Mastering Pattern Recognition in the Opening
Pattern recognition is an important tool in modern chess, as it helps you to understand better the characteristics of a position. Particularly when you have been confronted with a surprise opening system played by your opponent, it helps when you can just
The Cambridge Springs Variation in the Semi Slav (5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 Qa5) had been considered as a solid and reliable alternative to the razor sharp positions which usually arise from the Botvinnik (4...dxc4) and (Anti-)Moscow Variation (5...h6).
In the game Stocek-Bluebaum from the Rubinstein Memorial, which is currently taking place, the Czech GM played a very instructive masterpiece, showing how White may be able to build up an attack against the black king. White's game was not flawless but he won in just 25 moves.
Exercise: A critical moment arises at move 17 when White has to decide how to proceed with the attack. The main candidates moves for White are 17.Ne4 and 17.Re3. Do you see the difference between these options?
You can move the pieces on the live diagram!
Strategy Training: How to Make a Plan
In every game of chess, there comes a moment when one is confronted with the question: what should I do now?
Special attention will be paid to Intermediate Moves, Quiet Moves, Sacrifices on Empty Squares, Mating Patterns, Ignoring Opponents Threat, Calculation in Defence and Method of Comparison. Plus 50 interactive examples to test your knowledge.
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