Monday, July 23
IM Valeri Lilov – Secrets of Technical Chess | Strategy, Middlegame
What is more relevant: Technical or Tactical chess? This key question is quite complex as both of these are quite important, each in its specific way. Find out how to evaluate them in IM Lilov’s lecture!
Tuesday, July 24
IM Bill Paschall – Botvinnik’s Best Strategic Victories, Part 1 | Middlegame, Strategy
In the first part of this series we see Botvinnik’s surprising decision making in action. There is more than one surprising move that will change the way you think strategically. In this example Botvinnik shows when it is correct to make the exception to the rule and break with stereotypical play.
Wednesday, July 25
FM Dennis Monokroussos – Becoming a GM at 12, Part 1 | Strategy, Tactics
Indian youngster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu just became the second youngest GM in history, earning the title at the age of 12 years, 10 months, and 13 days. He achieved his final norm at the Gredine Open in Ortisei, Italy, and probably earned it with this brutal win in the penultimate round against Luca Moroni (himself a teenage GM). Moroni played a dodgy Ruy sideline, perhaps hoping his opponent would be unfamiliar with the variation. It didn’t work, and when he took too long to castle his opponent punished him in an instructive and impressive game.
Thursday, July 26
GM Nadya Kosintseva – The Principle of Two Weaknesses | Tactics
Sometimes, in spite of the fact that we have an advantage, either material or positional, our opponent is able to resist by bringing all of his resources to defend the weak area. In such situations, if we can open a second front and create another problem in his position, it can stretch his defense and so make the resistance more challenging for him. In chess terminology we usually call it the principle of two weaknesses, meaning not only another weak point in his position but also creating more opportunities for own pieces or just playing on both sides of the board. In this lecture I will show you three instructive examples to explain this principle in practice.
Friday, July 27
GM Eugene Perelshteyn – Botvinnik Pawn Center in Modern Practice | Opening, Strategy
Know your classics! In this modern gem we see a classic Botvinnik pawn center obtained from e3 Nimzo. Where did Black go wrong to allow such a dominating position? You would have to go way back in the opening to figure that out. Black tries to find the center but to no avail… Enjoy this modern miniature!