A really great combination.

Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
White To Play
White would really like to Queen the a pawn. But it seems the Bishop can always find a way to get on the h1-a8 diagonal to stop this. Can you find the solution?
Find White's Win
Black just played the shocker ..Nd3 threatening to win. You're White, what do you play?
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The Donkey Defense
And the donkey has a nasty kick. The title is an inside joke for some of you element players. I won't repeat the after-game comments by the disgruntled player of the White pieces, except to saw he made an "ass" of himself.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Great Endgame
If you look at Fischer's games you'll notice how well he played in Bishop vs. Knight situations. Here's super GM Sergey Karjakin handling the same type of position. Note White has two pawns on light squares, b3 and e4, targets for the Bishop. Also White must defend two invasion points for the Black King, b4 and d4. But it appears White might be able to defend. But Karjakin shows great technique in forcing the win. One way to improve in the endgame is to study closely endgames like this, then set up the position versus a computer and try to do it yourself. You may have to restart a couple of times to get it done. But when you do succeed it's very satisfying. And later, in games of your own, you win positions like this.
Notes by GM Karsten Mueller for Chessbase.com
Slay The Dragon
Once in awhile you come across a new game in the Sicilian Dragon variation that inspires the players of the White side.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
A Nice Finishing Touch.
Niobium Playoff Rd 1. A dubious opening choice by Black. Check out milesotoole's winning move. Very pretty.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Solution To White To Play
This is a endgame study composed by V. Sokov, 1940. My comments are based on the notes of IM Igor Khmelnitsky from his modern day classic book "Chess Exam and Training Guide".
The hint in the previous post was the mention of the key square b4 for the Black King. If he can control it then he can make a draw. But White has a solution to break this control.
The hint in the previous post was the mention of the key square b4 for the Black King. If he can control it then he can make a draw. But White has a solution to break this control.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Another Good Game From LittleWarrior
Bohrium Playoff Rd 1. LittleWarrior took advantage of his opponents confused play.
Solution To White To Play
The problem is that White's King is too far away to help stop the two passed pawns. The Rook can't do it alone. But if you think it's a draw then you are wrong. White does have a win here. But before I give the solution I will show the reasonable moves that don't work. But there are hints in the notes, so if you haven't figured it out yet, keep trying. I'll give the winning line tomorrow.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Great Game By ben622
Technetium Playoff Rd 1. ben622 was a 200 point rating underdog here. A really fine game.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Playoff Games
Niobium Playoff Rd 1. Five Element teams made the playoffs. I usually don't post losses by our players But this is very interesting and instructive.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Good Win By Krysto
Rubidium Rd 6. Black made some bad choices. Krysto made him see the error of his ways.
Toukon Wins
Selenium Rd 6. A couple of interesting moments. One move 44 Black could have killed White's Bishop. Black then missed a mating net and let White off the hook. Near the end it's a complete draw but White returned the error.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)