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 Belgrade Gambit (5.Nd5) is an old weapon to bring life into the Scotch Four Knights. Rather than recapturing the pawn on d4, White plays 5.Nd5 and aims to exploit his lead in development.
In our game of the week, the well-known Swedish GM Jonny Hector caught IM Liam Vrolijk by surprise. After Black took a second pawn on e4 the relatively unknown 6.Bd3 led to a fascinating position in which White obtained fantastic attacking chances.
Exercise (analysis of the game Hector-Vrolijk): White to Play: What is Black's main weakness and how do you get there?
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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