Opening Secrets, Sneaky Time Tricks & How to Talk to Your Past Self (Through Annotations!)

Dear Improvers,

Our fantastic writing team has been busy crafting some really cool educational articles that we think you'll love! Here are three recently published pieces that cover the wonderful world of chess from start to finish:

1. Chess Openings In The Engine Era by NM Jeremy Kane

This article dives into how chess engines have changed openings in modern chess. It's fascinating to see how some openings that once seemed less effective are proving to be more promising with the right moves. Many players are adapting their strategies to thrive in this new landscape. Here are a few approaches they're taking:

• Home Field Advantage: Some players stick to openings they know inside out, even if they're not the strongest choices. For instance, GM Hikaru Nakamura often plays 1.b3 to guide games into familiar territory where he feels more comfortable against his opponents.
• One-Time Tricks: Others love to throw in unexpected moves to surprise their opponents! A great example is GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu using the Deferred Schliemann Defense against GM Vidit Gujrathi in the 2024 Candidates Tournament.
• Memory Tests: Players are also opting for sharp, complex openings that challenge opponents to remember specific sequences. The idea is that they might trip up or forget something critical during the game.

These strategies show how chess continues to evolve in the engine era, with deep preparation and some fun psychological tactics playing big roles in competitive play!

2. How To Annotate Your Games To Improve At Chess by NM Anthony Levin

This piece highlights why annotating your games can be a game-changer for improvement. When you annotate, you're not just writing down the moves—you're explaining your decisions, exploring variations, and evaluating positions to capture the game's story. This helps you understand your thought process better, spot mistakes, and see patterns in your strategies.

The article suggests starting out by reviewing your games without an engine to help boost your independent analysis and then using engine insights for a deeper learning experience. Tools like Chess.com's Game Analysis, Game Review, and the Library can be super helpful here. Regularly annotating your games will enhance your analytical skills and help you grow as a player!

3. The Most Common Time Controls And Game Results On Chess.com by NM Jeremy Kane

In this article, Jeremy explores data from almost 20 million games to find out which time controls are the most popular and how they affect game results. Here are some cool findings:

• Popular Time Controls: The 10-minute (10+0) format reigns supreme, making up over 41% of games played. Other favorites include the 3-minute (3+0), 1-minute (1+0), and 5-minute (5+0) games.
• Game Endings: Resignations and checkmates are the most common game endings, while timeout losses are common in shorter formats, especially speedy one-minute matches—59% end this way!
• Impact of Time Controls: Longer games (like 15+10 or 30-minute) see way fewer timeouts (only about 2%) and slightly higher abandonment rates (over 10%). Draw rates tend to be low, staying below 5% in most formats.

These insights can help you pick time controls that match your style and preferences as you enjoy the game!