Online chess community where you can play chess, learn strategies and tactics, read chess news, see book reviews, find rules & tips, get free downloads, and more! http://www.chess.com/ 2007 Chess.com Start with the French (ECO C), switch to the Benoni (ECO A), then play the Sicilian (ECO B). That's the first three moves of a game designed to throw the opponent off balance. See Transpositions on my Chess Skills blog. http://blog.chess.com/Ziryab/opening-transpositionsSat, 10 Oct 2009 09:34:04 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Ziryab/opening-transpositionsEnigmata convinced me to sign up for a thematic tournament he created: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Keres Attack. Beginning my preparation is proving intimidating as I note in my Chess Skills blog. http://blog.chess.com/Ziryab/keres-attackThu, 06 Aug 2009 13:02:25 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Ziryab/keres-attackI have the goal of reaching 1800+ USCF in the next year. But, my wins against  1800+ have been infrequent. The latest was just over one year ago. http://blog.chess.com/Ziryab/important-markerFri, 03 Apr 2009 06:18:45 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Ziryab/important-markerThe frequently employed term development came up in reply to questions regarding the middlegame. I decided to take a Socratic approach to the issue and raise questions to see if anyone can define it adequately.   I've been concerned with ...http://blog.chess.com/Ziryab/making-trouble-in-the-forums-developmentTue, 20 Nov 2007 12:11:02 -0800http://blog.chess.com/Ziryab/making-trouble-in-the-forums-developmentOkay, I've been here at Chess.com for twenty days now and remarkably I'm nearly always here when I'm at my computer. What elements of this site explain its appeal?  I've been playing turn-based chess for four years, so the nat...http://blog.chess.com/Ziryab/chess-site-addictionTue, 20 Nov 2007 11:50:26 -0800http://blog.chess.com/Ziryab/chess-site-addiction