The recently-published book on Smyslov by Andrey Terekhov, has helped me to understand one of Bronstein's most famous and true utterances: "Do you really believe that I will attack Smyslov, for three roubles a day?" Yes, it was funny when...
Today was the 36th day when I did around 1 hour tactics training. I started to do these exercises to improve my calculation and visualization skills to reach the grandmaster level in those areas too. I invite you to solve the exercises I worked on...
Today was the 35th day when I did around 1 hour tactics training. I started to do these exercises to improve my calculation and visualization skills to reach the grandmaster level in those areas too. I invite you to solve the exercises I worked on...
In the game Regedzinski-Rubinstein We say a key strategy against the isolated pawn: Exchange the minor pieces to get an endgame where you can attack and win the isolated pawn or an other pawn if you can create a second weakness: In th...
By Guest Contributor Grandmaster Vahap Sanal Another great event, the Chinese Chess Championship, is happening this week. With a lineup full of unique players capable of producing exceptional games, I am sure this tournament will showcase many ...
After tracking a game of Henrique Mecking against Taimanov, for a previous blog, I got really interested in opposite color Bishop endgame theory. And started studying it as thoroughly as I could [I had already realized that my analysis of that gam...
One day, I was all alone in the house with my 2-year-old at the time, daughter Lea. In the spirit of inspiring her to play chess, I was playing a game against, um … myself, on the digital chessboard. Suddenly, Lea asked: “mommy, wh...
In the game World Champion Gary Kasparov played the d4-d5 break and after changed the pawn structure. Black got an isolated pawn on d5 which was blocked by the d4 knight. White used his strong knight to penetrate to the position on c6 and get a be...
The players with the isolated pawn aims to push and exchange the pawn to get a strong, centralized piece on d5. If black prepares for the d4-d5 break, he can keep the balance. Always need to be ready. In the game Gligoric-Szabo White could play ...
I saw a question on Reddit today that got me thinking. It was from a complete beginner, so the wording was a little weird, but the gist of it was this: "If Bxc6 isn't the plan, and white can simply meet 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 with 3...a6 4.B...
Bronstein teaches us how to play the Black side of the Boleslavsky (6....e5 against the 6.Be2 system against the Najdorf) In the 1955 Gothenburg Interzonal, Bronstein dominated the field with 10 wins, 10 draws and no losses! &n...
Do you consider studying and playing chess to be a beneficial way to improve your thinking skills? A research team at Harvard University is charged with exploring how chess performance relates to cognitive abilities. You may be able to participate...
The d4-d5 advance of the isolated pawn can be used to clear the d4 square for a knight which can be used for the attack against the black king. In this game, World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz created a masterpiece about the theme how to attack again...
Hi, and welcome back to my blog! So as I've mentioned a few days ago, we're back over our peak USCF rating, hence the blog title! On a serious note, as I've mentioned, peaking is great and all, but there is still a lot o...
Almost always, when we have two options to capture with pawns, the right way to take is from the edge towards the Center. However, every rule has its exceptions (and this is not the exception to that rule 🤪🙃). Today we study 4 typical positions ...
If the isolated pawn can be pushed and exchanged, then the stronghold on d5 can give good attacking chances. In the game Rubinstein-Tartakower white got a bishop on d5 which created power pressure on b7. Black should try to exchange the d5 piece t...
Positions with opposite side castles are nothing new in chess. They happen quite often, especially for players with a sharp style of playing. Below you will find a couple of principles and puzzles on how to attack and defend when you will get one....
Dear Chess Friends! It’s difficult to overestimate the value of the center in a chess game. The pieces can reach any side of the board just in 1-2 moves if they are located in the center. That’s why the player who controls the center...
There is nothing more exciting - and at the same time nothing more scary - than to read the reviews of your own book. "The Life and Games of Vasily Smyslov: Volume I - The Early Years: 1921-1948" has been published a few months ago, and I am reall...
The main strategies against an isolated pawn: Block the pawn, exchange pieces and win in the endgame. In the process we need to prevent the counterplay as much as possible. In the game Karpov-Uhlmann, The World Champion built up a blockade...
Hi, chess fans! Welcome back to my blog. I am happy to say that after reaching my peak USCF rating last weekend, that this two-part series, "Road to My Peak" is accurate because it actually happened! Since I last wrote about a ...
When the d4 isolated pawn blocked by Nd5, then white can occupy the e5 square with a knight, keep the attack against the black king and can think about exchanging on d5 to create an isolated pawn for black. In the game between Gligoric and Elisk...
I have been teaching chess to beginners and intermediate players since 1984. I am happy to report that the progress of my students is always consistent with the work and effort they put into it. The following ratings graphs are selected from some ...
The d4-d5 break with the isolated pawn can be very effective when the opponent's king is still in the center and the major pieces are ready to attack on the e- and d-files. World Champion Boris Spassky played a beautiful attacking game against Avt...
Hypermodernism in chess emerged at the end of World War I. The concept, which went against the classical approach that promoted an immediate fight to the center of the board, sparked fierce debates within the chess community at that time. ...