"The ability to work hard for days on end without losing focus is a talent. The ability to keep absorbing new information after many hours of study is a talent." - Garry Kasparov
As promised, a very nice game between one of the, if not the, best chess players of all time, 'Bobby' Fischer and Mikhail Tal, still renowned for his dangerous tactics. This game shows something about Tal that is often overlooked. Some...
Mikhail Tal was a rather unique player. His wild, sacrificial style lead to some very different opinions of Tal. To some, he was the most successful patzer ever to play. To others his regular lack of objectivity was the very thing that...
In the previous article of this series we saw a very interesting miniature climaxed by an incredible white attack. In the name of keeping the universe balanced (or at least keeping the French lovers happy!), this game will be the exact oppos...
The French Defense is really an interesting opening. Some players swear by it as black and some players swear they can refute it as white. The game below is a nice example of the latter. I was privileged to play a rather strong opponent in the f...
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Best Response(s) - There are quite a few similar choices here. White develops a piece himself whilst defending his pawn at the same time. As troops are mustered into battle each ...
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 Best Response(s) - Several. Black develops a piece. The game has the makings of a highly tactical one but there is really nothing to say. I will post move 5 imm...
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxe4 Best Response(s) - Many, several just end up transposing anyways. White is certainly in no mood to offer gambits and the like. Each opponent is looking to blow their rival off the boa...
Forgive the delay, I've been swamped. 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 Correct Response(s) - Nxd4 is objectively best. c3 is not particularly unusual. Pawns are traded, the position is opened a little, and the tension g...
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 Correct Response(s) - Many, d4 being prefered by many. Black follows what may very well be the single most played opening in the history of modern chess. The idea behind the move is simple; support the ...
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Best Response(s) - Many White develops his knight and pushes onward down the 'most common' Sicilian line. Although there is little 'theory' involved at this point, it is clear that White is...
1. e4 c5 Correct Response(s) - Many. Nf3 being historically preferred. Black decides to play the Sicilian Defense. Note some interesting intricacies in the position already! - Black has asserted control on the queen side. - The...
1. e4 Correct Response(s) - Many. This is, by a very slim margin, the favored opening move among complete beginners and super Grandmasters alike. White opens up the diagonal for two pieces (Queen and Bishop), the only opening m...
The name pretty much describes the idea. I have selected a game of particular interest and will, as I'm sure you've figured out. Post one move a day with detailed analysis, diagrams, and other annotation. Comments in the ...
