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Melik walks us through a recent game of his where he used his "backup opening" to defeat his lower rated opponent, IM Amanov. He talks about the positional strengths and the flexibility behind his opening choice, and why he feels it's a solid one for players looking from a different approach to 1.e4. Take notes on his opening advice, and enjoy the instructive finish. | Watch video
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GM Melikset Khachiyan plays an old foe and gives a clinic on how to slowly pick apart the "Stonewall" pawn formation. He also gives sage advice on what to do when you are surprised out of the opening. The methodical effort includes play on both sides of the board, and involves both knights retreating to the first rank! The final zugzwang idea is a picturesque and fitting finish to this tense positional struggle. | Watch video
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Fans of the Budapest Gambit will appreciate GM Melikset Khachiyan's treatment of a topical anti-Grunfeld variation. Melik shows how his savvy preparation, with the help of his trusty sidekick Houdini, netted him an outpost deep in White's territory. As white ran low on time, the grandmaster showed once again how knights can compete with bishops. | Watch video
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Here GM Khachiyan reviews a big win he had as black at a tournament he won over President's Day weekend. In his own words, winning this event was a "recession buster", and Melik talks about his philosophy both on and off the chess board going into his game against Matamoros. He ultimately finds a way to convert a better pawn structure into a winning Knight vs Bishop ending, and as usual, he provides great advice on the techniques used to beat his opponent. | Watch video
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Grandmaster Khachiyan brings his series on the greatest and not so greatest endgame moments from this year's Tata Steel Super-GM Tournament in January. Here he reviews the reigning world champions misplayed endgame against Wang Hao, as well as Aronian's interesting, "unbalanced endgame" against Fabiano Caruana. | Watch video
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Here Melik provides interesting positions that require a need for what he likes to call "Combinational Vision". He provides multiple example puzzles, and emphasizes how solving them, learning "what to look for", and recognizing the repeating patterns within those types of positions can help you in real game situations. Try to solve each position as you go and improve your game along the way! | Watch video
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Today GM Khachiyan reviews one of his favorite games! A battle full of swindles, surprising (often amazing) tactical shots, and many resourceful options for both sides: Gormally-Sutovsky, Gibraltar 2005 was something to behold! Of course, Melik provides insight into the calculation process of each player, and how we can all learn from their play. Enjoy! | Watch video
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Today GM Melik thanks the Chess.com Members for providing him with the needed encouragement and support to keep playing actively and to strive further, and always for improvement! Without that, we would never have had the pleasure of the current spectacle! Melik takes on an aggressive, and surprisingly well prepared opponent. He quickly finds himself on the defensive. Is he resourceful enough to "wiggle away" to does he falter to black's kingside attack? | Watch video
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Today Melik provides more proof that "tactics must server strategy"! He shows that with the right positional knowledge, and correct intuitive approach, you can spot tactics that might have been otherwise too hard to see. He reviews each position showing where the opponent's weaknesses are apparent, how you can see your opportunities to strike, and then provides awesome tactics to back it up! | Watch video
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Today Melik continues his series on the different process and approaches one can take to "solve" tricky, critical positions. He focuses on how to calculate logically and use "process of elimination" calculation techniques to arrive a the correct answer. He first reviews an interesting game with fellow author WGM Abrahamyan, and then moves onto a few puzzles that illustrate his points. Enjoy! | Watch video