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Revenge is best served... with checkmate! When two of the world's strongest players claimed the young Cuban had no right to take part in the San Sebastian Super Tournament of 1911, Capablanca did not take their words in stride! Rather, he made a mental note to play as precisely as he could to crush these two foes. The first victim? Ossip Bernstein. Enjoy this old school Spanish Game, with our guide, GM Bojkov, at the helm. | 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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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 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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Today GM Kaidanov provides more priceless advice in the realms of the practical and psychological! He reviews a game from the final round of the World Cup Qualifier in 2012 in which he "paired down" against IM Roselli. After a small misstep in preparation however, he surprisingly finds himself fighting for his life. Though he eventually claws his way back, he goes onto blunder terribly and do something he had never done before in a tournament game. The climax? Let's not spoil it! | Watch video
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In this highly instructive strategical battle, GM Bojkov takes on one of Australia's most promising young stars, IM Max Illingworth. With little preparation, Dejan steers the game into a completely locked up, French pawn structure, hoping to avoid tactics. Does Dejan succeed, or does the game become a total attacking mess? Follow the game to the end, and enjoy the fireworks! | Watch video
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Sometimes you just need one game to go your way, and you can turn an entire tournament around! GM Dejan Bojkov takes a break from reviewing the great masters of the past, to review some of his own great games. As he portrays, the picture of his performance at the Queenstown tournament in New Zealand was not pretty to start. However, after an exciting win on the black side of the Marshall Gambit, things began to improve... | Watch video
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GM Shankland reviews a game from recent tournament play against a fellow Chess.com Contributor. The game highlights many key positional factors in the dynamic "Hanging Pawn" structures that tend to occur in the Nimzo/Queen's Indian variations. Particularly, Shanky talks about multiple key exchanges, as well as the good and the bad decisions made in those moments by both he and his opponent. | Watch video
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Today GM Sam Shankland gives his recommendations for black in the main line Meran Variation (6.Qc2) of the Semi Slav. He focuses on black's e5-pawn break, the "dos and don'ts" of that idea, when it works out to a draw, and when black can achieve some real fighting chances. He provides example games of his own, as well as from other Top Level GMs. | Watch video
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In the penultimate round of the 2012 Chicago Open, a familiar face was playing for first place! Chess.com's own Video Production Manager, David Petty, needed a win in order to "leap frog" his opponent and take home the whopping five thousand dollar first prize! But when the game started off on the wrong foot, Petty needed to find key defensive resources in order to hold off his opponent's initiative? Did he get a little help, or come up a little short? Watch and find out! | Watch video