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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
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Is it really that easy? GM Kaidanov brings us another great video in his now long running series designed to help you build a comprehensive, yet "manageable" opening repertoire! He recommends slightly rare lines in order to lessen your work load, but all of them are strategically and tactically sound. Against the Caro he recommends the Panov - early 6.c5 Variation for white. | Watch video
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Before bringing his review of the Two Knight's Defense to a close by covering the Hungarian Variation (3...Nd4) as well as the dubious 3...h6, GM Kaidanov sidetracks into the Evan's Gambit! He recommends the declined (4...Bb6) for black, but also reviews some of the critical lines that follow after accepting the gambit. He then finishes off his coverage of the Two Knights before stressing the importance of studying middlegame play. | Watch video
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To provide further details on why GM Kaidanov believe's there is more to the Two Knights and Fried Liver than previously thought, he reviews the tricky Traxler Variation, the complex 5...Nd4 lines, and the surprisingly playable 5...Bg4 - invented by one of Gregory's hometown friends. The verdict? Open to some interpretation of course, but certainly worth some home work! | Watch video