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Counter this! GM Roman Dzindzichashvili provides the indoctrination to the Albin-Counter Gambit this weekend, and he doesn't hold anything back! Take Dzindzi's recommendation (particularly, 6.Bg2 instead of the popular 6.Nbd2) to hear, and achieve much better positions right out of the opening. "Sacrificing a pawn as black is almost never a good idea..." Dzindzi explains... | Watch video
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Dr Tarrasch's opening choice in today's video lecture might come as a bit of a surprise, but there is no arguing with his tactical execution and "feel for the initiative" against white's uncastled King. GM Dejan Bojkov reviews this exciting game for us, highlighting the many imbalances that occurred in the sharp middlegame that followed. | Watch video
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So that the majority of our members can enjoy this beautiful game to its fullest, the battle that took place between these two super strong Grandmasters is broken down in "layman's terms" here today. GM Sam Shankland takes a "no stone left unturned" approach in analyzing his victory over German GM Giorg Meier. Sam explains the beginning of the game and its early transition into the middlegame. Stay tuned for Part 2... | Watch video
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In this interesting game that arose from the Grunfeld Defense, GM Sam Shankland takes us through each stage with flare! Providing personal insight into not only his thought process during the battle, but also every positional and tactical detail of the struggle as it develops. The tournament situation was critical at the time, with his opponent claiming a clear lead by a half a point over the rest of the field. Did that all change? | Watch video
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For Isolated Queen Pawn structure lovers, those who appreciate the "technical beauty" of converting on a positional advantage, and for those looking to learn more about how to play against Hanging Pawns -- today's video lecture by GM Dejan Bojkov is just for you! Dejan continues his series on the subject of when to trade pieces with another "home run"! Enjoy... | Watch video
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GM Shankland is back at it today with another video series designed to bring you a few of his most recent games from the recently concluded Northern California International tournament! In this battle, young Mr. Bryant makes the same mistake Peter Leko did against Shanky: He plays the Benoni (pronounced "Bologna")... Takes notes from Shankland's expertise on this opening, and enjoy the excited game that develops! | Watch video
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Before delivering the amazing answer to the homework he assigned in Part 4, GM Bojkov lectures on the idea of trading off your opponent's pieces in order to clear squares for your own pieces. Trading off a key bishop to free a diagonal for your own, trading off your opponent's "majors" in order to gain access to open files, and eventually the 7th rank, are just a couple of the key pointers. | Watch video
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What do former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik and our own Sam Shankland have in common? You'll have to wait until the end of this video lecture to find out specifically, but for starters, they both know how to win in "must win" situations! Check out Shanky's review of the final game of the 2004 World Championship Match between Kramnik and Leko... | Watch video
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Today a 14-year old Sam Shankland battles it out for first in a "must win" game! GM Shanky reminisces about his past, and then takes us through the several critical stages of approaching these situations: First, he lectures on why not to play forcing lines; second, he explains the many good reasons to "maintain the tension" of a position; and finally, the talks about the importance of accuracy in technique. Enjoy! | Watch video
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Today GM Khachiyan continues his video series on the Schliemann Gambit by reviewing a recent victory against IM Jack Peters. When his opponent surprises him with what is clearly "Opening Prep", Melik has to think fast in order to find an interesting and original approach to the position. After finding the shot 11...Nd4!, Melik puts his opponent on his heels and never looks back! | Watch video