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Have you ever imagined what it would be like to have to mate with knight and bishop in a crucial game in a team match with little time on the clock? Or playing Queen vs. Rook or Rook vs. Bishop in such games? These endgames arise surprisingly often, and you will do yourself (and your team!) a favour by coming prepared.
Bologan‘s Chess Academy Vol. 1 - “Practical Endgamesâ€
This course isn’t just another addition to your chess library—it’s the definitive guide to elevate your endgame play. From fundamental principles to advanced techniques, “Practical Endgames†covers every aspect of endgame strategy.
But how to handle the pieces in the endgame? Victor Bologan addresses this question and explains right at the start of his course why we should study endgames. To quote Bologan: "In the opening you often fight for minimal advantages, but in the endgame you sometimes give away the advantage you have carefully built up with a single move."
Free video: Introduction
That costs a lot of points. In the introduction, Bologan recounts a painful defeat he suffered against Viktor Kortchnoi in the endgame. This defeat was the decisive factor in Bologan's decision to delve deeper into endgames, and he relied on the support of none other than Mark Dvoretsky. Both are convinced that endgame study is one of the most important areas of a chess player's training. They explicitly warn against spending too much time memorising opening lines and neglecting the other phases of the game.
Ne6 is the only moves that draws
In 1951 David Bronstein played a World Championship match against Mikhail Botvinnik that ended in a 12-12 tie after 24 games, and as defending champion Botvinnik retained the title. Bologan shows how Bronstein missed key opportunities in several endgames that could have given him the precious half point extra that would have won him the title.
Here is a free example of what should be paid attention to during training.
In 10 minutes Bologan shows what is important: the endgame queen vs rook zeigt in 10 Minuten, worauf es ankommt: winning the endgame queen vs rook is more technique than magic, but even Peter Svidler once failed to win such an endgame against Boris Gelfand, and Morozevich once drew this endgame against Jakovenko!
It's hard to believe, but even experienced masters occasionally fail to mate with a knight and a bishop. It's surprising how many top players fail in elementary endgames - an encouragement to all amateurs to do better and score a few more endgame points. If you work through the two chapters "Main Weapons of Each Peace" and "Superpowers", with their eight and ten sub-chapters respectively, you will not be afraid of any endgame - especially if you watch and study the final video on "The Principle of Two Weaknesses".
Video runtime volume 1: 5 hours 7 minutes
The course "Dynamic Play" teaches strategies for skilful aggressive and active play that poses problems for the opponent and put them under pressure. In this course, Bologan shares in-depth strategies, patterns, tactics, and insights drawn from his long and successful career.
Exploiting tactical weaknesses is at the core of this course. In the diagram position Flohr, who had Black, played 1...Rc8? Boleslavsky exploited this inaccuracy with 2.Qd3 g6 3.Qa3 h6 4.Nh7!.
Bologan shows how to seize the initiative with daring attacks and how to put pressure on your opponent. Analysing tactical weaknesses is a central aspect of the course. For many important positions, Bologan draws on the theories of his trainers, such as Mark Dvoretzky, Vecheslav Chebanenko or Sigurds Lanka.
Bologan‘s Chess Academy Vol. 2 - “Dynamic Playâ€
“Dynamic Play†is your ultimate guide to mastering aggressive strategies and dominating the board. With practical tips, exercises, and game analysis, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to outplay any opponent.
Free video sample: Introduction
In the following, Bologan first explains terms such as tactical weaknesses and vulnerable formations, and then shows how control important areas of the board:
Free video sample: Control over Squares, Space, Diagonals and Files
In the final chapters, Bologan provides insights into the "toolbox of dynamic play" – he explains how to go on the offensive through sacrifices, how to spot in-between moves, and how to attack with pawns. You can test and practise your knowledge against Fritz online in the chapter "Practice Positions". But the chapter before that is also extraordinary: here Bologan uses games by Kasparov, Geller and Judit Polgar to explain how to develop a dynamic opening repertoire.
The King’s Indian Attack is full of positional and tactical ideas and often an unpleasant surprise for the opponent.
He chooses the King's Indian Defence as an example, but emphasises again and again that this is not a recommendation, but merely an example that anyone can apply to the variations they are familiar with.
King's Indian expert Kasparov shows the way
Video runtime of volume 2: 4 hours 47 minutes
Bologan draws inspiration from the legendary Mark Dvoretsky when he describes mastery of the endgame as essential. "Practical Endgames" summarises endgame knowledge in a course that is instructive for players of all levels. The Fritztrainer teaches basic skills and advanced techniques for complex endgames. Practical examples show what to do and that even the best make mistakes – which shows how important endgame knowledge is, no matter your level of play.
Ultimately, you learn that not only is dynamic play fun, but that a deep study of endgames is too. Knowledge in both areas brings self-confidence and thus also points, which is certainly not detrimental to the fun. Bologan conveys the content in an entertaining way and enriched with anecdotes. This creates a complete package that is valuable for players of all strengths. In particular, Bologan repeatedly reminds his students of the constant detection of counter-opportunities – certainly an aspect that should not be underestimated and that helps to avoid the loss of many points.
"I can best explain my own games," says Bologan – here he demonstrates how he took control of the game by dominating the centre.
The experienced trainer takes a fairly theoretical approach, which he skilfully illustrates with examples, often his own. This provides the learner with an overall construct of how to think about chess and which patterns can be drawn upon. Short, instructive videos combined with practical exercises make for two very valuable courses.
So stop counting pawns and pieces and start looking for powerful in-between moves and dynamic activity. Bologan explains impressively how to do this.
Born in 1971, Bologan has been ranked number 1 in Moldova for many years and has represented his country in many Chess Olympiads. He achieved his greatest successes in 2003, when he first won the Aeroflot Open and then the famous tournament in Dortmund, ahead of Kramnik and Anand. In April 2005, he reached his best world ranking position with 18th place, and seven years later his best Elo rating with 2734. In addition to his impressive career as a player, the Moldovan also has extensive experience as a trainer and author. After a break of several years from classical chess, he is competing this season for newly-promoted Düsseldorf in the German Chess League and started the new season with 1.5 out of 2. Here is his victory against Kirchweyhe:
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