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Capablanca’s Endgame Trick You Need to Know

Capablanca’s Endgame Trick You Need to Know

IM MatBobula
| 5 days ago

Today I want to share with you one of the most spectacular endgame ideas (by the way, this idea is quite common in many endgames!). The position comes from a game between Capablanca and Tartakower. Capablanca, the 3rd World Champion, is considered...

IDEA OF THE WEEK #14: Capablanca – Fonaroff

IDEA OF THE WEEK #14: Capablanca – Fonaroff

IM MatBobula
| 26 days ago

Capablanca – Fonaroff is a great example of how to bring all your pieces into play. Capablanca slowly builds up pressure, then finishes the game with a clean combination. Want to get more lessons like this? Sign up for my newsletter!Ever...

IDEA OF THE WEEK #13: Andersson vs. Karpov

IDEA OF THE WEEK #13: Andersson vs. Karpov

IM MatBobula
| Jun 5, 2025

This position comes from the game Ulf Andersson vs. Karpov (1995). Ulf Andersson is a Swedish grandmaster, and there was a saying about him that he was so good at endgames, if a chess game started without queens, he'd easily become world champion....

King Under Firestorm

King Under Firestorm

IM MatBobula
| May 28, 2025

If you’re ever in New York, you should visit the Marshall Chess Club - one of the oldest and most iconic chess clubs in the US and the world. It’s in Manhattan and has been running since 1915. A true chess arena where grandmasters, str...

Even the World Champion Blunders

Even the World Champion Blunders

IM MatBobula
| May 13, 2025

That position comes from the game Aronian - Carlsen. As you can see, Black has a huge material advantage (+8), although White has some counterplay. In this position, there are 3 legal moves for Black:1. one is winning,2. one leads to a draw,3. o...

The Crazy Rook: Saving a Lost Game with Stalemate

The Crazy Rook: Saving a Lost Game with Stalemate

IM MatBobula
| Mar 11, 2025

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
| Feb 26, 2025

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...

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