NEWSLETTER - November Edition
Dan Heisman Learning Center
Contents
Welcome!
News
Dan's Corner
Puzzles of the Month
Easy Links
Want to get in touch with the newsletter crew? Write to them at DHLCNewsletter@gmail.com
WELCOME!
Newsletter November edition, volume 21
Welcome to the Dan Heisman Learning Center!
All members of the DHLC share a common interest and we all have the strong desire to improve our chess playing. We are truly a group BY the members FOR the members. No matter if you are a master or completely new to the game, we welcome you. Please do take a look around the forums to see where other members can help you improve or you can help others as well.
We at the DHLC encourage active participation, good sportsmanship and above all, fun in learning this wonderful game. Whether your preference is for live chess, longer correspondence (“online”) games, some vote chess or working your way through the instructional articles written by some of our stronger members, there is something for everyone at DHLC.
New to our events?
League Qualifer Tournament
This is the event that all new league players MUST compete in successfully to qualify to enter regular tournaments in the DHLC Slow Chess League. This is a 3 round event with games played at a time control of G/45+45. In order to qualify you must participate in all 3 rounds, observe all league rules, and complete at least 1 game. Before signing up below, read our rules here. Use this time zone converter to help with scheduling your games. (Enter New York in the converter to get ET.)
League qualifers happen every three to four weeks. Watch for signups in the DHLC proper.
Newly Qualified Players!
Qualifier 23
|
_Elisabetta_ |
alokbaikadi |
|
boilernemo |
DavidPonciano |
|
DGM79 |
dinin6 |
|
drowsy80 |
Faarian |
|
froshiak |
Glex |
|
hanpj003 |
Ishan01 |
|
kclee2172 |
klemens82 |
|
Lillos7 |
lloly |
|
Love_and_Happiness |
lrmall01 |
|
mavrikios |
NebAnphu |
|
Possador |
torrionefunesto |
|
wand_maker |
Water-Bee |
|
wmakos |
Yreval |
|
YtterbiJum |
|
Qualifer #22
|
AnonymousGreekPlayer |
AtavisticKnight |
|
Birgis |
Bramblyspam |
|
ch3sstroll3r |
chessninja18 |
|
Dennis70x7 |
fayer |
|
grabhispieces |
Kalev3 |
|
kamini12 |
knightknocker |
|
liamfrancisw |
Lumper001 |
|
mariu5mo |
MeAgainstWorld |
|
meirha |
melodiel |
|
onurbruno |
pradnyasoorya |
|
RichKasa |
waniz |
Qualifer 21
|
alexbienko |
AntonioBP |
|
Anuj_21 |
bagasagalabeftahk |
|
Cruiseylee78 |
goldenbart |
|
Gtmorton |
JacobBS1337 |
|
jpflanagan |
Kalelia |
|
kstevens67 |
leovieira86 |
|
LightoftheNightStars |
mariosuperlative |
|
MrRistretto |
relojero |
|
scubeknight2 |
SCWitmer |
|
skalde |
snookyp |
|
Steve_Robinson |
stillday |
|
Stoertebeker |
super_speed2111ThreeNailzTavernier |
|
TomasKmec |
vgfreschi |
|
Vikkelsoe |
|
Online Chess League Qualifer
Lumper001
Want to take part in exclusive Online Tournaments with other DHLC members? Wait no longer! I present to you, the sign up forum for the DHLC Online Chess League Qualifier events. Once you have qualified, you will be able to take part in numerous events, such as chess960, thematic openings, quad groups, and even 4x4x4x4x4. Well, not so many x4s, but you get the point!
The qualifier tournament runs on a quad system, which means that you will be paired with three other players to form a group of four. You will play two games per player,concurrently. Once you are through the qualifications, you will be able to play single concurrent games, or no vacation games.
There will be vacation, but make note of the rules.
The requirements for becoming qualified are as follows:
1. You must be a member of the group Dan Heisman Learning Center throughout the tournament.
2. You must be a member of the group Online Chess League throughout the tournament.
3. You must not timeout or resign/agree to a draw on the first move on any of the games.
The qualifiers will run on a 3 days/move schedule, and will begin once enough people have signed up for a tournament.
Comment here to get started: http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/online-chess-league-qualifiers2
Slow Swiss Results
The results of the Slow Swiss 17 are in!
Congratulations to rosadot99 and dortam888, co-winners with perfect 5.0 scores.
DHLC Slow Chess Weekly
Signups Are Now Open!
This tournament format is designed to let regular league players get an extra game on any single week that they'll have the time to play.
We now offer both G/45+45 and G/90+30 sections. Let us know when you sign up which time control you want - or sign up for both! Being a single round event means that due colors are not observed week to week. Each week's pairings will not in any way be based on pairings or results of previous weeks. You must be a qualified league player to participate in this event.
http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/dhlc-slow-chess---weekly
Dan's Corner
NM DanHeisman
My second ever tournament win. It features a move where I was afraid my opponent would take a potential candidate pawn move with a knight, en passant (!), and a super-surprising ending. Unfortunately the swiss system caught up with me after this unexpected win and I lost my next five games in a row!
Want more tips? Turn to Dan's Tip of the day!
http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/dans-tip-of-the-day
Blog Highlights!
Dr_Cris_Angel
Chesmo shares the "Books from my Past" series.
http://www.chess.com/blog/Chessmo/books-from-my-past-part-3
http://www.chess.com/blog/Chessmo/books-from-my-past-part-4
Puzzles of the Month
Farnel
You need no reminder from me that there are many tactical themes that can occur in a chess game. Some of them have already made an appearance in past newsletters with a selection of puzzles for you to work on – pins, skewers and discovered attack among them.
This month we have a look at another tactical theme, removing the guard. You may already know what that is and used it yourself, or perhaps been the unfortunate victim of such a tactic; I know that I have been on the receiving end more often that I'd care to admit.
Perhaps a quick explanation is in order first. There are times when a particular piece is defending another, or perhaps an important or critical square. While the defending piece is in place, action against the square or the piece it is defending is difficult or impossible. However by removing that guarding piece, the piece it was defending, or that important square, suddenly becomes vulnerable. With a little practice with these positions, you will become more aware and better able to see such opportunities in your own games.
A little (sort of) clue here for all of these puzzles, and in general - it is often useful to consider what you (or your opponent) could do if a piece is removed from the board. If you can see an opportunity, and then arrange to remove that piece, you may be well on your way to success. Spending a little extra time finding that vulnerability can often save you a lot of time and effort later, as you are about to see.
Let's start with a warm up as usual. It is white to play and win.
This time it is black's turn. Can you find the way to a quick win here?
The positions get a little more challenging as we proceed, but not too much so. You shouldn't have much trouble finding what black found here.
Here black has been somewhat neglectful and his king is vulnerable, and has few defenders. How can you take advantage of that?
In the next position, white has an advantage and will eventually win. However it shouldn't take you too long to find a way to make it a lot easier to use that advantage.
In our final position this month, white is threatening mate in two starting with Qb7+. It is black to play – what really happens here?
Hope you enjoyed those little adventures, not too challenging I trust. See you again next time.
EASY LINKS
Past newsletters
http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/dhlc-newsletters
All the DHLC newsletters, linked in one convenient place.
Game Analysis Department
http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/game-analysis-department3
A forum where any DHLC member can post a game for others to help out with ideas, analysis and advice. It is not meant as a showcase of brilliancies or only winning games. You learn much more from your losses so those are probably the best options for anyone who is serious about improving.
Find a Study Buddy
http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/find-a-study-buddy
Use this forum to find someone to work with to improve your skills.
I Want to be a Slow Chess Friend
http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/i-want-to-be-a-slow-chess-friend
Post to get other DHLC members who have a similar interests and a "study buddy".
My Last Lesson With Dan
http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/my-last-lesson-with-dan
We can all benefit from members' lessons.
The DHLC Store
Not just a place to get cool DHLC gear, 100% of the profit goes directly to Dan's charity, the Dan Heisman Chess Support Fund. Find out more about it here:https://www.facebook.com/ChessSupportFund
DHLC Suggestion Box
http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/-suggestion-box
Use this for any suggesitons for improving our DHLC.
Slow Chess League
http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/slow-chess-league2
The place to meet for the players of the DHLC.
Online Chess League
