The Anti-King’s Gambit Chronicles 3

The Anti-King's Gambit Chronicles 3

GM Hikaru Nakamura : 4...g5 line vs the King's Gambit

4/1/2022 – This featured game is a reflection of how tactical GM plays. GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave sacrificed 2 pieces to destroy black’s kingside and ended in a Queen versus 3 pieces endgame.

The 2nd featured game is played on the ICCF platform where you play your opponent via email. You notice the rating and the level of play is quite above against 1500 rated players on live games. Most importantly we learn a valuable lesson that it is a must to research chess openings. But have a delicious and hot coffee first…

CHESS BLOG No. 55 : Date: 4th January 2022

Black's game plan: destroy white's kingside

1st Game : Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 1)

The 5...g5 move is a standard strategy to protect the f4 pawn but the main idea is to cramp white's position, unable to develop the bishop at c1.

2nd Game: Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 2)

Black's Game Plan: Attack the white king at the center

Steven Lund's rating is 1340 in ICCF tournaments but the level of play is probably Master caliber as it shows in this game. Bottom line is we learn from this game and use it against King's Gambit players.

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

December 30, 2021May 23, 2025 RNFMJesse

The Anti-King’s Gambit Chronicles 2

The Anti-King's Gambit Chronicles 2

GM Sergey Karjakin : 2...ef4 line vs the King's Gambit

30/12/2021 – Russian GM Sergey Karjakin played 5…Qh5 after white’s 5. Nf3. The strategy of black is to hold on to the f4 pawn then slowly build-up to pressure white’s kingside.

The 2nd featured game showed how guts and perseverance to win is possible even playing a much higher rated GM, but first, enjoy your hot and delicious coffee…

CHESS BLOG No. 54 : Date: 30th December 2021

Black's game plan: Protect the f4 pawn at all cost

1st Game : Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 1)

The 5...Qh5 move wants to pressure the pinned knight but will slowly build up pieces at kingside and must make sure the f4 pawn is protected.

2nd Game: Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 2)

Black's Game Plan: To limit mobility of white's pieces and defend the f4 pawn.

NM King showed experience in handling the 5...Qh6 line. From start to finish, he controlled the game with his cunning style. Let's find out, BUT COFFEE FIRST.....

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

December 24, 2021May 23, 2025 RNFMJesse

The Anti-King’s Gambit Chronicles 1

The Anti-King's Gambit Chronicles 1

GM Alexander Grischuk : 2...ef4 line vs the King's Gambit

24/12/2021 – Russian GM Alexander Grischuk showed his mastery in tackling the dangerous King’s Gambit. His technical style is amazing, slowly building his position and attacks smoothly…

GM Aleksandar Indjic beat GM Luke McShane in just 11 moves. Black’s 2…Nf6 line versus the King’s Gambit is so interesting. I can not believe a Super GM defeated flawlessly. Let’s find out.. but first, enjoy your hot and delicious coffee…

CHESS BLOG No. 53 : Date: 24th December 2021

Black's game plan: Protect the f4 pawn

1st Game : Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 1)

GM Grischuk displayed vast knowledge about this 3...h6 ine. White's 6. g3 move is the deciding factor when it weakens the kingside. But there is much to learn in this game as well as how GM Grischuk's patience and calmness is one thing for us to emulate.

2nd Game: Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 2)

Black's Game Plan: Entice the e4 pawn to over extend

Black's opening strategy is very tricky. It is worth studying this line. Check why this game is finished in just 11 moves BUT COFFEE FIRST.....

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

December 17, 2021May 23, 2025 RNFMJesse

The Anti-Pirc Chronicles 3

GM Tiberiu-Marian Georgescu : 5. Be3 vs Pirc Defense

17/12/2021 – Romanian GM Georgescu displayed vast understanding on 5. Be3 line versus the Pirc Defense. Despite the huge difference of rating and playing a 2600 GM is no easy task at all. Determination to win, preparedness and guts is no doubt that he has the skills of Super GM as shown in his game.

Dealing against black’s 5…Ng4 line is a bit annoying. In this game, Brazilian GM Rafael Leitao showed mastery why the move 5…Ng4 does not interfere with his plans to outmaneuver his opponent. When black’s king unfortunately stuck in the center, he did not waste time in destroying black’s kingside. Let’s find out.. but first, enjoy your hot and delicious coffee…

CHESS BLOG No. 52 : Date: 17th December 2021

Black's game plan: exchanging the inactive bishop

1st Game : Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 1)

GM Georgescu played as required based on black's intention to exchange his knight at f3. But it went all smoothly for white, check his strategy and learn from it.

Black's Game Plan: Disrupt the placement of the bishop

2nd Game: Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 2)

This game demonstrates how to handle an annoying knight. Black lost too much tempo in employing the 5...Ng4 line. Check this game and relax while enjoying your coffee....

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING, BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

December 6, 2021May 23, 2025 RNFMJesse

The Anti-Pirc Chronicles 2

GM Kateryna Lagno : 5. Be3 line vs. The Pirc Defense

06/12/2021 – Black used the 2…g6 line to divert the game in a different Pirc Format. Although it has similar make-up, the difference lies on execution. GM Kateryna Lagno has vast experience and understanding on this line as it is shown in Game 1. A chess prodigy, she became WGM at the age of 12.

Ukrainian GM Olexandr Bortnyk handled the 4. Be3 line fiercely against a very talented teen GM Nihal Sarin from India. It is an exciting game, both wanted to win but time is also a part of the game which is the deciding factor on the outcome of this fantastic game. But first, enjoy your hot and delicious coffee…

CHESS BLOG No. 51 : Date: 6th December 2021

Black's game plan: develop the queenside first

1st Game : Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 1)

GM Lagno showed her expertise in dismantling black's defense. The decision of black to not castle resulted in a king hunt. Let's find out....

Black's Game Plan: Control the center

2nd Game: Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 2)

GM Nihal Sarin's strategic piece play gained him the upper hand. But due to time pressure, he mishandled the position and the game.

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

December 1, 2021May 23, 2025 RNFMJesse

The Anti-Pirc Chronicles 1

GM Nikita Vitiugov: 5. Be3 line vs. The Pirc Defense

01/12/2021 – The Pirc Defense is very similar to King’s Indian Defense but on 1. e4 opening classification. Russian GM Nikita Vitiugov displayed a systematic approach to attack black’s kingside.

GM Hikaru Nakamura is well aware about the dangerous white’s 5. Be3 line. He delayed castling at kingside to develop first the queenside pieces and pawns. Let us check how American GM Jeffery Xiong makes it so simple to beat GM Nakamura. This is a one sided game. But let us have a hot…delicious coffee…

CHESS BLOG No. 50 : Date: 1st December 2021

Black's game plan: Castle early then develop pieces

1st Game : Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 1)

GM Richard Rapport castled early but this triggered automatic response from GM Nikita Vitiugov to attack the kingside. He did it in elegance and great accuracy that placed black's position irreparable. Let's see what happened...

Black's Game Plan: Delayed castling

2nd Game: Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 2)

It is pretty obvious that GM Hikaru Nakamura is aware of white's 5. Be3 intentions: to attack black's castled king. Therefore, he delayed castling but GM Jeffery Xiong is well prepared. Let's find out....

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

November 24, 2021May 23, 2025 RNFMJesse

The Anti-Caro-Kann Chronicles 3

GM Peter Svidler: Fantastic Counter-Attack

24/11/2021 – Some GMs tolerate attacks on their territory, but it comes with precision and courage to acquire those skills. GM Peter Svidler is one of these grandmasters who possess excellent patience to repel attacks but of course it comes with a great plan.

GM Peter Svidler used his line 10. Bb4 which is a different line to previous Anti-CaroKann Chronicles 1 & 2. These 2 featured games are exciting and have a huge sense of unpredictability mostly in the climax part. Yes, the result always ends well to those who are patient.. but coffee first…

CHESS BLOG No. 49 : Date: 24th November 2021

Black's Game Plan: 11...f6 line

1st Game : Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 1)

GM Volodymyr Onyshchuk is a feisty competitor. This game has unpredictability as to who's going to win. Both GMs worked hard but there is a great reward to those who are patient.

GM Svidler: 13. Bd3 long range planning

2nd Game: Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 2)

To attack must be planned, study all possibilities and always have a Plan B just in case it doesn't work. But in this game, the attack backfired and it was too late to regroup as well. Enjoy the game...cheers..

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

November 21, 2021May 23, 2025 RNFMJesse

The Anti-Caro-Kann Chronicles 2

GM Sanan Sjugirov: The Visionary GM

21/11/2021 – The featured Game 1, has shown elegance and exceptional tactical flair as executed by GM Sjugirov’s deep understanding of the opening. Easily he will reach 2700 rating in no time. Check his game history, he beat world champ GM Magnus Carlsen, GM Wesley So, GM Fabiano Caruana and some top 10 Super GMs.

GM Kovalenko dared his opponent to attack his king while still at the center. Indeed, GM Bartel accepted the challenge and wasted no time. When the smoke cleared, only one man was standing. But coffee first combined with coconut cake…yum!!

CHESS BLOG No. 48 : Date: 21st November 2021

White's Game Plan: 13. Qe1

1st Game : Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 1)

GM Sjugirov's idea here mainly is to weaken the c6 pawn. His dynamic play is amazing, worthy of checking all his games to adapt his style.

The 2nd Game Plan: White's 11. c3

2nd Game: Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 2)

GM Kobalenko's 13...Qb7 line avoided the threat of the rook at c1 but allowed his king at the center. If you are playing white, What do you plan to do? YOUR MOVE....

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

November 15, 2021May 23, 2025 RNFMJesse

The Anti-Caro-Kann Chronicles 1

GM Wesley So: Solid Line versus the Caro-Kann

15/11/2021 – I find the Anti-Caro-Kann line by GM Wesley So educational. You will learn about the roles of each piece and when to strike. Amazing super strategic Game 1.

The featured 2nd game is an example of how tactical GM Wesley So when he wants to. He plays smooth, calm and unsuspecting but so dangerous when he fires the first shot combined with deadly combo. Let’s find out, but coffee and music are a perfect combination!!!

CHESS BLOG No. 47 : Date: 15th November 2021

The 1st Game Plan: White's 11. Rc1

1st Game : Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 1)

White's game plan 11. Rc1 waits for black to castle. By striking 12. c4, black can't castle queenside. Both GMs search for advantage in a battle of strategy and endgame technique.

The 2nd Game Plan: White's 11. c3

2nd Game: Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 2)

This is a different line at move 11. Still a wait and see strategy by GM Wesley So if when black reveals its intention. Very entertaining game, a must see... Enjoy....your coffee and music...

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

GM Richard Rapport: Anti-French Strategy and Game Plans., chess blogs

November 13, 2021May 23, 2025 RNFMJesse

The Anti-French Chronicles 3

GM Richard Rapport: Anti-French Strategy and Game Plans.

13/11/2021 – Not just I create chess blogs and share it to all chess players worldwide. But I learned a lot too. GM Richard Rapport’s clever execution of Anti-French 5. exd5 is self explanatory. To go for the endgame, pressure the center and the b7 pawn. as shown in Game 1.

GM Misraddin Iskandarov’s Anti-French is a similar set-up to Game 1. But it defers when the queen goes to b3 to pressure the b7 pawn. Let’s find out and enjoy the game. But coffee combined with music is best.

CHESS BLOG No. 46 : Date: 13th November 2021

GM Richard Rapport strategic: 5. ed5

1st Game : Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 1)

White's game plan is easy to understand. Exchange early queens and then pressure the center and the b7 pawn. The culprit behind black's delayed development is the bishop at c8. Let's find out and learn.

GM Iskandarov's 10 Qb3: another theory

2nd Game: Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 2)

Black's 4..cd4 creates a different scenario. But GM Iskandarov found a way to place a strategic position for the queen at b3. Same plan, pressure the center and the b7 pawn. It worked!!!