he had to do, where his pieces should go and what his attacking plan should be. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ex7XP93R4cE 789 2018-04-20T13:59:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/karpov-variation-of-the-caro-kann-defense-b17-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/YLEmufSFoGk.jpg Karpov Variation of the Caro-Kann Defense (B17) ⎸Chess Openings Caro-Kann Defense – Karpov Variation B17 ⎸Chess Openings for Tournament Players The Karpov Variation is a great way for black to challenge white’s main line against the Caro-Kann. Instead of going for Bf5, the most common move, Nd7 is a great alternative. For the theory of the Caro-Kann Defense, the basic ideas and principles, watch this video: The variation occurs after the moves: 4.Nxe4 Nd7 – entering the Karpov Caro-Kann. From this position on white has five main replies, each is covered in detail. The most common reply, and the main line of the Karpov Variation is: https://www.youtube.com/embed/YLEmufSFoGk 1063 2018-04-20T21:36:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/two-knights-variation-of-the-caro-kann-b11-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/S5OjT1K_s58.jpg Two Knights Variation of the Caro-Kann (B11) ⎸Chess Openings The Two Knights Variation is a very good alternative to the main line for white. Players with black have to be well prepared to meet it properly. If you are unfamiliar with the opening principles of the Caro-Kann Defense watch this video on the basics: I was often employed by players such as Bobby Fischer, or, more recently, Ian Nepomniachtchi. It requires a lot of theoretical preparation, but it offers great attacking opportunities for both sides. https://www.youtube.com/embed/S5OjT1K_s58 1426 2018-04-21T22:02:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/positional-play-in-the-prins-variation-of-the-sicilian-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5JKoWEp-46k.jpg Positional play in the Prins Variation of the Sicilian ⎸Road to GM I managed to surprise my opponent with the fighting Prins Sicilian, which is often something players with black lack knowledge on. Tomic vs Sculac, Sicilian Defense, B54, Prins Variation 5th Cro. League, Round 4, 04/22/18 I played the rd. 4 game of the Croatian 5th League. I was on board three against a slightly higher rated opponent. He went for the Sicilian Defense, but after Nf6, attacking e4, I played f3, the Prins Variation which he wasn’t prepared for. That move looks weakening and like a waste of time, but if black doesn’t react immediately white will have a positional advantage. https://www.youtube.com/embed/5JKoWEp-46k 1280 2018-04-22T14:43:59+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caruana-is-human-after-all-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/I79l4x0J2Iw.jpg Caruana is human after all ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 4 Fabiano Caruana vs Zviad Izoria, Giuoco Piano (Italian Game) C53 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 4, St. Louis, 04/21/18 Caruana was sharing first place after round 3 (with Akobian and Wesley So), and he was on the way to another astonishing performance, similar to those at the Grenke Classic and at the Candidates. In round 4 he faced Zviad Izoria, a strong grand master rated 2559 ELO. They played a sort of standard Italian in which Zoria deviated from the theory early on with (h6 instead od a6 or 0-0). That didn’t mean much, though, and both sides continued developing according to normal principles of the Giuoco Piano. Fabiano went for the typical knight maneuver (also for the Ruy Lopez) of going to d2, f1, g3 and attacking f5, and Zoria managed to tangle his pieces a bit with a series of weird moves. https://www.youtube.com/embed/I79l4x0J2Iw 1098 2018-04-22T19:11:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nakamuras-ambition-is-yet-to-pay-off-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-5/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/x_oxeFK2PZY.jpg Nakamura’s ambition is yet to pay off ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 5 Aleksandr Lenderman vs Hikaru Nakamura, King's Indian, Orthodox, Taimanov (E98) 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 5, 04/22/18 Hikaru Nakamura seems to be unable to convert his positions. After four consecutive draws in the first four rounds of the US Chess Championship, he drew game five as well! He faced Lenderman with the black pieces and went for the fighting King’s Indian Defense. An opening which is slightly dubious for black engine-wise, but it offers a lot of attacking chances and it’s practically equal. The fact that he chose the KID just confirms that he is a strong attacking player with no fear, and that he’s willing to take risks in order to win. I wish all were like that. The Gashimov Memorial is under way, and after four rounds we’ve had only one decisive result! That’s absurd! Round 5 of the US Chess Championship had five draws too. This is partly player’s fault. In that respect, I’d like to highlight the game Jeffery Xiong vs Wesley So, in which Wesley (the tournament leader!) initiated a repetition on move 23! Nakamura drew as well, but his draw is worth a thousand times more. https://www.youtube.com/embed/x_oxeFK2PZY 853 2018-04-23T10:54:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/topalovs-human-attack-worked-%e2%8e%b82018-gashimov-memorial-round-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/T45rv_-TSx0.jpg Topalov’s „human“ attack worked! ⎸2018 Gashimov Memorial, Round 4 Veselin Aleksandrov Topalov vs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Closed Ruy Lopez, C80 2018 Shamkir Chess – Gashimov Memorial, Round 4, Shamkir, 04/22/18 The Gashimov Memorial is one of the biggest events in the chess calendar and it’s held to honor Vugar Gashimov, the chess genius who had unfortunately passed away recently. He was known for his ingenious attacking style and this tournament should honor that. What we’ve seen so far, however, is nothing even remotely close. The first 3 rounds went by without a single decisive result! All draws (and mostly boring ones)! https://www.youtube.com/embed/T45rv_-TSx0 748 2018-04-23T13:08:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/magnus-carlsen-finally-played-like-the-world-champion-%e2%8e%b82018-gashimov-memorial-round-5/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0uPO19Uzojw.jpg Magnus Carlsen finally played like the World Champion! ⎸2018 Gashimov Memorial, Round 5 Magnus Carlsen vs Radoslaw Wojtaszek, Sicilian Defense, Closed, B23 2018 Shamkir Chess, Gashimov Memorial, Round 5, Shamkir, 04/23/18 After three less than exciting rounds and round four in which Topalov played the only decisive result, round 5 finally brought some real excitement at the Gashimov Memorial! Magnus Carlsen played one of his best games this year (in my opinion). He faced Wojtaszek with white and opened with the Closed Sicilian to 1…c5. What came afterwards was astonishing. He entered a new line in the closed Sicilian, an idea which has been played only a few times before and they exited theory on move 5! https://www.youtube.com/embed/0uPO19Uzojw 577 2018-04-23T15:47:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caruana-bluffed-ray-robson-folded-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-6/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BOj5vCrU-P8.jpg Caruana bluffed (Ray Robson folded) ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 6 Ray Robson vs Fabiano Caruana, Petroff Defense C42 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 6, St. Louis, 04/23/18 Fabiano Caruana won another brilliant game at the US Championship! He faced Ray Robson with the black pieces and played his signature Petroff Defense (also known as the Russian Game or Petrov’s). By now this opening has become his main weapon against e4, and not many players have managed to beat him in it. He seems to be perfectly prepared. This is probably what he had prepared for the Candidates Tournament but didn’t have a chance to use it. Who knows how deep his preparation goes, but he seems to be one step ahead much too often. This is justifying his reputation as a player who gets most of his wins in the opening and early middlegame. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BOj5vCrU-P8 866 2018-04-24T10:29:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-so-missed-a-beautiful-sacrifice-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-6/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/naweIBgX7Mw.jpg Wesley So missed a beautiful sacrifice! ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 6 Wesley So vs Zviad Izoria, Queen's Pawn Game (D02) 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 6, St. Louis, 04/23/18 Wesley is playing amazing chess at the 2018 US Championship. He was sharing first place after round five (with Akobian) and wanted to win this clash against Izoria in order to most probably emerge in clear first. It didn’t go as planned, though. Shankland won against Akobian, catching up with the leaders, and Wesley didn’t manage to convert a superior position. Izoria is a dangerous opponent and he already won against Caruana so he was to be feared. Wesley opened with a quiet Reti, but the soon transposed to an uncommon queen’s pawn opening with only 3 games played on move 7! https://www.youtube.com/embed/naweIBgX7Mw 999 2018-04-24T12:53:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bronstein-larsen-variation-of-the-caro-kann-b16-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FRJexVkZXrg.jpg Bronstein-Larsen Variation of the Caro-Kann (B16) ⎸Chess Openings The Bronstein-Larsen Variation is a dubious, but aggressive and double-edged way for black to fight in the Caro-Kann. If you are interested in the basics of the Caro-Kann Defense check out this video on the opening principles, ideas and main variations: For a more solid alternative to the Bronstein-Larsen try the Karpov Variation (4…Nd7 instead of Nf6): Despite being positionally unsound according to the engines, the Bronstein-Larsen Variation of the Caro-Kann offers great attacking chances when played properly and energetically. When humans are playing chess (especially people under 2300-2400) the fact that one side had + or – 0.5-0.9 in the opening means nothing. What matters is understanding the opening plans and ideas and knowing which squares your pieces should develop to, what’s your common attack plan and which side you are going to castle. Player who knows that can seldom have a disadvantage despite what the engines might say. https://www.youtube.com/embed/FRJexVkZXrg 883 2018-04-24T19:45:58+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischers-first-olympiad-%e2%8e%b8fischer-vs-pachman-leipzig-1960/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CHbMByyapPY.jpg Bobby Fischer’s first Olympiad ⎸Fischer vs Pachman, Leipzig 1960 Robert James Fischer vs Ludek Pachman, French Defense, Burn Variation C11 1960 Chess Olympiad Finals, Leipzig At the age of 17, Bobby Fischer made his first appearance at an Olympiad. He was playing board one for the US (he was by far the best US player at the time). They finished second, just behind the Soviet Union, who appeared with a super-team; Tal, Botvinnik, Keres, Korchnoi, Smyslov, Petrosian. Bobby won the bronze medal individually with an amazing score of 13/18. https://www.youtube.com/embed/CHbMByyapPY 840 2018-04-25T11:53:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/korchnoi-variation-of-the-caro-kann-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6qOZIlbE0.jpg Korchnoi Variation of the Caro-Kann ⎸Chess Openings The Korchnoi Variation (B16) is a more solid continuation than the Bronstein Larsen after 5.Nxf6, because by taking with the e pawn, you are reinforcing the defenses around your king. For the basics of the Caro-Kann Defense watch this video on the opening ideas, principles and main variations: Alternatives to the Korchnoi Variation after Nxe4 (except for the main line with Bf5): Bronstein Larsen Variation: https://www.youtube.com/embed/-_6qOZIlbE0 949 2018-04-25T15:36:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/david-navaras-mystery-blunder-%e2%8e%b82018-gashimov-memorial-round-6/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BiDEcg6e7bE.jpg David Navara’s mystery blunder ⎸2018 Gashimov Memorial, Round 6 Anish Giri vs David Navara, Caro-Kann Defense, Advance Variation, B12 2018 Shamkir Chess (Gashimov Memorial), Round 6, Shamkir, Azerbaijan, 04/25/18 For the theory of the Advance Variation of the Caro-Kann watch this video: Round 6 of the Gashimov Memorial brought far less excitement than expected. This game made up for it, though. The only decisive result, this short but complex encounter between Giri and Navara brought one of the most mysterious blunders in a long time. Giri was white and he reacted with the advance variation when Navara played his signature Caro-Kann Defense. They played a common line which could lead to severe complications for both sides, but Giri, being a safety-first player, avoided all that and went for a slight edge in space and piece activity with a more solid continuation. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BiDEcg6e7bE 800 2018-04-25T17:41:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caruanas-blitzkrieg-runs-the-french-over-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-7/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/zmRbkMDnBkY.jpg Caruana’s blitzkrieg runs the French over! ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 7 Fabiano Caruana vs Varuzhan Eduardovich Akobian, French Defense, Steinitz Variation (C11) 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 7, St. Louis, 04/25/18 Fabiano Caruana is having the year of his life! After having won the Candidates and the Grenke Classic, he is now in first place at the US Championship as well! There are still 4 rounds to go, but the way he’s playing I doubt anyone will be able to stop him! https://www.youtube.com/embed/zmRbkMDnBkY 668 2018-04-25T23:03:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nakamura-got-smashed-and-flagged-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-7/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/UPIcGHuPDxk.jpg Nakamura got smashed and flagged! ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 7 Zviad Izoria vs Hikaru Nakamura, Zukertort Opening, Kingside Fianchetto (A04) 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 7, St. Louis, 04/25/18 What’s going on with Hikaru? After drawing in the first six rounds he got absolutely dominated by Zviad “The Kingslayer” Izoria! He made a mistake in the opening, relinquished too much space in the center, and all his pieces were useless throughout the game. Zviad Izoria has become a force to be reckoned with at the US Championship. He drew Akobian and So, and he won against Caruana and Nakamura, thus surviving against four toughest in the field! Too bad he had less than ideal results against the weaker players. https://www.youtube.com/embed/UPIcGHuPDxk 1268 2018-04-26T10:16:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caro-kann-main-line-in-depth-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3KvEdj_TcM4.jpg Caro-Kann Main Line in depth ⎸Chess Openings The Main Line of the Caro-Kann is one of black’s strongest weapons against 1.e4. With correct play black can comfortably equalize and have great attacking prospects. For the basics of the Caro-Kann, opening ideas, principles and main variations, watch this video: For an alternative to the Main Line learn these variations: Bronstein-Larsen Variation: The Main Line (or the Classical) Caro-Kann is by far the most commonly played variation after 1.e4 c6. It’s theory heavy, meaning that both sides could get in a lot of trouble if they are unfamiliar with it, but that also means that both sides have great attacking prospects and that most games will be exciting and double edged (unlike what non-Caro-Kann players think). I have covered all the opening traps after black plays Bf5, as well as all the sidelines white might venture into. https://www.youtube.com/embed/3KvEdj_TcM4 1204 2018-04-26T12:46:32+00:00 https://chessterra.com/magnus-carlsen-out-calculates-topalov-like-a-boss-%e2%8e%b82018-gashimov-memorial-round-7/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/C6feFoGz218.jpg Magnus Carlsen out-calculates Topalov like a boss ⎸2018 Gashimov Memorial, Round 7 Magnus Carlsen vs Veselin Aleksandrov Topalov, English Opening, Four Knights Variation A28 2018 Shamkir Chess (Gashimov Memorial), Round 7, Shamkir, Azerbaijan, 04/26/18 Magnus Carlsen is in clear first at the Gashimov Memorial! After 7 rounds he is at 4.5 points. This is very significant because of his pre-match “distant relation” fight against Fabiano Caruana who is currently leading the US Championship. I have a feeling that they are trying to outperform one another despite not playing the same event! Magnus faced Veselin Topalov with the white pieces in this game. He opened with the English Opening and they entered the Four Knights Variation. https://www.youtube.com/embed/C6feFoGz218 990 2018-04-26T17:57:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-so-couldnt-break-caruanas-petroff-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-8/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rJBdNAlGDO4.jpg Wesley So couldn’t break Caruana’s Petroff ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 8 Wesley So vs Fabiano Caruana, Petrov’s Defense (Russian Game, Petroff) C42, Millennium Attack 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 8, St. Louis, 04/26/18 Caruana has managed to create the new Berlin. His signature Petroff has become the nightmare of e4 players who face him. He can hardly ever lose a game because he is so well prepared and knows all the lines much more in depth that anyone else. He was sharing 1st place at the US Championship after 7 rounds and he faced Wesley So in round 8. It’s understandable that he would be satisfied with a draw so it’s not surprising that he chose the Petroff – his strongest drawing (and often winning) weapon. https://www.youtube.com/embed/rJBdNAlGDO4 710 2018-04-27T11:26:49+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nakamuras-great-escape-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-8/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/P2uK5XsKRyA.jpg Nakamura’s Great Escape ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 8 Hikaru Nakamura vs Samuel Shankland, Nimzo-Larsen Attack, Modern Variation (A01) 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 8, St. Louis, 04/26/18 After a surprisingly bad start to the US Championship, drawing six consecutive games, Nakamura lost in round 7 and had to face the tournament leader, Sam Shankland in round 8. He opened with 1.b3, the NImzo-Larsen Attack. A very rare choice on top level for a reason. This opening lets black comfortably equalize whatever white does afterwards. It does provide great dynamic attacking chances for both sides as well, so it’s perfectly suitable for Nakamura’s playing style. https://www.youtube.com/embed/P2uK5XsKRyA 1077 2018-04-27T13:31:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/carlsens-relentless-pressure-smothers-giri-%e2%8e%b82018-gashimov-memorial-round-8/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/UmUdjAdLhRE.jpg Carlsen’s relentless pressure smothers Giri! ⎸2018 Gashimov Memorial, Round 8 Anish Giri vs Magnus Carlsen, English Opening, Four Knights Variation Fianchetto Lines (A29) 2018 Shamkir Chess (Gashimov Memorial), Round 8, Shamkir, Azerbaijan, 04/27/18 Magnus Carlsen played one of the best attacking games of the year. He faced Giri with black in a Four Knights English which he played with the opposite color just a round ago in his win against Topalov. Obviously a popular variation at top level at the moment. He deviated from the most common opening line for black which might have confused Anish, but the position was still relatively equal out of the opening. What came in the middlegame, though, is from another world. https://www.youtube.com/embed/UmUdjAdLhRE 1051 2018-04-27T21:17:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-so-vs-akobians-fortress-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-9/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qy6gdZSPfRk.jpg Wesley So vs Akobian’s fortress ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 9 Varuzhan Eduardovich Akobian vs Wesley So, Grünfeld Defense, Brinckmann Attack (D82) 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 9, St. Louis, 04/27/18 Var Akobian played a magnificent game which not even the engines understood fully. He faced Wesley So in rd.9, in a less than ideal situation on the scoreboard. He was at only 3.5/8, which means he had no chance at the title anymore, but he definitely wanted to make a point with the white pieces. Wesley was trailing behind Caruana after rd.8 by only half a point, so he too must have wanted a victory. https://www.youtube.com/embed/qy6gdZSPfRk 814 2018-04-28T11:32:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/introduction-to-the-french-defense-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pig559oP5OM.jpg Introduction to the French Defense ⎸Chess Openings The French Defense is one of the deadliest weapons players with black have against 1.e4 The opening starts (ECO codes C00-C19) after the moves: 1.e4 e6 – This is now the French. The second move is almost forced for both sides: 2.d4 d5 (white has been known to avoid the move 2.d4 with 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2, which will most likely transpose into the King’s Indian Attack, but d4 is played in over 95% of games starting with 1.e4 e6) https://www.youtube.com/embed/pig559oP5OM 1269 2018-04-28T16:13:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/float-like-a-butterfly-sting-like-a-caruana-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-10/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/VwzHKLvbGCE.jpg Float like a butterfly, sting like a Caruana! ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 10 Yaroslav Zherebukh vs Fabiano Caruana, King's Indian Attack (A07) (by transposition) 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 10, St. Louis, 04/28/18 Caruana played a marvelous attacking game against Zherebukh! After opening with a close Sicilian, Zherebukh went for a King’s Indian Attack setup (preparing f4, fianchettoing kingside) which Caruana met with almost perfect play. As soon as white tried pushing his own plan of f4 through, Caruana exploited the weaknesses it created and started putting on attacking pressure not many people could resist for long. https://www.youtube.com/embed/VwzHKLvbGCE 723 2018-04-29T08:40:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nakamura-cracked-akobians-french-and-finally-won-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-10/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/jnqFt5Alq70.jpg Nakamura cracked Akobian’s French (and finally won) ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 10 Hikaru Nakamura vs Varuzhan Eduardovich Akobian, French Defense, Winawer Variation C18, Retreat Variation, Armenian Line 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 10, St. Louis, 04/28/18 The great Var Akobian is unfortunately having a less then ideal performance at the US Championship. Despite starting off great with a magnificent win in the Dutch, he is now at only 4/10. His play was definitely at a much higher level and he deserved more. Nakamura is having a bad tournament as well. This game is his first victory (despite being close twice). He drew and lost all his games, which is very uncommon for him. https://www.youtube.com/embed/jnqFt5Alq70 854 2018-04-29T11:18:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caruana-annihilates-the-archangel-%e2%8e%b82018-us-championship-round-11/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QFpQDHuQGMM.jpg Caruana annihilates The Archangel ⎸2018 US Championship, Round 11 Fabiano Caruana vs Alexander Onischuk, Ruy Lopez C78, Archangel (Arkhangelsk) Variation 2018 US Chess Championship, Round 11, St. Louis, 04/29/18 Detailed theory of the Archangel Ruy Lopez: Fabiano Caruana missed the title by only half a point. Samuel Shankland gave him no chance to win because he had a very convincing performance in the second part of the tournament. Both players seemed to sweep up the competition, but Shankland was tiny bit more successful. Despite that Caruana’s performance is up to par with his wins at the Candidates and at the Grenke Classic. He played marvelous chess both positionally and tactically and he outperformed almost all his opponents. https://www.youtube.com/embed/QFpQDHuQGMM 531 2018-04-30T10:07:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/exchange-variation-of-the-french-defense-c01-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/YlA3heOMMN0.jpg Exchange Variation of the French Defense (C01) ⎸Chess Openings The Exchange French is considered to be one of the dullest openings, but it could lead to very interesting attacking positions if you decide to deviate from the main lines. Watch this video for an introduction to the French Defense, basics, opening principles and main variations: French Defense C01 – Exchange Variation The variation starts after the opening moves: 1.e4 e6 (the French Defense) 3.exd5 (entering the Exchange Variation) …exd5 https://www.youtube.com/embed/YlA3heOMMN0 1074 2018-04-30T21:38:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-champions-league-of-chess-%e2%8e%b82017-18-bundesliga-round-14/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kAzjjWysz9w.jpg The Champions League of Chess ⎸2017/18 Bundesliga, Round 14 Levon Aronian (2767) vs Mikhailo Oleksienko (2621), Queen’s Gambit Declined, Three Knights (D37) Bundesliga 2017/18, Round 14, SG Speyer-Schwegenheim vs OSG Baden-Baden, 04/30/18 The German chess Bundesliga is one of the strongest chess events. 16 teams are playing (with the worst 3 dropping out to the lower league) and only the strongest can dream of winning. The lineups are so strong that the teams could easily win any Olympiad or other team tournament. This game was played between Aronian and Mikhailo Oleksienko. Aronian plays for the strongest team of the Bundesliga – OSG Baden Baden, which is currently in first place with one round to go. https://www.youtube.com/embed/kAzjjWysz9w 784 2018-05-01T11:38:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/tarrasch-variation-of-the-french-defense-c03-c09-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IGS68T5FmvM.jpg Tarrasch Variation of the French Defense (C03-C09) ⎸Chess Openings The Tarrasch French is a very aggressive way for white to fight 1… e6 by black. Instead of developing the knight to c3, as in the classical lines, the knight goes to d2, which results in a completely different setup for both sides. Watch this video for the basics of the French Defense, main ideas for both colors and common variations: If you are looking for a simpler line to play with white against the French, try the Exchange Variation: https://www.youtube.com/embed/IGS68T5FmvM 1846 2018-05-01T17:20:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/first-time-bobby-fischer-defeated-mikhail-tal-%e2%8e%b8bled-1961/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/O4J7ERsqxVA.jpg First time Bobby Fischer defeated Mikhail Tal ⎸Bled 1961 Fischer crushed Tal with a beautiful (and precise) queen sacrifice. Even though Tal went on to win the tournament, this victory made young Bobby Fischer the star of the show. Robert James Fischer vs Mikhail Tal, Sicilian Defense, Paulsen, Bastrikov Variation (B47) The Bled tournament of 1961. was an International Jubilee Grandmaster Tournament and a prestigious event not everyone could play. Bobby Fischer was only 18 at the time, which shows how good and how renown he already was at such a young age. He finished in 2nd place with a remarkable score of 13.5/19, and he was out bested by none other than Mikhail Tal who finished in clear first with one point ahead of Fischer. Along with Tal and Fischer, the event was full of the strongest names in ches at the time. Here are the final standings with all the participants: https://www.youtube.com/embed/O4J7ERsqxVA 657 2018-05-02T08:09:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/winawer-variation-of-the-french-defense-c15-c19-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/NWFL6b38BUQ.jpg Winawer Variation of the French Defense (C15-C19) ⎸Chess Openings The Winawer Variation is the most aggressive way for black to play the French Defense, and it will most often lead to extremely interesting attacking positions. Learn the basics of the French Defense (common plans, traps and ideas) in this video: Study the Tarrasch French: A simple way to fight the French – the Exchange Variation: The Winawer French occurs after the moves: 3.Nc3 (entering the Classical or the Paulsen French) https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWFL6b38BUQ 1382 2018-05-02T12:14:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-so-vs-fabiano-caruana-at-age-11-%e2%8e%b8the-modern-masters/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0rcFBmfbxiw.jpg Wesley So vs Fabiano Caruana at age 11! ⎸The Modern Masters Wesley So and Fabiano Caruana were only 11 years old when this game was played! These were their chess beginnings and one of the first major tournaments they competed at. Wesley So vs Fabiano Caruana, Sicilian Defense, McDonnell Attack (B21) 2004 Under 12 World Youth Chess Championship, Crete, Greece The series on the modern masters will start with one of the greatest chess players today – Wesley So. He was born in 1993., and he began his chess career very early on. This tournament was one of the first major events he competed at. He finished in 13th place (Caruana was 10th), which was a great score. He will go on to become one of the strongest players in history in the following years. His progress and chess development will be covered in 40 games (40 videos) in this series, starting from age 11. https://www.youtube.com/embed/0rcFBmfbxiw 464 2018-05-03T11:55:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischers-22-move-miniature-against-efim-geller-%e2%8e%b8bled-1961/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/oPUegH7JuFM.jpg Bobby Fischer’s 22 move miniature against Efim Geller ⎸Bled 1961 Bobby Fischer humiliated one of his biggest rivals, Efim Geller, by defeating in only 22 moves! Robert James Fischer vs Efim Geller, Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), Modern Steinitz Defense (C72) Efim Geller was one of very few who had a positive score against Bobby Fischer. Out of 10 games Fischer won 2, Geller won 5 and 3 were drawn. Geller also had a positive score against most strong players at the time; Petrosian, Tal, Botvinnik, Smyslov… https://www.youtube.com/embed/oPUegH7JuFM 641 2018-05-03T14:52:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-sos-tactical-prowess-at-age-13-%e2%8e%b82007-world-junior-championship/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rBqJl-M8qHY.jpg Wesley So’s tactical prowess at age 13 ⎸2007 World Junior Championship Wesley So's crushing victory against David Howell played a few days before his 14th birthday. Wesley So vs David Howell, Four Knights Game, Scotch Variation, Accepted (C47) World Junior Championship, 2007, Round 5, Yerevan, Armenia This game is a perfect example of how strong Wesley So was at a very early age. It was played when he was 13 years old and rated just above 2500. His performance at the World Junior Championship earned him his second GM norm, and he got his last and became a grandmaster at the 3rd Prospero Pichay Cup International Open in the Philippines later in the year. https://www.youtube.com/embed/rBqJl-M8qHY 692 2018-05-04T10:21:50+00:00 https://chessterra.com/max-knew-not-whence-the-bishop-came-%e2%8e%b8euwe-vs-capablanca-london-1922/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/zQ6DgWCo8Lg.jpg Max knew not whence the bishop came ⎸Euwe vs Capablanca, London 1922 Capablanca’s first major tournament after his World Championship match against Lasker. He won the London 1922 in clear first place, and he played several memorable games. This was the most beautiful one. Max Euwe vs Jose Raul Capablanca, Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense, Closed Wolf Variation (C66) Capablanca was the strongest player during the biggest part of the 20-es, and this tournament is one of the biggest confirmations of that. London ’22 was a very strong invitational which offered large monetary prizes and many of the world’s strongest participated. Capablanca managed to win in a very convincing fashion (with 13/15!), but that was largely expected now that he was the official world champion. https://www.youtube.com/embed/zQ6DgWCo8Lg 892 2018-05-04T16:21:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kamsky-got-dominated-by-wesleys-french-%e2%8e%b82009-world-cup/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fdKDCMMrWxs.jpg Kamsky got dominated by Wesley’s French ⎸2009 World Cup Wesley So's performance at the 2009 World Cup was astonishing, considering he was only 16 years old. Gata Kamsky vs Wesley So, French Defense, Steinitz, Boleslavsky Variation (C11) World Cup (2009), Round 3, Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia The format of the world cup is unforgiving. Each round eliminated 50% of the field as the players face each other to determine who advances to the next round. This a stressful tournament system for experienced players, let alone for someone Wesley’s age at the time. In round 1 he defeated Gadir Guseinov, which wasn’t as unexpected since his rating was already well above 2600. IN round 2 he eliminated the great Vassily Ivanchuk, which was a much more serious achievement! Ivanchuk is one of the greatest players of all time, and especially strong in stressful situations. https://www.youtube.com/embed/fdKDCMMrWxs 779 2018-05-05T13:18:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fischer-and-korchnoi-battle-in-the-bogoljubow-%e2%8e%b81962-interzonal/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kTfKh_vV4zs.jpg Fischer and Korchnoi battle in the Bogoljubow ⎸1962 Interzonal Bobby Fischer's first major international success came in 1962., at the Stockholm Interzonal. He finished in clear first with 17.5/22, and qualified for the Curaçao candidates, a tournament which was to determine the challenger to Mikhail Botvinnik for the World Championship title. Robert James Fischer vs Viktor Korchnoi, Ruy Lopez, Closed, Bogoljubow Variation (C91) Stockholm Interzonal (1962), Round 19 https://www.youtube.com/embed/kTfKh_vV4zs 873 2018-05-05T19:45:48+00:00 https://chessterra.com/preparation-in-the-grand-prix-paid-off-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/blQvKr4zDFw.jpg Preparation in the Grand Prix paid off ⎸Road to GM I have been studying the Grand Prix for the last two weeks. The systems I prepared worked and I managed to defeat the Sicilian with it the first time I played it! Finally a new weapon in my repertoire against c5. Stjepan Tomic vs Sribar Peter, B25, Closed Sicilian 5th Cro. League, Round 5, 05/06/18 My team won 4.5-1.5 over six boards! We are now in first place in the league and we stand a great chance to advance to the 4th league next season. There are 4 more rounds to go and the two teams in first and second place advance! We were playing a much higher rated team, who were sharing first with us after 4 rounds and we were not expected to win. I turned out great and we managed to outplay them and win convincingly! https://www.youtube.com/embed/blQvKr4zDFw 1293 2018-05-06T15:33:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/an-instructive-rubinstein-french-by-capablanca-and-reti-%e2%8e%b8new-york-1924/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DpVdUnkwNhY.jpg An instructive Rubinstein French by Capablanca and Réti ⎸New York 1924 Capablanca and Richard Réti played a very modern French Defense at almost engine strength. Jose Raul Capablanca vs Richard Réti, French Defense, Classical, Rubinstein Variation (C14) The 1924 New York was a very strong tournament organized by Hermann Helms, publisher of the American Chess Bulletin, the Hotel Alamac and the Manhattan Chess Club because the match between Capablanca and Alekhine for the World Championship couldn’t be held yet (for numerous known and unknown reasons). Most of the top players were invited. The final standings surprised most people since Capablanca was a huge favorite and the only player expected to challenge him was Alekhine. They were all wrong! Emmanuel Lasker managed to win in clear first and get revenge for the match he lost to Capablanca a few years before that. https://www.youtube.com/embed/DpVdUnkwNhY 867 2018-05-07T08:43:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/madness-in-the-najdorf-%e2%8e%b8ray-robson-vs-wesley-so/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cLweopNQVMs.jpg Madness in the Najdorf ⎸Ray Robson vs Wesley So A beautiful Sicilian Najdorf in which Robson sacrificed two pieces for the initiative, but Wesley So refuted them in style and won brilliantly! Ray Robson vs Wesley So, Sicilian Defense, Najdorf (B94) 2010 Spice Cup, Round 8, Lubbock, Texas Wesley So usually played the French back in 2010., so the opening might have surprised Ray Robson. When they entered the Najdorf, Wesley played a very rare move on move 6, which must have been even more confusing for Robson. He misjudged the position and made a few theoretical inaccuracies which made his position worse very early on. To improve, he played a very tricky piece sacrifice. It has been played only once before, so the players probably didn’t know about it, but such sacrifices are thematic for a few variations of the Sicilian, especially in the Najdorf. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cLweopNQVMs 767 2018-05-07T12:08:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/power-of-the-pinned-piece-is-imaginary-%e2%8e%b8fischer-vs-keres-1962-candidates/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WxO7i-NZMcI.jpg Power of the pinned piece is imaginary! ⎸Fischer vs Keres 1962 Candidates One of Bobby Fischer’s most beautiful attacking games! A positional masterpiece in the Closed Ruy Lopez against Paul “the second” Keres. Robert James Fischer vs Paul Keres, Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), Closed, Keres Defense (C96) 1962 Curaçao Candidates Tournament, Round 7 The Curaçao Candidates was the most important event in Fischer’s career up until then. When he competed in his first World Championship cycle a few years ago he was still arguably inexperienced compared to the Soviet players, which might have been the excuse for the less than ideal performance. In ’62 he had improver significantly. He won the Stockholm Interzonal which was to determine 6 players who will compete in the candidates and he entered the tournament as one of the favorites. His performance wasn’t perfect, though. He didn’t get to challenge Mikhail Botvinnik for the title, and he would have to wait another 10 years for his shot at the chess throne. Petrosian won with 17.5/27, and Fischer finished 4th with 14/27. Here are the final standings: https://www.youtube.com/embed/WxO7i-NZMcI 764 2018-05-08T09:43:58+00:00 https://chessterra.com/capablanca-vs-marshall-%e2%8e%b8moscow-1925-when-chess-was-gentlemanly-and-romantic/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/NqCsqgJoyqY.jpg Capablanca vs Marshall ⎸Moscow 1925 (when chess was gentlemanly and romantic) Jose Raul Capablanca vs Frank James Marshall, English Opening, Agincourt Defense, Tarrasch Defense (A14) The Moscow tournament was organized as an attempt to popularize chess in the Soviet Union. They wanted to overshadow the New York 1924 tournament which was one of the biggest in and most important in the early 20th century. They invited many strong players from abroad, as well as the strongest Soviet masters. Lasker, the former world champion and Capablanca, the current one, both played. They were expected to win as well. Capablanca was probably a slight favorite, though. Among other strong names, Bogoljubov was playing, Marshall, Gruenfeld, Tartakower and many others. Neither Capablanca nor Lasker won, though! Efim Bogoljubov finished in clear first in front of them and shook up the Soviet chess nation! There is even footage from the venue showing the public interest for the event. People are said to had waited to hear the results after each game, which means that the plan to popularize chess was successful! https://www.youtube.com/embed/NqCsqgJoyqY 781 2018-05-08T20:02:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-pawn-break-for-the-books-%e2%8e%b8wesley-so-vs-david-navara-tata-steel-2011/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/TWIuJy9bbZg.jpg A pawn break for the books! ⎸Wesley So vs David Navara (Tata Steel 2011) Wesley So vs David Navara, Neo-Grünfeld Defense, Delayed Exchange Variation (D76) 2011 Tata Steel Tournament (Group B), Round 7, Wijk aan Zee This game is very good example of how Wesley So’s chess rapidly improved and evolved constantly, especially in 2010.-2012. He was 18 when this game was played and his chess career was only just beginning, but his style and precision were already on a super-high level. In this game he faced the best Czech player – David Navara, who was only slightly higher rated at the time. https://www.youtube.com/embed/TWIuJy9bbZg 782 2018-05-09T11:19:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/when-fischer-smashed-najdorf-in-the-najdorf-%e2%8e%b81962-varna-olympiad/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Wlms_eVrljE.jpg When Fischer smashed Najdorf (in the Najdorf) ⎸1962 Varna Olympiad One of the most crushing defeats for the Sicilian Najdorf. Bobby Fischer destroyed Miguel Najdorf, the man whom the opening got named after, and he did it in less than 30 moves! Robert James Fischer vs Miguel Najdorf, Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation, Adams Attack (B90) 1962 Varna Olympiad, Round 2 A fabulous display of Fischer’s strength. He made only one mistake in the game and played with ferocity until Najdorf was forced to throw in the towel. The game was played in the Varna Olympiad. The Soviets won, of course, but there was no other team that could come close, really. Their team were: Botvinnik (board 1), Petrosian, Spassky, Keres, Geller and Tal. Argentina came in 2nd, Yugoslavia 3rd, and the US 4th (with Fischer on board 1). https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wlms_eVrljE 835 2018-05-09T19:57:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/rubinstein-variation-of-the-french-defense-c10-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/THkLmg9vmv0.jpg Rubinstein Variation of the French Defense (C10) ⎸Chess Openings Rubinstein French is a common way to challenge white after 3. Nc3 (the Classical French). It avoids the thematic blocked central position which is often what the middlegame evolves around. French Defense – Rubinstein Variation (C10) Learn the basics of the French Defense, common variations & ideas for both sides in this introductory video: The Rubinstein Variation starts after the moves: 3. Nc3 dxe4 With this move black is resolving the central tension and avoiding all the common problems in the French Defense – the bad c8 bishop (which is easily deployed in this line), having to play a pawn break (c5, f6 or both) and handing white space and the initiative on the kingside. On the other hand, this variation doesn’t offer black as many attacking chances and aggressive play. https://www.youtube.com/embed/THkLmg9vmv0 861 2018-05-10T12:55:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/magnus-carlsens-immortal-at-age-13-%e2%8e%b8corus-2004-his-first-gm-norm/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/FTogrtXm7rU.jpg Magnus Carlsen’s Immortal at age 13! ⎸Corus 2004 (his first GM norm) This is one of Carlsen’s earliest memorable games. It features two remarkable attacking combinations worthy of Tal or Fischer. This tournament is also where he got his first GM norm (winning in clear first). Magnus Carlsen vs Sipke Ernst, Caro-Kann Defense, Classical Variation (B18) 2004 Corus, Group C, Round 12, Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands Introduction to the Caro-Kann (basic ideas in the opening and common plans and variations): https://www.youtube.com/embed/FTogrtXm7rU 759 2018-05-10T17:05:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-sos-positional-rhapsody-%e2%8e%b8so-vs-shirov-2011/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/fOoGetLjzC8.jpg Wesley So’s Positional Rhapsody ⎸So vs Shirov, 2011 Wesley So vs Alexey Shirov, Slav Defense, Quiet Variation D11 19th Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2011, Round 2, Sweden This game is one of the most valuable resources for understanding positional chess and the significant of piece activity. Wesley So is a remarkable player, but he had rarely outplayed someone as he did Shirov in this game. Any Slav player and any 1. d4 player will surely find it extremely useful. https://www.youtube.com/embed/fOoGetLjzC8 824 2018-05-12T12:03:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-crush-the-scandinavian-in-20-moves-%e2%8e%b8fischer-vs-robatsch-1962/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/k0-DbyhF9X8.jpg How to crush the Scandinavian in 20 moves ⎸Fischer vs Robatsch 1962 Robert James Fischer vs Karl Robatsch, Scandinavian Defense, Ilundain Variation (B01) 1962 Varna Olympiad Finals Karl Robatsch was one of the best Austrian players in history. He contributed a lot to chess theory and had a great career. Compared to Fischer, though, he was a weak player, which this game proves. He prepared the Scandinavian Defense against Fischer. An opening which is considered slightly dubious for black to start with, but the line he played (with g6, Bg7, 0-0) is definitely just losing. Bobby Fischer’s specialty was breaking up kingside structures with a fianchettoed bishop. He referred to it as “sack, sack, mate”. He would simply push his pawns up the board, weaken the structure and checkmate. That’s exactly what happened in this game. At move 10 he was winning! https://www.youtube.com/embed/k0-DbyhF9X8 534 2018-05-13T10:19:15+00:00 https://chessterra.com/steinitz-variation-of-the-classical-french-c11-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PuI4MWpDe2U.jpg Steinitz Variation of the Classical French (C11) ⎸Chess Openings The Steinitz Variation is one of the most common lines in the Classical French Defense and it offers great chances to both sides and often produces exciting, attacking games. Learn the basics of the French Defense, common variations & ideas for both sides in this introductory video: The Rubinstein Variation: The Steinitz Variation starts after the moves: 4.e5 – This is the move which signifies the Steinitz Variation of the Classical French. With e5, white is chasing the knight away and gaining space in the center, but he is also giving black two clear pawn breaks in the position because this is now the “French Defense pawn structure”, in which black has to aim for c5 and f6. This means that in all lines of the Steinitz black is going to advance on the queenside and white on the kingside. After black plays 4…Nfd7, the only move, white really only has one optimal option: https://www.youtube.com/embed/PuI4MWpDe2U 1593 2018-05-14T12:18:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kramniks-brilliant-rook-sacrifice-%e2%8e%b8kramnik-vs-harikrishna-2017-gashimov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/yV-pzi09hC8.jpg Kramnik’s Brilliant Rook Sacrifice ⎸Kramnik vs Harikrishna (2017 Gashimov) Vladimir Kramnik vs Pentala Harikrishna, Ruy Lopez, Closed. Martinez Variation (C78) 2017 Gashimov Memorial, Round 4, Shamkir This game was recommended by taseef r. I never saw It before, but I was astonished when I finally did. It’s one of the most instructive middlegames in regards to human chess. It perfectly depicts human strengths and weaknesses in chess and amplifies the difference between humans and engines and the fact that the engines will never be able to fully understand human reactions, emotions and moves. Kramnik was white against Harikrishna in a closed Ruy Lopez. He played d3, the Martinez Variation, a line which is not as common as the main lines with Re1. https://www.youtube.com/embed/yV-pzi09hC8 812 2018-05-16T08:51:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-defeat-to-remember-and-to-learn-from-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-2018-croatian-cup-finals/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IYi0ZTLcSZo.jpg A defeat to remember (and to learn from) ⎸Road to GM, 2018 Croatian Cup Finals S. Tomic vs K. Kovacevic, B23 Sicilian, Closed 2018 Croatian Cup Finals, Round 3, HAŠK Mladost vs Stjepan Bosak URIHO, Mali Lošinj, 05/17/18 Round 3 of the Cup didn’t go as planned for my team. We lost 1.5:2.5. I played against a 300 points higher rated opponent and lost the game, despite having a winning position at one point and a draw in the end, when I missed the drawing move in horrible time trouble. We played a strange Closed Sicilian in which I managed to somehow outplay my opponent in the opening and get a chance to win. I missed the winning idea, though, and the game was once again equal. https://www.youtube.com/embed/IYi0ZTLcSZo 1006 2018-05-17T23:05:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/im-leon-livaic-analyzes-his-win-against-vassily-ivanchuk-%e2%8e%b8croatian-cup-finals-2018/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ZGNwquxRNb0.jpg IM Leon Livaić analyzes his win against Vassily Ivanchuk ⎸Croatian Cup Finals 2018 Leon Livaic (2497) vs Vassily Ivanchuk (2708), Queen’s Gambit Declined, Ragozin 2018 Croatian Cup Finals, Round 2, HAŠK Mladost vs ŠK Zagreb, Mali Lošinj, 05/17/18 Our board 1, Leon Livaic, managed to defeat the great Vassily Ivanchuk! He was kind enough to do me the honor of analyzing the game on video. Not much I could say about the game could compare to Leon’s thoughts, but I must say I was on the edge of my seat while watching and I actually became too nervous and didn’t want to watch anymore at one point. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZGNwquxRNb0 827 2018-05-18T10:16:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/accelerated-dragon-failed-to-the-maroczy-bind-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-8/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4_o_vmB67i0.jpg Accelerated Dragon failed to the Maróczy Bind ⎸Road to GM, Game 8 S. Tomic vs B. Bojanic, B38 Sicilian, Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind 2018 Croatian Cup Finals, Round 4, ŠK Belišće vs HAŠK Mladost, Mali Lošinj, 05/18/18 Today I had a surprisingly easy win against a higher rated opponent. He played the accelerated dragon and I went for c4 (the Maróczy Bind) and he completely misplayed the position. There isn’t really to much to be said. He allowed Nb5, gave up the fianchettoed bishop and was lost on move 8. I managed to convert with only one mistake. I could have mated faster. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4_o_vmB67i0 618 2018-05-18T16:26:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/push-too-hard-and-you-might-lose-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-9/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qJqkQYMb2sE.jpg Push too hard and you might lose ⎸Road to GM, Game 9 S. Tomic vs M. Blaga, B38 Sicilian, Accelerated Dragon, Maroczy Bind 2018 Croatian Cup Finals, Round 6, Mali Lošinj, 05/20/18 The Cup has finished. I went as a substitute, but I still got to play 4 rounds (out of 6). I scored 3/4, 75%, which is farm more than expected. My opponents were all higher rated than me and their avg rating was 1970. In this game I was playing a very experienced opponent rated a bit more than 200 ELO points higher than me. We entered an accelerated dragon and I went for my standard Maroczy bind setup with f3. https://www.youtube.com/embed/qJqkQYMb2sE 984 2018-05-21T10:24:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-vs-robert-the-other-byrne-%e2%8e%b81963-64-us-championship/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qL_RXV9sz3k.jpg Bobby Fischer vs Robert „the other“ Byrne ⎸1963/64 US Championship Robert Eugene Byrne vs Robert James Fischer, King's Indian Defense, Fianchetto Variation, Immediate Fianchetto (E60) US Championship (1963/64), Round 3, New York This is one of Bobby Fischer’s most famous games. It was played against Robert Byrne, one of two Byrne brothers whom Fischer had beaten in perhaps two of his most famous games. It was played in Fischer’s most memorable US Championship too. He won in clear first with 11 wins! Not a single draw! After that Championship a special “Fischer prize” got introduced that would go to anyone who manages to win all 11 games (no one managed so far). https://www.youtube.com/embed/qL_RXV9sz3k 678 2018-05-22T21:03:16+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-sos-creative-samisch-kings-indian-%e2%8e%b8so-vs-liren-2011-world-cup/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/HcnZYS9m8jk.jpg Wesley So’s creative Sämisch King’s Indian ⎸So vs Liren, 2011 World Cup Wesley So vs Ding Liren, King's Indian Defense, Saemisch Variation, Panno E84 Wesley So started the 2011 World Cup well. He defeated Ding Liren to advance to round two, but he was defeated by Sergey Karjakin and got eliminated (the World Cup is an unforgiving event, and you don’t get to make a single mistake). This game was played in round 1 and Wesley faced Ding Liren’s King’s Indian Defense. He went for the Sämisch, with the move f3, a variation that gives white extraordinary central control and forces black to seek counter play as soon as possible in order to equalize. The engines give the position as almost winning for white, but they always do if one side has more space. https://www.youtube.com/embed/HcnZYS9m8jk 890 2018-05-23T10:00:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sam-shankland-defeats-the-botvinnik-carls-caro-kann-%e2%8e%b82018-capablanca-memorial/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iixRZfY-HU.jpg Sam Shankland defeats the Botvinnik-Carls Caro-Kann ⎸2018 Capablanca Memorial Samuel Shankland vs Yusnel Bacallao Alonso, Caro-Kann Defense, Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense (B12) 2018 Capablanca Memorial, Round 5, Havana, 05/13/18 Samuel Shanklad played a Cuban GM in the Capablanca Memorial. He played the Advance variation against the Caro-Kann, and his opponent played the rare Botvinnik-Carls Defense with c5, instead of Bf5 on move 3. Shankland chose a very aggressive plan against black’s defense and managed to get a very favorable position, despite having a few weaknesses himself. https://www.youtube.com/embed/iixRZfY--HU 729 2018-05-24T11:40:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/advance-variation-of-the-french-defense-c02-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/plgs6rbCMjE.jpg Advance Variation of the French Defense (C02) ⎸Chess Openings The Advance French is a great weapon against 1.e6. Except for the exchange variation, it requires least learning of all the main theoretical lines. Learn the basics of the French Defense, common variations & ideas for both sides in this introductory video: The Rubinstein Variation: The advance variation is an easy option to start with against the French Defense because the aren’t that many options black could go for. If you are looking to simplify matters in your e4 repertoire, the Advance French should be the way to go. https://www.youtube.com/embed/plgs6rbCMjE 1375 2018-05-25T11:15:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nd2-f1-maneuver-against-the-old-sicilian-%e2%8e%b8wesley-so-vs-gelfand-tata-steel-2014/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KzxpDqfOinU.jpg Nd2-f1 maneuver against the Old Sicilian ⎸Wesley So vs Gelfand, Tata Steel 2014 Wesley So vs Boris Gelfand, B30 Old Sicilian 2014 Tata Steel Tournament, Round 5, Wijk aan Zee Wesley So’s great positional victory over one of the strongest players in history, Boris Gelfand, who was at his peak strength at the time. Gelfand is one of the strongest Sicilian players ever, and Wesley decided to go for the closed Old Sicilian. They played a very theoretical variation in which black is conceding the d5 square and white is re maneuvering his knight from f3 to f1, in order to be able to play Ne3 and increase the pressure on d5. https://www.youtube.com/embed/KzxpDqfOinU 703 2018-05-26T11:31:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischers-menacing-austrian-attack-%e2%8e%b8fischer-vs-benko-1963-64-us-championship/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TCaKEQScAWc.jpg Bobby Fischer’s menacing Austrian Attack ⎸Fischer vs Benko, 1963/64 US Championship Robert James Fischer vs Pal Benko, Pirc Defense, Austrian Attack, Weiss Variation (B09) 1963/64 US Chess Championship, Round 10, New York This game should be memorized by every 1.e4 player as a model attack with which you should fight the Modern and the Pirc defenses. Fischer almost always played the Austrian attack against these types of setups and he improved it significantly. The theory evolved, and his attacking ideas became standard. This game is different, though. https://www.youtube.com/embed/TCaKEQScAWc 642 2018-05-27T14:06:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/advantage-magnus-%e2%8e%b8carlsen-vs-caruana-2018-altibox-norway-rd-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/M7o8UifeKhI.jpg Advantage Magnus ⎸Carlsen vs Caruana, 2018 Altibox Norway, Rd. 1 Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana, Bishop's Opening, Berlin Defense C24 2018 Altibox Norway, Round 1, 05/28/18 The World Championship Match between Magnus Carlsen, the current world champion and the challenger, Fabiano Caruana, is less that half a year away. The fact that they are about to battle for the highest honor and prize in chess makes every single one of their games much more significant. Altibox Norway is even more special since it’s Magnus’s home turf, and disappointing here would be crushing for morale. Round 1 was played yesterday and this game was the most awaited one, despite the setup being ten of the world’s strongest chess players. This is the only game that didn’t end in a draw! https://www.youtube.com/embed/M7o8UifeKhI 879 2018-05-29T10:39:22+00:00 https://chessterra.com/magnus-carlsen-and-the-gift-of-time-%e2%8e%b8carlsen-vs-aronian-2018-altibox-norway-rd-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/n_lo2Jxohw.jpg Magnus Carlsen and The Gift of Time ⎸Carlsen vs Aronian, 2018 Altibox Norway, Rd. 3 Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, Spanish Game: Berlin Defense. Rio Gambit Accepted C67 2018 Altibox Norway, Round 3, 05/30/18 Magnus faced Levon Aronian in round 3 of the Altibox Norway tournament. The elite portion of the event brought less excitement than expected so far, with only two decisive games in the first 3 rounds. The game Magnus won against Caruana in round 1 and this game. The prelude to the World Championship match is looking rather one-sided at the moment, but Caruana has shown that he is capable of performing above Magnus’s capabilities as well. We will have to wait until November. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-n_lo2Jxohw 694 2018-05-31T09:09:59+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-so-storms-nakamuras-lasker-defense-%e2%8e%b8so-vs-nakamura-2018-altibox-norway-rd-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KGK9MhjKz0.jpg Wesley So storms Nakamura’s Lasker Defense ⎸So vs Nakamura, 2018 Altibox Norway, Rd. 3 Wesley So vs Hikaru Nakamura, Queen's Gambit Declined, Lasker Defense D56 2018 Altibox Norway, Round 3, 05/30/18 Wesley and Hikaru have played three draws each in the first rounds of Altibox despite the Sofia rule which prohibits talking during the game, virtually prohibiting draw offers. Hence, a draw can only be reached by insufficient material, stalemate, threefold repetition, or the fifty-move rule. This didn’t seem to reduce the number of draws, as there have been 13 draws and only two decisive games in the first three rounds (both won by Magnus Carlsen; rd. 1 vs Caruana: , rd.2 vs Aronian: https://www.youtube.com/embed/_KGK9MhjKz0 795 2018-05-31T11:40:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/burn-and-mccutcheon-variations-of-the-french-defense-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GZs8v1KJpgY.jpg Burn and McCutcheon Variations of the French Defense ⎸Chess Openings The Burn Variation is a great way for white to challenge the Classical French Defense, but it gives both sides enough attacking prospects and different middle game ideas. Learn the basics of the French Defense, common variations & ideas for both sides in this introductory video: The Rubinstein Variation: The Burn Variation of the French occurs after the moves: On move 4, black gets to choose the variation. Three most common options are: https://www.youtube.com/embed/GZs8v1KJpgY 1303 2018-06-01T17:30:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/karjakin-punished-mvls-miscalculation-%e2%8e%b82018-altibox-norway-rd-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/LaqLeazguME.jpg Karjakin punished MVL’s miscalculation ⎸2018 Altibox Norway, Rd. 4 Sergey Karjakin vs Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange, Classical Variation (D86) 2018 Altibox Norway, Round 4, 06/02/18 Sergey and Maxime played a very theoretical line in the Gruenfeld. The variation with b6 is almost unknown on lower levels, but on super grandmaster level it’s well known and heavily analyzed. After reaching the end of the line, Karjakin had a slightly superior position, but nothing that could’ve been exploited any time soon. Maxime decided to risk and went for an f5-f4-f3 push, which almost worked. They reached a critical position in which Sergey could’ve won the exchange and given MVL a better position. He waited instead, positioned his queen perfectly, and made the same idea wuch more powerful. https://www.youtube.com/embed/LaqLeazguME 766 2018-06-02T12:57:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-outclassed-the-world-champion-%e2%8e%b8so-vs-carlsen-2018-altibox-norway-rd-6/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CFkov2QFUnY.jpg Wesley outclassed the World Champion ⎸So vs Carlsen, 2018 Altibox Norway, Rd. 6 Wesley So vs Magnus Carlsen, Slav Defense, Exchange Variation D10 2018 Altibox Norway, Round 6, 06/03/18 Wesley So chose a fairly uncommon way to fight Magnus Carlsen; the exchange Slav (taking on d5 immediately). Since it’s a highly theoretical line nonetheless, they played 10 moves of theory, but Wesley went for an aggressive temporary pawn sacrifice straight out of the opening and got a slightly better position. https://www.youtube.com/embed/CFkov2QFUnY 717 2018-06-04T08:32:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fool-me-five-times-shame-on-me-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-10/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qCD22f4GL3M.jpg Fool me five times, shame on me ⎸Road to GM, Game 10 Tomic (1844 ELO) vs Gujic (2054 ELO), Caro-Kann, Classical 2018 Zagreb Championship, Round 1, 06/04/18 *my rating is 1844, not 1884 as it says in the video, I made a typo The Zagreb Championship had started and round 1 was played yesterday. I played a very bad game. I was white against the Caro-Kann, my favorite opening and my main weapon against e4. I played a line in the classical which I know is ok for white, more than slightly better. I got better piece development and more activity. https://www.youtube.com/embed/qCD22f4GL3M 1011 2018-06-05T08:18:16+00:00 https://chessterra.com/an-uncommon-caro-kann-breyer-variation-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-11/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Dhae4sNGS_U.jpg An uncommon Caro-Kann (Breyer Variation) ⎸Road to GM, Game 11 Vukovojac vs Tomic, Caro-Kann Defense, Breyer Variation B10 2018 Zagreb Championship, Round 2, 06/05/18 I faced a slightly higher rated opponent in round 2 (after my horrible loss in the first round). I believe he knows I play the Caro-Kann, so what he played might have been preparation. After c6, he went for the Breyer Variation (d3). I don’t know the theory of the variation well, in fact, I only know the first move, which is e5, so I decided not to go into the main line. I chose a slightly inferior continuation but managed to get a playable position. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dhae4sNGS_U 780 2018-06-05T21:40:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/blundering-a-rook-feels-bad-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-12/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fiWWPZmJLlQ.jpg Blundering a rook feels bad ⎸Road to GM, Game 12 Tomic vs Golemovic, Scandinavian, Mieses-Kotroc Variation 2018 Zagreb Championship, Round 3, 06/06/18 I played a lower rated opponent in round 3. He went for the Scandinavian and I got a much better position with my usual attacking setup against 1.d5. I failed to materialize on my advantage, though, and my opponent exploited my mistakes perfectly and won a pawn. I managed to equalize somehow and was drawing. Then it happened – I blundered a whole rook. The rest is history. https://www.youtube.com/embed/fiWWPZmJLlQ 528 2018-06-07T22:06:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-do-you-punish-1-h4-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-13/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/7edIj82WK7s.jpg How do you punish 1.h4? ⎸Road to GM, Game 13 Globan vs Tomic, Kadas Opening 2018 Zagreb Championship, Round 4, 06/07/18 I faced a 150 rating points higher rated opponent in round 4. I saw that he plays h4 on move 1 (more often than not) and I had to prepare for that. The problem is that that’s almost impossible since I don’t know which setup he will go for. I decided to plan out a system which would enable me to enter a reversed Maroczy bind position (pawns on f5 and d5). Miraculously I managed to get exactly what I wanted in the middlegame. https://www.youtube.com/embed/7edIj82WK7s 774 2018-06-08T08:47:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/an-aggressive-setup-against-the-alekhine-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-14/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/9lTugURbwFI.jpg An aggressive setup against the Alekhine ⎸Road to GM, Game 14 S. Tomic vs Z. Bender, B02, Alekhine Defense 2018 Zagreb Championship, Round 6, 06/09/18 I finally played a good attacking game at the Zagreb Championship. I played an opponent about 200 points higher rated than me. He usually plays the Scandinavian, which I’d prepared for, but (after thinking for about 10 minutes) he went for the Alekhine Defense (or Aljohin, Алехин). I had prepared a line against 1…Nf6 about a month ago. It’s an attacking setup in which the bishops go on d3 and e3 and point at black’s weakened king (since the f6 knight is now stuck on b6). The variation is risky for white because in some lines black can win a pawn, but the attacking prospects more than compensate for that. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9lTugURbwFI 720 2018-06-10T14:43:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/opening-surprise-in-the-panov-botvinnik-failed-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-15/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/9rDQdcdUAEQ.jpg Opening surprise in the Panov-Botvinnik failed ⎸Road to GM, Game 15 Ognjacevic vs Tomic, Caro-Kann Defense, Panov-Botvinnik Attack 2018 Zagreb Championship, Round 7 Today I played the final round of the Zagreb Championship. I faced an opponent rated 150 points higher than me. I knew that he plays e4 (I play the Caro-Kann), and I knew that he always plays the Panov-Botvinnik attack which made the preparation relatively straightforward. I prepared an uncommon line which I’ve never played or faced before; taking on c4 and attacking the bishop with Qc7 after he captures. I thought I had the position well prepared and figured out but I was badly wrong. He made a move which I overlooked completely, and he got a better position right out of the opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9rDQdcdUAEQ 1305 2018-06-11T22:41:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/zibbits-catalan-saga-%e2%8e%b82018-iceland-north-congress/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/daAOaseikpQ.jpg Zibbit’s Catalan Saga ⎸2018 Iceland North Congress Ingvar Thor Johannesson (Zibbit) vs Jon Kristinn Thorgeirsson, Catalan, Closed E08 Iceland North Congress 2018, 04/28/18 This is a game played by one of my favorite YouTubers, FM and chess coach Ingvar Johannesson (Zibbit). If you haven’t seen his channel yet, please do. He has an abundance of high quality videos on how to improve your game, as well as many fun-to-watch videos full of chess anecdotes and interesting stories. His analyses are always full of instructive details which most channels (mine included) fail to provide, and his strength often makes the advice given in the videos easily applicable in your own games. https://www.youtube.com/embed/daAOaseikpQ 1523 2018-06-12T18:58:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesleys-engine-strength-puts-him-in-the-lead-%e2%8e%b8wesley-so-vs-mamedyarov-ynm-2018/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/eHXFKKvs05U.jpg Wesley’s engine strength puts him in the lead ⎸Wesley So vs Mamedyarov, YNM 2018 Wesley So vs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Catalan, Open Defense E04 2018 Your Next Move (Rapid), Day 1, Leuven, Belgium, 06/12/18 The 2018 Grand Chess Tour has started! Leuven Rapid and Blitz portion is the first event to be held in the cycle. 10 of world’s strongest players will be competing to start the tour as good as possible. The time control for the rapid portion is 25’ + 10 second delay (your clock time doesn’t run for the first 10 seconds after your opponent makes a move). https://www.youtube.com/embed/eHXFKKvs05U 1110 2018-06-13T13:45:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/resistance-is-futile-wesley-so-finishes-ynm-rapid-on-7-9/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/R_OQ2EfdQNE.jpg Resistance is futile! Wesley So finishes YNM Rapid on 7/9! Hikaru Nakamura vs Wesley So, A45, Indian Game 2018 Your Next Move (Rapid, day 3), Round 7, Leuven, 06/15/18 Wesley So has managed to outplay and outwit the field in the first portion of Your Next Move! He started the Grand Chess Tour the best way imaginable, scoring 7/9 and going into the blitz portion 1.5 points ahead of the competition. On day 3 he drew two games and defeated Hikaru Nakamura, which means he played 4 draws and won 5 games so far. https://www.youtube.com/embed/R_OQ2EfdQNE 904 2018-06-15T12:18:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sicilian-defense-introduction-ideas-variations-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/impkeLfyyVM.jpg Sicilian Defense (introduction, ideas & variations) ⎸Chess Openings The Sicilian Defense is the most aggressive way for black to fight for an advantage against 1.e4. Unlike the classical e5, or g6, d6, e6 or c6, 1…c5 gives black a whole different repertoire of attacking options and lets him choose the direction in which the game will go. This is an introductory video to the Sicilian Defense, and its purpose is to give you an idea of what the opening is about, which are the main plans for both sides, which are the upsides and the downsides for black and for white. It also covers all the variations briefly. A detailed separate video will be made on each variation. https://www.youtube.com/embed/impkeLfyyVM 2397 2018-06-16T14:58:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/manhattan-telex-cuba-%e2%8e%b8fischer-vs-smyslov-havana-1965/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/76bc3RLesLk.jpg Manhattan – Telex – Cuba ⎸Fischer vs Smyslov, Havana 1965 Robert James Fischer vs Vasily Smyslov, Ruy Lopez, Anderssen Variation (C77) Havana ’65 was one of the most important chess tournaments in Fischer’s career. It was his comeback to chess, the first international event he played in 3 years, ever since Curacao ’62, during which his resolve to quit chess because of the Soviets finally resulted in his withdrawal. Playing chess in Cuba was tough for US players, and most often they were refused permission to go. Larry Evans got to go because he was a reporter, and Fischer was supposed to write for a paper in order to go too, but he was denied in the end. It was a high paying tournament, with $3000 going to the winner, and Fischer even managed to get a participation fee of $3000 to go in the first place. After having been denied the trip he managed to agree to play the games by telex (a weird 60-es version of messaging) and his moves were reported to Capablanca’s son in Havana, who then told them to his opponents. During the 60-es the political situation was complicated so such events can be easily understood. https://www.youtube.com/embed/76bc3RLesLk 977 2018-06-17T15:14:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-beautiful-queen-sacrifice-%e2%8e%b8wesley-so-vs-mvl-gct-paris-day-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kLGCBM71uuQ.jpg A Beautiful Queen Sacrifice ⎸Wesley So vs MVL, GCT Paris, Day 1 Wesley So vs Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, A04 Reti 2018 Grand Chess Tour Paris (Rapid), Day 1, 06/20/18 Wesley So continues his remarkable streak! After winning the Leuven Rapid and Blitz, he is sharing first in Paris after day one as well. He scored 2/3 and has a best possible start coming into day 2. The format played in the rapid portion in 25’ per game with a 10’’ delay, meaning that you lose no clock time if you make a move within the first 10 seconds. https://www.youtube.com/embed/kLGCBM71uuQ 811 2018-06-20T17:46:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/wesley-sos-lesson-in-chess-preparation-%e2%8e%b8so-vs-grischuk-gct-paris-day-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/yi1a4KQzMsY.jpg Wesley So’s lesson in chess preparation ⎸So vs Grischuk, GCT Paris, Day 2 Wesley So vs Alexander Grischuk, Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Petrosian System D91 2018 Grand Chess Tour Paris (Rapid), Day 2 Wesley managed to have another dram day at the Grand Chess Tour! He scored 2.5/3 in the second part of the rapid portion of Paris. He defeated Kramnik and Grischuk in style and drew Levon. He is now in clear 1st with 4.5/6! In this game he used opening preparation in a remarkable way. He managed to get a variation which Grischuk played against Gelfand a few years ago already, and in which Gelfand blundered and won. This time Wesley corrected Gelfand’s error and found an improvement. He played a novelty in the three knights Gruenfeld. A novelty which doesn’t give white a clear advantage, but gets black out of his comfort zone. That’s exactly what happened. Grischuk eventually fell in to Wesley’s precise play and lost material. A wonderful performance by Wesley! Let’s hope he manages to keep his advantage in the blitz portion as well. https://www.youtube.com/embed/yi1a4KQzMsY 791 2018-06-21T18:03:26+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-accelerated-dragon-%e2%8e%b8sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rd1eKLJ3DGQ.jpg The Accelerated Dragon ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory The Accelerated Dragon is one of the sharpest and most fun openings in chess. It’s unforgiving, and it gives you no room for mistakes. The side that manages to get an attack going faster is usually going to win the game. If you are unfamiliar with the Sicilian Defense, I’d recommend the introductory video in which I covered the ideas for both sides as well as all most common theoretical lines briefly: https://www.youtube.com/embed/rd1eKLJ3DGQ 1455 2018-06-23T12:05:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fischers-weapon-against-the-french-%e2%8e%b8fischer-vs-rossolimo-1965-us-championship/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0WtKnE5cuHg.jpg Fischer’s weapon against the French ⎸Fischer vs Rossolimo, 1965 US Championship Robert James Fischer vs Nicolas Rossolimo, French Defense, McCutcheon, Lasker Variation C12 1965 US Chess Championship, Round 10 A remarkable attacking game by Bobby Fischer. He faced Nicolas Rossolimo with the white pieces in the French Defense, and he managed to outwit him in the middlegame and create a menacing attack Rossolimo didn’t see coming. The game was played in the 65’ US Championship, which Fischer started very badly, with two losses and a draw. He managed to pick him self up though, and he won all the remaining games and went on to win the event in clear first place. https://www.youtube.com/embed/0WtKnE5cuHg 886 2018-06-24T19:23:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-alapin-c3-%e2%8e%b8sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/VGP0qWscORM.jpg The Alapin (c3) ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory The Alapin Sicilian is one of the best “anti-Sicilians”. It’s a great way to avoid the main line open Sicilians and it doesn’t give away much of white’s opening edge. For the basics of the Sicilian Defense, main variations and opening ideas watch this introductory video: The theory of the Accelerated Dragon: The c3 Sicilian occurs after the opening moves: 2.c3 – with this move white is preparing to support the d4 thrust and to form a strong center if black allows it. On the other hand, white has taken away the natural developing square from the knight with that move, as well as slowed his development by not moving a piece. To the move c3, black has 2 main responses: https://www.youtube.com/embed/VGP0qWscORM 1291 2018-06-25T18:00:58+00:00 https://chessterra.com/when-you-fall-into-fischers-trap-%e2%8e%b8fischer-vs-gligoric-1966-havana-olympiad/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RVK7VJT4eEU.jpg When you fall into Fischer’s trap… ⎸Fischer vs Gligoric, 1966 Havana Olympiad Robert James Fischer vs Svetozar Gligoric, Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation C69 1966 Havana Chess Olympiad, Finals Exchange Ruy Lopez theory: href=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" This is an absolutely mindboggling miniature (only 25 moves!) played between Fischer and Gligoric at the Havana Olympiad. Fischer decided to go for the exchange variation (which he had played before, but his main weapon was Ba4) against a player who had the most important line of the opening named after him! They entered the Gligoric exchange Ruy Lopez (f6). https://www.youtube.com/embed/RVK7VJT4eEU 829 2018-06-28T10:27:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/prins-variation-5-f3-%e2%8e%b8sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/T7qzruXqPsw.jpg Prins Variation (5.f3) ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory The Prins Variation is a great surprise weapon for e4 players. Sicilian Defense players aren't used to it as much, and the move f3 often confuses them. For the basics of the Sicilian Defense, main variations and opening ideas watch this introductory video: Theory of the Accelerated Dragon: Theory of the c3 Sicilian (Alapin): The Prins Sicilian occurs after the normal opening moves of the open Sicilian (1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nf6, 5.f3). Players with white most commonly play 5.Nc3, defending the e4 pawn which is under attack by the f6 knight. The move f3 simply defends e4 while still leaving the option of c4 and the Maroczy bind open. https://www.youtube.com/embed/T7qzruXqPsw 1148 2018-07-03T15:14:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/two-knights-are-more-than-one-%e2%8e%b8fischer-vs-panov-skopje-1967/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7Rew6rEE8ro.jpg Two knights are more than one ⎸Fischer vs Panov, Skopje 1967 Robert James Fischer vs Vasil Panov, Caro-Kann, Two Knights Variation Bobby Fischer’s performance at the Skopje tournament was full of controversy (as it often had been). He threatened to forfeit his games, and in round 10 he finally did so. He asked for the audience to be removed from the playing hall and for the chess sets to be replaced. When the organizers failed to meet his demands he resigned. He was allowed to replay his lost round 10 game afterwards, though. https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Rew6rEE8ro 706 2018-07-05T16:49:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/grand-prix-attack-%e2%8e%b8sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hqJOyV9_Bms.jpg Grand Prix Attack ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory The Grand Prix Attack is one of the most aggressive systems white could choose against the Sicilian Defense. For the basics of the Sicilian Defense, main variations and opening ideas watch this introductory video: Theory of the Accelerated Dragon: Theory of the c3 Sicilian (Alapin): The Prins (f3) Sicilian theory: The Grand Prix occurs after white plays f4 in the closed Sicilian. Instead of developing the bishop or preparing to fianchetto it with g3, Bg2, white is immediately expanding on the kingside and letting black know he’s going to have an attacking game. https://www.youtube.com/embed/hqJOyV9_Bms 1331 2018-07-07T16:26:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fischers-famous-game-vs-mongolia-%e2%8e%b8fischer-vs-myagmarsuren-1967/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FbXODldymX8.jpg Fischer’s famous game vs “Mongolia” ⎸Fischer vs Myagmarsuren 1967 Robert James Fischer vs Lhamsuren Myagmarsuren, King's Indian Attack (A07) Sousse Interzonal 1967, Tunisia, Round 3 This is one of Bobby Fischer’s most famous victories. He played two remarkable tactical moves, which surely not many grandmasters would even spot, and he also managed to create an unbeatable attacking setup. While Fischer was in the offense, his opponent just waited to be crushed. A great display of attacking, aggressive chess. It was in the King’s Indian Attack as response to the French Defense. Fischer declined to go in to the main lines with d4 for white on move two. Instead, with 2.d3, he entered the KIA, which was sort of his signature system at the time. https://www.youtube.com/embed/FbXODldymX8 855 2018-07-13T18:06:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/croatia-vs-france-%e2%8e%b8saric-vs-bacrot-2017-18-bundesliga/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/g1cYna8g9Jk.jpg Croatia vs France ⎸Šarić vs Bacrot (2017/18 Bundesliga) Ivan Saric vs Etienne Bacrot, Berlin Defense C65 To honor the Croatian football team, who are playing France in the World Cup finals today, I have decided to cover a game in which the best Croatian chess player – Ivan Šarić outplayed one of the best French players of all time, Étienne Bacrot. Football is the sport in Croatia, and the success our team had in 98’ has been considered the most important event since the end of the war. This year our team managed to surpass that (n 98’ we finished 3rd, and France was the team that eliminated us in the semi-finals). The fact that our country is in the world cup finals is astonishing, and the whole nations seems to be in some sort of football trance. People don’t seem to be talking or thinking about anything else. https://www.youtube.com/embed/g1cYna8g9Jk 1009 2018-07-15T13:09:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-free-lesson-from-a-fide-master-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-16/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/7Wld4f75uCA.jpg A free lesson from a Fide Master ⎸Road to GM, Game 16 FM Matija Ostovic (2372 ELO) vs Stjepan Tomic (1851 ELO), Semi-Slav D30, Quiet Variation Marko Damjanovic Memorial, Round 1, 07/16/18 I faced a very strong opponent in the first round. He’s a strong FM and I had no idea who I would play because the pairings are announced a few minutes before the round starts in the Swiss pairing system. But, still, I wanted to stand my ground and not loose without a fight. https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Wld4f75uCA 1075 2018-07-16T22:07:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/tactics-in-the-tarrasch-french-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-17/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/s9mC8CxnxGY.jpg Tactics in the Tarrasch French ⎸Road to GM, Game 17 Stjepan Tomić (1851 ELO) vs Stjepan Špilek (1660 ELO), French Defense, Tarrasch Marko Damjanovic Memorial, Round 2, 07/17/18 I played a very aggressive game in rd.2 of the tournament. My opponent was about 200 points lower rated, so I wanted to play chess, and not follow theoretical lines. He went for the French Defense, and in the Tarrasch he chose the most passive line (taking on e4, Nxe4), after which he made a slight mistake and gave me an edge in the opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/s9mC8CxnxGY 1049 2018-07-18T11:10:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/lost-in-a-tactical-labyrinth-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-18/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/VimPT0tgb5g.jpg Lost in a tactical labyrinth ⎸Road to GM, Game 18 Krsto Kovacevic (2084 ELO) vs Stjepan Tomic (1851 ELO), Caro-Kann Defense, Accelerated Panov Attack B10 I got outclassed by my opponent and for that I congratulate him. We played a super tactical, complicated Accelerated Panov in which we both spent almost our entire clock time (i was on 20 seconds). I won a pawn. The question was whether it was poisoned or not. My opponent got a huge initiative for that and he had a chance to sacrifice a bishop on h7 (the common sack when your pieces are away from the king). I calculated correctly that it doesn't work, but I missed one option he had later on. https://www.youtube.com/embed/VimPT0tgb5g 1617 2018-07-19T11:48:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/take-my-queen-nah-im-good-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-19/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/LvwUDa_yHvc.jpg Take my Queen? Nah, I’m good. ⎸Road to GM, Game 19 Stjepan Tomic (1851 ELO) vs Petar Markovic (1088 ELO), French, Tarrasch C03 Marko Damjanovic Memorial, Round 4, 07/19/18 I faced a much lower opponent in this game. I have to say I didn't take him seriously, and I didn't play as concentrated as I would have had he been stronger. That's why I made two absolutely horrible blunders which are unforgivable. Even though I won I'm ashamed to show this game. First I didn't take his queen, and then I completely missed a move which wins on the spot. https://www.youtube.com/embed/LvwUDa_yHvc 1021 2018-07-19T20:17:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/weak-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-20/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/jqvJS7242cQ.jpg Weak ⎸Road to GM, Game 20 F. J. Markovic (2010 ELO) vs S. Tomic (1851 ELO), Caro-Kann Defense, Panov-Botvinnik Attack This is my favorite defeat. I played a good game against a stronger opponent, and I got a winning position. When I was about to win I played a one move blunder which instantly lost the game. He offered me a draw a few moves before that but I declined. It was a valuable lesson in self discipline and restraint. What I have to work on the most is staying focused when winning. I often play much better when my position is worse. https://www.youtube.com/embed/jqvJS7242cQ 653 2018-07-25T15:54:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-najdorf-part-1-%e2%8e%b8sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BPg1bSeJYNg.jpg The Najdorf (part 1) ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory The Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defense (B90 - B99) is one of the sharpest, most heavily analyzed and most fun variations in all of chess. It can lead to completely mental positions which not many humans can completely understand. If you lack knowledge in the basics of the Sicilian Defense you should watch this introductory video: The opening was named after Miguel Najdorf, the legend of Polish and Argentinian chess. A player who’d been active in the top of world chess for fifty years. Legends such as Fischer or Kasparov, or, lately, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, have employed the opening as their favorite weapon against 1.e4. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BPg1bSeJYNg 2163 2018-08-06T15:14:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-najdorf-part-2-%e2%8e%b8sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ls5I8pC26Zc.jpg The Najdorf (part 2) ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory In part 2 of the Sicilian Najdorf we are going over five different variations. Three of them are considered to be “main lines” and sound for white. Two aren’t considered precise. Introduction to the Sicilian Defense: The Najdorf part 1 (English Attack, Main Line, Opocensky, f3 line): 6. Bc4 – the Fischer-Sozin Attack is one of the sharpest lines in the Najdorf Sicilian. The purpose of the move is to place the bishop on the most active diagonal immediately and to put pressure on black’s kingside. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ls5I8pC26Zc 1600 2018-08-07T12:41:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sicilian-kan-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/9CxgfDX44Ug.jpg Sicilian Kan ⎸Chess Openings The Kan Sicilian is one of the best and most versatile weapons against 1.e4 players. It often results in complicated hedgehog setups which require positional and srategical knowledge to master. For the basics of the Sicilian Defense, main ideas and variations, watch this introductory video: Sicilian Kan is one of the Sicilians in which black doesn’t play the move d6, such as the Najdorf or the Dragon. Instead of that e6 is played, which results in very much different positions. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9CxgfDX44Ug 1738 2018-08-08T09:23:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kramnik-variation-of-the-sicilian-defense-%e2%8e%b8chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/04mHPHxmdkg.jpg Kramnik Variation of the Sicilian Defense ⎸Chess Openings The Kramnik Sicilian is a very underrated weapon white has against the e6 Sicilians. As opposed to the Kan, Paulsen or the Taimanov, this setup deprives black of possibilities and makes white’s game much simpler. If you lack knowledge in the basics of the Sicilian Defense you can watch this introductory video first: The Kramnik Variations starts after the moves: 3. c4 – this move signifies the opening. White is creating a Maróczy Bind with pawns on c4 and e4, which prevents black from forcing the move d5 through comfortably. The resulting positions often provide white with more space in the center and on the queenside, and as a downside, white will generally have a much worse light squared bishop. https://www.youtube.com/embed/04mHPHxmdkg 1664 2018-08-09T08:41:29+00:00 https://chessterra.com/out-of-preparation-on-move-3-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-21/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cVs8r3xz3m0.jpg Out of preparation on move 3 ⎸Road to GM, Game 21 S. Tomic vs IM V. Bukal Jr., French Defense C05, Tarrasch Split Open 2018, Round 1, 08/12/18 This is my round 1 game from the Split Open Tournament. Because of the Swiss pairing system, players of my rating usually start just below the middle of the list and you get paired with a very strong opponent. I faced a very strong IM and had absolutely no preparation. To make matters worse, after going into my standard Tarrasch French, he played 3...h6 and completelly confused me. I couldn't see the point of the move, other than to confuse a lower rated opponent. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cVs8r3xz3m0 807 2018-08-22T16:54:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/know-your-theory-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-23/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/n4wySgRddYM.jpg Know your theory! ⎸Road to GM, Game 23 S. Tomic (1856 ELO) vs P. Tolgay (2070 ELO), Open Sicilian B33 Split Chess Open 2018, Round 3, 08/13/18 I lost a game because I lacked theoretical knowledge. That sort of mistake should never happen to me again! I was completely unprepared for a variation I could've encountered numerous times before. A defeat just waiting to hit me. I played a 200 points higher rated opponent and he had little trouble punishing my ignorance and converting into an easy win. https://www.youtube.com/embed/n4wySgRddYM 916 2018-08-23T17:17:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-terminally-risky-caro-kann-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-24/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cRHRby8tkgw.jpg A terminally risky Caro-Kann ⎸Road to GM, Game 24 D. Vucenovic (1633 ELO) vs S. Tomic (1856 ELO), Exchange Caro-Kann Split Chess Open 2018, Round 4, 08/14/18 I played a very risky game in round 4 and I must say I was lucky to survive it. I bluffed two pawns against a solid opponent in order to get an attack going and he failed to punish that. My opponent played the Exchange Variation against my Caro-Kann and I wanted to play something other than the boring lines with Rc8, a6, b5 for black, with the solid, but boring plan of putting pressure on his c3 pawn. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cRHRby8tkgw 1080 2018-08-23T18:06:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/close-but-no-cigar-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-25/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QiCmgozTiIc.jpg Close, but no cigar ⎸Road to GM, Game 25 S. Tomic (1856 ELO) vs D. Curic (2186 ELO), Sicilian Defense, Kramnik Variation Split Chess Open 2018, Round 5, 08/15/18 This was the most interesting game of the tournament. I played a 300 points higher rated opponent in a very tactical Kramnik Sicilian. I was equal out of the opening. In the middlegame my opponent made a few key errors which gave me an opportunity to gain initiative and create tactical possibilities. One of them worked and I ended up winning an exchange. https://www.youtube.com/embed/QiCmgozTiIc 948 2018-08-24T17:15:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/blind-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-26/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/HJZ6p6K3D7k.jpg Blind ⎸Road to GM, Game 26 Z. Kalousek (2065 ELO) vs S. Tomic (1856 ELO), A11 English Opening, Caro-Kann Defensive System Split Chess Open 2018, Round 6, 08/16/18 My opponent surprised me with his opening choice. He had faced c6 against the English before, and he entered the Panov Caro-Kann in that game (with e4). In this game, though, he played a system I wasn’t familiar with, nor have I been expecting it. Nevertheless, I got out of the opening ok (I’ve forgotten to record the engine analysis which I mentioned in the video; my position was almost all zeroes until the exchange was lost. The only chance I had was to chase the knight from e4 with f5 early on. It would have led to a slight edge for me.). https://www.youtube.com/embed/HJZ6p6K3D7k 650 2018-08-24T17:50:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-simple-tactical-trap-in-the-kramnik-sicilian-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-27/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BpkG87b2WVA.jpg A simple tactical trap in the Kramnik Sicilian ⎸Road to GM, Game 27 S. Tomic (1856 ELO) vs V. Gamblin (1438 ELO), Sicilian Defense, Kramnik Variation Split Chess Open 2018, Round 7, 08/17/18 Kramnik Sicilian theory: I faced a much weaker opponent in round 7. He was 400 points lower rated, which meant I basically had to win. He didn’t seem as weak as his rating signified, though. He managed to win and draw against several players of my strength in the previous rounds. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BpkG87b2WVA 970 2018-08-26T17:36:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/when-you-neglect-thinking-in-chess-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-28/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/VhdBbtty7Tk.jpg When you neglect thinking in chess ⎸Road to GM, Game 28 M. Bacetic (2106 ELO) vs S. Tomic (1856 ELO), D11 Slav, Modern Variation Split Chess Open 2018, Round 8, 08/18/18 This is one of my worse games and probably the one I can learn the most from. I played a 250 points higher rated opponent and I had plenty of time to prepare for the game. I knew what he played and I prepared for almost any variation. He ended up playing something different though. I still knew the line and I knew which positions I’m comfortable with in the system he chose. https://www.youtube.com/embed/VhdBbtty7Tk 850 2018-08-26T18:07:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/almost-drew-two-exchanges-up-%e2%8e%b8road-to-gm-game-29/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ObroiKFiSQY.jpg Almost drew two exchanges up… ⎸Road to GM, Game 29 S. Tomic (1856 ELO) vs M. Juric (1705 ELO), French Defense, Tarrasch Variation Split Chess Open 2018, Round 9, 08/19/18 I played a great attacking game against the French Defense in round 9 of the tournament. It was the final round and I wanted to win in order to have an ELO plus score and to feel good about the event. I faced an opponent around 150 points lower rated than I am and I had time to prepare sufficiently. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ObroiKFiSQY 1193 2018-08-27T17:03:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/smith-morra-gambit-%e2%8e%b8sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OTcd3onnOWA.jpg Smith-Morra Gambit ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory The Smith-Morra Gambit is a very dangerous surprise weapon for white to have in his repertoire against the Sicilian. Introduction to the Sicilian Defense: If you’re looking for a less risky variation, I have covered several and you can find the videos on them in the playlist: Facing the 1...c5 is a problem for many e4 players, and there are many who find it the most difficult opening to face. Some even choose d4 over e4 simply because they wish to avoid the Sicilian. I have always played e4. Exclusively. And the Sicilian has been my archenemy. I usually play normal variations in which I strive for a positional edge and a slow build up to the attack. https://www.youtube.com/embed/OTcd3onnOWA 1153 2018-09-09T12:08:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/taimanov-variation-%e2%8e%b8sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4QYD_MEUmt4.jpg Taimanov Variation ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory The difference between the Taimanov, the Paulsen and the Kan is subtle, but it exists. The Taimanov is perhaps the most comfortable of all the e6 Sicilians for black to play. Introduction to the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation of the Sicilian: The Taimanov Variation is a subvariation in the Paulsen according to some, a different name for the Paulsen according to others, and some even think it’s a completely different opening. Paulsen Sicilian(s) are characterized by black having played e6 and white playing Nc3 after the central pawn exchange on d4. It can develop into the Taimanov, the Kan and many other minor sidelines within the Paulsen. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4QYD_MEUmt4 1358 2018-09-11T08:02:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/missing-easy-tactics-%e2%8e%b8training-game-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/skIK8ksqQ2Q.jpg Missing easy tactics ⎸Training, Game 1 Chess training should definitely involve playing longer time control games and analyzing them, so I've decided to record my online longer games and cover them on the channel. Since playing tournaments almost always requires time and money, I can't play as many games as I'd like. Playing serious chess online might solve that issue. I've always had a hard time "pretending" that an online game is as serious as a rated one, but recording them and analyzing them on the channel is going to change that. https://www.youtube.com/embed/skIK8ksqQ2Q 2955 2018-09-15T14:02:49+00:00 https://chessterra.com/horribly-outplayed-in-the-mason-attack-training-game-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/oVaLhwH7O4k.jpg Horribly outplayed in the Mason Attack | Training, Game 2 Playing and recording longer time control chess games proved to be a very useful training method. In game 2 I faced a subscriber (Ravi Rawatt). We went into a queen's pawn opening and he played the Mason Attack (c4 with Bf4). I completely misplayed and misunderstood the opening. Congratulations to Rawi. He outplayed me and outclassed me. He was better the entire game, he had more space, more active pieces, and he had a chance to win by force on one occasion. https://www.youtube.com/embed/oVaLhwH7O4k 2991 2018-09-16T09:10:32+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-debacle-in-the-robatsch-defense-training-game-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kc88kWhwik.jpg A debacle in the Robatsch Defense | Training, Game 3 A defeat to remember. I was completely destroyed by my opponent. I misplayed the opening and had no chance from move 10. We played a three pawn Modern/Robatsch Defense (with c4). An opening I had prepared for a tournament game I was to play last season. It seems I was not prepared. I ignored his e5 break (which should be met with d5, closing down the center and blocking out his bishop), and instead of that I treated the position as if it were a Sicilian. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-kc88kWhwik 2495 2018-09-19T09:33:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/missed-tactics-in-the-hyperaccelerated-dragon-training-game-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/45AD5KN_ZNs.jpg (missed) Tactics in the Hyperaccelerated Dragon | Training, Game 4 My opponent and I played a very tactical Hyperaccelerated Dragon in which we both made a few key mistakes. It was an open, aggressive position and both of us really neglected defense. I decided to got for f3 instead of the theoretical Nc3, knowing it was inferior. Usually in f3 Dragon positions I can manage to set up the Maroczy bind with c4 and e4, but in the Hyperaccelerated dragon it can backfire easily. https://www.youtube.com/embed/45AD5KN_ZNs 1658 2018-09-21T13:29:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/an-instructive-prins-sicilian-road-to-gm-game-30/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MBkM3Da9XYA.jpg An instructive Prins Sicilian | Road to GM, Game 30 S. Tomic (1863 ELO) vs M. Trempetic (1979 ELO), Sicilian Defense, Prins Variation V Cro. Chess League, Round 6, 09/23/18 My team is 1st in the Croatian league after 6 rounds! Out of 15 teams, we were 14th according to the ELO rating, and after 6 rounds we have 5 wins and one defeat, putting us in clear 1st! In round 6 we played the 2nd best tea, our biggest rivals for first, Jaska. The matches are played on 6 boards, and I played board 4. We ended up winning 4-2! You can find the info here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/MBkM3Da9XYA 1153 2018-09-27T08:46:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/on-razors-edge-in-the-london-system-road-to-gm-game-31/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/omQCwtMnBa4.jpg On Razor’s Edge in the London System | Road to GM, Game 31 R. Portada (1680 ELO) vs S. Tomic (1866 ELO), London System 5th Croatian Chess League, Rd. 7, 10/07/18 I played a proper gentleman in round 7 of the league. It was a real pleasure (after having faced numerous players who shouldn’t even be allowed to sit at a chess board). We entered a theoretical London System and I went badly wrong out of the opening. In a position in which white could either castle or strike on the kingside with g4 (attacking black’s castled king), my opponent went for the latter. https://www.youtube.com/embed/omQCwtMnBa4 1360 2018-10-07T13:08:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/preventing-pawn-breaks-is-hard-work-road-to-gm-game-32/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MkcMg7yZjPI.jpg Preventing pawn breaks is hard work | Road to GM, Game 32 M. Lisic (1644 ELO) vs S. Tomic (1866 ELO), King’s Indian Attack, Symmetrical 5th Cro. Chess League, rd. 8, 21/10/18 My team is advancing to a higher league next season! Today we played round 8 of the league and we have now definitely secured 1st place! Today we won 4.5 – 1.5 and played great games! I faced a lower rated opponent on board 4, he was 200+ points lower rated, but the game was a blast nonetheless. https://www.youtube.com/embed/MkcMg7yZjPI 1360 2018-10-21T17:33:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/queenside-annihilation-road-to-gm-game-33/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/j29F_v22Mww.jpg Queenside Annihilation | Road to GM, Game 33 V. Lovrinic (1739 ELO) vs S. Tomic (1863 ELO), D00, Queen’s Pawn Game, Mason Attack V Cro. League, rd. 9, 10/28/18 I got crushed. Congratulations to my opponent who completely outplayed me. He played a thematic queenside attack with Qb3, and after Qb6, c5 and forcing me to take. Now, the common response after he recaptures is for black to play Nbd7 and a6, thus being able to move the rook from the sensitive a file in anticipation of b5. https://www.youtube.com/embed/j29F_v22Mww 1001 2018-10-30T08:57:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/rossolimo-attack-pin-variation-sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iddK1iAVP70.jpg Rossolimo Attack (Pin Variation) | Sicilian Defense Theory The Rossolimo Attack (Also known as Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack or the Pin Variation) is a very useful weapon for white to have against the Sicilian Defense. It could confuse Sicilian players, get them out of their comfort zone, and make them play positions they aren’t used to. If you are unfamiliar with the basics of the Sicilian Defense, here is an introductory video I made that covers the main opening principles and common variations: https://www.youtube.com/embed/iddK1iAVP70 2576 2018-10-31T09:49:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sicilian-dragon-part-1-yugoslav-attack-sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Q4_OTquKti0.jpg Sicilian Dragon (part 1), Yugoslav Attack | Sicilian Defense Theory They say that the Dragon Variation of the Sicilian Defense is the sharpest opening in all of chess. Opposite sides castling and quick pawn storms are what make it very hard and very fun to play for both sides! In part one, I will be going over the most popular variation of the Dragon, the Yugoslav Attack (starting with 6. Be3). In part two, I will cover four alternatives for white on move 6: f4, Bc4, g3, Be2. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q4_OTquKti0 1868 2018-11-01T19:07:26+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sicilian-dragon-part-2-levenfish-fianchetto-classical-sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Up_bhR0McTQ.jpg Sicilian Dragon (part 2), Levenfish, Fianchetto, Classical | Sicilian Defense Theory This video covers four different responses white has to the aggressive Sicilian Dragon; The Levenfish Variation (6. f4), Bc4 line, Fianchetto Variation (6. g3) and the Classical (6. Be2) Variation. If you are unfamiliar with the basics of the Sicilian Defense, here is an introductory video I made that covers the main opening principles and common variations: Sicilian Dragon Yugoslav Attack: Players with white have a lot of different weapons on their disposal for fighting the Dragon. Most still choose the Yugoslav setup (with 0-0-0, Be3, Qd2, f3), but the variations covered here offer a slightly different approach which is nevertheless potentially deadly for black. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Up_bhR0McTQ 2210 2018-11-03T10:47:49+00:00 https://chessterra.com/alas-2018-world-chess-championship-round-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/MAUpbs9h0_c.jpg Alas… | 2018 World Chess Championship, Round 1 Carlsen played an aggressive Sicilian and outplayed Caruana brilliantly in round one of the world championship! However… Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana finally began the match everyone’s been talking about ever since the Candidates! I’m not sure who think is the favorite here. Magnus is perhaps objectively stronger, but Caruana is probably more imaginative. He might also be better prepared, as he is one of the most hard working top super GM-s. They are going to play 12 games (the match will last until the November 26th) . If the result is tied after that, they are going to play rapid tie-break games. The time control is 100 minutes for the first 40 moves, 50 minutes for 20 moves and another 15 minutes for the rest of the game (with a 30 second increment per move starting from move 1). https://www.youtube.com/embed/MAUpbs9h0_c 1717 2018-11-10T00:23:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/another-battle-in-the-sicilian-world-chess-championship-round-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OYu99BtCfdw.jpg Another Battle in the Sicilian! | World Chess Championship, Round 3 Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana continue their fight at the World Chess Championship! In round 3 (after two consecutive draws) we saw almost perfect, mistake free play from both players. Fabiano chose 1.e4 again, and Magnus went for the Sicilian again. In fact, they entered the exact same variation as in game 1 – the Rossolimo Attack; a variation in which white aims to take away a lot of attacking potential from black by eliminating the c6 knight for his lsb, and forming a pawn structure on the light squares to close down the center. https://www.youtube.com/embed/OYu99BtCfdw 1007 2018-11-12T20:33:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/carlsens-mellow-english-2018-world-chess-championship-round-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/sY0vP50gCoA.jpg Carlsen’s Mellow English | 2018 World Chess Championship, Round 4 Magnus Carlsen had the white pieces in round 4 of the 2018 WCC. He should have played it way more aggressively! Fabiano responded with e5, the most common response, and, funnily enough, they entered a position in which Fabiano could have chosen the main line (the best option for black), or the move he had already played twice before which is sort of his novelty. He played his own move (Bc5). In the two previous games he used it he lost two times, once to Anand and once to Aronian. Both were played in 2017., so the idea is quite recent on the highest levels. https://www.youtube.com/embed/sY0vP50gCoA 785 2018-11-13T18:44:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/destroyed-by-gm-adhiban-baskaran-in-17-moves/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/4KvrLtiWORo.jpg Destroyed by GM Adhiban Baskaran (in 17 moves) GM Adhiban Baskaran vs S. Tomic, Caro-Kann, Advance, Short Variation 11/18/18, Simultaneous Exhibition Today I played my first game against a Gm (not counting blitz). A simultaneous exhibition was organized as part of the Tournament of Peace being held in Zagreb at the moment. Adhiban Baskaran, an almost 2700 rated Indian grandmaster played about 20 Croatian players. We entered a theoretical position in the Short Variation of the Advance Caro-Kann and he annihilated me in 17 moves. It was tough to play considering the time I had for each move (you have to move as soon as he arrives at your board). To make matters worse, I've decided to "test" out one of my aggressive ideas in the position. Needless to say, it didn't go to well. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4KvrLtiWORo 1334 2018-11-18T18:59:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nimzowitsch-variation-sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/xSCruND8DHQ.jpg Nimzowitsch Variation | Sicilian Defense Theory The Nimzowitsch Sicilian is an uncommon variation which might surprise many of your opponents! If you are unfamiliar with the basics of the Sicilian Defense, here is an introductory video I made that covers the main opening principles and common variations: The Nimzowitsch Variation is a combination of many different openings (and it can transpose into many different openings too). You could easily end up in the Alapin Sicilian, and in several lines which could occur in the Closed Sicilian. It also resembles the Alekhine Defense because of the provocative Nf6, inviting e6, chasing the knight away. https://www.youtube.com/embed/xSCruND8DHQ 1685 2018-11-21T22:27:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kalashnikov-variation-sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KoM5y8Siw4A.jpg Kalashnikov Variation | Sicilian Defense Theory The Kalashnikov is a very double-edged variation of the Sicilian Defense which puts both sides to a very complicated positional chess test! If you are unfamiliar with the basics of the Sicilian Defense, here is an introductory video I made that covers the main opening principles and common variations: The Kalashnikov Sicilian is a close relative of the Sveshnikov and the Loewenthal variations – all three are characterized by the aggressive e5 pawn push, forcing the knight from d4 and grabbing central space. https://www.youtube.com/embed/KoM5y8Siw4A 1476 2018-11-26T16:20:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-zadar-open-started-and-on-zeitnot-road-to-gm-games-43-and-44/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AcwXtv_2u_s.jpg How Zadar Open started and on Zeitnot | Road to GM, Games 43 and 44 Round one and two of the Zadar Open started worse than expected. I won the first game against a lower rated opponent, but then missed my chance to surprise my opponent in round two. My goal is to earn 25 rating points, thus reaching 1900 ELO, which is my chess goal for 2018. Round three coming up soon! I didn't have time to record the games from the Zagreb Open (which I played last week) and that's why these are games 43 and 44. The 9 games I owe will be recorded by the end of December:) https://www.youtube.com/embed/AcwXtv_2u_s 1420 2018-12-16T14:07:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/regain-composure-when-losing-road-to-gm-games-45-46-47/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lTXupUloGdg.jpg Regain composure when losing | Road to GM, Games 45, 46, 47 Losing to a lower rated opponent is always tough. And especially so when you have to reach a certain goal and win a number of rating points. In round 3 (the first game of the video) I had faced a lower rated opponent whom I have completely underestimated. I went for a pawn sacrifice line in the Italian, the Deutz Gambit, a line in which black equalizes easily if he plays properly. To my surprise, my opponent did find all the best moves and had even managed to get me out of theory with a very aggressive move on move 9. https://www.youtube.com/embed/lTXupUloGdg 1673 2018-12-23T15:09:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/good-preparation-is-not-enough-road-to-gm-games-48-and-49/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lwO5oqd7O1k.jpg Good preparation is not enough! | Road to GM, Games 48 and 49 Rounds 6 and 7 of the Zadar Open. After winning in rounds 4 and 5, a victory in round 6 would finally mean I had a plus score and a good tournament. But... I prepared for my opponent for a long time. I have found several key mistakes he often makes and one mistake that could cost him the game. It was in the Karpov variation of the Caro Kann. I learned how to punish it properly and hoped we would play that. At the board he went into my prep perfectly. I got the dream position and -3 in the position for black. I knew I was winning. https://www.youtube.com/embed/lwO5oqd7O1k 1867 2018-12-23T16:57:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/exhausted-and-happy-after-zadar-open-road-to-gm-games-50-and-51/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iiTCOTXVeJ8.jpg Exhausted and happy after Zadar Open | Road to GM, Games 50 and 51 The final two rounds of the Zadar Open. After the first seven rounds I was at 4/7, and the last two games were finally gave me a chance to win some rating points and games against higher rated opponents. In round 8 I faced an opponent rated 2023. He plays several defenses to e4, and most often chooses the Alekhine Defense. I prepared the main line for white, trying to avoid the systems I played previously. I usually play the position with the knight on f3, which a Croatian GM Zelcic and I were discussing and he made a great point that with the knight of f3, white is free to develop his bishop to g4 and have a normal position. https://www.youtube.com/embed/iiTCOTXVeJ8 2601 2018-12-24T15:45:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/okelly-variation-2-a6-sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/tpa6DD6yQag.jpg O’Kelly Variation (2…a6) | Sicilian Defense Theory The O’Kelly Sicilian is a seldom used line (and perhaps for good reason) which doesn’t give black too much out of the opening. It was named after a Belgian grandmaster with a remarkable name - Albéric Joseph Rodolphe Marie Robert Ghislain O'Kelly de Galway (I guess his ancestors must have been from Galway; Ghislain is actually an old Germanic name that means “oath”, and it was used in the Celtic world). It’s an opening which doesn’t challenge white as much as the main lines such as the Najdorf or the Dragon. It is perhaps an attempt to confuse the e4 player and get him out of his opening preparation, but most strong players should and will be prepared to punish it and gain a slight edge. https://www.youtube.com/embed/tpa6DD6yQag 1532 2019-01-18T17:43:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/hyperaccelerated-dragon-2-g6-sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/m6Od3Yi0dKs.jpg Hyperaccelerated Dragon (2…g6) | Sicilian Defense Theory The Hyperaccelerated Dragon is the most positional of all three major "Dragons". It often leads to hard strategical battles in the center. Here are the videos on the Dragon and on the Accelerated Dragon. Watch them to get an understanding of the g6 move in the Sicilian: The Hyperaccelerated Dragon is signified by the move g6, same as the other variations. The difference is that here black plays it on move 2. not waiting to develop the knight to c6 or to play d6, black immediately prepares to fianchetto his bishop on g7. https://www.youtube.com/embed/m6Od3Yi0dKs 2023 2019-01-19T12:05:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sveshnikov-variation-sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vM5KUWXPkbo.jpg Sveshnikov Variation | Sicilian Defense Theory Sicilian Sveshnikov is one of the most popular and most thematic variations of the Sicilian Defense. It has all the main features of the opening – the d5 weakness, the backward d6 pawn and the early initiative for black. The opening used to be called Lasker-Pelikan variation, after the first two players who helped develop its theory, but now it’s referred to as the Sveshnikov Variation. It was named after Evgeny Sveshnikov, who was the main exponent of the opening in the 70s, and the grandmaster who helped develop the theory of the modern Sveshnikov Sicilian. https://www.youtube.com/embed/vM5KUWXPkbo 1895 2019-01-20T13:04:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-build-an-opening-repertoire-chess-meditations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/nr-_W6Eujzg.jpg How to Build an Opening Repertoire | Chess Meditations Choosing an opening repertoire is key to improving your chess. I have tried to give practical advice on how to choose a repertoire, how to know every single variation you might encounter, and how to study the openings you play effectively. Most people play several different openings poorly, and fail to master them. Choosing one opening and sticking to it makes learning much simpler, and can enable you to build a solid opening repertoire which can’t be easily cracked. https://www.youtube.com/embed/nr-_W6Eujzg 1815 2019-01-20T18:08:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/richter-rauzer-attack-sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vB2KeP_JAeM.jpg Richter-Rauzer Attack | Sicilian Defense Theory The Richter Rauzer is a very aggressive way to fight the classical Sicilian, and many great players, such as Garry Kasparov, have been using it with great success. White either fights with f4 or with an English Attack setup with f3 and tries to crash through to the black king as soon as possible. For an introduction to the Sicilian Defense watch this video: This video should serve as an introduction to understanding the Richer-Rauzer Attack. I tried to explain most common plans for white and for black. https://www.youtube.com/embed/vB2KeP_JAeM 2076 2019-01-21T18:31:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/moscow-variation-sicilian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vwQVr9bHmXk.jpg Moscow Variation | Sicilian Defense Theory The Moscow Variation (also known as the Canal-Sokolsky Attack) is one of the most popular “Anti-Sicilians), and a great way to avoid tons of main line theory. For an introduction to the Sicilian Defense watch this video: The variation avoids all the most common Sicilians for black – you don’t allow black to enter the Dragon, the Najdorf, or whatever his pet opening is. The Moscow is straightforward and gives white the control in the opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/vwQVr9bHmXk 1779 2019-01-22T18:43:59+00:00 https://chessterra.com/italian-game-opening-basics-and-common-variations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dP4qtaUAhWM.jpg Italian Game | Opening Basics and Common Variations The Italian Game (often referred to as the Giuoco Piano) is one of the oldest, most popular, most useful and most heavily analyzed openings in all of chess. In this introductory video, I will try and go through all the main variations which could branch out of the opening, as well as explain the key ideas for both sides – the weak squares, attacking plans and strategical ideas. The Italian branches out into two main openings – the Giuoco Piano and the Two Knights Defense (3...Bc5 or 3...Nf6). They are completely different and lead to different middlegame positions. https://www.youtube.com/embed/dP4qtaUAhWM 1309 2019-01-23T20:59:15+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-evans-gambit-italian-game-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PgTB1fcxNns.jpg The Evans Gambit | Italian Game Theory The Evans Gambit remains one of the most feared weapons in the e4 players’ repertoire. A brutal and aggressive opening gambit which is sure to result in exciting middlegame battles! The opening branches out of the ironically named Giuoco Piano (“the slow game”), one of the two main responses to the Italian Game by black. Once black develops his bishop to c5, copying white’s last move, white strikes it immediately with b4! Trying to force the bishop to accept the gambit and move away from the critical diagonal. https://www.youtube.com/embed/PgTB1fcxNns 2216 2019-01-24T16:58:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-roller-coaster-panov-botvinnik-training-game-5/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/YBJjbLt_cb0.jpg A Roller Coaster Panov-Botvinnik | Training, Game 5 A training game played on lichess against SimonWilliamsfan. We played a very interesting Panov Caro-Kann! I will try to play a training game at least once per week if my schedule allows it. Just add me on lichess (hpy) and let's try and arrange one! SimonWilliamsfan and I played a sort-of-theoretical Panov in which I managed to forget what to do on move 5... It ended up ok and I found the correct moves after spending way too much time. https://www.youtube.com/embed/YBJjbLt_cb0 3659 2019-01-24T21:57:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-knight-attack-4-ng5-italian-game-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rKoZkrBWDbU.jpg The Knight Attack (4.Ng5!) | Italian Game Theory The Knight Attack is the most aggressive way to fight the Two Knights Defense in the Italian. White immediately puts pressure on the f7 weakness and pushes on relentlessly! For an introduction to the Italian game, watch this video: The Italian Game branches out into two main openings – the Giuoco Piano, where black plays 3...Bc5, and the Two Knights Defense, where black continues with 3...Nf6. The latter move leaves the f7 pawn weaker than usual (since he is still unable to castle due to the bishop on f8) and white immediately attacks it for the second time with the move that signifies the Knight Attack – Ng5. https://www.youtube.com/embed/rKoZkrBWDbU 1904 2019-01-25T16:45:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-deutz-gambit-italian-game-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5JQtx-_XA.jpg The Deutz Gambit | Italian Game Theory The Deutz Gambit is one of the sharpest gambits in the King's Pawn opening and one of the biggest surprises an e5 player could encounter in the Giuoco Piano! For the basics of the Italian Game, watch this video: The Deutz Gambit is a great surprise weapon to add to your e4 opening repertoire. It's sharp, aggressive, and not too many people know how to play it properly. White gives up a central pawn for a lot of activity and attacking prospects and hopes to create a huge attack before black can consolidate and develop normally. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-_5JQtx-_XA 1539 2019-01-26T14:43:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fried-liver-attack-italian-game-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/VxTPwHQ1Rv8.jpg Fried Liver Attack | Italian Game Theory The Fried Liver is a super-aggressive piece sacrifice almost impossible to defend. Black greedily takes the d5 pawn with his knight, weakening the f7 square and white strikes with Nxf7! To learn how to avoid the Fried Liver, and play the best continuation for black, watch this video on the Knight Attack: For an introduction to the Italian Game, watch this video: White’s piece sacrifice is more than justified. Black’s capture on d5 is a mistake, and it opens up the possibility for white to gain a huge advantage right out of the opening. Two moves are good. Either the Fried Liver (Nxf7), or the Lolli Attack (d4). https://www.youtube.com/embed/VxTPwHQ1Rv8 809 2019-01-27T12:38:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/traxler-counterattack-italian-game-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KaC6JvbFiA0.jpg Traxler Counterattack | Italian Game Theory The Traxler Counterattack is losing for black in theory. But… theory is not practice! For the basics of the Italian Game watch this video: For a sounder variation against the Knight Attack (Ng5) for black, watch this video: The Traxler Counterattack is a very aggressive (and a very unsound) way to fight the Knight Attack in the Two Knights Italian. Black just ignores white’s attack on the weakness on f7 and continues development! https://www.youtube.com/embed/KaC6JvbFiA0 1754 2019-01-27T19:03:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/modern-bishops-opening-italian-game-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/wgeshBzJNh0.jpg Modern Bishop’s Opening | Italian Game Theory The Modern Bishop’s Opening is a great alternative to Ng5, the aggressive attack on the f7 pawn, and it’s the preferred move among grandmasters. For an introduction to the Italian Game watch this video on the basics: For an alternative to d3, watch this video on the Knight Attack: The Italian is a very versatile opening and, same as the Ruy Lopez, it could lead to either positional, maneuvering games, or to more aggressive, tactical positions. One great example of that are the two moves white can choose against black’s Two Knights Defense. After Nf6, white caould play the aggressive Ng5, leading to all sorts of complex lines, or the more subtle and slower d3, the Modern Bishop’s Opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/wgeshBzJNh0 1530 2019-01-28T16:58:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/hungarian-defense-italian-game-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vE5bmrB0raM.jpg Hungarian Defense | Italian game Theory The Hungarian Defense is a common way for “lazy” players with black to avoid the main line theory of the Italian. That way they avoid the Giuoco Piano, the Knight Attack, and all the other theory-heavy variations. There is a good reason why the theory of the opening isn’t as well developed – it’s simply not as good for black as the main lines. I have found that in absolutely every variation (unless white willingly chooses to risk), white is able to get a comfortable edge out of the opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/vE5bmrB0raM 1117 2019-01-29T18:16:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/giuoco-piano-italian-game-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4x5Y62g4UhI.jpg Giuoco Piano | Italian Game Theory The Giuoco Piano (“the quiet game”) is one of the oldest, most famous and most heavily analyzed openings in history. For an introduction to the Italian Game, watch this video on the basics: Watch the other variations of the Italian covered in detail: Two Knights Defense, Knight Attack: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop’s Opening: The Giuoco Piano is the first recorded chess opening in history. It dates back to the Renaissance, and its theory was developed in the 16th century. The name can be translated from Italian as quiet or slow game, but don’t let it mislead you, it’s a very complex and exciting opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4x5Y62g4UhI 1816 2019-01-30T17:34:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kings-gambit-ideas-principles-and-common-variations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rmiBGuSwUrw.jpg King’s Gambit | Ideas, Principles and Common Variations The King’s Gambit is the epitome of romantic chess – an aggressive pawn sacrifice which leads to beautiful attacking games. As opposed to “normal” openings, such as the Ruy Lopez, where white responds to e5 calmly, slowly building up central pressure, in the King’s Gambit white wastes no time and undermines black’s central control on the second move with the ultra-aggressive f4! The move, even though it creates clear weaknesses around the white king, has a clear idea in mind – expanding in the center without the e5 pawn being in the way. F4 removes the defender of the d4 square, which means that if black accepts the gambit, white will eventually be able to expand and control the key central squares. https://www.youtube.com/embed/rmiBGuSwUrw 978 2019-01-31T18:10:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fischer-defense-kings-gambit-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/xa6T_2atw3o.jpg Fischer Defense | King’s Gambit Opening Theory Bobby Fischer came up with the move d6 after having lost against Spassky in 1960. The Fischer Defense was in his opinion a refutation of the King’s Gambit. The King’s Gambit is a risky opening. That much is clear. Especially when compared to classical variations. It can become too much for black to handle, though, if white is allowed too much activity. The point of the gambit is that white gets rid of the black pawn on e5 and aims to create a huge center with pawns on d4 and e4. If black allows that, white is almost equal. https://www.youtube.com/embed/xa6T_2atw3o 1255 2019-02-01T14:46:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/modern-defense-kings-gambit-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/UoURpno2nuc.jpg Modern Defense | King’s Gambit Opening Theory The Modern Defense is a popular alternative to the main line of the King’s Gambit Accepted (3...g5), but it shouldn’t pose a serious threat to white if he is prepared for it. Main lines exist for a reason; they are objectively the best. The same goes for the King’s Gambit, in which, after Nf3, black should go for one of the two main moves – g5 or d6, which both lead to favorable positions for him. https://www.youtube.com/embed/UoURpno2nuc 1315 2019-02-02T14:14:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-think-in-chess-chess-meditations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/PUt0Eh-qkqw.jpg How to Think in Chess | Chess Meditations How do you find the best move in the position? Assessing the position, finding the weaknesses, deciding on candidate moves and calculating them is one of the most effective ways. I have tried to explain the thinking process I go through during a game while trying to find a move. It revolves around looking at the position objectively and considering all its key factors. During that time you point out all the weaknesses in your own and in your opponent’s position and find candidate moves based on those weaknesses. https://www.youtube.com/embed/PUt0Eh-qkqw 1466 2019-02-02T18:08:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/rare-defenses-for-black-kings-gambit-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/mdh2pD4cxrw.jpg Rare Defenses for Black | King’s Gambit Opening Theory The Cunningham Defense, the Bonsch-Osmolovsky Variation and the Becker Defense are solid alternatives to g5 and d6, the main ways for black to fight the King’s Gambit. Black is better in the King’s Gambit. There’s no doubt about that. It’s up to him to prove that, though. White sacrifices a pawn, opens up his kingside and accepts playing a dangerous position, but he gets a broad center and huge attacking prospects. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mdh2pD4cxrw 1380 2019-02-03T15:44:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/weak-squares-and-outposts-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/jEehFvnO3ZA.jpg Weak Squares and Outposts | Chess Middlegames Identifying and utilizing weak squares in your opponent’s position and safeguarding the weak squares and potential outposts in your own is crucial for winning in chess. I have chosen this topic for the first video in the series on middlegames because I think that most players miss out on this huge part of chess critical thinking. What differentiates strong players from the weak is that the strong players, and grandmasters in particular, tend to identify weak squares and concentrate on either weakening them further by removing their defender, or increasing the pressure on the squares, hence gaining a huge positional advantage. https://www.youtube.com/embed/jEehFvnO3ZA 1534 2019-02-04T17:53:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kieseritzky-gambit-kings-gambit-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/W95kZQLc7zA.jpg Kieseritzky Gambit | King’s Gambit Opening Theory The Kieseritzky Gambit, which Spassky famously used to defeat Fischer in Mar del Plata, is the strongest continuation for white after g5, the Classical King’s Gambit Accepted. This is the first video which covers g5, black’s best response to Nf3, the King’s Knight Gambit. It’s a very natural move, defending the extra f4 pawn and simply asking white where is his initiative and if the sacrifice was justified. https://www.youtube.com/embed/W95kZQLc7zA 1745 2019-02-05T16:46:15+00:00 https://chessterra.com/struck-by-thor-training-game-vs-zibbit/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/tRn5d0Q5tbQ.jpg Struck by Thor! | Training game vs Zibbit A training game against my friend and favorite chess Youtuber Ingvar Thor Johannesson, better known as Zibbit (@Zibbit's Chess Channel). Zibbit is an Icelandic Fide Master, much stronger than I am, and it was an honor playing him. The game was very complicated and we both got low on time. I thought I was ok in that double-edged middlegame, but then I complicated things and ruined the whole game. In a matter of moves I was worse and lost. Still, it was a very valuable training session. https://www.youtube.com/embed/tRn5d0Q5tbQ 2966 2019-02-05T20:41:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/pawn-breakthroughs-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ibe2x66VEdQ.jpg Pawn Breakthroughs | Chess Middlegames Knowing how and when to push through with your pawns is a key aspect of chess strategy. Pawn breakthroughs are used to gain space, create a passed pawn or to free up pieces, which can be essential for victory! I have used several examples to show the power of a timely pawn break. Some of them were endgame examples, which I have included to show thematic patterns which may occur during a real game, but the emphasis is on real game positions in which you have to be able to spot potential pawn breaks which could benefit your pieces, your pawn chain, your king safety, or any other essential aspect of your position. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ibe2x66VEdQ 1274 2019-02-06T18:15:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/muzio-gambit-handle-with-care-kings-gambit-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/DsHY5EBiyIs.jpg Muzio Gambit (Handle with care!) | King’s Gambit Opening Theory The Muzio Gambit is the sharpest, most ridiculous, most aggressive and riskiest variation of the King’s Gambit! White gives up a knight and a pawn in the first few moves, hoping to generate a massive attack on black’s uncastled king along the f-file. Whether the opening is good or not there is no true answer. According to the engines, which are able of defending perfectly, such material deficit is obviously easily punished and they judge the opening as clearly losing for white. https://www.youtube.com/embed/DsHY5EBiyIs 1374 2019-02-07T16:07:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/creating-strategic-plans-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/9PrGtLmfsnQ.jpg Creating Strategic Plans | Chess Middlegames Strategy means long-term planning and thinking of ways to change the position in your favor, and creating plans is what differentiates the good players from the weak ones. Middlegame plans can rarely revolve around tactics. Most often, they include strategical or positional thinking and coming up with ways to improve which are 5 or 10 moves deep. Beginners tend to make a common mistake of playing aimlessly and simply moving their pieces around without considering the key aspects of a position or planning in advance. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9PrGtLmfsnQ 1707 2019-02-08T17:36:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-study-chess-chess-meditations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6D2IYoRjVxs.jpg How to Study Chess | Chess Meditations Developing a healthy training routine is essential to chess improvement. Here are 8 training methods with which you should be able to improve every aspect of your game. 1. Analyze games – this one can’t be stressed enough. Studying middlegames is what most people struggle with. Some don’t have any idea how to go about studying them at all. Middlegames are very complex in comparison to endgame or opening play. They revolve around positional or strategic play and require in-depth thinking and understanding. Analyzing chess games is the best way to improve your middlegame play. You will improve your pattern recognition, planning, calculation and visualization. https://www.youtube.com/embed/6D2IYoRjVxs 1199 2019-02-09T13:01:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bishops-gambit-kings-gambit-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/eN-NroFECXo.jpg Bishop’s Gambit | King’s Gambit Opening Theory The Bishop’s Gambit was Bobby Fischer’s favorite weapon against the King’s Gambit Accepted. The move 3. Bc4 is played instead of Nf3, the main line. It’s a very natural move and it serves a direct purpose; put pressure on black, especially on the f7 weakness and develop the piece to its most natural square. An upside of moving the bishop instead of the knight is that black no longer has the strong idea of protecting his extra f4 pawn with g5-g4, because the maneuver no longer forces the knight to move away from the f3 square. https://www.youtube.com/embed/eN-NroFECXo 1643 2019-02-10T15:10:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/trading-pieces-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/6BdxKQvtbbg.jpg Trading Pieces | Chess Middlegames Knowing when and why to trade pieces is one of the main strategic and positional aspects of chess. Understanding whether or not a piece trade benefits you is crucial for initiating a plan of actually trading something. I believe (as in almost any part of chess) that pattern recognition will help you improve! That is why analyzing games and looking for weak or strong pieces and finding solutions for trading them off or amplifying their strength is what you should be doing in your training sessions. https://www.youtube.com/embed/6BdxKQvtbbg 1480 2019-02-11T14:24:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/falkbeer-countergambit-kings-gambit-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/wDfwRtjqlug.jpg Falkbeer Countergambit | King’s Gambit Opening Theory The Falkbeer is a very unsound way to decline the King’s Gambit. Black declines a pawn by sacrificing one of his own! For an introduction to the King’s Gambit, watch this video on the basics, main ideas and common variations in the opening: The King’s Gambit is a very aggressive opening. White gives up a flank pawn in order to disrupt black’s central control and to get rid of his e5 pawn. Nevertheless, taking the f4 pawn and accepting the gambit is the best way for black to play. https://www.youtube.com/embed/wDfwRtjqlug 1189 2019-02-12T16:11:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-calculate-variations-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pEsA1eB8RBI.jpg How to Calculate Variations | Chess Middlegames Calculation is one of the most important traits of a successful chess player. Most of the time, if you calculate deeper than your opponent, you will win! I have attempted to break down the process of calculating variations during a real chess game into 5 steps. Following them will not make you a grandmaster, but it will improve your calculation, your visualization, your ability to correctly choose candidate moves, and your speed. It will also make you less prone to making one-move blunders or missing a move which could have won the game. https://www.youtube.com/embed/pEsA1eB8RBI 1386 2019-02-13T16:17:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/classical-variation-of-the-kings-gambit-declined/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tCYNsrwyY-Q.jpg Classical Variation of the King’s Gambit Declined The Classical Variation is the best and most popular way to decline the aggressive King’s Gambit. You simply don’t take the f4 pawn, but develop a bishop to a good square instead! The idea behind the opening is to prevent white from castling and developing normally. Black contests the a7-g1 diagonal and white has to do something about that. Even though it all sounds pretty for black in theory, white has a fairly straightforward plan to break that bind on the position and expand in the center with advantage. https://www.youtube.com/embed/tCYNsrwyY-Q 1086 2019-02-14T16:59:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/pawn-majorities-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Z4XHtNZNKd4.jpg Pawn Majorities | Chess Middlegames Having a pawn majority could mean victory! Learning how to properly anticipate, play around and use your majority is crucial to improving middlegame play. A pawn majority is when a player has more pawns than his opponent on one side of the board. If you split the board in half, dividing it to the kingside and the queenside, a majority can be achieved on either one of the halves. It’s usually considered that a queenside majority is vastly superior due to the fact that the opposite side’s king will have a rough time defending it, but this principle only applies if the kings have castled kingside. A majority is significant regardless of the side it’s on, and it should be utilized properly. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z4XHtNZNKd4 967 2019-02-15T23:18:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-improve-visualization-chess-meditations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SuFr80bpTiQ.jpg How to Improve Visualization | Chess Meditations Playing blindfolded chess is one of the skills I admire the most. Grandmasters weren’t born knowing how to do that. It takes loads of patience, practice, and slow, incremental improvement to achieve! I have assembled a list of exercises which I use to improve my visualization skills. In time, it will result in being able to play blindfolded (which is the flashiest byproduct of practice), but it will also significantly improve my play in general. Better visualization makes you quicker at calculating, spotting patterns and weaknesses, and positioning your pieces. https://www.youtube.com/embed/SuFr80bpTiQ 1073 2019-02-16T18:36:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/pirc-defense-ideas-principles-and-common-variations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/UecuOK_miKA.jpg Pirc Defense | Ideas, Principles and Common Variations The Pirc Defense is a very versatile hyper-modern opening and it provides great fighting chances for black. The opening was named after the Slovenian Grandmaster Vasja Pirc, who popularized it in the second half of the 20th century. It has been played before, but it was never really taken seriously. As all modern openings, it neglects the classical chess principles. In fact, it goes directly against them. https://www.youtube.com/embed/UecuOK_miKA 1004 2019-02-17T16:06:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-minority-attack-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IAQife0dSqc.jpg The Minority Attack | Chess Middlegames Using the Minority Attack to create weaknesses in your opponent’s position is a very strong strategic weapon. This attack was implemented into chess practice not so long ago, somewhere in the late 19th century. Before that, some openings which resulted with one side having a 3 to 2 pawn majority on the queenside were thought to have a superior position. The minority attack changed that idea and made the variations sound and playable on the highest levels. The idea behind this aggressive pawn storm is that you use your two pawns to attack your opponent’s three, thus causing structural damage. The resulting structure often leave the defending side with a backward pawn he is condemned to defend for the rest of the game. https://www.youtube.com/embed/IAQife0dSqc 745 2019-02-18T15:29:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-austrian-attack-pirc-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7W2dB74VcUQ.jpg The Austrian Attack | Pirc Defense Opening Theory Taking up the center is the best way to counter hyper-modern defenses such as the Pirc, and the Austrian Attack is the most aggressive and most direct way to do so. For the basics of the Pirc Defense, watch this introductory video: The Austrian Attack is the most aggressive setup white can choose against the Pirc. Bringing the third pawn to the center with f4, white prepares a strong central and kingside attack. This variation almost always leads to attacking games with no time to waste for either side. The Austrian Attack is also the most popular way for white to play with thousands of grandmaster games. https://www.youtube.com/embed/7W2dB74VcUQ 1360 2019-02-19T16:02:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/power-of-the-passed-pawn-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sl6DenC3zQc.jpg Power of the Passed Pawn | Chess Middlegames Having a passed pawn can often mean victory! In this video I’ve tried to show how to spot opportunities for creating one, how to herd it forward and how to stop it if your opponent has one. Pawns are worth one point of material (minor pieces three, rooks five etc.). When a pawn is passed, though, meaning that there are no opposing pawns to challenge it on its or on both adjacent files, its value can increase nine-fold. Passed pawns promote to queens. It’s as simple as that, therefore, a value of a passed pawn ranges from one to nine points, depending on how likely it is to promote. https://www.youtube.com/embed/sl6DenC3zQc 1379 2019-02-20T15:27:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/classical-variation-of-the-pirc-defense-chess-openings/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/woly7P6IS6c.jpg Classical Variation of the Pirc Defense | Chess Openings The Classical Pirc setup is the epitome of classical chess, and it’s the opposite of black’s hyper modern approach. For the basics of the Pirc Defense, watch this introductory video: For a more aggressive alternative to the Classical Variation, learn the Austrian Attack (f4!): In the Classical Pirc (also known as two knights), white follows the basic chess rules and develops according to classical chess principles; take the center with your pawns, develop your minor pieces (knights before bishops), and castle. Black, on the other hand, follows a completely different chess philosophy – the hyper-modernists! With the Pirc, black neglects the rules classical chess teaches and fianchettoes his kingside bishop and castles in the opening, without ever contesting the central squares. https://www.youtube.com/embed/woly7P6IS6c 1533 2019-02-21T15:23:59+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-improve-pieces-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/eD2XnXvwvDo.jpg How to Improve Pieces | Chess Middlegames Knowing how and where to maneuver your pieces is one of the essential chess middlegame skills you have to develop! For more information on Creating strategic plans in the middlegame watch this video: For improving your understanding of chess in general watch this one: This video deals with how to maneuver your pieces into their ideal squares and knowing which piece is the most essential and urgent to improve. https://www.youtube.com/embed/eD2XnXvwvDo 1172 2019-02-22T18:45:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-deal-with-defeat-chess-meditations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/u0ZV8eVSK0o.jpg How to Deal With Defeat | Chess Meditations Getting up after being knocked down is nowhere as important as it is in chess. I have tried to explain my thinking when it comes to losing chess games and dealing with the bitterness of defeat. Ever since I started playing chess, I’ve been very emotional and very serious about it, and, as with other things I do in life, I took losing badly. It would affect me greatly and I would be disoriented after a game. That would be especially true if I stood better and was winning (as was the case in the game I lost today and analyzed in the video). https://www.youtube.com/embed/u0ZV8eVSK0o 1046 2019-02-23T19:40:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/150-attack-pirc-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rHOZ65s-IlY.jpg 150 Attack | Pirc Defense Opening Theory The 150 Attack is a very aggressive setup you can use to battle the Pirc. For an introduction to the Pirc, watch this video on the basics, plans and variations for both sides: The attack was named after the English rating system (in which 150 is around 1800) to mock the opening. It was meant to say that only 1800 players would be as naive as to expect a quick mate with a setup like this. The setup is Be3 and Qd2, similar to what you can play against dragon sicilians and the King’s Indian. White goes for a straightforward kingside onslaught with 0-0-0, Be3, Qd2, f3, g4, h4, h5! His play is easy and it puts black under tremendous pressure. https://www.youtube.com/embed/rHOZ65s-IlY 1096 2019-02-24T16:46:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-backward-pawn-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/McrLMf1fMk8.jpg The Backward Pawn | Chess Middlegames A backward pawn is a grave positional disadvantage, and it could easily mean victory for the side attacking it. The most important lesson to learn when it comes to chess middlegame play is how to create and exploit weaknessed. The backward pawn is a perfect example of that. There are two types of weaknesses; static and dynamic ones. Dynamic weaknesses (such as tactical opportunities) go away and should be exploited momentarily, otherwise you will have missed your chance. Static weaknesses, on the other hand, stay put and you can go about exploiting them slowly, without having to rush. https://www.youtube.com/embed/McrLMf1fMk8 875 2019-02-25T16:42:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/byrne-variation-pirc-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WUgtRXm6DtY.jpg Byrne Variation | Pirc Defense Opening Theory The Byrne Variation is a very tricky sideline white could use to get black out of his Pirc comfort zone. For an introduction to the Pirc Defense, watch this video on the basics: The variation was named after Robert Eugene Byrne, an American grandmaster who employed it with success in the 1960s. The idea behind it is similar to the 150 Attack ( and white aims to develop the queen to e2 and put pressure on black’s fianchettoed defender with Bh6 and an exchange. https://www.youtube.com/embed/WUgtRXm6DtY 1399 2019-02-26T18:02:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-greek-gift-sacrifice-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mo_brhZfj1k.jpg The Greek Gift Sacrifice | Chess Middlegames The bishop sacrifice on h7 (or h2), also known as the Greek gift sacrifice, is one of the most thematic sacrifices in all of chess. Timeo danaos et dona ferentes, Aeneid (II, 49) (Beware of Greeks bearing gifts) When it comes to learning and improving your middle game play, pattern recognition is one of the best ways to do that. That is why I will try to cover as many thematic attacking, tactical or positional patterns in this series, starting with the Greek Gift! https://www.youtube.com/embed/mo_brhZfj1k 1393 2019-02-27T15:55:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sveshnikov-and-kholmov-systems-pirc-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MURLEtPvCvY.jpg Sveshnikov and Kholmov Systems | Pirc Defense Opening Theory Two sidelines for white against the Pirc Defense which could be hard for black to handle! For an introduction to the Pirc Defense, watch this video on the basics: If you are an e4 player, then it must be hard preparing against all of black's possible responses. A great way to reduce the amount of theory you have to study is to choose sidelines which could put black on the back foot right out of the opening. Two of those which you could play against the Pirc are the Kholmov System and the Sveshnikov System. https://www.youtube.com/embed/MURLEtPvCvY 1300 2019-02-28T16:48:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-choose-candidate-moves-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5rEqhhYYOrQ.jpg How to Choose Candidate Moves | Chess Middlegames Finding candidate moves quickly and efficiently is something every player needs to master. I have divided the process of choosing candidate moves into five simple steps, each of which is designed to limit the chances of making a mistake and missing a defensive or attacking move which might decide the game. Finding moves you are going to be calculating is the first step. What follows is calculation. Here is the video on how to calculate variations correctly to follow up on the lesson: https://www.youtube.com/embed/5rEqhhYYOrQ 1210 2019-03-01T15:35:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-prepare-for-an-opponent-chess-meditations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WPS3lDSEX2I.jpg How to Prepare for an Opponent | Chess Meditations Preparation is the key to success in chess! I have shared my strategies for preparing against specific opponents and finding weaknesses in their play. The first thing you will want to do is find as many of your opponent’s games as possible. I use several resources. Here they are: chessDB, chessbase, lichess, Fide, chesscom, chessbomb, chesstempo. There are more, but these are usually going to be enough. For the first stage of your preparation, you should analyze every single one of your opponent’s games with the color you are preparing against. Don’t forget to include blitz games (which people often do), as they can provide valuable information and you can usually find plenty of them. Another thing is that people often play same openings in both standard and blitz. https://www.youtube.com/embed/WPS3lDSEX2I 1081 2019-03-02T12:49:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/modern-defense-ideas-principles-and-common-variations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/slNeLTit2J8.jpg Modern Defense | Ideas, Principles and Common Variations The Modern is a very complex hyper-modern opening and a great weapon for black against 1.e4! It is also known as the Robatsch Defense (after Karl Robatsch). Same as any other hyper-modern opening, the Modern Defense applies the same provocative principles. Black relinquishes central control and the key central squares to white in an attempt to take them back later on using the pieces. To do so, black fianchettoes his kingside bishop and castles, and then goes on to use his bishop and the central pawn break c5 to strike through whites seemingly solid pawn center. White, on the other hand, follows the classical chess principles like a good school boy; white plays d4 and e4, taking up the central squares, develops his minor pieces and has no problem. https://www.youtube.com/embed/slNeLTit2J8 1015 2019-03-03T13:55:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/power-of-the-bishop-pair-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7_Qoh8B4b6A.jpg Power of the Bishop Pair | Chess Middlegames The Bishop Pair is considered to be a big advantage. It is more effective and more destructive than any other combination of minor pieces! A bishop is worth three points, same as a knight, but, when you have the bishop pair, their potential value rises significantly. One bishop controls only one color complex and can be easily parried. The opposing player could, for example, simply put all of his pieces to the “wrong” color, and the bishop becomes barren, almost obsolete on the board where it all of a sudden has no more targets. https://www.youtube.com/embed/7_Qoh8B4b6A 1100 2019-03-04T16:22:59+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-three-pawns-attack-modern-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/l8kuosZc9Dk.jpg The Three Pawns Attack | Modern Defense Opening Theory The Three Pawns Attack is a very effective way to fight the Modern, and it leaves black with weaknesses in his position no matter which variation he chooses! For an introduction to the Modern Defense, watch this video on the basics: Watch this video to learn the Austrian Attack in the Pirc Defense, a variation the Three Pawns Modern often transposes to: The Three Pawns attack is a rare way to fight the hyper-modern Modern Defense, but it’s one of the best and sharpest too. By pushing f4, bringing the third pawn to the center, white is taking up valuable space and leaving black’s pieces with less squares to maneuver around. https://www.youtube.com/embed/l8kuosZc9Dk 901 2019-03-05T13:42:26+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-bishop-attack-modern-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/On_UP9d9mi8.jpg The Bishop Attack | Modern Defense Opening Theory The Bishop Attack is a seldom played, but very venomous sideline for white against the Modern Defense! For an introduction to the Modern Defense, watch this video on the basics: When playing the bishop attack (developing his bishop to c4 on move three), white is going against the common principles of classical chess, which are most often followed when facing a hyper-modern opening. There are four more common and more sensible (from a classical perspective) options. Normal moves are developing either of the knights, or playing c4 or f4, expanding in the center. https://www.youtube.com/embed/On_UP9d9mi8 1292 2019-03-05T20:09:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/understanding-pawn-structure-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ed7YLNLm8iY.jpg Understanding Pawn Structure | Chess Middlegames Pawns are the soul of chess, and understanding how to play in certain pawn structures is crucial to understanding the middlegame. If you can imagine a position without the pieces on, just the pawns, then the situation and the plans you will have to look for will become much clearer. That is what I would like to emphasize with this video. Know the battlefield you are fighting on! The pawns make up the battlefield, and their constellation will determine whether it will be an all out onslaught or a maneuvering game of minds in which tricks, bluffs and mind games will be employed instead of open warfare. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ed7YLNLm8iY 1500 2019-03-06T20:42:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-averbakh-system-modern-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/f8BlE8L6_LE.jpg The Averbakh System | Modern Defense Opening Theory The Averbakh System, where white expands with the move c4, closely resembles the King’s Indian, and can put black in serious trouble if he doesn’t know what he’s doing. For an introduction to the Modern Defense, watch this video on the basics: Having an off-beat response can be very advantageous, and the Averbakh System is exactly that when it comes to fighting the Modern Defense. It doesn’t allow black to play in his usual hyper-modern style and it leads to very complex positions that not too many 1...g6 players know well. https://www.youtube.com/embed/f8BlE8L6_LE 1692 2019-03-07T12:49:43+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-blunder-less-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DeFOzD5P4ds.jpg How to Blunder Less | Chess Middlegames Everybody blunders sometimes, and that won’t ever change. You can, however, reduce the chance of blundering by changing your thinking process and practicing. Blunders can happen at any stage of the game, to players of any strength, and in any time control. A 2800 player could hang his queen with two hours on the clock. Those things just happen. It could be a moment of blindness, stress, over confidence or something else, but there is no player who didn’t blunder horribly at one point. https://www.youtube.com/embed/DeFOzD5P4ds 1688 2019-03-08T14:34:37+00:00 https://chessterra.com/engines-and-artificial-intelligence-in-chess-chess-meditations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mPY69BJmlbs.jpg Engines and Artificial Intelligence in Chess | Chess Meditations Are the engines and the AI helping chess progress or preventing the average player from developing his own thinking process? I get upset talking about this topic because I see a generation of tech-addicted people (not only chess players), that relies on instant gratification, assistance in problem solving, in developing opinions and in many other critical aspects of what is supposed to be done by an intelligent being. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mPY69BJmlbs 652 2019-03-09T16:22:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-unbearable-lightness-of-losing-road-to-gm-game-52/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Txo1GU_-5LI.jpg The Unbearable Lightness of Losing | Road to GM, Game 52 I was defeated in the Exchange Caro-Kann in the first round of the Croatian League. Fiamengo Joško (2054 ELO) vs Tomić Stjepan (1865 ELO), 4th A Croatian League Center, Round 1, 03/10/19 My team won 4-2, which is amazing! We were playing against a stronger team, but we managed to outplay them on 4 boards. I played board two and lost unfortunately. We entered the Exchange Caro-Kann and I went for the setup with g6, Bg7, and went for the minority attack. Perhaps I should have chosen the more sensible Bf4, e6, which gives black an easier game but less counter play. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Txo1GU_-5LI 1432 2019-03-10T14:52:21+00:00 https://chessterra.com/positions-with-opposite-side-castling-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/h83Yd-gOE-c.jpg Positions with Opposite Side Castling | Chess Middlegames Castling on opposite sides leads to very exciting attacking games. I tried to break down the common principles of playing those positions using seven game examples. Opposite sides castling is quite different to games in which players both castle kingside. The main difference is that you don’t have to preserve your pawn structure on one side of the board. IN normal games, pushing your pawns on one side of the board would just be met by your opponent blocking you with his own pawns, which is why attempts like that are seldom made. In opposite side castling games, though, your opponent can’t do that, and your advancing pawns are going to play a role of extra attacking pieces. https://www.youtube.com/embed/h83Yd-gOE-c 1698 2019-03-11T14:17:29+00:00 https://chessterra.com/standard-line-and-tigers-modern-modern-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2vJoqXVTXjM.jpg Standard Line and Tiger’s Modern | Modern Defense Opening Theory Nc3 is the most common way to fight the Modern Defense. We are looking at the Tiger’s Modern setups against, and the Pseudo Austrian Attack and the Two Knights Variation for white. For an introduction to the Modern Defense, watch this video on the basics: The Standard Line (quite an unimaginative name) is the best response white has against g6, Bg7. White simply develops his knight to the center in the classical fashion and lets black get on with his plans. After d6, white now chooses between three main moves. https://www.youtube.com/embed/2vJoqXVTXjM 1447 2019-03-12T18:50:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-evaluate-a-position-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/NXsXKIMqSVE.jpg How to Evaluate a Position | Chess Middlegames Knowing who is better and why is the first step to playing the correct move. Without it it will be impossible to create a good strategic plan. Finding a good move is a complicated process. I have divided it into four stages. Next to the final three stages are the video I made on them. Try to combine all four videos and implement them into your thinking process during a game. 1. Evaluating the position https://www.youtube.com/embed/NXsXKIMqSVE 1948 2019-03-13T14:28:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/alekhine-defense-ideas-principles-and-common-variations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/aGqrrBLcaMM.jpg Alekhine Defense | Ideas, Principles and Common Variations An introduction to the hyper-aggressive Alekhine (or Aljehin) Defense with plans and setups for both colors. The eight main variations of the opening are going to be covered in depth in separate videos. The Alekhine Defense is part of the modern school of chess. It neglects the classical principles and openly provokes white to take up central space and chase the lone black knight to the edge of the board (a knight on the rim is dim). On the other hand, by doing so, black is also provoking white to weaken his center, overextend his pawns and turn them into a potential liability black could later exploit. https://www.youtube.com/embed/aGqrrBLcaMM 1129 2019-03-14T14:13:29+00:00 https://chessterra.com/training-against-myself/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/jZUn_WCnkrY.jpg Training Against Myself As part off my homework for this week, my coach told me to play a long game against myself. It felt weird having to do this, and I didn’t know how it will go, but I’m very happy with the results! I chose to play an opening I don’t know. I didn’t want to play main line theory, I just wanted to play chess. I went for the Queen’s Indian Defense. I think it went ok in the opening. I didn’t make any serious mistakes. The middlegame was complex, and I went badly wrong… for both sides eventually. https://www.youtube.com/embed/jZUn_WCnkrY 4290 2019-03-15T12:53:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/weak-color-complexes-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/wde3C3-hI_E.jpg Weak Color Complexes | Chess Middlegames Multiple weak squares of the same color create a weak color complex which is easily exploitable, and it could mean a decisive advantage! Pawns are the soul of chess, and their constellation is going to determine the structure and the nature of the position. When no pawns have been moved yet, all the squares are perfectly safe. Whenever you move a pawn, though, you will have inevitably weakened an adjacent square of the opposing color! If you play 1. e4, you are no longer controlling f3 and d3 with your pawn which used to be on e2. This is an absurd example, but this works every single time a pawn moves. https://www.youtube.com/embed/wde3C3-hI_E 1196 2019-03-15T21:11:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-learn-from-your-mistakes-chess-meditations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8JZ6-Ty-iIA.jpg How to Learn From Your Mistakes | Chess Meditations Correcting your mistakes and improving on your inaccuracies by analyzing your own games is the best was to get better at chess (or at doing anything else in life). I have a method of analyzing my own games (both losses and wins!) and developing a sense of what I did wrong and what I can improve on. To do that I use my own head and think about each move critically, after that I look at grandmaster games, and lastly I use the engine to check my ideas. In the end, I will have three different “opinions” about each move and I will put them together into what should be a significant improvement on my play. This process is divided into five steps, and usually takes about five hours to complete. https://www.youtube.com/embed/8JZ6-Ty-iIA 1416 2019-03-16T15:50:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-very-dangerous-game-road-to-gm-game-53/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/0HwtAqGJx94.jpg A Very Dangerous Game… | Road to GM, Game 53 I faced a higher rated opponent on board 1 in the 2nd round of the 4th Croatian league. He usually plays c4 on move one, and I was preparing for that for the last several days. On the board he played 1.e4 without thinking… Đorđe Brkić (2082) vs Stjepan Tomić (1865), 4th Croatian League A, Rd 2, 03/17/19 Caro-Kann, Advance Variation Right out of the opening, my opponent allowed me to equalize. He played the bishop exchange early on. Soon after, he made another bad move. Played Nh4 after I have already played h6, positively inviting g5! This gave me confidence and I knew I must have been better. https://www.youtube.com/embed/0HwtAqGJx94 1944 2019-03-17T16:17:45+00:00 https://chessterra.com/isolated-pawn-positions-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/LV0vbgeRVtY.jpg Isolated Pawn Positions | Chess Middlegames An isolated pawn is almost always a weakness. It’s a structural deficit for the defending side and the only advantage it gives is possible piece activity and open files and diagonals. An isolated pawn is a pawn which has no adjacent pawns to protect it. That means that it can only be defended by a piece. It creates a weakness on the square in front of it as well, since no pawn is able to attack it. https://www.youtube.com/embed/LV0vbgeRVtY 1324 2019-03-18T13:45:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/two-pawns-attack-chase-variation-alekhine-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MfeyZlB5UBk.jpg Two Pawns Attack (Chase Variation) | Alekhine Defense Opening Theory The Chase (also known as Lasker) Variation is one of the most aggressive ways to fight the provocative Alekhine Defense, and it’s the most common line in the Two Pawns Attack. For the basics of the Alekhine, watch this introductory video: The two pawns attack is the second most popular move in the Alekhine. Instead of the main line with d4, white keeps some options open and plays c4, chasing the knight to b6 straight away. https://www.youtube.com/embed/MfeyZlB5UBk 1433 2019-03-19T13:37:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/four-pawns-attack-alekhine-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/zCxyTF_M0nE.jpg Four Pawns Attack | Alekhine Defense Opening Theory The Four Pawns Attack is white’s most ambitious try against the provocative Alekhine Defense. For the basics of the Alekhine, watch this introductory video: The attack branches out of the main line where white plays d4. After d6, he continues with c4, chasing the knight to b6 and here the opening starts. White can now choose between two very important variations; the exchange (with taking on d6), which is the most popular way for white to play, or by playing f4, entering the dynamic Four Pawns Attack! https://www.youtube.com/embed/zCxyTF_M0nE 1144 2019-03-19T18:13:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/closed-center-positions-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/lEfpEfpey8M.jpg Closed Center Positions | Chess Middlegames Whether the center is open or closed determines the nature of the position. A closed center means less tactics, lots of maneuvering and searching for pawn breaks and piece activity. For an introduction to pawn structures, watch this video: The center is closed if the d and the e files are blocked by pawns (an open center is when the files are open, and semi-open when one of them is free of pawns). This means that the players have locked down their central pawns and blocked the center from opening using them. So it’s going to have to be open using flank pawns – pawn breaks. Either c4/c5 or f4/f5 are going to be necessary to ever move the e and the d pawns. https://www.youtube.com/embed/lEfpEfpey8M 1752 2019-03-20T13:58:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/open-center-positions-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/qywQ9r1DeYg.jpg Open Center Positions | Chess Middlegames An open center means aggressive play, active pieces and battles on the open files! For an introduction to pawn structures, watch this video: The open center occurs when there are no pawns on the d and the e files. This makes the position suit the pieces much more. It gives the pieces more scope and more potential activity. Whichever side manages to utilize the extra space first is is going to have what is called the initiative – a greater attacking potential and the ability to conquer squares, win space and push the opponent to the defensive. https://www.youtube.com/embed/qywQ9r1DeYg 1777 2019-03-20T19:53:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/balogh-variation-alekhine-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/eFDNg_YaN24.jpg Balogh Variation | Alekhine Defense Opening Theory The Balogh variation is a very double-edged sideline white could use against the Alekhine Defense. For the basics of the Alekhine, watch this introductory video: In the position where white usually plays Nf3 or c4, entering “normal” lines against the provocative Nf6, white now goes for the very aggressive Bc4! This move, even though it might seem straightforward and aggressive at first glance, has a lot of venom in it for white, and can result in serious positional disadvantages. https://www.youtube.com/embed/eFDNg_YaN24 1473 2019-03-21T14:59:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/suspicious-opening-complex-middlegame-baaad-endgame/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/i2UTdg_AqGg.jpg Suspicious Opening, Complex Middlegame, Baaad Endgame… A practice game in the Fantasy Caro-Kann against Amin, an 1800 USCF rated player. We entered the opening and he made a mistake very early. He played Nf6 after exchanging on e4, which is a bad mistake. And I failed to punish it! I had a winning advantage and misplayed the position in which his pieces were stuck and his king in the center. For the theory of the Fantasy variation, watch this video (to make sure Nf6 doesn’t happen to you): https://www.youtube.com/embed/i2UTdg_AqGg 3528 2019-03-21T20:04:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-improve-at-tactics-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PJIWbdoXLn8.jpg How to Improve at Tactics | Chess Middlegames Get better at spotting and correctly solving tactics is key to chess mastery! Tactics are dynamic opportunities which occur during the game, and they can lead to a better or even winning position! Chess consists of strategy and tactics. Here is a video on creating strategic plans in the middlegame: Tactics or combinations almost always require calculation to complete successfully. I didn’t go into too much detail in this video, but here is a video specifically on how to improve your chess calculation: https://www.youtube.com/embed/PJIWbdoXLn8 1715 2019-03-22T15:47:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/how-to-manage-time-during-a-chess-game/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FtIg8Ts1LL0.jpg How to Manage Time During a Chess Game Playing too slow and getting into zeitnot, or playing too fast and making poor moves are consequences of bad time management in chess. Along with being able to find and create good, strong and creative plans during a game, and with being able to spot and correctly play out tactical, positional or strategic ideas, time management is the essential skill of every strong chess player. Knowing how and when to use your time, when to stop and think, when to speed up is a critical skill which can be improved! https://www.youtube.com/embed/FtIg8Ts1LL0 1130 2019-03-23T14:42:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/exchange-variation-of-the-alekhine-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mJeOTfa-yOo.jpg Exchange Variation of the Alekhine Defense The Exchange Variation is one of the best and most popular ways to confront the Alekhine! It gives white space and a small edge, but it also provides black with enough potential counter play. For the basics of the Alekhine, watch this introductory video: After the opening knoght chase, and the advance of white's central pawns, black's main move in the Alekhine is d6. This move attacks the overextended e5 pawn – white's main liability, and it also makes room for the black pieces to start developing. White's decision to exchange his weakness with exd6 is more than sensible! https://www.youtube.com/embed/mJeOTfa-yOo 1904 2019-03-24T19:53:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/space-advantage-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t81S1wLUOcU.jpg Space Advantage | Chess Middlegames Having a space advantage gives your pieces more room to maneuver and restricts your opponent’s pieces at the same time. If you imagine the chess board being divided into two parts horizontally, then each side has four ranks. White controls his and black his ranks, at the start of the game that is. Whenever a player manages to push his pawns passed the fourth rank, and into enemy territory, it is said that he has a space advantage. https://www.youtube.com/embed/t81S1wLUOcU 1705 2019-03-25T16:04:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/modern-variation-of-the-alekhine-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/n6_aF4sMXFI.jpg Modern Variation of the Alekhine Defense The Modern Variation is the most common way for white to fight the Alekhine, and it starts with the move Nf3. For the basics of the Alekhine, watch this introductory video: Unlike in other variations, where white forces the issue of the knight on d5 with c4 or Bc4, and usually creates or aims for more aggressive setups, in the Modern Variation, with the move Nf3, white goes for a more quiet setup, where he aims to develop as soon as possible. https://www.youtube.com/embed/n6_aF4sMXFI 1396 2019-03-26T14:36:37+00:00 https://chessterra.com/attacking-the-uncastled-king-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ECVr3AxWaUQ.jpg Attacking the Uncastled King | Chess Middlegames The King left in the center is often the beginning of brilliant chess victories! It should be the main focus of your attention and most of your play should be based around how to punish it! The safest and the best way to play chess is to follow classical chess principles – develop your pieces (knights before bishops), castle, and only then start creating attacking plans. There is a whole school of chess neglecting that! Modern openings and many aggressive openings choose time and the initiative over safety. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ECVr3AxWaUQ 1749 2019-03-27T14:43:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/training-against-im-mat-bobula/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ptq_9kI6HB4.jpg Training Against IM Mat Bobula Two training games against IM Mat Bobula. One was the Tarrasch French, the other the Blumenfeld variation of the Meran Semi-Slav. Both games were played in 15 minutes with a 5 second increment. YouTube: Mat Bobula's Chess School He is also a chess coach, and he does very instructive and fun streams! Our games were very fun and I learned a lot from them. I prepared for him today, and we ended up playing exactly what I had prepared for. I had white in the first game. We entered the tarrasch French. He played c5, and we got a middlegame in which he had the IQP. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ptq_9kI6HB4 4189 2019-03-27T20:57:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scandinavian-defense-ideas-principles-and-common-variations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Wpd8jcVKcJw.jpg Scandinavian Defense | Ideas, Principles and Common Variations The Scandinavian Defense is a very dangerous weapon to have against e4. It’s flexible, aggressive, and it doesn’t require learning tons of opening theory. The Scandinavian is also known as the Center Counter Defense. It is one of the oldest recorded openings, dating back to the 15th century. It was also mentioned by Lucena. Ludvig Collijn, among other Scandinavian masters, gave the opening its name. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wpd8jcVKcJw 1127 2019-03-28T14:17:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/prophylaxis-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QgMVXBDJbZg.jpg Prophylaxis | Chess Middlegames Preventing your opponent’s plans – thinking and playing prophylactically, is just as important as creating your own plans. Prophylaxis is a very important part of the thinking process in chess and it should and has to be applied on each and every move. Most weaker players simply take it for granted. When you play h3 to prevent Bg4, pinning your f3 knight, you don’t think that you are a genius at preventing your opponent’s ideas; you do it automatically because you remember the pattern! If you had a monster processor in your head, you could do this for the middlegame too. We are, alas, human, so we don’t, and we have to think on each move to come up with ideas like that. https://www.youtube.com/embed/QgMVXBDJbZg 1414 2019-03-29T17:43:45+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crushed-in-the-phillidor/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pXZfwW7MZzU.jpg Crushed in the Phillidor A training game against the Phillidor defense (15+15). I played a very bad training game. I faced the Phillidor Defense, which I like facing because I find it too passive for black. I was slightly better out of the opening, even though I had problems developing my bishop to the best square and was concerned about counter play. I wanted to follow up with the logical f4, expanding on the kingside and starting an attack, but I couldn’t make it work! https://www.youtube.com/embed/pXZfwW7MZzU 2626 2019-03-30T20:12:38+00:00 https://chessterra.com/mad-after-a-mad-caro-kann-road-to-gm-game-54/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dDKILkZzOSU.jpg Mad After a Mad Caro-Kann | Road to GM, Game 54 I played a very complicated Breyer Caro-Kann in the third round of the Croatian League. Knežević Krešimir (2052 ELO) vs Tomić Stjepan (1865 ELO), 4th A Croatian League Center, Round 3, 03/31/19 Unfortunately, all of my preparation has gone down the drain, and the opponent I was supposed to play did not play for the opposing team. I faced a 200 points higher rated player and I had no idea what he plays. https://www.youtube.com/embed/dDKILkZzOSU 1887 2019-03-31T14:01:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/exchange-sacrifice-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7-k9lBO91Wg.jpg Exchange Sacrifice | Chess Middlegames Sacrificing the exchange is a very common way of obtaining a positional advantage or winning because of a deadly attack! The exchange sacrifice is when someone gives up a rook for a knight or a bishop. While it does give up material, it’s not a real sacrifice because you don’t lose a piece, you simply trade off a more powerful piece (in theory) for a less powerful one. Minor pieces are worth 3 points, rooks are worth 5. But this only applies if they are given scope. Each piece could be worth 0 or 9, depending on what it’s doing and how useful it is. A rook behind its pawns is useless, so is a bishop, or a knight on a8. https://www.youtube.com/embed/7-k9lBO91Wg 1497 2019-04-01T15:19:38+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scandinavian-defense-main-line/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/EG6UQZnlvAg.jpg Scandinavian Defense Main Line The Main Line Scandinavian (Qa5) is a very solid and very flexible defense for black, and it also provides plenty attacking chances! After the opening moves, if white continues with the most logical response – Nc3, chasing the queen which ran out to the center early, black has to retreat. There are three most common moves here, Qd6, Qd8, and Qa5 – the main line. Qa5 is the most active of the three moves and it’s considered to be black’s best choice. It temporarily makes the c3 knight uncomfortable (after white’s logical d4 the knight is pinned). It’s also a tempo gainer for white. The queen will inevitably have to move again, which gives white a clear advantage in development. https://www.youtube.com/embed/EG6UQZnlvAg 1489 2019-04-02T16:56:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/active-defense-and-counterattack-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/aYKuiZ7D4nw.jpg Active Defense and Counterattack | Chess Middlegames Offense is the best defense might sound old, but in chess nothing is more true. Defending actively and counterattacking is the best way to defend! I took three games to try and explain three key issues most players have during tournament games. 1) Counterattack in chess The first game (Tal vs Spassky 1965 Candidates) features a marvelous counterattack played by Boris Spassky. It was a Closed Ruy Lopez, and the magician from Riga, Mikhail Tal had managed to bring his knight to f5, and he was starting a vicious attack. Spassky could have defended passively or tried to chase Tal’s attacking pieces away, but that would have surely failed. Instead, he found the best plan in the position and went on to win convincingly. He struck at Tal’s center! When your opponent is attacking on the flank, you should counterattack in the center and vice versa. That’s the best way to defend. https://www.youtube.com/embed/aYKuiZ7D4nw 1521 2019-04-03T13:36:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scandinavian-defense-with-3-qd8/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8_f7oAbE6q0.jpg Scandinavian Defense With 3…Qd8 The Qd8 Scandinavian is a very underrated defense for black! Flexible, solid and rich in chances, it’s a perfect weapon to have in your repertoire against e4. After white plays Nc3, chasing the provocative Scandinavian queen to move, black has to choose between three sensible moves, Qa5, Qd6 and Qd8. The last move, Qd8, visually makes least sense and yet it’s a very sound option. Retreating the queen all the way back to its original square might seem like a waste of tempo, and indeed it is. White is now a clear tempo up in development. White has developed a knight, whereas black has no pieces developed. This tempo comes at a cost though. Th developed knight sits on the c3 square, a square that should be unoccupied. It’s for a good reason that most openings don’t have that move in any variation. White wants to play c3 or c4! Not have the knight blocking the advance of the important pawn. https://www.youtube.com/embed/8_f7oAbE6q0 1430 2019-04-04T16:14:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/sacrificing-pawns-for-the-initiative-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kr7dpw2zcXA.jpg Sacrificing Pawns for the Initiative | Chess Middlegames Sacrificing material for time or piece quality is a key middlegame concept to master. Pawn sacrifices are the hardest of all to learn, but they are also most common and most significant! Garry Kasparov introduced the concept of material vs quality vs time, and with it he highlighted the importance of dynamic play and different kinds of advantages one could obtain during a chess game. Pure material value is just as important as tempi or the quality of the pieces in certain positions, often far less! https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kr7dpw2zcXA 1352 2019-04-05T13:39:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/defending-against-mental-tactics/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SuHrObAbU6A.jpg Defending Against Mental Tactics Two training games in a 15+15 format. The first I won in 9 moves thanks to my opponent’s premature resignation and the second was crazy... I faced a higher rated opponent in a very weird opening. He played 1.Nc3, and I got a better position. I managed to win a pawn and should have consolidated with a queen retreat to d6. Instead of that, I dropped the queen back to g5 which was very weakening. The queen was needed next to my weak e6 pawn, and had I retreated back, none of the tactical possibilities which occurred later on in the game would have been possible. https://www.youtube.com/embed/SuHrObAbU6A 2049 2019-04-06T15:16:22+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-game-to-remember-road-to-gm-game-55/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/1aB0r2CMIEE.jpg A Game to Remember! | Road to GM, Game 55 I played an extremely complicated and very instructive Kholmov System Pirc against a higher rated opponent. S. Tomic (1859) vs E. Nikolic (2043), IV Cro. League, Rd. 4, 04/07/2019 Theory of the Kholmov System: As it usually happens to me, I didn’t get to face the player I had prepared for. I spent 20 hours solidifying my repertoire against the French and then 1...d6 comes on the board. It was frustrating, but I got to test out my preparation against the Pirc! https://www.youtube.com/embed/1aB0r2CMIEE 1971 2019-04-07T16:36:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/restraining-and-trapping-bad-pieces-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/eYF_GN3JNVE.jpg Restraining and Trapping Bad Pieces | Chess Middlegames Developing a sense for spotting bad pieces is essential for chess middlegame play. And once you do, embarrassing these pieces will be the easier part! A large part of middlegame play is piece play. Knowing how to improve and optimize your pieces, how to centralize them, or make them effective as possible. Conversely, you also have to know what your opponent is doing to improve his. Even though pawn structure and pawn moves will decide the nature of the position, moving pieces can create tactical chances and dynamic opportunities much more often. https://www.youtube.com/embed/eYF_GN3JNVE 1312 2019-04-08T12:43:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scandinavian-defense-with-3-qd6-gubinsky-melts-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Gb38tkOMuxc.jpg Scandinavian Defense With 3…Qd6 (Gubinsky-Melts Defense) The Qd6 Scandinavian is the least popular variation after Nc3, and it has only recently become a respectable opening! Mainly thanks to the work of Michael Melts, who wrote a book on the Qd6 Scandinavian, has the opening become theoretically well known. Before that, with the exception of the great David Bronstein, no strong grandmaster took it seriously. In the early 2000s, after Melts’ book came out, the opening began being popular, and it took off after GM Sergei Tiviakov started playing it as one of his main defenses to e4. Since then, Qd6 has earned its right as a normal defense to Nc3, and is now considered just as strong as Qa5 and Qd8. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gb38tkOMuxc 1934 2019-04-09T13:25:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/anticipating-the-endgame-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3VlvllUr4dY.jpg Anticipating the Endgame | Chess Middlegames Knowing whether the endgame will be good or bad for you is essential for playing the middlegame correctly. That enables you to create correct plans and trade off pieces wisely! Just as you must know what the middlegame will be like after the opening you prepare and choose, you have to be able to understand the endgame that is about to occur from that middlegame. The latter is much harder, obviously, because the opening theory is very advanced and we can simply read what the middlegame will be like. https://www.youtube.com/embed/3VlvllUr4dY 1450 2019-04-10T16:01:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scandinavian-defense-with-3-nf3-avoiding-the-main-lines/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/w-Ld6NN18vw.jpg Scandinavian Defense With 3. Nf3 (avoiding the main lines) The Nf3 Scandinavian is a very underrated variation. It almost always results in exciting attacking games and avoids the main line theory which makes it more than playable! The move Nf3 makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Ok, it doesn’t give white an immediate tempo on the queen, but the queen is definitely going to have to move away from d5 anyway. By not playing Nc3, white avoids the main line theory, and all the issues which occur after the move. https://www.youtube.com/embed/w-Ld6NN18vw 1514 2019-04-11T14:30:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/training-against-stockfish/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mhCOlhUBcqw.jpg Training against Stockfish A training game versus level 7 Stockfish on lichess (2200 ELO rated). I will be playing a tournament next week, so I’m trying to prepare as much as I can. As part of my preparation, I decided to play as many training gamed as possible against higher rated opponents. Since there was no one much better to play against today, I have decided to face Stockfish in a 30 minute game. For the next few days, until next Wednesday, when I’ll be traveling to Slovakia for the tournament, I will only be recording training games and my league game which I will play on Sunday. I need the practice at the moment, so please forgive me for not uploading according to my regular schedule! https://www.youtube.com/embed/mhCOlhUBcqw 2802 2019-04-12T17:18:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/power-of-the-maroczy-bind-training-game/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/hK5IAyG7Irg.jpg Power of the Maróczy Bind | Training Game A 15+15 training game in the Open Sicilian with a Maroczy Bind stranglehold setup for white. I’m trying to play as many training games as possible before my tournament begins next week. I’m also playing a league game tomorrow morning, and I have prepared for my opponent already, so getting into calculating mode is what I need. I tried to get a longer time control game in, but unfortunately it was 15+15 again. https://www.youtube.com/embed/hK5IAyG7Irg 1735 2019-04-13T20:09:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-sharp-scandinavian-training-game/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/polMkQ7Cnnc.jpg A Sharp Scandinavian! | Training Game A 30’ + 5’’ training game against a 2156 rated opponent. It was a theoretical Nf3 Scandinavian Defense. I played against “Neroazzuro” on lichess. He contacted me because he also plays the Scandinavian (including the Nf3 sidelines) and he asked me whether I’d like to train together. I was happy to accept a challenge from a higher rated opponent! I couldn’t remember the theoretical lines at first, which was slightly embarrassing, but I managed after a while, and we entered the second most popular line in the Nf3 Scandinavian Defense. I played Be3, a move I don’t normally play, but I find the positions comfortable for white. https://www.youtube.com/embed/polMkQ7Cnnc 3452 2019-04-14T13:36:26+00:00 https://chessterra.com/opposite-colored-bishops-it-was-winning-training-game/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/GTrMLUSVhTs.jpg Opposite Colored Bishops (It was winning!) | Training Game A 30’ + 5’’ training game against a 2100 rated opponent on lichess. We played the Quiet Variation of the Slav Defense. Neither the opening nor the middlegame were too exciting, but the endgame was. It was also very instructive. It was opposite colored bishops with a pair of rooks still on the board. It seemed like neither side could really do much, but then I found a way to set my pieces on perfect squares and win the h pawn! I was a pawn up when I managed to follow through with the plan, but in compensation he pushed his pawn to d6, thus forcing my bishop to remain on the defensive for the rest of the game, keeping the pawn blocked. https://www.youtube.com/embed/GTrMLUSVhTs 3513 2019-04-15T17:23:45+00:00 https://chessterra.com/an-instructive-karpov-caro-kann-after-a-bad-nimzowitsch/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/uiqmEkOSNA.jpg An Instructive Karpov Caro-Kann (after a bad Nimzowitsch) Two 15’+15’’ training games. The first was a short Nimzowitsch Defense gone wrong for my opponent, but the second one was an interesting Karpov Variation of the Caro-Kann. My opponent blundered a piece early on in the first game and I should have won much sooner. I missed an easy tactic though which could have won on the spot (Bb5+ instead of Be2), and I even missed a check which forced me to trade queens off. But still, piece up, I converted easily. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-uiqmEkOSNA 3100 2019-04-16T16:58:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/first-game-against-a-grandmaster-road-to-gm-game-56/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JpuUVpp3lqY.jpg First Game Against a Grandmaster | Road to GM, Game 56 I was speechless and dazed after the game. This was the first time I faced a grandmaster, and I stood my ground, but... GM Pacher M (2391) vs S. Tomic (1859), 2019 Doprastav Open, Bratislava, Round 1, 04/18/2019 As it always happens in open Swiss tournaments, you either play someone much weaker or someone much stronger n round 1 if you’re rated close to 1900. I usually face 2300 or 1500 players. Doprastav Open was the first type because I was in the lower half of the table. https://www.youtube.com/embed/JpuUVpp3lqY 1047 2019-04-22T16:41:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-smooth-attack-road-to-gm-game-57/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iJVbZDKe0ig.jpg A Smooth Attack! | Road to GM, Game 57 Round 2 game from Doprastav Open. The Kholmov System crushed the Pirc again! S. Tomic (1859) vs J. Jambrich (1507), 2019 Doprastav Open, Bratislava, Round 2, 04/19/2019 After losing in round 1, I was really eager to win (and I had to win, as the Swiss system is relentless). Since I’m in the lower half of the tournament, I play a much higher opponent in round 1, and then, if I lose, a much lower opponent in round 2, and it goes on like that evening out around the fifth round. https://www.youtube.com/embed/iJVbZDKe0ig 861 2019-04-23T13:59:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/two-embarrassing-games-road-to-gm-games-58-59/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/nXwS93xOYAs.jpg Two Embarrassing Games | Road to GM, Games 58, 59 Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2019 Doprastav Open played in Bratislava. Both were in the Caro-Kann and both were dubious. After the first two rounds I was at 50% with one win and one loss. This is expected in Swiss tournaments, as you play someone much higher rated or much lower rated at start. Round 3 was my chance to win a game against a stronger opponent. I played someone rated 200 points higher (which I can cope with and I win around 40% of the games). https://www.youtube.com/embed/nXwS93xOYAs 2242 2019-04-24T14:50:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/london-system-finally-defeated-road-to-gm-game-60/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AYvgbXmR7gs.jpg London System Finally Defeated | Road to GM, Game 60 Round 5 of the 2019 Doprastav Open played in Bratislava. I finally got a chance to play the new system I prepared against the London System and it worked like a charm! In the afternoon of day three I faced an equally rated opponent with no preparation. I only had an hour in between rounds as my morning game took long, so I had no idea what my opponent played (there were also almost no games of his online). https://www.youtube.com/embed/AYvgbXmR7gs 1091 2019-04-25T14:42:56+00:00 https://chessterra.com/worse-losing-winning-equal-lost-road-to-gm-game-61/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/54V8OzO7N-o.jpg Worse, Losing, Winning, Equal… Lost | Road to GM, Game 61 Round 6 of the 2019 Doprastav Open played in Bratislava. I rarely know little or no theory in the opening. That is exactly what happened this game. I faced a higher rated opponent on the last day of the tournament. I was sleepless, tired, and would have given anything to have a rest day. But I came to the game and still promised myself I was going to do my best. I had time to prepare for my opponent but didn’t really know much about the system I was about to play. I looked at the options and thought I was going to be ok. We did end up playing what I feared the most. He plays the Sicilian, mostly Nc6, and he played it in the game too. https://www.youtube.com/embed/54V8OzO7N-o 1677 2019-04-26T15:12:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/aaaaaaaaaaaaaa-road-to-gm-game-62/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/zTjNnLN2BU.jpg Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa! | Road to GM, Game 62 The final round of Dorastav Open. A great thank you to everyone who supported the channel and made it possible to play the tournament! The last round was extremely frustrating. I was the last board to finish the morning round so I had no time to prepare. Combine that with the fact that I had no sleep the night before, and you get a winning combination. Regardless, I tried to focus as best as possible and play as best I could. I faced a slightly higher rated opponent with the black pieces. We entered the Exchange Caro Kann and I chose a sideline which I know well. His response was uncommon. He played f3 and Kf2, which isn’t bad, but it gives black an equal game. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-zTjNnLN2BU 1097 2019-04-27T11:31:37+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scandinavian-defense-modern-variation/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mEwzUYJV17E.jpg Scandinavian Defense Modern Variation The Modern Scandinavian is a very interesting way for black to avoid recapturing on d5 immediately and bringing his queen out too early. The idea behind the move Nf6, instead of the main Qxd5, is to recapture the pawn with the knight later on and accept being a pawn down for the moment. Most often, that is exactly what’s going to happen, but white can be stubborn and try to hold on to the pawn. One thing that has to be said about the Modern Variation (as is the case with almost every variation of the Scandinavian), it’s low maintenance. It requires very little theoretical knowledge to play and to understand, and there are very little sidelines to learn in comparison to main defenses to e4 for black. This makes it a great weapon for all levels of players. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mEwzUYJV17E 1591 2019-04-28T12:48:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/h-file-attack-chess-middlegames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/laMdixc3aAg.jpg H-File Attack | Chess Middlegames Attacking along the h-file is among the most thematic attacking patterns in chess. You neglect material or structure and go all in to strip the opponent’s king naked! I have attempted to demonstrate the power of h-file attacks using four games. In the first two, the attack was achieved by using pawns (specifically the h and the g pawns) to open up the king. In the other two, the players used a less common method – pieces! Without moving their kingside pawns, Kupreichik and Polgar managed to bring too many attackers near their opponent’s king and the attack became overwhelming. https://www.youtube.com/embed/laMdixc3aAg 1893 2019-04-29T13:56:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/petrov-defense-ideas-principles-and-common-variations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/L8X6f8rBiVA.jpg Petrov Defense | Ideas, Principles and Common Variations The Petrov (also known as the Russian game or Russian defense) is the strongest alternative to Nc6 black has at his disposal! The opening was named after Alexandar Petrov, a Russian master from the 19th century. Its other name, the Russian, came about because it was popular in the Soviet Union and popularized by Soviet players. The Petrov Defense is the second most common way to meet 1. e4, Nf3 by white. Instead of simply defending his e5 pawn with Nc6, by far the most common continuation, in the Petrov black counter attacks instead, and creates a threat of his own. By playing 2...Nf6, black is putting pressure on the e4 pawn. https://www.youtube.com/embed/L8X6f8rBiVA 1447 2019-04-30T13:55:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/petrov-defense-classical-variation-main-line/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KrGPeutGfaQ.jpg Petrov Defense Classical Variation (main line) The main line of the Petrov is among the most theoretical openings I’ve ever studied! After the opening moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4, white has a choice to make. He can either try and chase the e4 knight away immediately with either Qe2 or Nc3 (which are going to be covered in the next two videos), or he can gain space in the center with d4! The latter is the main variation of the Petrov called the Classical variation or the classical attack. https://www.youtube.com/embed/KrGPeutGfaQ 1743 2019-05-01T18:07:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/petrov-defense-nimzowitsch-attack-nc3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/j-1sJ5w3HzQ.jpg Petrov Defense Nimzowitsch Attack (Nc3) The Nimzowitsch Attack is the most aggressive way to fight the Petrov Defense. It results in an imbalanced middlegame and deprives black the option of a peaceful game! The Petrov Defense has a notorious reputation for being annoyingly equal and drawing. This makes it a great weapon for players with white who wish to avoid sharp openings and look forward to a peaceful game likely ending in a peaceful result. But here the Nimzowitsch Attack comes in! https://www.youtube.com/embed/j-1sJ5w3HzQ 1675 2019-05-02T13:03:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/petrov-defense-cozio-attack-qe2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CumJAl6Uf58.jpg Petrov Defense Cozio Attack (Qe2) The Cozio (also known as the Lasker Attack) is infamous for almost always ending in a draw, which makes it perfect for taming the Petrov player! For an introduction to the Petrov Defense, watch this video on the basics: For an aggressive alternative to the Cozio, try the Nimzowitsch Attack: The Cozio Attack should really be called the Cozio draw offer if you ask me, considering that almost 90% of the games played on high levels end in a draw! For us mere mortals, though, it’s still possible for either side to win, so it doesn’t apply that well. Anyhow, if you want to choose a simple, equal variation, then this one is for you. https://www.youtube.com/embed/CumJAl6Uf58 1110 2019-05-03T13:43:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/petrov-defense-cochrane-gambit-nxf7/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2NaoyOCfkEg.jpg Petrov Defense Cochrane Gambit (Nxf7??) If you are looking for an aggressive surprise weapon against the Petrov, look no further! The Cochrane Gambit is dubious, double edged and promises an exciting game! For an introduction to the Petrov Defense, watch this video on the basics: As opposed to almost every other variation of the Petrov Defense, in which the middlegame positions reached often have a symmetrical structure and no queens, the Cochrane Gambit is quite a refreshment! White sacrifices a knight for two pawns and basically goes all in for an attack! https://www.youtube.com/embed/2NaoyOCfkEg 1235 2019-05-04T11:43:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fighting-in-the-lions-jaw-road-to-gm-game-63/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/wYXu_FLcutM.jpg Fighting in the Lion’s Jaw | Road to GM, Game 63 A very complex and instructive game in the Lion Defense against a higher rated opponent. Tomic S. (1876) vs Markovic V. (2144), Lion Defense, Lion’s Jaw 4th Croatian League, Rd. 6, 05/05/2019 In round 6 of the league we faced the strongest team. We were not expected to do well at all, but we are a good team and we can do well against anyone! I had two possible opponents (I played board 2), and both were higher rated than me. With three weeks to prepare, I looked at almost all of their games and did detailed preparation. https://www.youtube.com/embed/wYXu_FLcutM 1138 2019-05-05T13:04:53+00:00 https://chessterra.com/petrov-defense-karklins-martinovsky-magnus-carlsens-nd3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BuFnO0Ij-yU.jpg Petrov Defense, Karklins-Martinovsky (Magnus Carlsen’s Nd3) The move Nd3 is very rare, but it has been made more popular since Magnus Carlsen played it in the world championship against Fabiano Caruana. For an introduction to the Petrov Defense, watch this video on the basics: In the boring sea that is the Petrov Defense, there is still, it seems, room for surprise. That exactly is the case with the Karklins-Martinovsky Variation, a seldom used line which Magnus Carlsen played against Caruana in 2018 WCC. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BuFnO0Ij-yU 1231 2019-05-06T13:48:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/petrov-defense-sidelines-for-white/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hxV7UuQfKkE.jpg Petrov Defense Sidelines for White Two interesting ways to avoid taking the e5 pawn and playing the main lines of the Petrov Defense. For an introduction to the Petrov Defense, watch this video on the basics: To finish the series on the Petrov, I have covered two sideline variations white can choose on move three to avoid entering the theoretical positions. The modern attack is a visually aggressive alternative to Nxe5. White plays d4 early on, breaking up black’s control in the center and hoping to seize the initiative by developing quickly. In some way, it makes more sense than the main line. https://www.youtube.com/embed/hxV7UuQfKkE 777 2019-05-07T12:36:58+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scotch-game-ideas-principles-and-common-variations/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/wAKWIie29YM.jpg Scotch Game | Ideas, Principles and Common Variations The Scotch is a recently revived opening which can be quite deadly in the right hands! There are numerous options for both sides both white and black can prepare deadly surprises in it! The Scotch Game got its name after a correspondence match played between London and Edinburgh in the 19th century. During the romantic era of chess, up until 1900, it was considered a sound opening and frequently used. It was even featured in opening manuals at the time. https://www.youtube.com/embed/wAKWIie29YM 1242 2019-05-08T14:44:48+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-scotch-gambit/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RIyuyX_I3z4.jpg The Scotch Gambit The Scotch Gambit is the most aggressive way for white to play the Scotch Game. With the pawn sacrifice, white attempts to seize the initiative and start an attack! For an introduction to the Scotch, watch this video on the basics: While it might not be the best move, Bc4 is definitely the most straightforward continuation white could choose and it sends a clear message to black. With the bishop on the most active diagonal, white is looking at the critical square f7, and in many variations, black could easily go wrong and lose because of that. https://www.youtube.com/embed/RIyuyX_I3z4 1291 2019-05-09T12:16:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scotch-game-goring-gambit/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/NCtCqUmqKdA.jpg Scotch Game | Göring Gambit The Göring Gambit is a very aggressive, highly provocative and slightly unsound continuation for white. He gives up a full pawn for development and an attempt for a deadly initiative. For an introduction to the Scotch, watch this video on the basics: When looking for a complicated and unexpected line against e5 players, the Göring Gambit seems like a very natural choice. White gives up a pawn to provoke black into helping to develop the white minor pieces with tempo, thus creating an attacking setup which can prove terminal for the black king. https://www.youtube.com/embed/NCtCqUmqKdA 1268 2019-05-10T11:11:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scotch-game-steinitz-variation/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/YtzJtfLV48o.jpg Scotch Game Steinitz Variation The Steinitz Scotch is a bad variation for black if white knows it. If he doesn’t… it can be very tricky to face. For an introduction to the Scotch, watch this video on the basics: The Steinitz Variation is a rarely used sideline for black, but it can come as a nasty surprise. Black develops his queen to h4, aggressively looking at the f2 pawn and immediately attacking e4. Those are threats white has to deal with immediately. The natural Bd3 fails because the d4 knight is hanging. https://www.youtube.com/embed/YtzJtfLV48o 1105 2019-05-11T12:04:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-game-with-six-queens-road-to-gm-game-64/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/8_QnMVtWTlk.jpg A Game With Six Queens | Road to GM, Game 64 One of the most instructive and most complicated endgames I have ever played. Tomic S. (1876) vs Krklec J. (2029), Closed Sicilian 2019 Croatian Cup Finals, Rd.1, 05/15/2019 My team, HAŠK Mladost, is playing the finals of the Croatian Chess Cup again. And I made the team again (albeit as a substitution). Last year I played 4 out of six rounds though, so this year I expect to play as much too. In round 1 we faced a lower rated team (except on my board) and I got to play. Apart from myself, our team is three international masters and a fide master, one IM sat out this round. I knew who I was going to play in advance because we were able to calculate with almost complete certainty. I prepared for a long time, but mostly for the black pieces. I ended up playing white. https://www.youtube.com/embed/8_QnMVtWTlk 1338 2019-05-16T08:15:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/my-first-fm-scalp-road-to-gm-game-65/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CeQmdgMAtpQ.jpg My First FM Scalp! | Road to GM, Game 65 There are no words to explain how I felt after the game. Tomic S. (1876) vs Medak B. (2347), Pirc, Lion Jaw 2019 Croatian Cup Finals, Rd.4, 05/17/2019 I came to play the Croatian Cup Finals as a substitution. My team is composed of three International Masters, my coach Matej, who is an FM, and me. Last year I played four rounds (out of six). This year, after losing in round one, I didn’t play in the next two, but I was to play in round four. Against a Fide Master! That evening, when Matej told me I’d play, I was thrilled. https://www.youtube.com/embed/CeQmdgMAtpQ 1120 2019-05-20T11:44:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/luck-is-a-matter-of-preparation-meeting-opportunity-road-to-gm-game-66/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OVCassBxrsw.jpg Luck is a Matter of Preparation Meeting Opportunity | Road to GM, Game 66 A battle in the theoretical Panov Caro-Kann endgame which should be equal in theory, but... Ivankovic I. (2081) vs Tomic S. (1876) , Caro-Kann, Panov Botvinnik Attack 2019 Croatian Cup Finals, Rd.5, 05/18/2019 After having won the round 4 match, which was an upset for my team, because we were lower rated, we have expected to face a very strong team the next day. Surprisingly, we were paired down, and faced a team lower on all four boards (if our first setup plays, that is). https://www.youtube.com/embed/OVCassBxrsw 1313 2019-05-21T11:43:38+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scotch-game-classical-variation/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Og7gNI35GL4.jpg Scotch Game Classical Variation The Classical Variation is one of the two most popular ways for black to defend against the Scotch. For an introduction to the Scotch, watch this video on the basics: The Classical Scotch is one of those openings which can lead to several different types of positions, and with which black allows white to choose the nature of the position. With the aggressive Bc5, black puts pressure on the d4 knight and forces white to make a decision. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Og7gNI35GL4 1674 2019-05-22T14:20:09+00:00 https://chessterra.com/scotch-game-schmidt-variation/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3wnJxmUJZg.jpg Scotch Game Schmidt Variation The Schmidt Variation is what Karpov chose when Kasparov used the Scotch Game as a surprise weapon in 1990. For an introduction to the Scotch, watch this video on the basics: It is very rare that the most popular variation among grandmasters is a very fund and complex attacking one. That exactly is the case with the Scotch game! On the highest levels, the Schmidt variation (also known as the Mieses Variation) is the most popular way for black to face the opening. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-3wnJxmUJZg 1845 2019-05-23T12:02:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/introduction-to-the-philidor-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Q4bp4qlRqGg.jpg Introduction to the Philidor Defense The opening ideas, main variations, brief history and principles of the Philidor Defense. The Philidor is one of the oldest openings. It was named after François-André Danican Philidor, an 18th century French composer and chess player, who was the first to approach chess in a non-romantic way. Not blundering away his pawns, but caring for them and turning small advantages into victories. He was the one who said the famous quote: “Pawns are the soul of chess.” https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q4bp4qlRqGg 1009 2019-05-24T14:00:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/exchange-variation-of-the-philidor-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ZnR2IXyyGIE.jpg Exchange Variation of the Philidor Defense The Exchange Variation is the simplest and most popular way for black to play the Philidor, but it still can be a venomous variation for both sides! For an introduction to the Philidor Defense, watch this video on the basics: Despite its reputation as being equal, symmetrical and passive, the Exchange Philidor is still a very interesting opening and the reputation is misleading. Not too many people imagine opposite side castling and kingside pawn storms when they think Philidor, but that’s what happens most of the time! https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZnR2IXyyGIE 1895 2019-05-25T12:47:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-training-game-in-the-exchange-caro-kann/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/zy_TfuRtF2c.jpg A Training Game in the Exchange Caro-Kann The game ended with an instructive and surprising tactical pattern which could have been defended against, but… My next tournament is starting in a week. I will be playing the 2019 Zagreb Championship. Needless to say that I’m going to be one of the weakest players, so I really have to prepare as much and as well as I can. Apart from sessions with Matej, my coach, and training myself, I will be playing as many training games as possible to get in the calculation mode before the tournament. https://www.youtube.com/embed/zy_TfuRtF2c 2224 2019-05-26T15:52:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/hanham-variation-of-the-philidor-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QH3LGpjg-ao.jpg Hanham Variation of the Philidor Defense The Hanham Variation (which often leads to the popular Lion Philidor) is a seemingly simple, but very tricky way to play the Philidor. For an introduction to the Philidor Defense, watch this video on the basics: The Hanham Variation is a very logical approach to the position after white plays d4. Instead of exchanging your e5 pawn or counter attacking the e4 pawn with Nf6, black simply defends it with Nd7. Probably the most important feature of the variation is the fact that it’s more often entered from other openings! In the Pirc defense, when black plays the early e5, the Lion Variation (of the Hanham) is what most strong players choose to play. It occurs after d4 d6 as well. It is therefore one of those positions which you have to be familiar with, which makes it a must learn for every player. https://www.youtube.com/embed/QH3LGpjg-ao 1456 2019-05-27T14:35:48+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nimzowitsch-variation-of-the-philidor-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/nLY-Gu7nP9Q.jpg Nimzowitsch Variation of the Philidor Defense The Nimzowitsch Variation is somewhat of a gamble for black. If white is prepared for it, it’s bad, if he isn’t it can be good. For an introduction to the Philidor Defense, watch this video on the basics: To finish the series on the Philidor, I chose a variation which is playable for black, and is sometimes played even on the highest levels, but it’s risky and better for white with correct play. Instead of trading off the pawn as in the exchange variation, or simply defending it as in the Hanham, in the Nimzowitsch variation black counter attacks instead. In an attempt to trade his e5 pawn for white’s e4 pawn, similar to the Petrov Defense. https://www.youtube.com/embed/nLY-Gu7nP9Q 887 2019-05-28T12:22:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/nimzowitsch-defense-opening-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fqQHlOCFmW8.jpg Nimzowitsch Defense Opening Theory The opening ideas and plans for both colors, main variations and theory of the tricky Nimzowitsch Defense. The Nimzowitsch Defense is one of those openings that make you want to vomit when you see them played against you and you are unprepared for them. It’s definitely a surprise to the e4 player, which is why you simply have to know how to play against it! It is by definition a hyper modern opening, meaning that black allows white to occupy the center and gain space by controlling the key squares along the fifth rank. The idea is, similar to other modern openings, to undermine that center later on, thus making white create weaknesses and making your pieces come to life. https://www.youtube.com/embed/fqQHlOCFmW8 2308 2019-05-29T13:21:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-positional-kings-indian-attack-preparing-for-the-upcoming-tournament/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ojkj8_sqQtA.jpg A Positional King’s Indian Attack (preparing for the upcoming tournament) The Zagreb Championship is coming up next Monday, so I am trying to train as much as possible and as part of that I will be playing several training games. The Swiss tournament system is relentless. In the first round I will be facing someone rated between 2150 and 2300 since I’m now around 1910. That means that the odds are against me. Because of that, I am trying to get prepared and concentrate on my openings, as well as practice tactics and endgames as much as possible. Another major part of my prep are training games. I’ve noticed that my play tends to improve after I have played several games, and I almost always perform better and blunder less in the second half of a tournament. So this is an attempt to get into “tournament mode” before round 1 starts! https://www.youtube.com/embed/ojkj8_sqQtA 2829 2019-05-30T16:36:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/opposition-chess-endgames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SoZPZdnYYk8.jpg Opposition | Chess Endgames The opposition occurs when the two kings are facing each other either vertically or horizontally with an odd number of squares between them. The side that doesn’t have to move has the opposition. Chess endgames are exact, precise and have to be the basis of every player’s studies. As opposed to openings or the middlegame, there are specific rules which you simply have to follow in order to win (or draw). If you don’t develop your knight before your bishops in the opening, as the principle demands, nothing is going to happen. There are plenty of openings which neglect classical principles. But, if you fail to keep the opposition in a pawn ending, or misplay the Lucena position, you are in trouble! In fact, you lose immediately! That is why the endgame should be the starting point and and a part of your study which you devote a lot of time to. https://www.youtube.com/embed/SoZPZdnYYk8 1310 2019-05-31T17:20:14+00:00 https://chessterra.com/introduction-to-the-kings-indian-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mND6TK5dSKQ.jpg Introduction to the King’s Indian Defense Main plans, ideas and common variations of the aggressive King’s Indian Defense. The queen’s pawn opening can be defended against in numerous ways. You can choose a positional, slow approach, you can choose a passive defense, or you can choose the King’s Indian! The King’s Indian Defense is the most aggressive way to fight 1.d4. When you see it on the board, you know that the one who plays it wants to win! It’s not an opening you choose if you are looking for a quick, peaceful draw. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mND6TK5dSKQ 1127 2019-06-01T12:32:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-long-road-to-gm-introducing-patreon/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/HYzp72nNHzw.jpg The Long Road to GM | Introducing Patreon I started playing chess in 2016, and ever since my first tournament game, I've been completely obsessed with it. It became my only true goal in life and the only thing I wanted to do. Back then, I decided to become a grandmaster and to do everything in my power to achieve that. ​At the time I was working, finishing my university studies and had several other things going on in my life, which made playing chess regularly impossible. It soon became clear that the only way to ever be a full time chess player was to stop working and devote all of my time to chess. https://www.youtube.com/embed/HYzp72nNHzw 546 2019-06-04T17:37:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bayonet-attack-kings-indian-defense-theory/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Igbyr-ERmus.jpg Bayonet Attack | King’s Indian Defense Theory The Bayonet Attack is the most straightforward way for white to try and punish the modern and provocative King’s Indian Defense. For an introduction to the KID, watch this video on the basics: To start with, I’m going to be covering the Classical (also know as orthodox) King’s Indian. The Classical Variation begins after white plays Nf3 on move five, not going for more radical approaches such as f3. The Classical branches out into several key variations which are going to be covered in separate videos. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Igbyr-ERmus 1853 2019-06-05T17:25:48+00:00 https://chessterra.com/knight-and-bishop-checkmate-chess-endgames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/oX_pq-2kiJI.jpg Knight and Bishop Checkmate | Chess Endgames Checkmating with a knight and a bishop requires knowledge and a precise technique. I have tried to explain it in steps simple to understand and learn! As opposed to all other piece checkmating patterns, which are rather easy to grasp or even figure out on your own over the board without any prior knowledge (with the exception of mating with two bishops, which is gong to be covered in a separate video), the knight and bishop mate is far more complex. https://www.youtube.com/embed/oX_pq-2kiJI 1807 2019-06-06T16:08:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-orthodox-kings-indian-defense-classical-system/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rKs3DgFISy0.jpg The Orthodox King’s Indian Defense, Classical System The Classical System (or the Classical line in the Orthodox King’s Indian) is a very thematic variation of the King’s Indian Defense, and it almost always results in sharp, extremely interesting games. For an introduction to the KID, watch this video on the basics: If you would like to support my quest to chess improvement and receive extra content, in depth information on each daily video, as well as exercises and problems to solve, consider becoming a patron. For more information, visit: https://www.youtube.com/embed/rKs3DgFISy0 1383 2019-06-07T18:27:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/checkmating-with-two-bishops-chess-endgames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/A7Mn-dYMNTQ.jpg Checkmating With Two Bishops | Chess Endgames The two bishop mate is much simpler than mating with knight and bishop, but it still requires a little finesse to do it properly and in as little moves as possible. If you would like to support my quest to chess improvement and receive extra content, in depth information on each daily video, as well as exercises and problems to solve, consider becoming a patron. For more information, visit: Checkmating with two bishops is fairly simple. But if you know what you’re doing it’s incredibly easy! This lesson should serve as a set of reminders as to which steps you need to take to accomplish checkmate easily and in a low number of moves. https://www.youtube.com/embed/A7Mn-dYMNTQ 1110 2019-06-08T16:25:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/petrosian-variation-of-the-kings-indian-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8advADA2zPY.jpg Petrosian Variation of the King’s Indian Defense The Petrosian Variation is a great way to confuse the King’s Indian Player because it goes against the most common plans for both colors. For an introduction to the KID, watch this video on the basics: If you would like to support my quest to chess improvement and receive extra content, in depth information on each daily video, as well as exercises and problems to solve, consider becoming a patron. For more information, visit: https://www.youtube.com/embed/8advADA2zPY 1282 2019-06-09T15:41:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/king-and-pawn-versus-king-chess-endgames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CJOiJzsKECQ.jpg King and Pawn Versus King | Chess Endgames The basis of all King and Pawn endgames is King and Pawn versus the sole King. This ending will be what all the more complex ones, with more pawns or pieces on the board are going to build on. For an introduction to King and Pawn endgames, watch the video on opposition: If you would like to support my quest to chess improvement and receive extra content, in depth information on each daily video, as well as exercises and problems to solve, consider becoming a patron. For more information, visit: https://www.youtube.com/embed/CJOiJzsKECQ 1994 2019-06-10T15:40:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/gligoric-system-of-the-kings-indian-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/EsqzsGzJapM.jpg Gligorić System of the King’s Indian Defense The Gligorić System (also known as Gligorić-Taimanov) is one of the most flexible choices for white against the King’s Indian Defense. It keeps the central tension and lets black decide on the nature of the position. For an introduction to the KID, watch this video on the basics: If you would like to support my quest to chess improvement and receive extra content, in depth information on each daily video, as well as exercises and problems to solve, consider becoming a patron. For more information, visit: https://www.youtube.com/embed/EsqzsGzJapM 1544 2019-06-11T14:09:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/king-and-two-pawns-versus-king-chess-endgames/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0jmpxtk6Fws.jpg King and Two Pawns Versus King | Chess Endgames King and two Pawns is almost always an easy win, but some positions require the knowledge of opposition and the rule of the square. For an introduction to King and Pawn endgames, watch the video on opposition: If you would like to support my quest to chess improvement and receive extra content, in depth information on each daily video, as well as exercises and problems to solve, consider becoming a patron. For more information, visit: https://www.youtube.com/embed/0jmpxtk6Fws 806 2019-06-12T14:10:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-best-variation-against-the-kings-indian/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/NqJkqqPMm8E.jpg The Best Variation Against the King’s Indian? The Averbakh System is an extremely powerful weapon for fighting off the King’s Indian Defense! For an introduction to the KID, watch this video on the basics: If you would like to support my quest to chess improvement and receive extra content, in depth information on each daily video, as well as exercises and problems to solve, consider becoming a patron. For more information, visit: The King’s Indian is a powerful defense, and if you are familiar with what black normally tries to achieve, then you know that! Kingside attack, expansion, sacrifices, opening up files! Well, not against the Averbakh System! In this variation, white doesn’t seem to allow any of that. https://www.youtube.com/embed/NqJkqqPMm8E 1323 2019-06-13T17:22:32+00:00 https://chessterra.com/makogonov-variation-of-the-kings-indian-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BKJo4I67_Uc.jpg Makogonov Variation of the King’s Indian Defense The Makogonov Variation is currently among the most popular ways to fight the King’s Indian at the highest level. For an introduction to the KID, watch this video on the basics: For those looking for a simple, flexible, and easy weapon against the KID, the Makogonov might be the right choice. While it can produce complicated, tactical games, it is first of all a variation based on pattern recognition and opening ideas, instead on crude theory. It doesn’t require learning 20 moves of theory as some other variations do. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BKJo4I67_Uc 1455 2019-06-14T15:20:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-game-from-the-twitter-chess-tournament-vs-staciamelinda/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/75NB2B0Rn-I.jpg A Game From the Twitter Chess Tournament (vs @StaciaMelinda) This round I was paired against Stacia, who is a very good player (and much better than I had expected!). I had no time to prepare for the game because I was focused on my prep for an upcoming tournament, so I didn’t even know what she plays. We entered a Petrov, I played the Nimzowitsch Attack, and my lack of preparation cost me dearly. I tried out an idea I had but never really tested, and the middlegame ended up being completely equal and very boring. Not at all what I’d wanted. https://www.youtube.com/embed/75NB2B0Rn-I 4126 2019-06-16T18:46:25+00:00 https://chessterra.com/crushed-in-the-scotch-patron-training-game-analysis/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cxXXAuGrRHg.jpg Crushed in the Scotch! | Patron Training Game Analysis Dual commentary between Jon and I. We go over the training game we played yesterday in which he defeated me in the Steinitz Scotch. Here is the link to the game; Yesterday we played our first training game (we are going to play one per month). Jon got to choose the time format and the opening. It was a game in 45’ with a 5’’ increment, and we played the Scotch, which is his main weapon against e5. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cxXXAuGrRHg 2820 2019-06-17T15:07:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/dunya-sampiyonu-fischer-bilgisayarin-algoritmasini-bozuyor/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AxdJ6-NGuVA.jpg Dünya Şampiyonu Fischer Bilgisayarın Algoritmasını Bozuyor Dünya Şampiyonu Robert James Fischer 1977 yılında o zamanların en iyi bilgisayarlarından Greenblatt ile bir satranç maçına çıkıyor. 3 oyundan oluşan bu ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/AxdJ6-NGuVA 370 2018-08-02T19:44:48+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-refutes-a-well-developed-queen-sacrifice-over-the-board/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pfw0mj-htik.jpg Bobby Fischer Refutes A Well Developed Queen Sacrifice Over The Board In the autumn of 1959, in the Yugoslav towns of Bled, Zagreb and Belgrade the four cycle tournament of eight candidates for the world crown took place: The ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/pfw0mj-htik 570 2019-05-31T14:30:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/doku-film-bobby-fischer/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2rshakiq6tc.jpg Doku/ Film Bobby Fischer Schach fesselt und formt den Geist eines Meisters, so dass die innere Freiheit und Unbefangenheit auch des Stärksten darunter leiden muss . *** Albert ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/2rshakiq6tc 4429 2015-06-03T17:59:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/la-trampa-brutal-de-bobby-fischer-ajedrez-reydama/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/euhaJCfRy18.jpg La TRAMPA Brutal de Bobby Fischer | Ajedrez | Reydama MI TIENDA ◕◕◕ ▻ Tienda reydama → ▻ Tienda reydama en facebook → https://www.youtube.com/embed/euhaJCfRy18 355 2017-07-09T07:29:29+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischers-incomprehensible-simplicity-fischer-vs-petrosian-1971/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/J1imdYt5drI.jpg Bobby Fischer’s Incomprehensible Simplicity | Fischer vs Petrosian, 1971 One of Bobby Fischer's greatest, and yet remarkably simple and smooth games, played in the 1971 Candidates final against Tigran Petrosian. For the first game ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/J1imdYt5drI 1322 2019-06-15T17:51:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-documental-biografia-en-espanol/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/tuBQMksCKxE.jpg Bobby Fischer – Documental (Biografía en Español). A los quince años, Bobby Fischer se convirtió en el gran maestro más joven de la historia del ajedrez. Nacido en Chicago, Bobby Fischer acabó con el dominio ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/tuBQMksCKxE 2612 2012-01-31T23:27:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-contra-o-mundo-legendado-part-01/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BJ2OWpE6JKc.jpg 'Bobby fischer contra o mundo' legendado part 01 'Bobby fischer contra o mundo' legendado part 01 https://www.youtube.com/embed/BJ2OWpE6JKc 3267 2013-06-26T12:49:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-vs-anonim-1959/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bgzs7uuGwcQ.jpg Bobby Fischer vs. Anonim, 1959 Zapraszam do oglądania pouczającej rozgrywki w której to Bobby Fischer mierzy się z anonimowym rywalem grając partie symultaniczne a zarazem daję nam ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/bgzs7uuGwcQ 498 2017-09-16T14:39:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-vence-a-un-gran-maestro-en-10-movimientos-pero-reshevsky-sigue-jugando/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/9JC3TzJdDiM.jpg ¡Bobby Fischer vence a un Gran Maestro en 10 movimientos! (Pero Reshevsky sigue jugando) Bobby Fischer vence a un Gran Maestro en 10 movimientos! (Pero Reshevsky sigue jugando) En el enlace siguiente obtienes una prueba gratuita al registrarte ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/9JC3TzJdDiM 793 2018-09-01T15:29:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-traps-bobby-fischer-trap/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iIw8XZ92Wg.jpg Chess Traps: Bobby Fischer Trap Bobby Fischer was one of the greatest chess minds of all time and always executed great ideas on the chess board. While there are many things we can learn ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/-iIw8XZ92Wg 571 2010-11-24T05:32:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/game-of-the-century-bobby-fischer-vs-donald-byrne/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/M624T3PTggU.jpg Game of the Century – Bobby Fischer vs Donald Byrne In the Chess Game of the Century, a 13 yr old Bobby Fischer showed the world that he was going to be a force in the chess world. Enjoy the commentary and the ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/M624T3PTggU 1493 2010-07-19T03:47:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/as-3-armadilhas-de-bobby-fischer/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SfD7SGsGx0s.jpg As 3 armadilhas de Bobby Fischer! Quer aprender a jogar xadrez ou melhorar seu nível de jogo? Conheça a Academia Online Xadrez Brasil: https://www.youtube.com/embed/SfD7SGsGx0s 1100 2019-06-17T09:50:29+00:00 https://chessterra.com/garry-kasparov-visits-bobby-fischers-grave/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/UztHjWyu-xc.jpg Garry Kasparov Visits Bobby Fischer's Grave On March 9th, 2014 - what would have been Bobby Fischer's 71 birthday, Garry Kasparov visited his grave in Selfoss, Iceland. It was a unique moment for chess, ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/UztHjWyu-xc 236 2014-03-10T20:13:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-strange-life-of-bobby-fischer/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/px2PoGr0AkE.jpg The Strange Life of Bobby Fischer (ABC News) A showdown between a journalist [Jeremy Schaap, son of sportswriter Dick Schaap] and the chess grandmaster in 2005. https://www.youtube.com/embed/px2PoGr0AkE 235 2008-01-19T19:01:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-anything-to-win-biography-full/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lwLM9bgE3tY.jpg Bobby Fischer – Anything to Win (Biography) FULL BBC Documentary with various interviews from well-known chess enthusiasts regarding the 1972 World Chess Champion match between Bobby Fischer and ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/lwLM9bgE3tY 3565 2012-09-04T00:16:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-destroys-sicilian-defense-in-17-moves/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/jEku6423dLA.jpg Bobby Fischer Destroys Sicilian Defense In 17 Moves American chess Grandmaster and the eleventh World Chess Champion Robert James Fischer successfully exploits his opponents mistake in the Sicilian ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/jEku6423dLA 222 2019-05-25T03:00:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-in-de-dick-cavett-show-1972/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/zIE3CFNpZ5Y.jpg Bobby Fischer in de Dick Cavett Show 1972 De beste schaker ooit op aarde, althans volgens zichzelf. Maar ook volgens vele andere grootmeesters. Te gast in een hilarische talkshow. https://www.youtube.com/embed/zIE3CFNpZ5Y 1271 2017-04-14T21:47:26+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Fvsfpxy8FZE.jpg Bobby Fischer Bobby Fischer https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fvsfpxy8FZE 5114 2016-02-24T22:18:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/pawn-sacrifice-best-scene-game-of-century/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/l3vcfRScxbc.jpg Pawn Sacrifice best scene game of century Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky 1972 from the movie pawn sacrifice. https://www.youtube.com/embed/l3vcfRScxbc 538 2015-12-13T18:58:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/searching-for-bobby-fischer-final-game/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ybrY9JWVBv4.jpg Searching For Bobby Fischer – final game Final chess game from the awesome movie: "Searching for Bobby Fischer" I play at Chess.com Challenge me for a game: ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/ybrY9JWVBv4 596 2011-08-02T20:00:15+00:00 https://chessterra.com/fischer-comments-on-arrival-comments-on-the-united-states/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DkzZ4MAOhaE.jpg Fischer comments on arrival; comments on the United States (25 Mar 2005) 1. General views of Reykjavik 2. Exteriors of hotel 3. Wide of Fischer news conference 4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bobby Fischer, former chess ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/DkzZ4MAOhaE 192 2015-07-24T13:42:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/old-rjf-on-chess-why-fischer-hated-chess-whos-the-best-ever/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/S4BU_AYJEs.jpg Old RJF on chess. Why Fischer hated chess. Who's the best ever about this video on Wikipedia ○ Buy this 82 minutes video online directly from Iceland ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/-S4BU_AYJEs 364 2013-05-12T05:43:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/drunk-history-bobby-fischer-king-of-the-chess-people/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KeKHtIAYAeU.jpg Drunk History – Bobby Fischer, King of the Chess People At the height of the Cold War, chess champion Bobby Fischer becomes a symbol of American pride when he faces off against Russian Boris Spassky. Watch ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/KeKHtIAYAeU 466 2015-10-08T15:23:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-his-hatred-for-jews/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/M_11Cdxvtfo.jpg Bobby Fischer – His hatred for Jews TV Record 'Anything to Win' (Biography of Bobby Fischer) https://www.youtube.com/embed/M_11Cdxvtfo 272 2007-09-29T09:58:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-and-his-dubrovnik-chess-set/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8S3lKm9gw3I.jpg Bobby Fischer and his Dubrovnik chess set More on the legendary Dubrovnik chess set: The Dubrovnik was released in 1950 ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/8S3lKm9gw3I 152 2012-11-26T21:51:32+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-tells-the-truth-and-nothing-but-the-truth/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QryuMf8qZ0g.jpg Bobby Fischer tells the truth and nothing but the truth Mr.Fischer comments on his release as a prisoner . The American terrorist - goverment and their foreign politics at their worst. I think it is time to do something ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/QryuMf8qZ0g 162 2007-09-19T22:19:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ele-faz-o-xadrez-parecer-facil-bobby-fischer-x-paul-benko-1959/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Vtwu9DXYI9o.jpg Ele faz o xadrez parecer fácil | Bobby Fischer x Paul Benko (1959) PGN da partida: [Event "Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade Candidates"] [Site "Bled, Zagreb & Belgrade YUG"] [Date "1959.09.22"] [EventDate "1959.09.07"] [Round "10"] ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vtwu9DXYI9o 931 2018-12-04T21:49:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-meets-bob-hope-hilarious/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/LSWau3pTyIg.jpg Bobby Fischer Meets Bob Hope — Hilarious! I do not own copyright privileges to this video, but I think it is worthy of public scrutiny to show a historical perspective to Bobby Fischer's character just after ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/LSWau3pTyIg 398 2015-02-18T19:59:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/pawn-sacrifice-fischer-vs-spassky-game-1-1972-world-chess-championship/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/p_doigaon7Q.jpg Pawn Sacrifice — Fischer vs. Spassky (Game 1 – 1972 World Chess Championship) Director: Edward Zwick Screenplay: Steven Knight Starring: Tobey Maguire; Peter Sarsgaard; Liev Schreiber; Michael Stuhlbarg Release date: September 11, ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/p_doigaon7Q 437 2016-04-05T20:26:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/a-very-different-bobby-fischer/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MPlXC3M8hbg.jpg A Very Different Bobby Fischer Appearing on The Dick Cavett Show in the summer of 1971, Mr Fischer shares his various views about chess. https://www.youtube.com/embed/MPlXC3M8hbg 426 2008-02-12T04:42:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/pawn-sacrifice-official-trailer-1-2015-tobey-maguire-liev-schreiber-movie-hd/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/xFHvH9FtACg.jpg Pawn Sacrifice Official Trailer #1 (2015) – Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber Movie HD Pawn Sacrifice Official Trailer #1 (2015) – Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber Movie HD https://www.youtube.com/embed/xFHvH9FtACg 152 2015-05-27T16:22:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/april-9-1972-chess-champ-bobby-fischer-on-60-minutes/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GPuazOwq0aw.jpg April 9, 1972: Chess champ Bobby Fischer on 60 Minutes In 1972, Mike Wallace profiled the infamous Bobby Fischer, who was then only 29 years old and training for a Cold War showdown against Russian Boris ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/GPuazOwq0aw 558 2018-03-05T21:23:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-against-the-world-full-movie-true-hd/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/V14gXuzRdp4.jpg Bobby Fischer Against The World (FULL MOVIE TRUE HD) HIGHEST QUALITY ON YOUTUBE full,documentary,pelicula,movie,ajedrez,chess,pawn,sacrifice,envenenado,historia,biografia,judios,cnn,download, descargar ... https://www.youtube.com/embed/V14gXuzRdp4 5345 2017-11-28T02:28:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2012-fide-world-chess-championship-anand-vs-gelfand-game-10/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lSBFXkngFNQ.jpg 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship – Anand vs. Gelfand – Game 10 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship – Anand vs. Gelfand – Game 10 https://www.youtube.com/embed/lSBFXkngFNQ 1063 2012-05-24T21:56:45+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-43-birds-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/EqP5iKvs7h4.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #43: Bird’s Opening LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #43: Bird’s Opening https://www.youtube.com/embed/EqP5iKvs7h4 863 2012-05-25T19:59:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2012-fide-world-chess-championship-gelfand-vs-anand-game-11/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DKVxLhKN2Ck.jpg 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship – Gelfand vs. Anand – Game 11 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship – Gelfand vs. Anand – Game 11 https://www.youtube.com/embed/DKVxLhKN2Ck 890 2012-05-26T22:07:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2012-fide-world-chess-championship-anand-vs-gelfand-game-12/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/XtHi-698eqs.jpg 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship – Anand vs. Gelfand – Game 12 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship – Anand vs. Gelfand – Game 12 https://www.youtube.com/embed/XtHi-698eqs 1010 2012-05-28T22:43:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/livestream-of-2012-world-chess-championship-tie-breaks/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JZChnP_p0DA.jpg LIVESTREAM of 2012 World Chess Championship Tie-Breaks The World Chess Championship Tie-Breaks between Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand will be relayed via on May 30th, 2012 at 8:00AM GMT. https://www.youtube.com/embed/JZChnP_p0DA 43 2012-05-30T00:37:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/game-13-rapid-tie-break-1-of-4-gelfand-vs-anand-2012-fide-world-chess-championship/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qrLYD-yyHHk.jpg Game 13 (Rapid Tie-Break #1 of 4): Gelfand vs. Anand – 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship Game 13 (Rapid Tie-Break #1 of 4): Gelfand vs. Anand – 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship https://www.youtube.com/embed/qrLYD-yyHHk 353 2012-05-30T15:14:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/game-14-rapid-tie-break-2-of-4-anand-vs-gelfand-2012-fide-world-chess-championship/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/B8a0CrJAtSQ.jpg Game 14 (Rapid Tie-Break #2 of 4): Anand vs. Gelfand – 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship Game 14 (Rapid Tie-Break #2 of 4): Anand vs. Gelfand – 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship https://www.youtube.com/embed/B8a0CrJAtSQ 924 2012-05-30T16:06:44+00:00 https://chessterra.com/game-15-rapid-tie-break-3-of-4-gelfand-vs-anand-2012-fide-world-chess-championship/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/U0HDVFgjvi4.jpg Game 15 (Rapid Tie-Break #3 of 4): Gelfand vs. Anand – 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship Game 15 (Rapid Tie-Break #3 of 4): Gelfand vs. Anand – 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship https://www.youtube.com/embed/U0HDVFgjvi4 909 2012-05-30T16:54:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/game-16-rapid-tie-break-4-of-4-anand-vs-gelfand-2012-fide-world-chess-championship/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cqZrNLPHsxo.jpg Game 16 (Rapid Tie-Break #4 of 4): Anand vs. Gelfand – 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship Game 16 (Rapid Tie-Break #4 of 4): Anand vs. Gelfand – 2012 FIDE World Chess Championship https://www.youtube.com/embed/cqZrNLPHsxo 983 2012-05-30T17:48:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/thunderhorse-i-warzone-chess-tournament-29/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MbZKDj7HogA.jpg Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [29] Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [29] https://www.youtube.com/embed/MbZKDj7HogA 1881 2012-05-31T19:53:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-traps-1-noahs-ark-trap-ruy-lopez/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KskXvXxlkCM.jpg Chess Traps #1: Noah’s Ark Trap – Ruy Lopez The Noah's Ark chess trap in the Ruy Lopez, Modern Steinitz Defense results in black trapping white's light-squared bishop by force after tricking white into an immediate recapture on the 8th move of the game. The Noah's Ark trap is one of many chess traps for black out of the Ruy Lopez and, in this tutorial, I play through the moves to the chess trick itself while offering very brief tips. https://www.youtube.com/embed/KskXvXxlkCM 120 2012-06-02T02:05:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/cube-fanatics-warzone-chess-tournament-30/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TtwtlMaKWCQ.jpg Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [30] Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [30] https://www.youtube.com/embed/TtwtlMaKWCQ 1972 2012-06-03T08:22:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-traps-2-rubinstein-trap-queens-gambit-declined/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RCn1i2iZKqo.jpg Chess Traps #2: Rubinstein Trap – Queen’s Gambit Declined The Rubinstein chess trap in the Queen's Gambit Declined results in white trapping the queen, or at least winning a key central pawn in the middle game against the black side who tries to pick up the bishop pair. The Rubinstein Trap is a trap for white out of the QGD and, in this tutorial, I play through the moves to the chess trick itself while offering very brief tips. https://www.youtube.com/embed/RCn1i2iZKqo 173 2012-06-03T20:47:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/warzone-kings-chess-tournament-31/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/a6LZhPz091E.jpg Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [31] Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [31] https://www.youtube.com/embed/a6LZhPz091E 1887 2012-06-04T21:56:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-traps-3-lasker-trap-albin-counter-gambit/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/s_ED8vrQQlM.jpg Chess Traps #3: Lasker Trap – Albin Counter Gambit Chess Traps #3: Lasker Trap – Albin Counter Gambit https://www.youtube.com/embed/s_ED8vrQQlM 245 2012-06-05T19:04:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-45-ruy-lopez-spanish-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3R9BlGXRCWg.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #45: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening) LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #45: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening) https://www.youtube.com/embed/3R9BlGXRCWg 840 2012-06-06T20:34:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/cube-fanatics-warzone-chess-tournament-32/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vl3AKqqu-5A.jpg Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [32] Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [32] https://www.youtube.com/embed/vl3AKqqu-5A 1870 2012-06-08T01:05:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-traps-4-fishing-pole-ruy-lopez-sicilian-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/k1tc7wwhLNY.jpg Chess Traps #4: Fishing Pole – Ruy Lopez & Sicilian Defense The Fishing Pole chess trap can spring about out of the Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense. The 3 main ingredients needed for its success are a hook, bait, and a fish that bites. This same concept can be applied in the Sicilian Defense as will be shown. The Fishing Pole Trap is a trap for black out of the Ruy Lopez and Sicilian Defense (to name just a couple) and, in this tutorial, I play through the moves to the chess trick itself while offering very brief tips. https://www.youtube.com/embed/k1tc7wwhLNY 355 2012-06-08T20:38:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2012-tal-memorial-chess-tournament-kramnik-vs-grischuk-kid-bayonet-attack/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GtM6Tjockig.jpg 2012 Tal Memorial Chess Tournament – Kramnik vs. Grischuk – KID Bayonet Attack 2012 Tal Memorial Chess Tournament – Kramnik vs. Grischuk – KID Bayonet Attack https://www.youtube.com/embed/GtM6Tjockig 805 2012-06-09T23:52:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/warzone-kings-chess-tournament-33/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/eEIw2I0z5CU.jpg Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [33] This is a chess tournament (Warzone Kings) I competed in on chesscube.com while livestreaming on . Time controls are 1 minute per player, however with a time handicap they are adjusted according to both players' ratings. https://www.youtube.com/embed/eEIw2I0z5CU 1882 2012-06-10T19:14:08+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-46-english-symmetrical-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ciOsx-fxEvY.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #46: English (Symmetrical) Opening LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #46: English (Symmetrical) Opening https://www.youtube.com/embed/ciOsx-fxEvY 834 2012-06-11T16:12:36+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-traps-5-legal-trap-philidor-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rtC6XhBLtqs.jpg Chess Traps #5: Legal Trap – Philidor Defense Chess Traps #5: Legal Trap – Philidor Defense https://www.youtube.com/embed/rtC6XhBLtqs 118 2012-06-12T19:55:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-47-ruy-lopez-spanish-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pYy7srrQ9xo.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #47: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening) LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #47: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening) https://www.youtube.com/embed/pYy7srrQ9xo 822 2012-06-13T19:32:38+00:00 https://chessterra.com/thunderhorse-i-warzone-chess-tournament-34/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KG92_Dn84Qs.jpg Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [34] Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [34] https://www.youtube.com/embed/KG92_Dn84Qs 1978 2012-06-14T20:31:16+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-48-benko-gambit-declined/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QGKQe6lx89Q.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #48: Benko Gambit Declined LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #48: Benko Gambit Declined https://www.youtube.com/embed/QGKQe6lx89Q 987 2012-06-15T21:58:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2012-tal-memorial-chess-tournament-morozevich-vs-nakamura-queens-gambit-accepted/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TSs2JXBRcPc.jpg 2012 Tal Memorial Chess Tournament – Morozevich vs. Nakamura – Queen’s Gambit Accepted 2012 Tal Memorial Chess Tournament – Morozevich vs. Nakamura – Queen’s Gambit Accepted https://www.youtube.com/embed/TSs2JXBRcPc 1206 2012-06-16T11:27:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-49-vienna-game-max-lange-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ZQl63G_sDMc.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #49: Vienna Game – Max Lange Defense LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #49: Vienna Game – Max Lange Defense https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZQl63G_sDMc 832 2012-06-16T20:46:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-traps-6-siberian-trap-sicilian-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/QH8FUGTE0QU.jpg Chess Traps #6: Siberian Trap – Sicilian Defense Chess Traps #6: Siberian Trap – Sicilian Defense https://www.youtube.com/embed/QH8FUGTE0QU 209 2012-06-18T01:40:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-50-caro-kann-panov-botvinnik-attack/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vtLE3aCw3FQ.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #50: Caro-Kann Panov-Botvinnik Attack LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #50: Caro-Kann Panov-Botvinnik Attack https://www.youtube.com/embed/vtLE3aCw3FQ 618 2012-06-18T18:13:45+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-51-french-defense-steinitz-variation/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PZzwXjKdEyM.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #51: French Defense – Steinitz Variation LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #51: French Defense – Steinitz Variation https://www.youtube.com/embed/PZzwXjKdEyM 568 2012-06-19T06:16:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-52-queens-gambit-accepted/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8NAjOCLuxC8.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #52: Queen’s Gambit Accepted LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #52: Queen’s Gambit Accepted https://www.youtube.com/embed/8NAjOCLuxC8 912 2012-06-19T19:56:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-53-kings-indian-defense-saemisch-variation/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/wRP3o161VGY.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #53: King’s Indian Defense – Saemisch Variation LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #53: King’s Indian Defense – Saemisch Variation https://www.youtube.com/embed/wRP3o161VGY 796 2012-06-20T07:47:34+00:00 https://chessterra.com/carissa-yip-chess-in-the-21st-century-gm-ben-finegold/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/jX-d5gZCG2Q.jpg Carissa Yip | Chess in the 21st Century – GM Ben Finegold Grandmaster Ben Finegold is impressed with 12 year old Carissa Yip. Yip played in the 2016 U.S. Women's Championship and is rising fast up the ranks. See four of her best wins to date. Carissa Shiwen Yip vs Irina Krush, US Chess Championships (Women) (2016) Ashritha Eswaran vs Carissa Shiwen Yip, US Chess Championships (Women) (2016) Carissa Shiwen Yip vs Akshita Gorti, US Chess Championships (Women) (2016) https://www.youtube.com/embed/jX-d5gZCG2Q 1512 2016-05-31T17:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/tactical-challenge-14-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Tvw4cJmky8c.jpg Tactical Challenge #14 with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz challenges you to find the best move. Find a mate or win material with pins, forks, skewers, and more. If you find a good move, see if you can find an even better one. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tvw4cJmky8c 221 2016-05-28T17:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-owens-defence-chess-openings-explained-podcast/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mooZ0rex4yQ.jpg The Owen’s Defence | Chess Openings Explained (Podcast) Jonathan Schrantz presents the Owen's Defence (1. e4 b6) in this stripped down podcast. Although it has a dubious reputation, learning the Owen could take the white opponent out of theory and give black an edge. https://www.youtube.com/embed/mooZ0rex4yQ 1329 2016-06-01T17:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/caruana-at-shamkir-chess-2016-strategy-session-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/I_J6JPsC0yM.jpg Caruana at Shamkir Chess 2016 | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz shows two games of Fabiano Caruana at the Gashimov Memorial tournament in Azerbaijan. Caruana leads after Round 5. See him defeat Radjabov and Hou Yifan. Fabiano Caruana vs Yifan Hou, Gashimov Memorial (2016): C80 Ruy Lopez, open, Bernstein variation Fabiano Caruana vs Teimour Radjabov, Gashimov Memorial (2016): B31 Sicilian, Nimzovich-Rossolimo attack (with ...g6, without ...d6) https://www.youtube.com/embed/I_J6JPsC0yM 2312 2016-06-03T17:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/tactical-challenge-15-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PQ3Fx_Zm-48.jpg Tactical Challenge #15 with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz challenges you to find the best move. Find a mate or win material with pins, forks, skewers, and more. If you find a good move, see if you can find an even better one. https://www.youtube.com/embed/PQ3Fx_Zm-48 104 2016-06-04T17:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/karpov-and-his-ruy-lopez-mastering-the-middlegame-gm-ben-finegold/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/enR0ntHVjG8.jpg Karpov and his Ruy Lopez | Mastering the Middlegame – GM Ben Finegold Grandmaster Ben Finegold demonstrates why black should never play the closed defence against Anatoly Karpov's Ruy Lopez. These three games ended in the middlegame. Anatoly Karpov vs Boris Spassky, It, URS (1973): C94 Ruy Lopez, closed, Breyer defence Anatoly Karpov vs Wolfgang Unzicker, Milan (1975): C97 Ruy Lopez, closed, Chigorin defence Anatoly Karpov vs Alexander Beliavsky, Biel 55/356 [Karpov,An (1992) https://www.youtube.com/embed/enR0ntHVjG8 2953 2016-06-06T17:00:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/centralization-beyond-the-basics/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/m8YKj0WoHS0.jpg Centralization – Beyond the Basics National Master Spencer Finegold presents an adult beginner class on finding the best central squares for your pieces. Notice in the games how the opponent's army never seems to be where they are really needed. Spencer Finegold vs. Jeff R Aldrich, 2012: D45 Queen's Gambit Declined semi-Slav, Stoltz variation Alexander Alekhine vs Eero Einar Book, Margate (1938): D26 Queen's Gambit Accepted, classical variation, 6.O-O https://www.youtube.com/embed/m8YKj0WoHS0 3039 2016-06-07T17:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-modern-benoni-is-no-baloney-part-1-chess-openings-explained/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/R3sT1d_npnQ.jpg The Modern Benoni is No Baloney: Part 1 – Chess Openings Explained Jonathan Schrantz presents the first of three Modern Benoni lectures. The Benoni is a sharp 1. d4 opening. Part 1 focuses on the Taimanov Attack variation. Evgeny Bareev vs Veselin Topalov, Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting (2002): A67 Benoni, Taimanov variation https://www.youtube.com/embed/R3sT1d_npnQ 3148 2016-06-08T17:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/defending-difficult-positions-strategy-session-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PRndzvC1UDY.jpg Defending Difficult Positions | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz presents puzzles from real games. Fight for the draw against Magnus Carlsen, and more! Also, Kyle's game submission is reviewed. Peter Svidler vs Magnus Carlsen, Norway Chess Tournament (2014) Stephen Boyd vs Torbjorn Glimbrant, Alicante (1992) D52 Queen's Gambit Declined https://www.youtube.com/embed/PRndzvC1UDY 2887 2016-06-13T17:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/viktor-korchnoi-from-karpov-to-caruana-mastering-the-middlegame-wgm-tatev-abrahamyan/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ikOei4Gl3Tw.jpg Viktor Korchnoi: From Karpov to Caruana | Mastering the Middlegame – WGM Tatev Abrahamyan Woman Grandmaster Tatev Abrahamyan pays tribute to Viktor Korchnoi, specifically select middlegames from the Soviet emigrant. Viktor Korchnoi vs Anatoly Karpov, Karpov - Korchnoi Candidates Final (1974) Fabiano Caruana vs Viktor Korchnoi, Tradewise Gibraltar (2011): C77 Ruy Lopez, Anderssen variation Robert James Fischer vs Viktor Korchnoi, Curacao Candidates (1962): B09 Pirc, Austrian attack https://www.youtube.com/embed/ikOei4Gl3Tw 2637 2016-06-14T17:00:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/rapid-games-at-paris-grand-chess-tour-chess-in-the-21st-century-wgm-tatev-abrahamyan/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/D2Ga2_zgi_E.jpg Rapid Games at Paris Grand Chess Tour | Chess in the 21st Century – WGM Tatev Abrahamyan Woman Grandmaster Tatev Abrahamyan looks at two opening games of Paris Grand Chess Tour, the first leg of the 2016 Grand Chess Tour. The rapid games were G/25+10s. Laurent Fressinet vs Fabiano Caruana, Grand Chess Tour Paris Rapid (2016) Veselin Topalov vs Fabiano Caruana, Grand Chess Tour Paris Rapid (2016): C45 Scotch, Mieses variation https://www.youtube.com/embed/D2Ga2_zgi_E 2726 2016-06-15T17:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-modern-benoni-is-no-baloney-part-2-chess-openings-explained/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/e13sQA7P__g.jpg The Modern Benoni is No Baloney: Part 2 – Chess Openings Explained Jonathan Schrantz explores the classical and modern main lines of the Modern Benoni in the second of a three part series. It all begins with 7. Nf3. Levon Aronian vs Fabiano Caruana, World Championship Candidates (2016): A77 Benoni, classical, 9...Re8, 10.Nd2 Ljubomir Ljubojevic vs Veselin Topalov, Amber Blindfold (2003): A65 Benoni, 6.e4 https://www.youtube.com/embed/e13sQA7P__g 3046 2016-06-16T17:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/arjun-plays-the-benoni-strategy-session-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/zIYFWyfUdwA.jpg Arjun Plays the Benoni | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz is joined by the "famous" 8 year old Arjun Puri to analyze two of Arjun's Monday Night Mayhem games. Both games had to be in the Modern Benoni (which is no baloney). Darian M Turner vs. Arjun Puri, 2016: A67 Benoni, Taimanov variation Puri vs. Danny V Machuca, 2016: A65 Benoni, 6.e4 https://www.youtube.com/embed/zIYFWyfUdwA 3457 2016-06-21T17:00:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/najdorf-structures-mastering-the-middlegame-wgm-tatev-abrahamyan/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CFrdBAQkiig.jpg Najdorf Structures | Mastering the Middlegame – WGM Tatev Abrahamyan Woman Grandmaster Tatev Abrahamyan navigates the Najdorf Sicilian as white to the middlegame structure it creates. See three of her games and try to find the best moves along the way. Tatev Abrahamyan vs Eesha Karavade, Chess Olympiad (Women) (2010): B90 Sicilian, Najdorf, Byrne (English) attack Tatev Abrahamyan vs Pouya Idani, Reykjavik Open (2014): B90 Sicilian, Najdorf, Byrne (English) attack Abrahamyan vs. Kesav Viswanadha, 2013: B90 Sicilian, Najdorf https://www.youtube.com/embed/CFrdBAQkiig 2550 2016-06-22T17:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/your-next-move-grand-chess-tour-2016-day-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0W-rYki7kz0.jpg Your Next Move Grand Chess Tour 2016: Day 2 YourNextMove Grand Chess Tour is the second leg of the Grand Chess Tour, a series of international chess events. Join GM's Yasser Seirawan, Alejandro Ramirez, Eric Hansen, Maurice Ashley, and WGM Jennifer Shahade for the move-by-move from Leuven, Belgium. This event consists of a rapid round robin and a blitz double round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/0W-rYki7kz0 22629 2016-06-18T21:33:46+00:00 https://chessterra.com/your-next-move-grand-chess-tour-2016-day-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hu1y_r-was8.jpg Your Next Move Grand Chess Tour 2016: Day 1 YourNextMove Grand Chess Tour is the second leg of the Grand Chess Tour, a series of international chess events. Join GM's Yasser Seirawan, Alejandro Ramirez, Eric Hansen, Maurice Ashley, and WGM Jennifer Shahade for the move-by-move from Leuven, Belgium. This event consists of a rapid round robin and a blitz double round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/hu1y_r-was8 27052 2016-06-18T18:21:22+00:00 https://chessterra.com/your-next-move-grand-chess-tour-2016-day-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hqKtdkX6JDE.jpg Your Next Move Grand Chess Tour 2016: Day 3 YourNextMove Grand Chess Tour is the second leg of the Grand Chess Tour, a series of international chess events. Join GM's Yasser Seirawan, Alejandro Ramirez, Eric Hansen, Maurice Ashley, and WGM Jennifer Shahade for the move-by-move from Leuven, Belgium. This event consists of a rapid round robin and a blitz double round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/hqKtdkX6JDE 18243 2016-06-19T19:28:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/your-next-move-grand-chess-tour-2016-day-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DgSAGWllPtI.jpg Your Next Move Grand Chess Tour 2016: Day 4 YourNextMove Grand Chess Tour is the second leg of the Grand Chess Tour, a series of international chess events. Join GM's Yasser Seirawan, Alejandro Ramirez, Eric Hansen, Maurice Ashley, and WGM Jennifer Shahade for the move-by-move from Leuven, Belgium. This event consists of a rapid round robin and a blitz double round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/DgSAGWllPtI 19443 2016-06-20T17:29:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-modern-benoni-is-no-baloney-part-3-chess-openings-explained/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5lJ0QLAlqyE.jpg The Modern Benoni is No Baloney: Part 3 – Chess Openings Explained Jonathan Schrantz completes the Benoni trilogy with this walkthrough of the Fianchetto and Knight's Tour Variations of the Modern Benoni. Kayden W Troff vs Hikaru Nakamura, US Championships (2015): A62 Benoni, fianchetto variation Vassily Ivanchuk vs. Anish Giri, 2013: E60 King's Indian, 3.g3 Krishnan Sasikiran vs Viswanathan Anand, Corsica Masters Knockout (2011): A64 Benoni, fianchetto, 11...Re8 https://www.youtube.com/embed/5lJ0QLAlqyE 3288 2016-06-24T17:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/king-2-vs-king-2-endgames-strategy-session-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/uMizRWy9ML8.jpg King & 2 vs. King & 2 Endgames | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz dissects a couple of endgames where a King and two Pawns faced off with identical material. One single King misstep, and the tablebase will change your prognosis from a win to a draw! Al-Rakib Abdulla vs Nigel Short, 4th United Insurance, Dhaka (1999) Vladimir Kramnik vs Vladislav Tkachiev, Tal Memorial (Blitz) (2008) https://www.youtube.com/embed/uMizRWy9ML8 2450 2016-06-27T17:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/tactical-challenge-16-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kl6u2pqiW6w.jpg Tactical Challenge #16 with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz challenges you to find the best move. Find a mate or win material with pins, forks, skewers, and more. If you find a good move, see if you can find an even better one. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kl6u2pqiW6w 284 2016-06-25T17:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/winning-from-the-winawer-mastering-the-middlegame-wgm-tatev-abrahamyan/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/tb2znz0PpPk.jpg Winning from the Winawer | Mastering the Middlegame – WGM Tatev Abrahamyan Woman Grandmaster Tatev Abrahamyan shows two games she won out of the French Winawer. Take plenty of time to pause the video to calculate the positions. Varun Krishnan vs. Tatev Abrahamyan, 2014: C19 French, Winawer, advance, positional main line Jue Wang vs. Abrahamyan, 2013: C19 French, Winawer, advance, 6...Ne7 https://www.youtube.com/embed/tb2znz0PpPk 2854 2016-06-28T17:00:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-yournextmove-blitz-rapid-chess-in-the-21st-century-wgm-tatev-abrahamyan/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/y2OyurbqFrs.jpg 2016 YourNextMove Blitz & Rapid | Chess in the 21st Century – WGM Tatev Abrahamyan Woman Grandmaster Tatev Abrahamyan looks at five games from the second leg of the 2016 Grand Chess Tour in Leuven. Pause after each prompt and calculate lines to see if you can match the moves of the world's best players. Fabiano Caruana vs Magnus Carlsen, YourNextMove Blitz (2016) Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Viswanathan Anand, YourNextMove Rapid (2016): C65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin defence Fabiano Caruana vs Veselin Topalov, YourNextMove Rapid (2016) https://www.youtube.com/embed/y2OyurbqFrs 2038 2016-06-29T17:00:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-voracious-winawer-part-1-chess-openings-explained/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/HtzVDvVYRaU.jpg The Voracious Winawer: Part 1 – Chess Openings Explained Jonathan Schrantz begins to cover the Winawer Variation of the French Defence. There are many sidelines here; can they all be covered? Jordi Ayza Ballester vs Andres Rodriguez Vila, VIII Sants Open (2006): C17 French, Winawer, advance, Bogolyubov variation Konstantin Landa vs Arcadia Naiditsch, French Team Championship (2013): C17 French, Winawer, advance, Bogolyubov variation Fabiano Caruana vs Samuel Shankland, US Chess Championships (2016): C19 French, Winawer, advance, poisoned pawn variation https://www.youtube.com/embed/HtzVDvVYRaU 3405 2016-06-30T17:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/creating-squares-for-your-pieces-strategy-session-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/H8rRbXn49G8.jpg Creating Squares for Your Pieces | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz shows how to create ideal squares for your pieces... using Pawn power! Three puzzles from real games test your ability to find and create the best outposts. Viktor Laznicka vs Vugar Gashimov, Donostia Chess Festival (2012) Etienne Bacrot vs Ian Rogers, Cap d'Agde KO (1998) Robert Dabo Peranic vs. Goran Dizdar, 2000 Ioannis Nikolaidis as white: A80 Dutch https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8rRbXn49G8 2641 2016-07-01T17:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-u-s-junior-closed-championship-round-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/LxzQZnUrnEw.jpg 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship: Round 1 For the seventh consecutive year, the Saint Louis Chess Club hosts the Junior Closed Championship, the premier invitation-only tournament for the nation's top rising stars. Join GM's Ben Finegold, Alejandro Ramirez, and FM Aviv Friedman for live coverage in the ten-player round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/LxzQZnUrnEw 17634 2016-07-09T00:11:48+00:00 https://chessterra.com/join-the-caissa-club/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/aElntkvt_L0.jpg Join the Caïssa Club The Caïssa Club is named after the mythical Thracian dryad portrayed as the goddess of chess. Caïssa originates from the 658-line poem, Scacchia Ludus c. 1565, by Italian Renaissance poet Hieronymus Vida, which describes a chess game on Mount Olympus between Apollo and Mercury in the presence of the other gods. The Caïssa Club is a joint gift program which recognizes dedicated individuals, corporations and foundations who make a combined annual gift of $1,000 of more. https://www.youtube.com/embed/aElntkvt_L0 76 2016-06-30T16:52:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/ascensions-your-move-chess-program/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Eu0_6osTN4U.jpg Ascension’s Your Move Chess Program Your Move Chess is a program implementing after-school chess in the Ferguson-Florissant School District and other schools in the Saint Louis area. Together, we can improve overall community wellness by stimulating the minds of youth. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Eu0_6osTN4U 267 2016-06-30T16:56:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/tactical-challenge-17-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/YenAqSPI8aE.jpg Tactical Challenge #17 with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz challenges you to find the best move. Find a mate or win material with pins, forks, skewers, and more. If you find a good move, see if you can find an even better one. https://www.youtube.com/embed/YenAqSPI8aE 271 2016-07-02T17:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learning-about-it-with-lulu-7-underpromotion/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5Pt_1oo2OMk.jpg Learning About It with Lulu #7: Underpromotion Lulu Wojcik teaches you all about underpromotion. Underpromotion is when a Pawn reaches the far side of the board and promotes to any piece except the Queen. See situations where underpromotion is preferred. https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Pt_1oo2OMk 79 2016-07-02T17:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/elimination-strategy-session-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CAjcKs4Ewuw.jpg Elimination! | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz looks at situations where the amount of legal moves is minimal and, by process of elimination, you can find the best move. Garry Kasparov vs Alexey Shirov, Astana (2001) Fabiano Caruana vs Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu, Kings' Tournament (2012) Viswanathan Anand vs Magnus Carlsen, Anand - Carlsen World Championship (2013) Peter Svidler vs Veselin Topalov, Linares 2006 (2006) https://www.youtube.com/embed/CAjcKs4Ewuw 1998 2016-07-13T17:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-u-s-junior-closed-championship-round-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Lavibmw-dXE.jpg 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship: Round 2 For the seventh consecutive year, the Saint Louis Chess Club hosts the Junior Closed Championship, the premier invitation-only tournament for the nation's top rising stars. Join GM's Ben Finegold, Alejandro Ramirez, and FM Aviv Friedman for live coverage in the ten-player round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lavibmw-dXE 16988 2016-07-09T23:45:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-u-s-junior-closed-championship-round-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/wb0FH0eLsr0.jpg 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship: Round 3 For the seventh consecutive year, the Saint Louis Chess Club hosts the Junior Closed Championship, the premier invitation-only tournament for the nation's top rising stars. Join GM's Ben Finegold, Alejandro Ramirez, and FM Aviv Friedman for live coverage in the ten-player round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/wb0FH0eLsr0 19204 2016-07-11T00:33:35+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-u-s-junior-closed-championship-round-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ai3lU404ySI.jpg 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship: Round 4 For the seventh consecutive year, the Saint Louis Chess Club hosts the Junior Closed Championship, the premier invitation-only tournament for the nation's top rising stars. Join GM's Ben Finegold, Alejandro Ramirez, and FM Aviv Friedman for live coverage in the ten-player round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ai3lU404ySI 17824 2016-07-11T23:58:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-u-s-junior-closed-championship-round-5/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bs3wQL8Bric.jpg 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship: Round 5 For the seventh consecutive year, the Saint Louis Chess Club hosts the Junior Closed Championship, the premier invitation-only tournament for the nation's top rising stars. Join GM's Ben Finegold, Alejandro Ramirez, and FM Aviv Friedman for live coverage in the ten-player round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/bs3wQL8Bric 20128 2016-07-13T00:50:48+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-u-s-junior-closed-championship-round-6/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MFtqgqCzYFY.jpg 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship: Round 6 For the seventh consecutive year, the Saint Louis Chess Club hosts the Junior Closed Championship, the premier invitation-only tournament for the nation's top rising stars. Join GM's Ben Finegold, Alejandro Ramirez, and FM Aviv Friedman for live coverage in the ten-player round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/MFtqgqCzYFY 20035 2016-07-15T01:12:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/rvk-vs-wojtaszek-2016-chess-in-the-21st-century-gm-robin-van-kampen/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/20mAEoDbSlM.jpg RVK vs. Wojtaszek, 2016 | Chess in the 21st Century – GM Robin van Kampen Grandmaster Robin van Kampen shares his story of the Chess Bundesliga league and his 2016 game against Poland's greatest player, Radoslaw Wojtaszek. Robin Van Kampen vs. Radoslaw Wojtaszek, 2014: B51 Sicilian, Canal-Sokolsky (Nimzovich-Rossolimo, Moscow) attack Robin van Kampen vs Radoslaw Wojtaszek, Bundesliga (2015/16): A14 English, Neo-Catalan declined https://www.youtube.com/embed/20mAEoDbSlM 2904 2016-07-18T17:00:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-u-s-junior-closed-championship-round-7/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6-oubZNnOp0.jpg 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship: Round 7 For the seventh consecutive year, the Saint Louis Chess Club hosts the Junior Closed Championship, the premier invitation-only tournament for the nation's top rising stars. Join GM's Ben Finegold, Alejandro Ramirez, and FM Aviv Friedman for live coverage in the ten-player round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/6-oubZNnOp0 20950 2016-07-16T02:28:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-u-s-junior-closed-championship-round-8/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6_gwLcOJs.jpg 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship: Round 8 For the seventh consecutive year, the Saint Louis Chess Club hosts the Junior Closed Championship, the premier invitation-only tournament for the nation's top rising stars. Join GM's Ben Finegold, Alejandro Ramirez, and FM Aviv Friedman for live coverage in the ten-player round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/__6_gwLcOJs 18569 2016-07-17T00:53:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-u-s-junior-closed-championship-round-9/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ZErA4hESpfY.jpg 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship: Round 9 For the seventh consecutive year, the Saint Louis Chess Club hosts the Junior Closed Championship, the premier invitation-only tournament for the nation's top rising stars. Join GM's Ben Finegold, Alejandro Ramirez, and FM Aviv Friedman for live coverage in the ten-player round robin. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZErA4hESpfY 19010 2016-07-17T22:37:27+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-immortal-draw-hamppe-vs-meitner-strategy-session-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/guTIeGqf0O4.jpg The Immortal Draw: Hamppe vs. Meitner | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz examines one of the game's great draws. From Vienna 1872, Carl Hamppe forced a draw against Philipp Meitner, who sacrificed lots of material for what looked like a sure checkmate. Carl Hamppe vs Philipp Meitner, Vienna (1872): C25 Vienna game https://www.youtube.com/embed/guTIeGqf0O4 1339 2016-07-21T17:00:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/learning-about-it-with-lulu-8-zwischenzug/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qZZUrezhSUI.jpg Learning About It with Lulu #8: Zwischenzug Lulu Wojcik teaches you all about zwischenzugs. The zwischenzug (also known as an intermediate move or intermezzo) is when an expected move is delayed for a different immediate threat. The expected move is played after the intermediate move. https://www.youtube.com/embed/qZZUrezhSUI 68 2016-07-23T17:00:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-preview/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/gyTPJho5iyg.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup: Preview The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is proud to host the fourth annual Sinquefield Cup August 5-16, 2016. The Cup is the third leg of the 2016 Grand Chess Tour. https://www.youtube.com/embed/gyTPJho5iyg 58 2016-07-26T16:38:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/whats-that-all-about-ken-west-vs-woolem-strategy-session-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/qH4osIP1SDo.jpg What’s That All About? Ken West vs. Woolem | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz is joined by Club newcomer Jason Woolem to review the Class G player's game against local favorite Ken West. The game is far from perfect, but it provides valuable insights into the mind of the amateur player. Ken West vs. Jason E Woolem, 2016: D05 Queen's pawn game https://www.youtube.com/embed/qH4osIP1SDo 2060 2016-07-28T17:00:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/yusupov-spraggett-1989-candidates-mastering-the-middlegame-gm-eric-hansen/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dGUlc9ZIVWk.jpg Yusupov-Spraggett, 1989 Candidates | Mastering the Middlegame – GM Eric Hansen Grandmaster Eric Hansen looks at the third game in the 1990 cycle Candidates quarterfinal match between Canadian Kevin Spraggett and Russian Artur Yusupov. Spraggett got closer to the World Championship than any other Canadian ever! Artur Yusupov vs Kevin Spraggett, Match Candidats (1989): D34 Queen's Gambit Declined, Tarrasch, Prague variation, 9.Bg5 https://www.youtube.com/embed/dGUlc9ZIVWk 3745 2016-08-01T17:00:04+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-2016-grand-chess-tour-so-far/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pGSNU0Ig3bg.jpg The 2016 Grand Chess Tour… So Far Before the Sinquefield Cup of the 2016 Grand Chess Tour, take a look at the rapid and blitz action that saw Hikaru Nakamura take Paris and Magnus Carlsen win Leuven. Who will clinch the third tournament? https://www.youtube.com/embed/pGSNU0Ig3bg 116 2016-07-29T17:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chesscube-meltdown-warzone-chess-tournament-36/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/jIZPHe5758.jpg ChessCube Meltdown Warzone Chess Tournament [36] ChessCube Meltdown Warzone Chess Tournament [36] https://www.youtube.com/embed/_jIZPHe5758 1857 2012-06-20T19:36:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-54-kings-indian-game-with-bb2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/9wTToYmBEpY.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #54: King’s Indian Game with Bb2 LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #54: King’s Indian Game with Bb2 https://www.youtube.com/embed/9wTToYmBEpY 867 2012-06-21T07:57:57+00:00 https://chessterra.com/cube-fanatics-warzone-chess-tournament-37/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/wZ_mk_BFb1Y.jpg Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [37] Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [37] https://www.youtube.com/embed/wZ_mk_BFb1Y 1857 2012-06-21T19:58:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/warzone-kings-chess-tournament-38/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ehxWKz0lZhI.jpg Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [38] Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [38] https://www.youtube.com/embed/ehxWKz0lZhI 1855 2012-06-22T03:58:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-55-philidor-defense-exchange/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5XYuEGdIUU.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #55: Philidor Defense – Exchange LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #55: Philidor Defense – Exchange https://www.youtube.com/embed/-5XYuEGdIUU 795 2012-06-22T13:48:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/thunderhorse-i-warzone-chess-tournament-39/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8KNaDDl66AQ.jpg Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [39] Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [39] https://www.youtube.com/embed/8KNaDDl66AQ 1914 2012-06-23T05:49:19+00:00 https://chessterra.com/kasparovs-immortal-1999-garry-kasparov-vs-veselin-topalov/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7gOorE7JCQU.jpg Kasparov’s Immortal – 1999 Garry Kasparov vs. Veselin Topalov This attacking masterpiece is filled with one brilliant move right after the other by Kasparov, moves that would soon have several defining it as the best chess game ever played, and the world recognizing it as "Kasparov's Immortal". It's a game from 1999 between Garry Kimovich Kasparov and Veselin Topalov from the 61st Hoogovens Chess Festival Tournament held in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. Kasparov was rewarded with the brilliancy prize for what is arguably the finest attacking game of his career. https://www.youtube.com/embed/7gOorE7JCQU 942 2012-06-23T21:54:52+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-56-queens-gambit-declined-slav/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fuW66nneDuQ.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #56: Queen’s Gambit Declined Slav LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #56: Queen’s Gambit Declined Slav https://www.youtube.com/embed/fuW66nneDuQ 604 2012-06-24T10:58:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/cube-fanatics-warzone-chess-tournament-40/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/sh4L6sWDsAk.jpg Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [40] Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [40] https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh4L6sWDsAk 1934 2012-06-25T01:58:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/warzone-kings-chess-tournament-41/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TvOlHrteh4E.jpg Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [41] Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [41] https://www.youtube.com/embed/TvOlHrteh4E 1875 2012-06-25T13:02:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-57-dutch-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/f8TT0O_4kyc.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #57: Dutch Defense LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #57: Dutch Defense https://www.youtube.com/embed/f8TT0O_4kyc 680 2012-06-26T06:14:30+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-58-birds-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/HShOQW1AXs8.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #58: Bird’s Opening LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #58: Bird’s Opening https://www.youtube.com/embed/HShOQW1AXs8 621 2012-06-26T06:23:05+00:00 https://chessterra.com/thunderhorse-i-warzone-chess-tournament-42/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/K5z3sP-5qeg.jpg Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [42] Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [42] https://www.youtube.com/embed/K5z3sP-5qeg 1861 2012-06-27T08:00:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/warzone-kings-chess-tournament-43/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/xj6oApyMwkU.jpg Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [43] Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [43] https://www.youtube.com/embed/xj6oApyMwkU 1877 2012-06-28T05:39:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-59-benoni-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4-ao8GnhYtc.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #59: Benoni Defense LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #59: Benoni Defense https://www.youtube.com/embed/4-ao8GnhYtc 833 2012-06-29T04:40:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chess-kibitzing-15-english-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/wgYRK39TSgY.jpg Chess Kibitzing #15 – English Opening Chess Kibitzing #15 – English Opening https://www.youtube.com/embed/wgYRK39TSgY 657 2012-06-29T22:10:11+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-60-queens-pawn-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/okv12iBr76M.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #60: Queen’s Pawn Opening LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #60: Queen’s Pawn Opening https://www.youtube.com/embed/okv12iBr76M 1001 2012-07-01T00:22:31+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-61-queens-indian-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/7KJQRUNDD9Q.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #61: Queen’s Indian Defense LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #61: Queen’s Indian Defense https://www.youtube.com/embed/7KJQRUNDD9Q 949 2012-07-01T11:32:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/warzone-open-chess-tournament-44/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Umm666X2m5o.jpg Warzone Open Chess Tournament [44] Warzone Open Chess Tournament [44] https://www.youtube.com/embed/Umm666X2m5o 1892 2012-07-02T09:16:49+00:00 https://chessterra.com/vip-warzone-chess-tournament-46/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Zd9092qT47k.jpg VIP Warzone Chess Tournament [46] VIP Warzone Chess Tournament [46] https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zd9092qT47k 1820 2012-07-04T04:20:51+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-62-fischer-random-chess-960/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cHrE5vmYYNg.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #62: Fischer Random – Chess 960 LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #62: Fischer Random – Chess 960 https://www.youtube.com/embed/cHrE5vmYYNg 801 2012-07-05T05:30:24+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-63-fischer-random-chess-960/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/o6WVri5nGqA.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #63: Fischer Random – Chess 960 LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #63: Fischer Random – Chess 960 https://www.youtube.com/embed/o6WVri5nGqA 560 2012-07-05T23:43:18+00:00 https://chessterra.com/cube-fanatics-warzone-chess-tournament-47/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/p-pdOjhmNhE.jpg Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [47] Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [47] https://www.youtube.com/embed/p-pdOjhmNhE 1859 2012-07-07T01:32:29+00:00 https://chessterra.com/warzone-kings-chess-tournament-48/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pPU7nznhHM0.jpg Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [48] Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [48] https://www.youtube.com/embed/pPU7nznhHM0 1862 2012-07-07T11:31:53+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bullet-blaze-cup-warzone-chess-tournament-49/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ba9R6Riexts.jpg Bullet Blaze Cup Warzone Chess Tournament [49] Bullet Blaze Cup Warzone Chess Tournament [49] https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ba9R6Riexts 1759 2012-07-08T22:53:28+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-64-nimzo-indian-defense-classical/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/F6FknsST95g.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #64: Nimzo-Indian Defense – Classical LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #64: Nimzo-Indian Defense – Classical https://www.youtube.com/embed/F6FknsST95g 882 2012-07-10T01:57:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-65-nimzo-indian-defense-saemisch/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JSl4xRvlNgA.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #65: Nimzo-Indian Defense – Saemisch LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #65: Nimzo-Indian Defense – Saemisch https://www.youtube.com/embed/JSl4xRvlNgA 801 2012-07-10T21:04:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/cube-fanatics-warzone-chess-tournament-50/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MBMKjB-ozM4.jpg Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [50] Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [50] https://www.youtube.com/embed/MBMKjB-ozM4 1853 2012-07-11T10:24:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/warzone-kings-chess-tournament-51/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/EAtZmHaOL7U.jpg Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [51] Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [51] https://www.youtube.com/embed/EAtZmHaOL7U 1837 2012-07-12T01:43:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-66-fischer-random-chess-960/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Qs2E1HLYTno.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #66: Fischer Random – Chess 960 LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #66: Fischer Random – Chess 960 https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qs2E1HLYTno 841 2012-07-13T01:01:55+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-67-birds-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/yOIT29tIzaI.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #67: Bird’s Opening LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #67: Bird’s Opening https://www.youtube.com/embed/yOIT29tIzaI 785 2012-07-14T00:33:03+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-68-caro-kann-exchange/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Bwy9kIsv9UI.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #68: Caro-Kann – Exchange LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #68: Caro-Kann – Exchange https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bwy9kIsv9UI 806 2012-07-15T09:38:17+00:00 https://chessterra.com/thunderhorse-i-warzone-chess-tournament-52/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/d1A6H6Xwg0Y.jpg Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [52] Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [52] https://www.youtube.com/embed/d1A6H6Xwg0Y 1880 2012-07-16T03:31:20+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bobby-fischer-vs-boris-spassky-game-6-1972-world-chess-championship/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/d2WlFD2rbRk.jpg Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky: Game 6 | 1972 World Chess Championship Game 6 between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky from the 1972 World Chess Championship (Match of the Century) was the greatest one of the entire battle. It includes a rare beginning of the game by Fischer with 1.c4. This masterful chess game is best described by International Master Anthony Saidy as "It was like a symphony of placid beauty.", and this exceptional moment in chess history has attributed to it a wonderful act of sportsmanship by Boris Spassky who, after the game, stood up and applauded Fischer for the masterpiece he just played. Game 6 is one of the greatest chess games ever played, and it propelled Fischer into the match lead, one that Spassky would not overcome. The match was held in Reykjavik, Iceland. https://www.youtube.com/embed/d2WlFD2rbRk 887 2012-07-16T19:55:12+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-69-fischer-random-chess-960/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/D5adGBj-6dM.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #69: Fischer Random – Chess 960 LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #69: Fischer Random – Chess 960 https://www.youtube.com/embed/D5adGBj-6dM 781 2012-07-18T21:05:33+00:00 https://chessterra.com/chessnetwork-channel-update-july-19th-2012/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/j5GbN7mm7fo.jpg ChessNetwork Channel Update – July 19th, 2012 ChessNetwork Channel Update – July 19th, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/embed/j5GbN7mm7fo 103 2012-07-20T00:34:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-70-grunfeld-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mFGVvRd6fcU.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #70: Grunfeld Defense LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #70: Grunfeld Defense https://www.youtube.com/embed/mFGVvRd6fcU 1087 2012-07-21T22:43:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-71-advanced-french-defense-winawer/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/k04pA4ap71E.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #71: Advanced French Defense – Winawer LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #71: Advanced French Defense – Winawer https://www.youtube.com/embed/k04pA4ap71E 340 2012-07-21T23:37:39+00:00 https://chessterra.com/cube-fanatics-warzone-chess-tournament-53/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/xaL7oOk69oI.jpg Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [53] Cube Fanatics Warzone Chess Tournament [53] https://www.youtube.com/embed/xaL7oOk69oI 1843 2012-07-22T00:54:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/warzone-kings-chess-tournament-54/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/9ydR952RLJc.jpg Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [54] Warzone Kings Chess Tournament [54] https://www.youtube.com/embed/9ydR952RLJc 1856 2012-07-22T02:15:29+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-72-sicilian-defense-with-2-a3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WGIP2b8q-nE.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #72: Sicilian Defense with 2.a3 LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #72: Sicilian Defense with 2.a3 https://www.youtube.com/embed/WGIP2b8q-nE 748 2012-07-22T03:20:26+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-73-sicilian-defense/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OuyOTDVEgtU.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #73: Sicilian Defense LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #73: Sicilian Defense https://www.youtube.com/embed/OuyOTDVEgtU 751 2012-07-22T06:33:47+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-74-birds-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Iy_cvGUb-Y.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #74: Bird’s Opening LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #74: Bird’s Opening https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Iy_cvGUb-Y 961 2012-07-22T20:50:40+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-76-fischer-random/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SgJlzOulayw.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #76: Fischer Random LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #76: Fischer Random https://www.youtube.com/embed/SgJlzOulayw 714 2012-07-22T23:01:10+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-77-english-opening/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OvB_euwLRgc.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #77: English Opening LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #77: English Opening https://www.youtube.com/embed/OvB_euwLRgc 833 2012-07-23T02:41:06+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-78-english-opening-symmetrical/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0HJfu53e3i8.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #78: English Opening – Symmetrical LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #78: English Opening – Symmetrical https://www.youtube.com/embed/0HJfu53e3i8 754 2012-07-23T20:46:07+00:00 https://chessterra.com/thunderhorse-i-warzone-chess-tournament-55/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/yB0CTpUFehQ.jpg Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [55] Thunderhorse I Warzone Chess Tournament [55] https://www.youtube.com/embed/yB0CTpUFehQ 1885 2012-07-24T06:40:16+00:00 https://chessterra.com/live-blitz-chess-commentary-79-fischer-random-chess-960/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Y1ik3kVQitU.jpg LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #79: Fischer Random – Chess 960 LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #79: Fischer Random – Chess 960 https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y1ik3kVQitU 794 2012-07-24T07:58:54+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-round-1/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/nZZqZoyGA_k.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup: Round 1 The 2016 Sinquefield Cup is an elite international event, featuring ten of the strongest chess players in round robin competition. Join GM's Yasser Seirawan, Alejandro Ramirez, Maurice Ashley, and WGM Jennifer Shahade for the move-by-move. Its the third leg of the Grand Chess Tour! https://www.youtube.com/embed/nZZqZoyGA_k 17377 2016-08-06T00:40:58+00:00 https://chessterra.com/bishop-pawn-studies-strategy-session-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MBDy11ZPzfM.jpg Bishop & Pawn Studies | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz looks at two compositions with the same motif: prevent the lone black King from interrupting the white Pawn's progress up the board. Making a Queen has never been so difficult. https://www.youtube.com/embed/MBDy11ZPzfM 1910 2016-08-15T17:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/akobian-vs-miyasaka-world-open-2016-mastering-the-middlegame-gm-varuzhan-akobian/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/8kkRNCUxNmA.jpg Akobian vs. Miyasaka, World Open 2016 | Mastering the Middlegame – GM Varuzhan Akobian Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian shows his game from the 2016 World Open against 14-year-old FM Marcus Miyasaka. As a bonus, see one of Var's favorite compositions. Varuzhan Akobian vs. Marcus Miyasaka, 2016: E17 Queen's Indian, old main line, 6.O-O https://www.youtube.com/embed/8kkRNCUxNmA 2260 2016-08-10T17:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/giri-vs-harikrishna-norway-2016-chess-in-the-21st-century-gm-varuzhan-akobian/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/P70xI2UaSxo.jpg Giri vs. Harikrishna, Norway 2016 | Chess in the 21st Century – GM Varuzhan Akobian Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian walks through a game from April 2016 between Sinquefield Cup participant Anish Giri and India's Harikrishna. Please pardon the odd sound. Anish Giri vs Pentala Harikrishna, Norway Chess (2016): C11 French, Steinitz variation https://www.youtube.com/embed/P70xI2UaSxo 1865 2016-08-17T17:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-round-2/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6NFv0dwgQC4.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup: Round 2 The 2016 Sinquefield Cup is an elite international event, featuring ten of the strongest chess players in round robin competition. Join GM's Yasser Seirawan, Alejandro Ramirez, Maurice Ashley, and WGM Jennifer Shahade for the move-by-move. Its the third leg of the Grand Chess Tour! https://www.youtube.com/embed/6NFv0dwgQC4 22274 2016-08-07T03:49:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-round-1-recap/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RH-XfLLok_s.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup: Round 1 Recap GM Maurice Ashley goes over the highlights for Round 1 of the 2016 Sinquefield Cup. https://www.youtube.com/embed/RH-XfLLok_s 64 2016-08-06T05:12:00+00:00 https://chessterra.com/alejandro-ramirez-catches-up-with-the-grand-chess-tour-players/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/492TkbO8L4.jpg Alejandro Ramirez Catches Up with the Grand Chess Tour Players Grandmaster Alejandro Ramirez sits down with the Grand Chess Tour players to find out what they have been up to between the Paris and Leuven tournaments and the 2016 Sinquefield Cup. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-492TkbO8L4 74 2016-08-06T14:09:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-intro/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/eDfhjIOmKyc.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup Intro 2016 Sinquefield Cup Intro https://www.youtube.com/embed/eDfhjIOmKyc 31 2016-08-07T00:02:38+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-opening-ceremony/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/UiQ3hz7VilQ.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup Opening Ceremony The 2016 Sinquefield Cup Opening Ceremony. Meet the Players, Organizers and Special Guests. https://www.youtube.com/embed/UiQ3hz7VilQ 76 2016-08-06T22:26:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-round-3/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/nG_wzXy1MaQ.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup: Round 3 The 2016 Sinquefield Cup is an elite international event, featuring ten of the strongest chess players in round robin competition. Join GM's Yasser Seirawan, Alejandro Ramirez, Maurice Ashley, and WGM Jennifer Shahade for the move-by-move. Its the third leg of the Grand Chess Tour! https://www.youtube.com/embed/nG_wzXy1MaQ 19308 2016-08-08T01:30:29+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-round-2-recap/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/vqHIL31H-uA.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup: Round 2 Recap GM Maurice Ashley goes over the highlights for Round 2 of the 2016 Sinquefield Cup. https://www.youtube.com/embed/vqHIL31H-uA 62 2016-08-07T00:51:42+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-1000th-video-celebration-our-funniest-moments/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/k6j3bf_a7vk.jpg The 1,000th Video Celebration: Our Funniest Moments Jonathan Schrantz, Mike Kummer, Ben Simon, and all of your favorite grandmasters commemorate the millennium mark of one of the most successful collections of chess videos on the Internet. https://www.youtube.com/embed/k6j3bf_a7vk 1328 2016-08-08T00:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2013-sinquefield-cup-round-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dW46gjUY1T8.jpg 2013 Sinquefield Cup: Round 4 Watch the complete coverage of the 2013 Sinquefield Cup from the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, featuring live commentary with GMs Yasser Seirawan and Maurice Ashley and WGM Jennifer Shahade! https://www.youtube.com/embed/dW46gjUY1T8 16231 2016-08-07T20:31:41+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-round-4/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CXaDIQJ6Nrg.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup: Round 4 The 2016 Sinquefield Cup is an elite international event, featuring ten of the strongest chess players in round robin competition. Join GMs Yasser Seirawan, Alejandro Ramirez, Maurice Ashley, and WGM Jennifer Shahade for the move-by-move. Its the third leg of the Grand Chess Tour! https://www.youtube.com/embed/CXaDIQJ6Nrg 15616 2016-08-09T00:09:13+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-round-3-recap/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5mC6sTtOeko.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup: Round 3 Recap GM Maurice Ashley goes over the highlights for Round 3 of the 2016 Sinquefield Cup. https://www.youtube.com/embed/5mC6sTtOeko 62 2016-08-08T01:43:23+00:00 https://chessterra.com/alejandro-ramirez-asks-who-are-the-favorites/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/oMKD9dzzpf8.jpg Alejandro Ramirez Asks: Who are the Favorites? GM Alejandro Ramirez is asking the tough question: Who are the favorites in the Cup? The Grand Chess Tour Players give their thoughts on who is favored in the Grand Chess Tour. The 2016 Sinquefield Cup is the third leg on this exciting journey of ten of the top chess players competing for the title of Grand Chess Tour Champion. https://www.youtube.com/embed/oMKD9dzzpf8 125 2016-08-08T02:39:29+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-round-5/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dZn15OFBF1A.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup: Round 5 The 2016 Sinquefield Cup is an elite international event, featuring ten of the strongest chess players in round robin competition. Join GMs Yasser Seirawan, Alejandro Ramirez, Maurice Ashley, and WGM Jennifer Shahade for the move-by-move. Its the third leg of the Grand Chess Tour! https://www.youtube.com/embed/dZn15OFBF1A 24380 2016-08-10T03:26:45+00:00 https://chessterra.com/2016-sinquefield-cup-round-4-recap/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/LpSdJEk9kUI.jpg 2016 Sinquefield Cup: Round 4 Recap GM Maurice Ashley covers the highlights from Round 4 of the 2016 Sinquefield Cup, the third leg of the Grand Chess Tour https://www.youtube.com/embed/LpSdJEk9kUI 62 2016-08-08T23:46:49+00:00 https://chessterra.com/the-voracious-winawer-part-2-chess-openings-explained/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JR8_vnUXcGk.jpg The Voracious Winawer: Part 2 – Chess Openings Explained Jonathan Schrantz finishes covering the Winawer Variation of the French Defence. There are many sidelines here; can they all be covered? Zoltan Almasi vs Wesley So, 49th Capablanca Memorial (2014): C19 French, Winawer, advance, poisoned pawn, Konstantinopolsky variation https://www.youtube.com/embed/JR8_vnUXcGk 3133 2016-08-18T17:00:01+00:00 https://chessterra.com/alexandra-kosteniuk-2008-womens-world-champion-strategy-session-with-jonathan-schrantz/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TBAGkBnNrjg.jpg Alexandra Kosteniuk: 2008 Women’s World Champion | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz Jonathan Schrantz looks at GM Kosteniuk's road through the huge 2008 World Women's Chess Championship knockout tournament. See a quarterfinal game against Ushenina and a final game against Hou Yifan. Anna Ushenina vs Alexandra Kosteniuk, Women's World Championship (2008): E35 Nimzo-Indian, classical, Noa variation, 5.cd ed Yifan Hou vs Alexandra Kosteniuk, Women's World Championship (2008): C90 Ruy Lopez, closed, Suetin variation https://www.youtube.com/embed/TBAGkBnNrjg 1200 2016-08-19T17:00:02+00:00 https://chessterra.com/julio-becerra-vs-akobian-kansas-2014-mastering-the-middlegame-gm-varuzhan-akobian/ https://chessterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3NvzqZPdEGQ.jpg Julio Becerra vs. Akobian, Kansas 2014 | Mastering the Middlegame – GM Varuzhan Akobian Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian shows a game against Julio Becerra from their 2014 match in Lawrence, Kansas. The game had an equal position going into the middlegame. See how Var slowly edged into victory. Julio Becerra Rivero vs. Varuzhan Akobian, 2014: C11 French, Burn variation https://www.youtube.com/embed/3NvzqZPdEGQ 1722 2016-08-22T17:00:01+00:00