As promised a few weeks ago, this is the start of a new series of articles featuring books which are frequently bought for the wrong reasons. Some of the books are excellent, but are bought by the wrong customers for the wrong reasons. Others were excellent in their day, but are now dated. Some have … Continue reading "Wrong Books (1): Modern Chess Openings" The post Wrong Books (1): Modern...

Last week, we started our examination of tricks and traps during the opening. While, you’ll rarely face a trick or trap when playing a strong. experienced player, you’re likely to encounter one when facing off against a crafty beginner. While you shouldn’t play every game worrying that your opponent may try to employ a trick … Continue reading "A Foundation for Beginners...

The Halloween Gambit with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nxe5 is undoubtedly a dubious opening, but that’s not to say it should be taken lightly as White gets time and space for his sacrificed piece. The following game is a graphic illustration in which White uses it to upset a young GM who was … Continue reading "Hack ’em with the Halloween" The post Hack ’em with the...

“A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer” Bruce Lee A quick reminder how it works: Have a look at the position for 1 minute (watch the clock) Think about the choices in front of you and pick the one you feel it is … Continue reading "“What Say You?” The 1 Minute Challenge (46)" The post “What Say You?”...

I reached this position earlier in the month in one of our online club tournaments, against an opponent, who coincidentally lives in my road, who is rated some way below me, but still a dangerous tactician. I had the black pieces, and eventually won the game after mutual blunders (demonstrating the complete game would embarrass … Continue reading "Rook takes h6" The post Rook takes h6...

By now, you should have a basic understanding of your goals during the game’s opening. Before I introduce you to a few openings to use in your arsenal, I want to show you a couple of tricks and traps you may encounter as a beginner. This week and next, we’ll delve into this topic. While … Continue reading "A Foundation for Beginners Eleven" The post A Foundation for Beginners...

The Göring Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.c3) offers a pawn for fast development. It’s a dangerous opening which needs to be taken seriously and as a teenager I tried it myself. In the following encounter one of its most famous exponents, Dragoljub Velimirovic uses it to beat a young Oleg Romanishin in … Continue reading "Gouge ’em with the Göring" The post Gouge...

“They ignore you now, but they’ll need you later” Unknown Round 4 of our club tournament was dominated by a common theme: the back rank. It is a bit surprising because protecting one’s back rank is something taught very early. Many should remember the times when playing h2-h3 or h7-h6 occupied a major part of … Continue reading "Ignore at Your Peril" The post Ignore...

Our club has a new prospective member who, not having played since school, has taught himself through watching a random bunch of YouTube videos. He also plays a lot online and takes part in our regular tournaments to learn from the stronger players. He’s clearly talented, but, at present, somewhat confused. For instance, he defends … Continue reading "Rook takes h5" The post Rook...

Last week, we looked at the further development of our minor pieces (Knights and Bishops) as well as three things we shouldn’t do during the opening; bringing the Queen out early, moving the same piece over and over again (during the opening), and making too many pawn moves. This week, we’re going to look at … Continue reading "A Foundation for Beginners Ten" The post A Foundation for...

The Fegatello Attack, more commonly known as the ‘Fried Liver’ is one of the most taught openings at junior level as coaches look for quick ways for their students to become successful. It goes 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7 Kxf7 7.Qf3+, drawing Black’s king out into the open. A … Continue reading "Flay ’em with Fegatello" The post Flay...

“Choices are the hinges of destiny” Pythagoras We have restarted our club meetings online this past December and it already feels like we have been doing this for a long time. Personally I miss the in person interaction and we will return to this as soon as possible. However being able to meet online is … Continue reading "Quick Decisions (4)" The post Quick Decisions (4) appeared first...

It’s been amusing (or disturbing, depending on your perspective) to see the effect of the current chess mini-boom on both social media and book sales. I belong to various Facebook groups for chess teachers and learners, where members, often newbies, ask questions, and receive, in most cases, unhelpful, or even dangerous, advice from the Dunnings … Continue reading "Ask a Silly...