Robert Ris: Exploit your opponent’s weaknesses! - Sneak Peek

by ChessBase
4/13/2025 – In this sneak peek, IM Robert Ris presents Volume 3 of his “Mastering Chess Strategy” series for ChessBase, focusing on how to exploit various weaknesses in an opponent’s position. He explains that after the earlier volumes defined and classified weaknesses (e.g., weak pawns, weak squares), this third installment dives deeper into identifying and prioritizing multiple weaknesses—especially around the king—while maintaining awareness of tactical opportunities.
Whether it’s a weak pawn, a vulnerable king, or poor piece coordination, this course will teach you how to pinpoint the critical targets, prioritise your attack, and execute a clear, effective plan.
Building on the lessons from the previous volumes, Volume 3 shifts the focus to one of the most essential skills in chess: identifying and attacking your opponent’s weaknesses. Whether it’s a weak pawn, a vulnerable king, or poor piece coordination, this course will teach you how to pinpoint the critical targets, prioritise your attack, and execute a clear, effective plan. But strategy alone isn’t enough — you’ll also need tactical awareness!
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Attack Weaknesses

Robert Ris: Exploit your opponent’s weaknesses! - Sneak Peek

A key example is taken from a Gukesh–Abdusattorov game, where White’s best move is surprisingly not an immediate attack on the back rank, but rather a move, strengthening the knight and preparing a winning assault on a weak square.

Ris uses this and other interactive exercises to show how combining strategy (systematically targeting an opponent’s vulnerable points) with concrete calculation (tactics) leads to practical success. Through step-by-step problem-solving, viewers practice finding critical moves themselves, helping them internalize the method of spotting, prioritizing, and exploiting weaknesses in real games.

Whether it’s a weak pawn, a vulnerable king, or poor piece coordination, this course will teach you how to pinpoint the critical targets, prioritise your attack, and execute a clear, effective plan.
Building on the lessons from the previous volumes, Volume 3 shifts the focus to one of the most essential skills in chess: identifying and attacking your opponent’s weaknesses. Whether it’s a weak pawn, a vulnerable king, or poor piece coordination, this course will teach you how to pinpoint the critical targets, prioritise your attack, and execute a clear, effective plan. But strategy alone isn’t enough — you’ll also need tactical awareness!
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Attack Weaknesses

Links:

<< Freestyle Chess Paris: Carlsen and Nakamura reach the final
Understanding before Moving 225: Praggnanandhaa >>
Topics: ChessBase Training, Robert Ris
Reports about chess: tournaments, championships, portraits, interviews, World Championships, product launches and more.
Discussion and Feedback Submit your feedback to the editors

See also

Robert Ris: Mastering Chess Strategy Vol.3 - Exploit your opponent’s weaknesses!

4/3/2025 – Building on the lessons from the previous volumes, Volume 3 shifts the focus to one of the most essential skills in chess: identifying and attacking your opponent’s weaknesses. Whether it’s a weak pawn, a vulnerable king, or poor piece coordination, this course will teach you how to pinpoint the critical targets, prioritise your attack, and execute a clear, effective plan. But strategy alone isn’t enough — you’ll also need tactical awareness!
More...
 1

See also

Robert Ris: Mastering Chess Strategy - Take your piece play to the next level!

3/1/2025 – After laying the foundation in Volume 1, it's time to dive deeper into key strategic concepts that will elevate your middlegame play. But don't expect long theoretical explanations - this course is all about active learning!
More...
 1

Video

60m English The Austrian Attack

What to do against the Pirc? Many players find it difficult to play against Black’s set-up. Try the Austrian Attack! It is a solid but dangerous weapon and guarantees White an effective attack from the very start! Learn the key tricks of this deadly line and crush the Pirc with ease!