Monday, April 30
IM Valeri Lilov The Different Values | Middlegame
The importance of evaluating pieces is often misunderstood by the beginner and intermediate chess player. It is quite clear that no two pieces are equal, but in what way? How could a good piece affect our plan and is there a way to evaluate them from the very start? In this video, IM Lilov tries to give good answers to these and other questions regarding the different values of each piece.
Tuesday, May 1
IM Bill Paschall Bombastic Battles in Batumi, Part 2 | Opening, Tactics
The rising Russian star Maxim Matlakov continues to impress in the recent European Championship , finishing tied for second place. In the following battle Matlakov faces an unorthodox version of the Queen’s Gambit with 4..a6 which has been used on numerous occasions by World Champion Magnus Carlen. The opponent in this game varies from the main continuation and Matlakov is able to create strong attacking chances on the King side. The final attack is worthy of a diagram.
Wednesday, May 2
FM Dennis Monokroussos A Star is Born? | Tactics
The Grenke Chess Open included around 50 GMs, four rated over 2700, but the winner was Vincent Keymer, a 13-year-old IM with a 2403 rating. He scored an enormous 8/9, including an undefeated 4/5 against grandmasters, and won the event by half a point ahead of Korobov, Gordievsky, and Shirov. In the last round he was facing the tournament’s second-seed, Richard Rapport, with Black, and won after an incredible slugfest. Rapport’s attack looked terrifying, but the youngster was up to the job, first holding on and then turning the tables, winning with an attack of his own. It’s probably not the last time we’re going to see Keymer in action – but it will be hard for him to repeat a result like this, even once he becomes a mature grandmaster.
Thursday, May 3
GM Nadya Kosintseva Not All Rook Endgames are Drawn! | Endgame
There is a common misconception that most endgames are boring, and that most rook endgames are drawn. This example shows that in reality rook endgames can be much deeper and way more complicated than it looks on the first sight. It almost looks like Black managed to build a fortress, but White finds a multi-stage plan that leads to a clean win.
Friday, May 4
GM Eugene Perelshteyn Carlsen Completely Underestimates Counterplay and Loses! | Opening, Tactics
Well, World Champions are human after all! In this Pro Chess League game Magnus gets a nice advantage but completely underestimates his opponent’s counterplay. Watch and learn how Black builds up his attack using the long diagonal. Magnus misses a few opportunities to shut off White’s attack and gets duly punished. Don’t miss the mate at the end!