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Crush the Dutch! Crush the Dutch! (and the chant goes on...) International Master Thomas Rendle concludes his mini-video series on the Dutch (for now) by providing some exciting material on the legendary Stauntan Gambit! White executes the common positional break of e4 in aggressive fashion. Even strong GMs have featured the Staunton as part of their "Anti-Dutch" repertoire, and you can too! | Watch video
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1.d4 players looking for some "new light" on dealing with the infamous Dutch Leningrad might want to take a look at this video lecture! IM Thomas Rendle walks through this highly interesting, and in some cases "ultra-aggressive", sideline and he gives it his two thumbs up. Note how quickly and often white makes the e4-breakthrough, and pay attention to IM Rendle's personal game review where he suffered a tough defeat. | Watch video
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International Master Thomas Rendle, otherwise known as the "Pterodactyl of Opening Theory", brings us yet another video series on the subject! On the docket this time is a weapon of great popularity at every level of chess: The Leningrad Dutch! Thomas reviews one of his own victories today, focusing on the main line variations occurring after black's 7...Nc6 (vs 7...c6). Black's goal of achieving pawns on e5 and f5 is highlighted, along with Rendle's obsession with the f2-square. Enjoy! | Watch video
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Today International Master Thomas Rendle concludes his exciting video series on the "Sidelines" of the French Defense. In our featured game, Rendle brings this lecture to a close by "bringing down the house" on a fellow Englishman, International Master Greet! Highlighted beyond the French Opening concepts is an exceptional attack, fueled by the "Opposite Colored Bishop" dynamic. Who says the light-squared bishop is bad in the French? Enjoy this one! | Watch video
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Another day, another video on the French from International Master Thomas Rendle! Here we see a continuation on the variations given after 3...Nc6 with 5.e5 and 5.Bd3 by white. Thomas reveals several hidden gems inherit to these "slightly awkward and original" French positions: Black's need to play for ...f6 early after Ne4; Queenside shots like ...Na4 after 0-0-0 by white; and the equalizing break of ...e5. French Players, you are welcome! | Watch video
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International Master Thomas Rendle continues his video series on the recent and topical variations of the French Defense. As he transitions into one of the more popular sidelines for black (3...Nc6) -- he displays an instructive win by Morozevich against fellow Super-GM, Peter Leko. The practical value of playing a "surprise weapon" is displayed in this game, when Leko chooses an inferior line. Watch as Moro' uses activity to punish his opponent! | Watch video
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After providing in depth variations and great advice for black against the Tarrasch French, IM Thomas Rendle now attempts to tackle the "Main Line" 3.Nc3 French variations. However, rather then spending the significant amount of time it would take to master the Winawer, Rendle suggest the side line, and much more subtle move, 3...Nc6 for black. The purpose of the video is very specific, yes, but for French players it is a dream come true... | Watch video
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If you are a French Defense player, and you enjoyed International Master Thomas Rendle's first video on this topic, then you have come to the right place! Here we see, in much greater detail, the strengths, as well as potential risks, behind the sideline 3...a6 in the Tarrasch French. Specifically, black's aggressive plan foreshadowed in the first video of pawn to g5 is reviewed here, and IM Rendle's description of the typical ideas is very instructive. Enjoy! | Watch video
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International Master, Thomas Rendle, makes his Chess.com debut with a video series on the French Defense. To be more specific, IM Rendle will be reviewing the most "topical" and theoretically relevant variations of this classic opening. If you are a French player, or even an e4 player, then this series -- lengthy due to necessity -- is more than a dream come true. Thomas's detailed approach should make anyone interested in these lines very happy... | Watch video