KIAThumbnail

The King’s Indian Attack

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The King's Indian Attack

KIAThumbnail

GM Arjun Erigaisi: Genius and Future World Champion

6/05/2022 –  GM Arjun Erigaisi has shown that he can reach 2700 FIDE Rating by beating Super GMs. This game illustrated how deep GM Erigaisi’s level of endgame understanding.

 

The 2nd featured game is entertaining to watch because GM Wesley So may have underestimated his young opponent. Any tactical move by GM Wesley So did not intimidate the young GM Arjun Erigaisi.  But enjoy your  hot and delicious coffee first…

KIAOpening

CHESS BLOG No. 63 : Date: 6th May 2022

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

White game plan: Control the center and play solidly

KIA2diagram

GM Erigaisi displayed high level endgame play in this game. He is such an all around player even on opposite colored-bishops endgame is not a hindrance to win.

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

White Game Plan: Wait for black's opening strategy

KIA1diagram

GM Wesley So did everything to complicate the position. But GM Erigaisi is such a tough nut to crack. Let's find out.... but have a hot , delicious coffee first...

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME OR MIDDLE GAME - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

endgameproblem2

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

ENJOY THE GAME: BUT HAVE A HOT & DELICIOUS COFFEE

Catalan3

The Catalan System 1

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The Catalan System 1

Catalan3

GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov: Creative play, lots of tactics

13/04/2022 –  GM Mamedyarov delayed castling to set-up an attack at black’s kingside.  When the g-file is opened, black cannot stop white from destroying the kingside. This game is a masterpiece.

 

The 2nd featured game is also exciting to watch. Interestingly, white’s strategy is to delay black’s bishop at c8 to develop. White’s pawn at c6 has caused a ripple effect at black’s inferior position.  But enjoy your coffee first…

Catalan4

CHESS BLOG No. 62 : Date: 13th April 2022

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

White game plan: Delay castling, attack the kingside

Catalan1

GM Mamedyarov is so good in tactics. Check the 12. g4 move, it is amazing game, exciting and lots of ideas to learn about the Catalan.

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

White Game Plan: Pressure black's queenside

Catalan2

GM Ding Liren showed his vast knowledge in using the Catalan. After the move 11. c6, black had a difficult position. Let's find out.... but have a hot , delicious coffee first...

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME OR MIDDLE GAME - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

MCchesspuzzle11

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

ENJOY THE GAME: BUT HAVE A HOT & DELICIOUS COFFEE

Panov Botvinnik2

How to beat the Panov-Botvinnik_Attack

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How to beat the Caro-Kann Panov-Botvinnik Attack?

Panov Botvinnik2

FM Jesse Noel Sales: Fantastic Strategy

31/03/2022 –  Limiting black’s piece development is the scope of white’s plan. After 13. Bb5 move, black has difficulty coordinating his pieces. 1993 US Champion GM Alexander Shabalov blundered on move 19, his queen was trapped at f7 square.

 

Interestingly, white’s strategy is to play reversed Slav defense. GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov showed his class by pressuring his opponent relentlessly. Let’s check it out. But coffee first…

Panov Botvinnik1

CHESS BLOG No. 61 : Date: 26th March 2022

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

White game plan: Minimize black's piece movements

Panov Botvinnik3

Black chose to take the d5 pawn with Nxd5. White controlled the middle game and won due to black's huge blunder.

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

White Game Plan: Queenside development/play like black

Panov Botvinnik4

GM Mamedyarov played the Slav defense as white which is one move ahead. Let's find out.... but have a hot , delicious coffee first...

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

MCchesspuzzle16

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU MEAN EVERYTHING

ENJOY THE GAME: BUT HAVE A HOT & DELICIOUS COFFEE FIRST

BSS3b

Beating the Semi-Slav 3

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Beating the Semi-Slav 3

BSS3b

FM Jesse Noel Sales: Amazing strategy to win

26/03/2022 –  Preparation is essential when you want to achieve greatness in your chess career. Have a strict time to study chess, nobody would help you… but you only. Lucky if someone offers you free training but no one does that.  Only people with a good heart will be able to share that knowledge without compensation. Focus on what you want to do for yourself with no distractions.

 

Our  featured games showed how significant it is to prepare well in your openings. Self study works but there is more to that to be able to beat much stronger players. Let’s check it out. But coffee first…

BSS3a

CHESS BLOG No. 61 : Date: 26th March 2022

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

White game plan: Strike the kingside but use decoy....

ss3 8b6

After the move 14.c5, black cannot find a way to stop FM Jesse Noel Sales to win this game....

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

Black Game Plan: Coordinate pieces at queenside

ss3 8dc4

Black allowed the move 20. f4, but the sun sets unproductively for black. Let's find out.... but have a hot , delicious coffee first...

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

endgameproblem19

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

ENJOY THE GAME: BUT HAVE A HOT & DELICIOUS COFFEE FIRST

BSS2b

Beating the Semi-Slav 2

MCchessblog3

Beating the Semi-Slav 2

BSS2c

FM Jesse Noel Sales: Fantastic attacking game

17/03/2022 –  There is a saying “Fortune always favors the Brave”.  FM Jesse Noel Sales executed a diversional tactic to create imbalance at black’s queenside. But the real plan was kingside assault.

Our 2nd featured game, GM Teimour Radjabov maturely displayed patience to outmaneuver young Super GM Alireza Firouzja in a cat and mouse game. Let’s check it out. But coffee first…

BSS2a

CHESS BLOG No. 60 : Date: 17th March 2022

White game plan: Control the center then attack

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

SemiSlav2a

There is always luck when you play bravely as demonstrated by FM Jesse Noel Sales in this game.

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

White Game Plan: Quick development

SemiSlav2b

Black manages to find the breakthrough in penetrating black's kingside. Let's find out.... but have a hot , delicious coffee first...

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

MCchesspuzzle16

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

ENJOY THE GAME: BUT HAVE A HOT & DELICIOUS COFFEE FIRST

BSS1 1

Beating the Semi-Slav 1

MCchessblog3

Beating the Semi-Slav 1

BSS1 1

GM Magnus Carlsen: Great theoretical contribution by the World Champion on Semi-Slav

11/03/2022 –  GM Magnus Carlsen showed his mastery in beating the Semi-Slav. He gave away 2 pawns in order to create a breakthrough that leads to a fantastic win versus GM Ding Liren.

Our 2nd featured game is one of the best games I have seen on how to beat the Semi-Slav. GM Ding Liren is two pawns up but has no value at all due to delayed development. There is a saying ” Two pawns up is not enough to win a game”. Let’s check it out. But coffee first…

carlsen2

CHESS BLOG No. 59 : Date: 11th March 2022

Black's game plan: Grab all free pawns but backfired

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

SemiSlav1a

Black is 2 pawns up but white has all the good moves. In this game, two pawns up is not enough to win a game.

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

Black's Game Plan: Pawn up but needs development

SemiSlav1b

Black's plan is to develop pieces and control the center. Let's find out.... but have a hot , delicious coffee first...

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

CP1

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING, BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

ENJOY THE GAME: BUT HAVE A HOT & DELICIOUS COFFEE FIRST

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The Scotch Gambit Chronicles 1

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The Scotch Gambit Chronicles 1

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GM Gawain Jones: Super ideas from the GM

13/02/2022 –  Super GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov  placed his queen at b6 on move 15 to exchange queens. But the idea backfired… let’s find out.

Our 2nd featured game is very entertaining. GM Gawain Jones’ play is explosive and tricky. He was having trouble dealing with opponents’ better middle game position but with few tricks.. it worked.  Let’s check it out. But coffee first…

gmgawainjones1

CHESS BLOG No. 58 : Date: 13th February 2022

Black's game plan: Exchange queens/play endgame

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

ScotchGambit 11...Ne6

The idea to exchange queen's is not reasonable due to white's better positioned knight at c5 square and pawns at the center. It is a nice endgame lesson about which is better: knight or bishop? Depends on position.

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

Black's Game Plan: Acquire two bishops advantage

ScotchGambit 12...Ne4

Black's middle game strategy went well. GM Gawain Jones had a hard time finding a breakthrough. But his tricks paid off. Let's find out.... but have a hot , delicious coffee first.

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

endgameproblem40

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING, BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

ENJOY THE GAME: BUT HAVE A HOT & DELICIOUS COFFEE FIRST

CGC1

The Center Game Chronicles 1

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The Center Game Chronicles 1

CGC1

GM Mark Paragua: His game is absolutely superb

02/02/2022 –  GM Mark Paragua showed his class dismantling black’s Center Game using the 12…d5 line.  After move 23. Ne5, black’s position is broken. Very entertaining game…

Our 2nd featured game is played by GM Ian Nepomniachtchi and GM Pentala Harikrishna. Black used the 12…d6 line which is solid and defensive as shown… let’s find out . But coffee first…

paragua1

CHESS BLOG No. 57 : Date: 2nd February 2022

Black's game plan: Play solid while pawn up

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

CG12...d5

Taking the pawn at e4 on move 8, looks promising for black. But the compensation being pawn down when black has difficulties developing queenside pieces which is paramount to white's clear advantage in the middle game.

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

Black's Game Plan: defense is the main plan

CG12...d6

White did all to complicate the position in the middle game. But black's play was too solid resulting in a draw.

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

endgameproblem15

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

ENJOY THE GAME: BUT HAVE A HOT & DELICIOUS COFFEE FIRST

BQG2 1

Beating the Queen’s Gambit 2: using 5. Bf4

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Beating the Queen's Gambit 2: using 5. Bf4 line

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GM Magnus Carlsen : How to tame the Queen's Gambit?

23/1/2022 –  GM Magnus Carlsen demonstrated that he can play any white opening. This game, he showed how to pressure black’s center pawn and the game.

Fantastic game by GM Sergei Zhigalko by showing how to create a backward pawn in black’s central position. This is a very instructive game, so let’s enjoy it but coffee first.

carlsen1

CHESS BLOG No. 56 : Date: 13th January 2022

Black's game plan: disrupt the center

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

BQG2 6...c5

White controlled the game in the middlegame but black tried to complicate the position on move 17...Nd4. But it was a miscalculation, let's find out...

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

Black's Game Plan: develop the bishop (c8) to b7

BQG2 6...c6

After black's 11...c5 move, white created weakness on black's center pawn then continuously pressured it by maneuvering other pieces to control the game.

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

endgameproblem25

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING

ENJOY THE GAME: BUT HAVE A HOT & DELICIOUS COFFE FIRST

BQG1

Beating the Queen’s Gambit: 5. Bf4

MCchessblog3

Beating the Queen's Gambit: using 5. Bf4 line

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GM Ding Liren : the Queen's Gambit killer

13/1/2022 –  It is difficult to beat the Queen’s Gambit set-up because it has solid defense and controls the center. But GM Ding Liren shows us how to win by using the 5. Bf4 variation.

Both featured games are exciting to watch and learn. See how he beat GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Levon Aronian where black was not able to recover and was not able to counter punch at all.  What I noticed about GM Liren is he plays like the former World Champion GM Anatoly Karpov. But first things first,  have a hot and delicious coffee first…

gmdingliren1

CHESS BLOG No. 56 : Date: 13th January 2022

Black's game plan: develop the bad bishop

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

QG6.Bf4line2

Black's 6...b6 line is much better setup than the 6...Nbd7. However, the position was still disadvantageous when GM Ding Liren created many weaknesses on both black's kingside and queenside position.

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

Black's Game Plan: develop the knight first and control the center.

QG6.Bf4line1

This is one of the most beautiful games I have seen. Very elegant game...truly marvelous to see GM Ding Liren play. I learned a lot from it...but coffee first...

GAME VIEWER 1

GAME VIEWER 2

ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW

MCchesspuzzle1

PLEASE THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD: USE YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

WINNING IS EVERYTHING BUT IN LOSING, YOU LEARN EVERYTHING