We’ve looked at the first two important opening principles, controlling the center of the board (d4, d5, e4 and e5) with a pawn and developing our minor pieces (Knights and Bishops) to centralized squares. Before we move on to the last of the three most important opening principles, castling, we’re going to put the first … Continue reading "A Foundation for Beginners Six" The...

After my ‘Bash ’em with the Budapest’ was quite well received I thought this might make a suitable post; the Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6) is often thought to be an opening sedate positional players but it does have a more lively and original side. Two of my favourite players, David Bronstein and Bent Larsen, have both … Continue reading "Cosh ’em with the Caro" The post Cosh...

“Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.” Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart Two weeks ago one of my students surprised me with a very nice game he played. After we dissected it properly, I saved it with a … Continue reading "Students Analysis (4)" The post Students Analysis (4) appeared first on The...

A long time ago I scored excellent results with the Schliemann Defence to the Ruy Lopez (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5). I’m not quite sure why I gave it up. Wikipedia doesn’t think much of it: “This line is considered to be a good practical weapon, but is positionally risky and … Continue reading "Ruy Lopez Schliemann" The post Ruy Lopez Schliemann appeared first on The...

Last week, we looked at the role of the Knight in the opening. This week, we’ll examine the Bishop and it’s role in opening play. To briefly recap, the minor pieces consist of the Knights and Bishops. While both share a relative value of three, there’s a big difference between the two pieces. The Knight … Continue reading "A Foundation For Beginners Five" The post A...

 Online Σεμινάριο για το Γκαμπί της Βασίλισσας. Ένας ολοκληρωμένος οδηγός για τα μαύρα εναντίον του 1.δ4   Σε αυτή τη σειρά online σεμιναρίων θα παρουσιαστεί ένα ρεπερτόριο ενάντια στο 1.δ4. Η επιλογή μας...

Having learned that my old friend Andrew Martin is writing a book on the Budapest Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5) I suggested ‘Bash ’em With the Budapest’ as a title. It’s an opening I’ve never played as Black and only recall a couple of occasions on which I met it with White. On the first … Continue reading "Bash ’em With the Budapest" The post Bash ’em...

“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 (44)" The post “What Say You?”...

Much has been written over the past 60 years or so about whether education should focus on knowledge or skills. When I was at school it was assumed that the teacher stood in front of the class and provided knowledge to the pupils. But then there was a gradual change to a skills based education. … Continue reading "Knowledge and Skill" The post Knowledge and Skill appeared first on The Chess...

Ένας μεγάλος σκακιστής, ο Κερκυραίος γκραν μετρ και τέσσερις φορές πρωταθλητής Ελλάδας Σπύρος Σκέμπρης, συζητάει διαδικτυακά με τη Μαριάννα Στεφανίδη για τα πρώτα του σκακιστικά βήματα, για το παγκόσμιο μετάλλιο που...

Last week, we started our study of the opening principles. We looked at the importance of controlling the center of the board with a pawn at the game’s start (principle one). To quickly review last week’s studies, we examined the four squares that make up the board’s center and learned how we can control one … Continue reading "A Foundation for Beginners Four" The post A...