Eventually, my more advanced students pair off with much stronger opponents as their skill set and game improves. Their first encounter with a stronger opponent usually ends in a loss because my students haven’t yet learned the nuances of positional play. They’re used to fast and often violent checkmates in the middle-game. These students are … Continue reading "Tension and...

TCEC Season 16 is going to start mid July with the participation of the strongest computer chess software. For the first time ever a Neural Network – Leela Chess Zero aka Lc0 – will defend both a league title and a Cup title. TCEC Season 16 will feature a new format. It will keep the [...]

“It may look like I’m doing nothing, but in my head I’m quite busy.” Anonymous Carlos Almarza Mato’s invitee article on Spassky has been posted HERE This week I am happy to host another of Carlos articles, this one on Petrosian. “Iron Tigran” with his mind boggling maneuvering was never a player of my liking. … Continue reading "Petrosian or The Art...

Αρχίζει σήμερα Τρίτη 2 Ιουλίου στο Ρίο της Αχαίας και ολοκληρώνεται το Σάββατο 6 Ιουλίου το Πανελλήνιο Ομαδικό Πρωτάθλημα Α’ Εθνικής 2019 (τελική φάση) με τη συμμετοχή, κατά το μοντέλο που προκρίθηκε κατά την τελευταία...

The 2018-19 season having finally reached its conclusion it’s time for me to look at my games and see what lessons can be learnt. I’ve been playing chess far too long to learn any new lessons myself, but perhaps you might learn something. Division 1 of the Thames Valley League, where I play all my … Continue reading "2018-19 Season (1)" The post 2018-19 Season (1) appeared first...

Μεγάλη επιτυχία σημείωσαν οι σκακιστικοί αγώνες που συνδιοργάνωσαν οι σκακιστικοί σύλλογοι Ν.Ε.Π. και Ε.Α.Π. από την Κυριακή 16 μέχρι και την Τετάρτη 19 του Ιούνη 2019 στο Επιμελητήριο Πατρών. Συμμετείχαν 42 σκακιστές...

I teach my students the value of the pieces so that they can make profitable trades when exchanging material. They know that it’s better to trade a Knight for a Rook than a Rook for a Knight (unless it leads to a winning attack). They use pawn and piece value to guide them when considering … Continue reading "The Art of the Trade" The post The Art of the Trade appeared first on The...

Μια ακόμα επιτυχημένη σκακιστική εκδήλωση διοργάνωσε ο ΣΕΠΟΚΕ το διήμερο 22 και 23 Ιούνιου στο Καλλιμανοπούλειο Εκκλησιαστικό Διακονικό Κέντρο Καλαβρύτων (ΚΕΔΙΚ).Στο τουρνουά συμμετείχαν 28 αθλητές και αθλήτριες σε...

Εδώ το κείμενο της προγραμματικής δήλωσης για το σκάκι που συνέταξε και υπογράφει ο Έλληνας γκρανμέτρ και δέκα φορές πρωταθλητής Ελλάδας: Ανάμεσα στις δράσεις-παρεμβάσεις που πρόκειται να συμπεριλάβει ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ στο...

Μια πρόταση που φτιάξαμε για το σκάκι, σε συνεργασία με τον φίλο Νίκο Λούβρο υποψήφιο επίσης στην Α' Αθήνας:ΠΡΟΤΑΣΗ ΓΙΑ ΕΙΣΟΔΟ ΤΟΥ ΣΚΑΚΙΟΥ ΩΣ ΚΑΝΟΝΙΚΟΥ ΜΑΘΗΜΑΤΟΣ ΣΤΑ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΑΑνάμεσα στις δράσεις-παρεμβάσεις που...

Unlike other sports chess is lacking in action so has less popular appeal than, say, football. Chess players like to play more than watch others peoples’ games. Whenever we do see some games, usually it is based on personal interest only. However winning the game with sacrifices, specially with a queen sacrifice, attracts a lot … Continue reading "Chess Refreshment: Queen...

“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 (27)" The post “What Say You?” The 1...

I’m enjoying reading a new book by Andrew Soltis: Tal, Petrosian, Spassky and Korchnoi A Chess Multibiography with 207 games. Four great Soviet players. The 8th, 9th and 10th world champions, along with a great pretender and contemporary. Four very different players with very different styles and very different personalities. Sometimes friends and sometimes enemies. … Continue reading...

Written by Guy Haworth and Nelson Hernandez Reading, UK and Maryland, USA Corresponding author: g.haworth@reading.ac.uk This is the latest in our series of analytical articles on past TCEC events. The main text can be read below on this webpage, and at the bottom you will find a link to the full layouted article in pdf [...]

The endgame is my salvation! No matter how much chaos ensues in my games, if I can play down to an endgame I can usually beat the majority of my opponents. While this may seem like a rather bold statement, the fact is, I put a great deal of time into endgame studies. Unfortunately, my … Continue reading "Endgame" The post Endgame appeared first on The Chess Improver.