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Active-Positional. Strategical use of the Initiative. Dynamic and Modern. These are the terms used to describe the play of Paul Keres who, in Roman's eyes, is one of the most amazing natural talents ever to play the game. Keres is one of the few GMs of his era whose style would hold up in today's modern understanding of chess. These instructive games make it hard to argue, and Roman gives us his great personal insight into the man Paul Keres in a way that only he can... | Watch video
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Would the real "Benko Gambit" please stand up? Today GM Bojkov reviews an epic battle between two chess legends: Nimzowitsch and Capablanca! In 1914, long before the birth of Pal Benko, Capablanca applied a gambit "in the spirit" of the Benko, gaining the pressure of a long range bishop on the h8-a1 diagonal, and an open b-file in exchange for a small amount of material. Was this idea successful on it's first run? Watch and find out... | Watch video
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IM Rensch takes a quick time out from pawn structures and live commentary to review a game that clearly displays the problem with not fighting actively for space. Furthermore, especially for advanced players, he instructs on the need to put your pieces on the right squares not just in the current position, but in the evolving position as well. | 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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In his last installment on the Symmetrical English, GM Dzindzichashvili reviews the 2...g6 move order, provides his recommendation for black's approach to the Botvinnik English, and also gives critical analysis of the early a3-b4 Queenside expansion for white. He recommends Fischer's approach against Petrosian in the e3-d4 English lines, and his own "Rybka" invention after the trick ...Nxb4 variations! | Watch video
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Joining Danny right where we left him, we are immediately faced with the critical decision of who/what to trade in order to keep the best drawing (or maybe even winning) chances alive. Does Danny make the right decision after black trades on d1, finding a way to hold on? Or does black's f-pawn prove to be the difference? Stick around for the post game review and take notes on the importance of "active endgame choices"! | Watch video
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In the first of this rare two-part Live Session, IM Rensch loses his way early, forgetting opening theory to find himself struggling to equalize against his strong, well-known Chess.com opponent. After failing to calculate his complex options properly (choosing 8.e5 over 8.Qd2), Danny is holding on for dear life! But when he finds an outside chance at counter-play as today's video lecture reaches its close, the stage is set for an epic battle in Part 2... | 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
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As mentioned in the multiple Yugoslav Attack and Dragon videos being featured this month, the topical 9.g4 is exciting, tricky, and a must know for black players who intend of playing the Dragon as a regular part of their repertoire. IM Kiewra focuses black's three main options, including the controversial piece sacrifice on g4. Check out the related links for more on the topic! | Watch video
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GM Dzindzichashvili continues his series on the English Opening, reviewing the popular transposition into the Maroczy Bind structure that commonly occurs in the Accelerated Dragon Sicilian. Take notes on black's best plans and Roman's "home cooked" analysis. He highlights black's modern idea with the a5-pawn advance approach, among many other things. Be careful not to fall for move order traps, and enjoy! | Watch video