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The Crazy Rook: Saving a Lost Game with Stalemate

The Crazy Rook: Saving a Lost Game with Stalemate

IM MatBobula
| 13 days ago

Endgames can have surprising tricks, even in positions that look lost. That position comes from one of the games I saw in last week's tournament. White is ahead in material (by 6 points), and the pawns are not far from promotion (the 1st rank is...

How to Solve Chess Puzzles and Tactics Correctly

How to Solve Chess Puzzles and Tactics Correctly

IM MatBobula
| 26 days ago

Chess puzzles help players spot tactical ideas during real games. By solving puzzles regularly, you train your brain to recognize these patterns faster. This leads to fewer blunders and stronger play. Solving puzzles helps you: improve ...

How to Build  an Opening  Repertoire  That Works!

How to Build an Opening Repertoire That Works!

IM MatBobula
| Feb 12, 2025

The opening phase is a very important part of the game. It’s where you get your pieces ready for battle. At the basic level, there are four key principles to follow: Control the center with your pawns. Develop your minor pieces (knights...

How to Beat Higher-Rated Opponents

How to Beat Higher-Rated Opponents

IM MatBobula
| Feb 5, 2025

From time to time, you may find yourself facing an opponent with a significantly higher rating. What strategy should you adopt? Is there an option other than simply accepting that you will lose quickly? The truth is that it is possible to increa...

Fisher Random Chess

Fisher Random Chess

IM MatBobula
| Jan 23, 2025

Fischer Random Chess (Chess960) Fischer Random Chess, also known as Chess960, is a chess variant where the starting positions of the pieces are shuffled. This was invented by Bobby Fischer, who wanted to shift the focus from memorizing openings ...

5 Sneaky Lines Every French Player Hates

5 Sneaky Lines Every French Player Hates

IM MatBobula
| Jan 21, 2025

In this article (and the video below), I share five specific lines White can use against the French Defense (1. e4 e6). Having played the French Defense as Black for almost 30 years, I’m sharing the lines that are most troublesome for Black....

Get the "Stop Making Blunders" course!

Get the "Stop Making Blunders" course!

IM MatBobula
| Nov 17, 2024

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results,” Albert Einstein once said. If you’ve been struggling to eliminate the blunders that hold you back from reaching the next level in chess, this course is ...

Build Smart Habits to Avoid Blunders

Build Smart Habits to Avoid Blunders

IM MatBobula
| Nov 14, 2024

This Sunday, I am hosting a webinar - Build Smart Habits to Avoid Blunders, where I will talk about practical habits and common mistakes. I will also respond to your questions, so feel free to ask. Are you tired of making the same mistakes in yo...

My course launches in just one week!

My course launches in just one week!

IM MatBobula
| Nov 12, 2024

If you've enjoyed my free content, get ready for the main course! On November 17th, enrollment opens for my full chess course. This course is a complete, step-by-step guide on how to avoid blunders, from start to finish. Just follow the instruct...

The Most Interesting Chess Book

The Most Interesting Chess Book

IM MatBobula
| Oct 23, 2024

These are the last days to join the giveaway for The Immortal Game: A History of Chess. In 12 chapters, the author describes how chess has influenced human culture, our views on war, art, science, and the human brain. This isn't a typical chess bo...

Win a Unique Chess Book!

Win a Unique Chess Book!

IM MatBobula
| Oct 16, 2024

Today, I'm thrilled to invite you to participate in a giveaway for an extraordinary book: The Immortal Game: A History of Chess by David Shenk. This book holds a special place in my heart—I stumbled upon it in a small antiquarian bookstore...

Alexander Alekhine's Famous Attack!

Alexander Alekhine's Famous Attack!

IM MatBobula
| Oct 3, 2024

Alexander Alekhine was the 4th World Champion. Born in Russia, he moved to France. His playing style was very aggressive and tactical. I have a special bonus for you! Enhance your free workbook with a multitude of exercises designed to help yo...

Capablanca's Beautiful Endgame Technique

Capablanca's Beautiful Endgame Technique

IM MatBobula
| Sep 30, 2024

José Raúl Capablanca was the third World Chess Champion and came from Cuba. He is considered a master of strategy and positional play. He famously said, 'Anyone who does not know the ideas of the Ruy Lopez cannot understand chess str...

Play the Catalan Against the King's Indian Defense

Play the Catalan Against the King's Indian Defense

IM MatBobula
| Sep 26, 2024

The King's Indian Defense is one of the most popular openings for Black against 1.d4. If you want to play something less common (so Black is often not an expert in it) and more strategic, systems involving g3 offer a great solution. The ideas are ...

Beautiful Lasker's Attack on the King

Beautiful Lasker's Attack on the King

IM MatBobula
| Sep 13, 2024

Emanuel Lasker was the second World Chess Champion, holding the title for 27 years (1894–1921), the longest reign among all world champions. He earned a PhD in mathematics and was known for applying his knowledge and skills, including psycho...

Punish the Uncastled King Like a World Champion

Punish the Uncastled King Like a World Champion

IM MatBobula
| Sep 12, 2024

Wilhelm Steinitz, the first official World Chess Champion, delivered a masterful performance in his famous game known as 'The Battle of Hastings,' where he punished an uncastled king. Can you identify the critical move in this game? I have a s...

Morphy’s Stunning Move

Morphy’s Stunning Move

IM MatBobula
| Sep 10, 2024

Paul Morphy was the unofficial world chess champion and undoubtedly the strongest player of the mid-19th century. He played many brilliant games, but this is one of his finest ideas. Can you find Morphy's move? I have a special bonus for you! ...

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