Monday, May 9 IM Valeri Lilov Pawn & Piece Power, Part 1
The concept of pawns and pieces working together is widely known to all chess players. However, it is only possible to use that concept in conjunction with a strong plan and precise move candidates. Check IM Lilov’s lecture to learn more!
Tuesday, May 10 IM Bill Paschall Battles from the Aeroflot Open 2016, Part 3 (middlegame, tactics)
Black follows a known line in the Rossolimo Sicilian with the somewhat risky looking 10…g6. Things get interesting as Black allows White’s dark squared bishop to post itself at d6 and then follows up with the very slow and somewhat dubious maneuver Na5-b7. Finally , after the logical, but weakening 15.h5, white embarks on a tactical sequence reminiscent of world champion Wilhelm Steinitz. White simply sacrifices a piece to gain time and trap the black king in the center! The entire sacrifice is sound and black collapses quickly, missing the best defense.
Wednesday, May 11 FM Dennis Monokroussos A Great Win for the Underdog (opening, tactics)
The late Gyula Sax (1951-2014) was a very strong grandmaster who twice qualified for the Candidates. He had an aggressive, attacking style that often proved effective, but in this game against the untitled (but 2410-rated) Hans Kestler his aggression proved his undoing. David-beats-Goliath stories are good for all of us (at least for those of us not named “Magnus Carlsen”), and this was an instructive and impressive game too – especially for those of us who play the Pirc or play exceptionally gung-ho systems against it.
Thursday, May 12 GM Eugene Perelshteyn Danger of Playing Strategically Risky Openings: The Dutch (opening, tactics)
Friday, May 13 GM Bryan Smith Challenging the Caro-Kann with 2.Ne2, Part 1 (strategy)
In this series, GM Bryan Smith shows the unusual – but promising – move 2.Ne2!?, an offbeat way to battle the Caro-Kann. The first video of the series deals with the most critical lines.