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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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Here GM Bojkov faces off against the eventual winner of the tournament in Queenstown, GM Li Chao. An interesting King's Indian Attack leads to a complicated middlegame where Chao's center will either become his biggest asset, or biggest weakness. Dejan calculates a variation to win a pawn, and it shows us that even 2700 Level GMs can miss things. But was it enough for Dejan to take the game home? Watch and find out... | Watch video
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With his next contribution, GM Shankland reviews one of the biggest wins of his career, and a game that catapulted him towards earning his first IM Norm. When he was faced with the choice of either simplifying the position and striving for equality as black, or castling long to "mix it up", a young Shanky made the predictable, aggressive decision. We're happy he did, as the fireworks that ensued were definitely worth it! | Watch video
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Today GM Khachiyan provides another extremely complex, critical moment, in which the wrong path was chosen by not calculating accurately. He talks about the practical factors that go into choosing which tricky variation to follow through with, and he provides a very useful piece on advice on how/when to first establish equality (a draw) before committing to a dangerous line that might offer winning chances. | Watch video
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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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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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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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In Part 2 IM Ginsburg reviews one of his own games in the Nimzo Indian against fellow International Master, Sal Bercys. His clear explanations of why he believe's black's best choice against 5.Nf3 is 5... d5 are very convincing. He reviews all the critical lines, and displays black's reoccurring theme of punishing white for the lost time, in order to compensate for black's loss of the Bishop Pair. | Watch video
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All your holiday wishes come true today: A Live Session for everyone! Though IM Rensch does manage to dispatch of his first opponent rather quickly in a sharp Scotch Game, he not only provides instructive post game analysis, but in the spirit of giving, he turns this video lecture into a "Medley" when he decides to play a blitz game before turning in. The second game is a nail biter for sure, but you'll have to watch to see the what happens. | Watch video