A Queen's Gambit Bongcloud: Advanced Bongcloud Theory
You might think of the Bongcloud as a modern idea, but GMs have been playing this Bongcloud idea in the Exchange Queen's...
A Scotch Bongcloud: Advanced Bongcloud Theory
When is it OK to sacrifice material and move your king in the opening? GM Hammer demonstrates a line of the Scotch where...
Hammer's Own Bongcloud: Advanced Bongcloud Theory
How does GM Jon Ludvig Hammer play Bongcloud ideas in his own games? Check out his Nimzo Sicilian Bongcloud against GM Jacek...
Nepo's Bong Cloud: Advanced Bongcloud Theory
Ian Nepomniachtchi, the most recent title challenger knows his way around a Bongcloud. GM Jan Ludvig Hammer brings you this...
Magnus Carlsen's Recent Bongcloud: Advanced Bongcloud Theory
We know that Magnus Carlsen occasionally plays the Bongcloud as a joke. What happens when he plays Bongcloud ideas in serious...
The Semi-Tarrasch Structure: Every Pawn Structure Explained
In the Grunfeld and Semi-Tarrasch Defenses White often builds a big center and Black tries to undermine it. GM Johan Hellsten...
The Carlsbad: Every Pawn Structure Explained
The Queen's Gambit, The Caro-Kann, and even the London System can lead to the famous Carlsbad pawn structure. GM Johan Hellsten...
Hanging Pawns: Every Pawn Structure Explained
Hanging pawns, usually two pawns connected on the d-and-c-files are some of the trickiest structures to play. GM Johan Hellsten...
The Isolated d-Pawn: Every Pawn Structure Explained
The isolated d-pawn, might be the most famous structural imbalance in all of chess. GM Johan Hellsten explains the key ideas...
Materialism: Giving Back Material
IM Kostya Kavutskiy wraps up his series on material by demonstrating how you can give back some or all of your material...
Materialism: Be Brave
What do you do when your opponent insists on sacrificing? IM Kostya Kavutskiy demonstrates how superstars Boris Spassky...
Materialism: Don't Trust Your Opponent
When your opponent sacrifices, it's OK to be cautious, but you should still calculate for yourself. IM Kostya Kavutskiy...
Materialism: Is it A Poisoned Pawn?
In many openings, one side sacrifices a pawn early on to start a quick attack. IM Kostya Kavutskiy will help you learn which...
Materialism: The Virtues Of Pawn-Grabbing
Often one extra pawn is enough to win the game. IM Kostya Kavutskiy begins his course on materialism by demonstrating when...
Candidate Moves: Improve Your Worst Piece
IM Kostya Kavutskiy wraps up his series on decision-making with a master class on strategic play. White consistently improves...
Candidate Moves: Imbalances
What should you do when there are no clear tactics? IM Kostya Kavutskiy is back to demonstrate how you can evaluate imbalances...
Candidate Moves: The Opponent's Ideas
IM Kostya Kavutskiy has another video explaining how to decide on moves. This time he'll teach you how to anticipate and...
Candidate Moves: Forcing Moves
IM Kostya Kavutskiy is back with another discussion of how to make decisions in chess. This time he'll show how the great...
Candidate Moves: Checks
IM Kostya Kavutskiy brings you a new series on how to choose candidate moves and make good decisions in chess. He starts...
Every Gambit Refuted: Halloween Gambit
The Halloween Gambit can be as scary as the name implies. White gets a faint pawn center in exchange for a piece and Black...
Advanced Chess Notation
Once you learn and practice using the language of chess, it's time to enhance your chess fluency with advanced notation!...
When to Trade Pieces
It's usually helpful to trade if you can get ahead but what should you do if a potential trade doesn't gain or lose material?...
Open, Closed, Semi-open Games
There are three main categories of positions. If there are few pawns on the board the position is open. Bishops are often...
Space
The more space you control on the board, the more room your pieces have to maneuver, and the less space your opponent has....
Pawn Chains
A group of pawns that protect each other on a diagonal is called a pawn chain. The only unprotected pawn in the chain is...