Weekend Training - Benko, Roman, Art of Attack, Nunn
Lots of chess training this weekend. I had a lesson a Saturday, and since I had not played OTB in a while, and reflecting on the previous tournament, I wanted to learn another black defense to 1.d4. I got some training with @AttilaTurzo on the Benko gambit. I have been looking to play a little sharper lines with black, since I feel more comfortable playing it. We went over 2 games, and I looked through some of the datebase games he gave me. I really like the looks of the opening, I think it suites well with my style of play.
After that, there were some items on my training list that needed attention. I re-started reading the Art of Attack, and worked through attack on an uncaslted King, this time with a board, and Kindle. Going over the lines with a board helps more if not just to see positions as they would occur OTB.
After that I continued my end game study reading Nunn's Understanding Chess Endgames a bit. Queen and pawn endings.
After this, I still was looking for what to do with my white repertiore. Dry opening books, of which I have many, seemed a daunting task. I opted to see what was available on Amazon video. It happens that Roman has some good DVD package there, and I watched - Mastering Chess Vol. 5: Rapid and Complete Opening Repertoire for White. This video recommends lines to play in the Queen's Gambit Declined. I had been playing 1.e4 but, I think I needed to watch a video on 1.d4, and in such a format - simple and easy to learn lines, to return back to 1.d4. Reason being, I had always loved playing the Queens Pawn games, and now 2 coaches have said to play it, yet I had forgot how to play them. Roman gives a solid "ramp up" to 1.d4 following up with c4. I really love his videos series here, and on his DVD's - simple to follow, and world class preparations. I put the lines into Chess Postion Trainer with some notes.
After I watch the video for white twice, I rented the same series as black, for his coverage on the Nimzo - my current workhorse. It was a great refresher, and realized I was playing several lines incorrectly.
I also started a new website where I will be giving Book and DVD reviews, from my own library, from club player perspective. The address is mychessbooks.com
So, lets record the openings here
Benko
Queens Gambit - selected lines
Nimzo - Qc2
Related Links
- Art of Attack in Chess
- Understanding Chess Endgames
- Mastering Chess Vol. 5: Rapid and Complete Repertoire for White
- Rapid and Complete Repertiore for the Tournament Player for Black - vol 6
