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This weekend we work on our technique! IM Sam Shankland reviews a recent Super GM battle between Naiditsch and Kramnik in which the former world champion sacrifices a piece for attacking chances and tremendous practical compensation. Unlike our previous examples of "converting extra material" where the path to victory was more methodical, here we must learn to calculate, keep our nerves, and shoot down explosive threats from our opponent if we are going to win! | Watch video
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After getting off to a rough start at this year's US Junior Championships, IM Sam Shankland was somehow able to find his stride... Was his game with FM Warren Harper the first "step in the right direction" or was he unable to overcome his misplayed opening? Watch and find out! | Watch video
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IM Sam Shankland is back, and today he continues his video series on the topic of technique. Though there were several instructional moments in this game between Gelfand and Ponomariov, Sam places special emphasis on white's patient relocation of the pieces to defend the center, as well as Gelfand's disciplined approach in stopping his opponent's counterplay. Sam's outburst at the 17-minute mark is funny too... | Watch video
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At halftime, Sam was in big trouble. Down two touchdowns, and reeling with an injury to his star player... or something like that! Did IM Shanky keep a cool head under pressure? Was he able to stave off Ehlvest's multiple "knock-out" threats? Or are we about to witness the "second half" of a sure blowout victory from by the former Super-Gm? Watch and find out... | Watch video
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In part one of this "game in review" video, IM Sam Shankland analyzes, in great detail, his critical second to last round game against Grandmaster Jaan Ehlvest from the Chicago Open a couple month's ago. As the game developed, Sam was feeling confident about his maneuverings and accumulation of the slight "bishop pair" advantage; however, when Sam miscalculates at the critical moment, it seems that the former World #3 is about to "bring down the axe"... | Watch video
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IM Sam Shankland continues his video series on the topic of "how to win when you are winning" with his second video regarding the conversion of extra material. In today's lecture Sam highlights the "three-step process" of showing good technique: 1 -- The elimination of counterplay; 2 -- The activation of your pieces; and 3 -- The execution of your advantage (in this case, and open file). Listen and learn... | Watch video
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IM Sam Shankland is back on the "video making circuit"! This time, Sam describes the necessary approach and required tools of having good technique -- mainly, how to convert your material advantage. Our featured game reveals an example where Sam himself was on the defensive, struggling to hold the position against a higher rated and aggressive opponent. Did Sam's opponent "put him away" in accurate technical fashion, or did he allow Sam to hold on just long enough? Watch and find out... | Watch video
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Grandmaster Melik Khachiyan reviews his game with fellow Chess.com Video Author -- IM Sam Shankland -- from the US Championships in May. This highly instructive video reveals Melik's inner thought process during the game, as well as his practical wits after failing to see Sam's "game changing" shot: Bg4! Melik's tone may be a little surprising at times and show a complete lack of respect for his opponent; however, we are all in for a little surprise at the end of this video... | Watch video
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In this video, International Master Sam Shankland continues with more game review of top level Grandmaster chess. Here, Super-GMs Yu and Movsesian face off in a high stakes match, and neither player holds anything back in this sharp, English Attack variation of the Taimanov Sicilian. Did black's initiative hold up, or was white able to liquefy black's threats to eventually promote his queenside pawns? Watch and find out! | Watch video
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Back for more game review, IM Shankland is here to offer our members lessons from his own personal experience. In this case however, it seems we will all be learning at the expense of GM Ehlvest! Sam reviews a great game against the former world #3, in the Leningrad Dutch. He offers some great analysis on both the positional and tactical nature of these structures... Enjoy! | Watch video