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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
Have you always thought that the Four Knights Opening is boring? Then you probably haven't heard of the Halloween Gambit! After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 White does not continue to develop but instead tries the rather shocking 4.Nxe5!?, a popular choice among club players.
White's main idea is to quickly seize the initiative by advancing pawns in the centre, harassing the black knights. Many Black players will be unfamiliar with this concept and will struggle to find a satisfying solution.
However, White still sacrifices a piece, and in quite a number of lines Black will be able to get an advantage, but that shouldn't discourage the daredevils! White's lead in development will certainly give you great attacking chances - so why not give it a try!?
But first a warm-up: White to play
You can move the pieces on the live diagram!
Master Class Vol.10: Mikhail Botvinnik
Our experts show, using the games of Botvinnik, how to employ specific openings successfully, which model strategies are present in specific structures, how to find tactical solutions and rules for how to bring endings to a successful conclusion
Robert is on air every other Thursday at 18:00 UTC (19:00 CET / 16:00 EST)
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.
Many more Fast and Furious episodes are available in ChessBase Videos
