Chess is a war between two opposing armies, a struggle that takes place on a black and white battlefield made up of sixty four squares. The war is won when you checkmate your opponent’s King. However, to win the war you must partake in a number of smaller battles. Winning one battle doesn’t guarantee that … Continue reading "Fight Smart!" The post Fight Smart! appeared first on...

Φίλες και φίλοι καλημέρα!Σιγά σιγά μπαίνουμε σε ρυθμούς «Βαρδάρη».Ο Βαρδάρης αποτελεί ένα από τα πιο φημισμένα Διεθνή τουρνουά στην Ελλάδα και τα Βαλκάνια.Προχθές ανεβάσαμε και το promo video που μπορείτε να το δείτε...

“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 to do it: 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 … Continue reading "“What Say You?” The 1 Minute Challenge (35)" The post “What Say You?” The 1...

I thought it would be interesting to write an occasional series looking at the latest computer assessments of popular gambits. Where better to start than with the King’s Gambit? Sixty years ago, in 1960, Fischer lost to Spassky on the black side of the Kieseritzky Gambit. Stung by the defeat he went to work and, … Continue reading "Bobby was Right" The post Bobby was Right appeared...

In my teaching career, I’ve had many parents ask me if their child’s obsession with chess is healthy. Obsession is a tricky thing: If you really wish to master something you need to focus all of your attention on that something. You need to be at least somewhat obsessed! However, there’s a fine line between … Continue reading "Healthy Obsessions?" The post Healthy...

“A dream becomes a goal when action is taken toward its achievement” Bo Bennett (businessman) Two weeks ago we looked at one way to play this variation. You can revisit that article HERE Another way to play with the White pieces has seen a return in fashion as the main line lately and goes like this: … Continue reading "Need Sure Points? Sicilian Defense, Najdorf, Poisoned Pawn...

Φίλες και φίλοι Σαχάρες καλημέρα!Με το δεξί μπήκαν οι ομάδες μας στα πρωταθλήματα με 3 νίκες σε ισάριθμους αγώνες!Η μεγάλη νίκη έγινε στην 1η αγωνιστική του Πρωταθλήματος Π.Ο.Α. που αγωνίζεται η ομάδα μας που επικράτησε...

MiniKappa-1 (κάθε Πέμπτη)   Ανοιχτό τουρνουά με ελβετικό σύστημα 5 γύρων, εθνική (ΕΣΟ) και διεθνή αξιολόγηση (FIDE) (Οι διοργανωτές μπορούν να αλλάξουν σύστημα αγώνων κατά τον αριθμό συμμετοχών)   Κάθε Πέμπτη, στην αίθουσα...

Kappa-70 (κάθε Πέμπτη)   Ανοιχτό τουρνουά με ελβετικό σύστημα 5 γύρων, εθνική (ΕΣΟ) και διεθνή αξιολόγηση (FIDE) (Οι διοργανωτές μπορούν να αλλάξουν σύστημα αγώνων κατά τον αριθμό συμμετοχών)   Κάθε Πέμπτη, στην αίθουσα μας...

Returning for the moment to pawn endings, another important theme is the trebuchet. A trebuchet was a large catapult, but in chess it’s given its name to a position like this: You’ll notice that whoever has the move loses: mutual Zugzwang. We can rotate the position by 90 degrees, reaching something like this. This time … Continue reading "Trebuchet" The post Trebuchet appeared...

The difference between a good move and a great move is simple. A good move is just that, a move that helps improve your position and thus your overall game. However, a great move is one that completely changes the game in your favor. After the beginner learns the basic rules of the games and … Continue reading "Why Three Moves?" The post Why Three Moves? appeared first on The Chess Improver.

Κοπή πρωτοχρονιάτικης πίτας και έναρξη πρωταθλημάτων…Η νέα χρονιά ξεκινάει με την έναρξη τριών πρωταθλημάτων,του Π.Ο.Α. (προκριματικός όμιλος Α Εθνικής)των Junior (τετραμελής ομάδα κάτω των 10, γεννημένοι έως 2010)και των...

ΠΡΟΚΗΡΥΞΗ ΑΓΩΝΩΝ: Παιδικό Τουρνουά Rapid   Παιδικό rapid τουρνουά με ελβετικό σύστημα 7 γύρων με διεθνή αξιολόγηση ELO FIDE Rapid (Οι διοργανωτές μπορούν να αλλάξουν σύστημα αγώνων ανάλογα με τον αριθμό συμμετοχών)   Την...

“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 to do it: 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 … Continue reading "“What Say You?” The 1 Minute Challenge (34)" The post “What Say You?” The 1...

I’ve always felt that most tactics books (there are a few exceptions) are deficient. They’re great at showing you brilliant combinations and sacrifices, but there are two other things they need to do. Looking through my RJCC database, game after game is lost by a player making a move walking into a tactic which wasn’t … Continue reading "Spot the Blunder" The post Spot the...