How to Handle Losing Positions -- Tips From a Pro!

For my first Chessable course, I knew I wasn't able to write eloquently on any opening. That's not humble brag -- I really don't know openings well! But I also saw a gap in their library. That's why I decided to dedicate a course on how to handle adversity, both over-the-board and mentally. I recently released by course "Down But Not Out: What To Do When You're Losing."

For a limited time, the course is 50% off to everyone! Just click here. Note that I strongly recommend the video course since you'll hear the reasoning behind these ideas. Many times we will be going against the computer recommendation!

I've been compiling and researching this course over the last three years, but you could also say I've been doing so for a lifetime. I've always prided myself on having a "fighter's mentality" at the board, and in the course I bring you about 50 examples from my own games, as well as grandmaster games. There not just techniques to be learned (like how to create "middlegame mayhem" as I call it) but also just seeing the vast number of times that top GMs make comebacks against other GMs will remind you that its never over.

The course stars out with basic drawing techniques then expands to more complicated topics. And before you go thinking that you have already studied the basics, this chapter is a reminder that you have to always have your mind thinking about the various possibilities. For example, would you believe that GM Boris Gelfand eventually forced a stalemate as Black from this terrible position? 

We can all use reminders! A case in point: just in the last week, GM Wesley So resigned a drawn position. I am 1000% sure if someone had whispered in his ear the single word "stalemate" and nothing else, he would have found how to save this seemingly-lost position!

Throughout the course there is also a heavy reminder than in lost positions, the computer's recommendation is often wrong from a practical point of view. When in a losing position, Stockfish only understands "prolonging the defeat" and often suggests moves that take you into losing simplifications or that don't create any complications. I would much rather play a second- or third-best move whereby my opponent must play perfectly for many moves to keep the advantage. Also, don't underestimate the psychological benefit of putting your opponent in such a situation!

Here's an example from my course in the chapter on "active defense" and another example that just happened recently after I already finished recording! In this first game, GM Ian Nepomniachtchi is Black and has a miserable (indeed lost) position. Would you believe the computer wants him to play either ...Kh8, ...Kg8, or ...Bg8?

Nepo would not go down quietly as Black in this passive position.

Any of those computer suggestions are just waiting for White to find a breakthrough, so Nepo found the much better practical chance with ...b5! Even though it cost him the a-pawn, his pieces broke out of their shell and he went on to hold the position, even having winning chances if his opponent did not play perfectly.

And just look at how GM Garry Kasparov made the most out of a miserable opening error last month (he played the game too recently to be included in the course). He was nearly -4 against GM Vishy Anand (in Freestyle) but applied maximum pressure to hold the draw!

Vishy actually gets his "revenge" in my Chessable course, where I feature a game in the 1990s where Kasparov is simply up two pawns against Vishy, but the Indian legend makes a tricky comeback!

I also have an entire chapter on "How Magnus Makes a Comeback" since he is so resourceful. I also tried to "keep it real" by showing that not all attempts actually work (duh) but that giving yourself the best chance is still the best mentality to have in chess (as in Carlsen-Caruana, Sinquefield Cup 2014).

Probably my favorite chapter, at least to record, was about "trapdoor tactics." This is my term for when you are totally lost, but you give your opponent a move that is so good looking, but also happens to be the one that gets you back in the game!

I have many examples of this, but here's one from one of my own classical games. I was Black and -3.5 against a master. The computer wants me to retreat with ...Ng6, which doesn't put any pressure on my opponent (silly machine). However, after ...Nxe4!? I induced my opponent to play a good-looking, natural move that also throws away the entire advantage!

I really hope you enjoy the course and become a fighter at the chess board. How we deal with adversity is one of the great lessons of our game. See you on Chessable!