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Here Melik provides three great examples of "amazing feats in calculation"! The studies displayed all present clear problems that need solving before you can achieve your goal in the position. GM Khachiyan reveals the secrets to facing your issues head on, diagnosing the "bigger problems" with the situation, and teaches you how to consider all avenues of play in the most logical order. The positions are as tricky as they are beautiful. Enjoy! | Watch video
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Ask and you shall receive! Our members have complained about a certain "gap" in the Greatest Chess Minds series. A giant hole that could only be filled by Jose Raul Capablanca! He has been called the most naturally gifted world chess champion of all time. A true talent! Well, Grandmaster Bojkov is not here to argue, but instead, Dejan displays one of Capablanca's signature wins over the fading Frank Marshall. | Watch video
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Today's member game comes to us from an over the board tournament in which neither player played like it! After playing "not Roman's favorite choice" in the Budapest Gambit, black finds himself in trouble in the early middlegame. However, missed opportunities for a queenside attack by white leave the position unclear for many moves to come. When white misses his final chance to put the game away, the tables turn. But what was the final result of this exciting game? Watch and find out... | Watch video
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Here Sam provides instructive analysis on a previous battle (2007) with GM Ray Robson. He reflects on his younger "more materialistic" days, particularly, his inexperience with the use of computer engines. He learned a harsh lesson in this game, and he has some constructive criticism for his younger self, as well as others attempting to use engines to evaluate sharp positions with material imbalances. | Watch video
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Reviewing his second game from the recent American Open in Los Angeles, Grandmaster Khachiyan talks about his pregame strategy to keep it simple and positional against his very young, very talented opponent. He breaks down the critical moments of the game where he manages to do so, and highlights how he ultimately takes advantage of a serious positional blunder to dominate and execute an attack on the light squares. Stick around for the instructive endgame! | Watch video
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Today Gregory offers his own perspective on how to build a comprehensive opening repertoire. First up, he deals with the French in a simple, direct, and slightly underrated fashion: The Exchange Variation! He points out that against the well prepared opponent, achieving an advantage out of the opening can be difficult, so choosing a solid approach with clear plans might be the best idea for your chess game overall. As he points out, even Kasparov "endorsed" the Exchange... | Watch video
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IM Mark Ginsburg takes us into the new year by bringing his mini-series on the Classical Nimzo to a close! He reviews the sharp and topical 5.e4 variation, and he provides a good piece of general advice in addition to well prepared theory: Attack the center! By opening and challenging white's development early and often, black finds complete equality in multiple lines. He encourages you to try it for yourself... | Watch video
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IM Rensch continues to make up to our members for the lack of "Live Session Action" over the last couple months with yet another double dose here this weekend. After a surprisingly poor performance from his high rated opponent in the first game, Danny gets mixed up in a sharp line of the Hyper Accelerated Dragon. When an unbalanced material situation arises, he offers advice on the key to converting your initiative into a victory! | Watch video
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In Part 5 IM Molner reviews one of the most popular move orders for white against the Pirc Defense; However, Mac highlights the "impotency" of this line, despite the seemingly active position of the light-squared bishop. He recommends an aggressive anecdote for black to put immediate pressure against the d4-pawn, and highlights important tactics that exist in the line. | Watch video
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GM Khachiyan reviews a highly instructional game, explaining "all things positional" along the way! In Yankovsky-Khachiyan, played roughly one month ago, Melik recognized the critical moment in the transition stage from the opening to the middlegame, and he decided to prepare for a long term kingside attack. Do things work out in the long run, or does the position hold too much tension for Melik to achieve his goals? Watch and find out! | Watch video