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Continuing his two-part series on the exploits of Peter Svidler, GM Kaidanov finishes the analysis of the complex recent battle with Ivanchuk. The game is a clinic in the use of zwischenzug, exchange sacrifices, and avoiding trades to keep the tension. Kaidanov claims that super-GMs are even better than him in these areas! | Watch video
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GM Gregory Kaidanov, our "cultural attaché", is back with a new series focusing on the world's elite players. Here he shows some brilliant planning by six-time Russian Champion Peter Svidler. Kaidanov shares some anecdotes about Svidler's style of play and his gift of gab. Kaidanov also reminisces about his chance to repeat titles at the 2003 Aeroflot Open. | Watch video
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The ever-modest GM Gregory Kaidanov begins his video series on positional play with, what else, a loss! He builds an attacking position despite playing against the isolated queen pawn, but loses his initiative when white creates a giant outpost. Kaidanov warns students to be critical of all exchanges, while showing how backward knight moves (Silman's favorite!) can sometimes save the day. | Watch video
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GM Kaidanov reviews a very nice win in the career of Magnus Carlsen over Leinier Dominguez. The game highlights the importance of being aggressive with your pawns, gaining space early and often, and thinking critically in terms of what the position needs, and not just castling or playing other "principled moves" because they are normally correct. Follow those steps, try to guess the moves, and maybe you can play like Magnus! | Watch video
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GM Kaidanov launches a new series today in the spirit of Kotov, bringing you the modern day version of how to think like a grandmaster! Gregory provides useful tips on what "critical decisions" are worthy of a good think (like changes to the pawn structure or big piece trades) and as usual, he provides a great example game to go along with his advice! | Watch video
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Today Kaidanov reviews a game where the young Ukrainian GM Anton Korobov conducted a beautiful, creative attack against GM Ftacnik, as if the spirit of the Magician himself had possessed him! This amazing game in the Grunfeld climaxes with multiple surprising shots, a queen sacrifice for a pawn, a hanging rook, and much more! | Watch video
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Today GM Kaidanov provides more instructive examples of when the initiative and rapid development should be valued higher than material in the early stages of a chess game. He starts by reviewing the game of a student, highlighting where his pupil's thought process first went astray, then he reviews an amazing show of "dynamic chess understanding", once again, from the personal library of Mikhail Tal. | Watch video
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GM Kaidanov elaborates this weekend on the consequences of neglecting your development and "general activity" for the sake of material. He reminisces on an highly influential book from his youth, but more importantly, he reminds us of what the initiative, sacrifices, and more "active play" is really all about. Who better to lead by example than "The Magician" himself? Enjoy Gregory's review of Tal-Tringov, 1964! | Watch video
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Two "comprehensive recommendations" for the price of one! GM Kaidanov wastes no time in today's video lecture, providing solid recommendations for white against the Alekhine's and Scandinavian (including sidelines of 1...d5 as well). As usual, he is not providing in depth theoretical reviews, but rather continuing his mission to help all Intermediate to Advanced tournament players make solid choices and avoid the labor of long variations at the same time! | Watch video
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In part 2 Grandmaster Kaidanov gives his recommendations for facing black's 2nd and 3rd most popular moves against the Panov-Botvinnik Attack. He discusses 5...g6 and 5...Nc6, suggesting the slightly "less traveled roads" for white in both cases, but stressing that more space and active development make those positions very easy to play, and put tactical pressure on black at an early stage of the game. | Watch video