New Chess Videos for January 21 – 25
Monday, January 21
IM Bill Paschall – The Best of Bronstein, Part 8 | Strategy, Endgame
Bronstein posted a strong lifetime score against Viktor “The Terrible.” If they had played later than 1975, most likely Kortchnoi could have evened the score, but nevertheless a great achievement. In this game Korchnoi is first outplayed in the opening and then completely dismantled in the ending. Despite his reputation for creativity, again Bronstein seems like an incredible positional player with terrific endgame technique, evident in this near-perfect performance.
Tuesday, January 22
FM Dennis Monokroussos – The Least Successful Best Novelty in History? | Strategy
It’s very rare that a player who loses a game wins a prize for the game, but that’s what happened to Viswanathan Anand. His 11…Rc8 was a strong new move that won the prize for the best theoretical novelty in Informant 136. Unfortunately for Anand, his opponent, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, played very well (it’s quite likely that he too had analyzed this move), and when Anand faltered on move 21 he was able to outplay Anand very smoothly. Sadly, five players have followed in Anand’s footsteps, also playing 11…Rc8 and also losing. It’s a harsh outcome for what is a good novelty, but the problem is that while the move is good enough for equality it’s not an easy equality. Nevertheless, I believe the analysis shows the way for Black to come out alright. Have a look, and hopefully you will be the player who breaks the streak!
WEdnesday, January 23
GM Eugene Perelshteyn – Changing of the Guard in St. Louis – A US Welcome for Quesada Perez from Cuba | Opening, Middlegame
He won the St.Louis Winter Classic A with astounding 7 of 9! Who’s the newcomer to American Chess and Webster University? Meet the Cuban Quesada Perez. He shows solid chess, deep positional understanding and ferocious attacking skills. Even the tactical genius himself, Ray Robson, couldn’t stop the Cuban train and gets checkmated on the board!
Thursday, January 24
GM Robert Hungaski – A Strategic Repertoire Against the Sicilian: When Black Lashes Out with 5…e5 | Strategy
So far we have seen black struggle in both the Maroczy and Hedgehog structures. In part, this is due to the easy play that white’s healthy pawn structure provides him. In this video we examine what can happen when black decides to make a stand and prevent us from carrying out our desired structure. The only way black can do this is by means of the move 5…e5!
I believe this is black’s most challenging try. Not only from a theoretical point of view, but also from a practical and psychological point of view, since there are several lines in which we will have to depart from our setup and engage in some concrete play. Nevertheless, I believe white still has enough resources to keep a grip on the position after 6.Nb3!
At this point we will focus on two moves: 6…d5 and 6…Be6. The former effectively stops c4, while the latter invites it but argues that the knight on b3 is misplaced and will guarantee black enough counter play.
Friday, January 25
IM Valeri Lilov – When to Attack Early | Strategy, Opening
Many players wonder if it’s possible to make early attacks and if so, when are they successful. The answer of that question may be difficult as the early attacks are kind of forbidden by the rules of strategy and especially the one suggesting “Don’t engage any attack or complications before you complete your whole piece development”. Nevertheless, every once in a while it’s actually possible to begin an early attack. When? Check out IM Valeri Lilov’s latest lecture to find the answer!