Grunfeld Defense (D80-D99) Opening Theory

The Grunfeld Defense:
 Dynamic Play from the Start!

Tired of dull chess openings?

The Grunfeld Defense injects excitement into your games!

Black strikes back immediately! Unlike some passive openings, the Grunfeld Defense allows Black to fight for the center from the get-go. This creates an open and dynamic battlefield, perfect for players who love tactical battles and strategic maneuvering.

This curated list equips you to:

• Master the Grunfeld's core ideas:
  Learn key variations and strategic concepts to navigate the Grunfeld's complexities.
• Sharpen your tactics:
  The Grunfeld is a tactical minefield, and this guide provides resources to hone your tactical skills.
• Dominate the chessboard:
  Unleash the Grunfeld's full potential and surprise your opponents with this aggressive opening!

Is the Grunfeld Defense right for you? If you're a player who enjoys sharp positions and tactical battles, then the Grunfeld Defense is a great opening to explore!

Grunfeld Wikipedia Page

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5.

Grunfeld Defense

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Books & Courses (Free)

Fantastic free resources available online to delve into the Grunfeld Defense!

FREE Chessable Courses

• Short & Sweet: Grünfeld Defense - 55 Trainable Lines w/ 3+hr Video - GM Peter Svidler
  
  
• Short & Sweet: Grünfeld Defense - 10 Trainable Lines w/ 48 Min Video - IM Alex Astaneh
  
  
• Short & Sweet: The Hybrid Grünfeld-Slav - 11 Trainable Lines w/ 39 Min Video - FM Christoph Kuberczyk
  
  
• Short & Sweet: The Harry Attack - 12 Trainable Lines w/59 min Video (Beat the Gruenfeld) GM Simon Williams

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Grunfeld Chess Articles

Opening Guides

Grunfeld Defense – The Definitive Guide To A Dynamic Chess Opening - ichess Opening Guide (Indepth w/ embedded Video) Step by step Instruction, Most Important Variations (Archived Article)

Grunfeld Defense – How to Play (as White & Black) - Chessable Blog Opening Guide (In-Depth) Idea & Strategies with most of the Variations Covered with a bit of History.

How To Play The Grunfeld Defense: For The Attacking Player - Hercules Chess
Grünfeld Defense - Opening Guide - IM Alberto Chueca - Nice Guide with Opening Variations, Example games, Talk about Pawn Structures  and a few Embedded Videos.

Variation Articles

Grunfeld Defense: Exchange Variation Classical Bc4 Analysis. - ichess Article (Archived) 
 
A Lazy Counter To The Grunfeld - Lichess Blog Article - GM Max Illingworth - See how to stop Black employing his usual Grunfeld plans with an annoying check

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Gruenfeld LiChess Studies

The Grunfeld Defense - 9 Chapter Study ( 600+ hearts)
Grünfeld Defense - 16 Chapter Study
Grunfeld Defense - 22 Chapter Study (Can go to Listudy and do this Course below)

Grunfeld, Three Knights Variation (Black) - 11 Chapter Study

LiStudy (Study and Practice Moves from lines here)

Grunfeld Defense - 16 Chapters to learn and Practice
Grunfeld - 21 Chapters to learn and practice
lichess grunfeld - 22 Chapters (Course from above)

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Grunfeld Games Databases

Chessgames.com

Neo-Grunfeld Defense (D70-D99) - 49 Annotated games

365chess.com

D80: Gruenfeld defence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 - 43,000 Games
D81: Gruenfeld, Russian variation 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Qb3 - 499 Games
D82: Gruenfeld, 4.Bf4 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 - 3945 Games
D83: Gruenfeld, Gruenfeld gambit 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O - 1597 Games

 ChessTempo.com

Gruenfeld Defense, General (D80) - 32,000 Games

Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation (D81) - 400 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Brinckmann Attack (D82) - 2800 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit (D83) - 2000 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit Accepted (D84) - 300 Games

Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation (D85) - 15,000 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack (D85) - 200 games
Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation (D85) - 6700 Games

Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation, Classical Variation (D86) - 4600 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation (D87) - 1600 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation (D88) - 900 Games

Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation (D90) - 3500 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Petrosian System (D91) - 6000 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Attack (D92) - 2100 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Variation (D93) - 2300 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Paris Variation (D94) - 500 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Vienna Variation (D95) - 470 games


Gruenfeld Defense, Botvinnik Variation (D95) - 300 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation (D96) - 3600 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation, Hungarian Variation (D97) - 1400 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation, Szabo (Boleslavsky) (D97) - 480 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation (D98) - 500 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation (D99) - 180 Games

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Grunfeld Chess Puzzles

wtharvey.com

Grunfeld (ECO D80) - 7 puzzles
Grunfeld, 4.Bf4 (ECO D82) - 8 Puzzles
Grunfeld Gambit (ECO D83) - 8 Puzzles
Grunfeld (ECO D85) - 9 Puzzles

Lichess Tactics  (Grunfeld Tactics Puzzles A bit over halfway down page)

Grünfeld Defense: 2,692 Puzzles
Exchange Variation: 1,073 Puzzles
Three Knights Variation: 960 Puzzles
Stockholm Variation: 209 Puzzles
Brinckmann Attack: 100 Puzzles
Russian Variation: 77 Puzzles

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Grunfeld Chess Video Lessons

Grünfeld Defense Opening Theory - 7 Video playlist  - Hanging Pawns

Grunfeld Defense Theory Taught by Super GM Peter Svidler! - 20 Min

Master The Grunfeld with US Chess Champion Sam Shankland - 80/20 Tactics Multiplier - 42 Min

The Grünfeld Defence - Chess Openings Explained - 39 Min - St.Louis Chess Club

GRANDMASTER EXPLAINS: Grunfeld Chess Defence - 21 Min - GM Eric Hansen

The Complete Gruenfeld Defense with New Secrets and Novelities 1 - 2hr 6 Min - GM Roman Dzindzichashvili
The Complete Gruenfeld Defense with New Secrets and Novelities 2 - 51 Min - GM Roman Dzindzichashvili

Learn the basics of Grunfeld Defence - GM Markus Ragger (Elo: 2656) - 104 Min - Chessbase India
Basics of Grunfeld by GM Abhijeet Gupta | (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5) - 86 Min - Chessbase India

Grunfeld Defense Opening Traps

Bonus video - Opening trap in the fianchetto Grunfeld - 15 Min - Jims Chess Channel
Chess Opening Traps in The Grunfeld Defence - 5 Min

Grunfeld Defense Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Grunfeld - 107 Video Playlist- kingscrusher
Grunfeld Defense - 16 Video Playlist  - Jazarov's Chess Channel
Grunfeld Defense - 50 Video Playlist  - Chess School
Grunfeld Defense - 45 Video Playlist  - agadmantor

GM Naroditsky

Master Class | Grünfeld Defense | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 31 Min
Amazing Game!! 95% Accuracy! | Grunfeld Defense | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky - 70 Min
What's a Tabia? | Grunfeld Theory: Fianchetto System | GM Naroditsky’s Top Theory Speedrun - 45 Min
Master Class | Grünfeld Defence | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 33 Min

IM John Bartholomew

Standard Chess #242: xyjan vs. IM Bartholomew (Grunfeld Defense) -57 Min
Standard Chess #97: NC vs. IM Bartholomew (Grunfeld Defense) - 42 Min
Standard Chess #36: IM Bartholomew vs. hood (Grunfeld Defense) - 32 Min
Standard Chess #33: ratakela vs. IM Bartholomew (Grunfeld Defense) - 26 Min
Blitz Chess #122: IM Bartholomew vs. GM Artemiev (Grunfeld Defense) - 15 Min
Blitz Chess #4: IM Bartholomew vs. GM DonaldDraper (Grunfeld Defense) - 15 Min
Blitz Chess #187: GM Khachiyan vs. IM Bartholomew (Grunfeld Defense) - 16 min
Blitz Chess #365: IM Bartholomew vs. IM Igor Teplyi (Grunfeld Defense) - 21 Min

PLAYING THE GRUNFELD DEFENSE - 25 min - GM Eric Hansen
Nakamura vs. Karjakin | Gruenfeld Defense - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 2013.10.03 - 37 Min - St.Louis CC
Akobian vs. Hansen | 2010 Las Vegas | Gruenfeld - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 43 Min - St.Louis CC

Ruy Lopez (Spanish) - Marshall Attack (Gambit) C89

Demystifying the Marshall Gambit:
A Comprehensive Guide

Marshall Attack Wikipedia Page

 Dive into the rich history and tactical brilliance of the Marshall Gambit with a curated collection of articles, studies, and game analyses.

The Marshall Gambit in the Ruy López Opening

 (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5)

is known for its sharp and aggressive play,
which can lead to tactical and exciting games.

Bishop's Bounty Ruy Lopez (Spanish) Main Page

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Marshall Gambit Articles 

Delve into the theory, history, and key variations of the Marshall Attack.

• The Marshall Gambit  -  Edward Winter - Huge page with Pictures, History and Games. (Really Well Done) (More of a Marshall through History)
  
  
• Marshall Gambit – Playing Against the Ruy Lopez  - Chessable Blog Opening Guide (Nice place to Start)
  
  
•  Openings for Tactical Players: Ruy Lopez, Marshall Attack  -  Chess.com Article by GM  Gregory Serper - 4 opening tactical Puzzles 
  
  
• Capablanca vs Marshall Attack, 100 years later - Chessbase Article about this Game with Annotations.

 

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Marshall Gambit LiChess Studies

Explore interactive training tools to solidify your understanding of the opening's concepts.

• Marshall attack  - 56 Chapter Study   (Study at Top of post) - Very in-depth 
  
  
• RANSACK the Ruy Lopez  - 4 Chapter Study

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Games Databases

Analyze real-life games featuring the Marshall Attack and see how it's played in practice.

 

365Chess.com

• C89: Ruy Lopez, Marshall counter-attack  - 3386 Games  (7 Sub-Varients Listed w/Links)

Chessgames.com

• Ruy Lopez, Marshall (C89)  - 1643 games  (1893 -2023)

Chess Tempo

• Spanish game marshall Attack (C89)  -  1699 Games

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Marshall Gambit Video Lessons

Learn from chess masters in video tutorials that explain the Marshal Attacks key ideas and strategies.

• Ruy Lopez, Marshall Attack | Chess Openings Explained - 60 min - St.Louis CC - Nick Risko teaches all about the Marshall Attack in the Ruy Lopez. This Marshall is an aggressive gambit, characterized by a pawn sacrifice with d5.
• Maul 'em with the Marshall Attack | Chess Openings Explained  - 45 Min - St. Louis CC - Jonathan Schrantz teaches the Marshall Attack (sometimes seen as a gambit) in the Ruy Lopez. See the original game where it failed, then see a modern improvement on the idea.
• Learn How to Use The Marshall Attack in The Spanish Opening - Chess24 - 20 min - GM Gustofsson - Jan looks at what has become the main choice for White at the top-level 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 and now 12.d3 instead of 12.d4. Why would White play this more timid move? There is a subtle reason behind the selection which Black must be aware of.
• Master the Marshall Attack ⎸Chess Openings, Ruy Lopez, Marshall (C89) - 20 Min - Hanging Pawns - Lesson on this Line of the Closed Ruy lopez

Tactics and Traps

• Marshall Attack: Almost 6000 People Made This Mistake - 6 Min
• Spanish Marshall - The f3 Faux Pas (trap no. 250) -  4 Min
• Spanish Marshall - Original Marshall 11…Nf6 idea #1 (trap no. 256) - 5 Min
• Spanish Marshall - Original Marshall 11 Nf6 idea #2 (trap no. 257)  - 3 Min
• Spanish Marshall - Original Marshall 11…Nf6 idea #3 (trap no. 258) - 4 Min
• Spanish Marshall - Original Marshall 11…Nf6 idea #4 (trap no. 259) - 5 Min

Marshall Gambit Game Videos (Analyzed)

Ruy Lopez: Marshall Gambit - Chess Opening  - 31 Video playlist - kingscrusher 

• Master Class | Ruy Lopez | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky  - 20 Min
• Chess Opening: Marshall Attack (Gambit) - Ruy Lopez - 13 Min  Remote Chess Academy
• Carlsen plays the Marshall Gambit | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen - 21 Min 
• Using Your Special Attack Against the World Champion (Marshall vs Capa) - 17 min - GM Nakamura
• The Marshall Attack! || Radjabov vs Ding || FIDE World Cup (2019)  - 9 Min - Agadmantor
• New Poison in the Marshall Attack! || Carlsen vs Ding - 14 Min - Agadmantor
• Ivanchuk Unleashes the Marshall Attack  - 17 min - Agadmantor
  
  

"Chess is a sea of troubles, and victory is merely a postponement of the shipwreck."
 - Savielly Tartakower

 

Demystify the Chess Middlegame (FREE Resources!)

 Conquering the Middlegame
 Essential Chess Resources to Sharpen Your Skills

The middlegame, the heart and soul of chess, is where strategies unfold, tactics unleash their fury, and the entire game's course can shift dramatically. Mastering this dynamic phase is crucial for chess players of all levels.

This comprehensive guide equips you with a treasure trove of valuable resources to elevate your middlegame prowess. We've categorized them for easy navigation, catering to both beginners seeking fundamental concepts and seasoned players aiming to refine their strategic thinking.

Why Focus on the Middlegame?

• Strategic Planning: The middlegame is your canvas to craft a winning strategy. You'll learn to exploit weaknesses, control key squares, and create imbalances favoring your piece activity.
• Tactical Awareness: Sharp tactics often come to the forefront. You'll develop your ability to identify and execute powerful tactical opportunities like forks, pins, skewers, and discovered attacks.
• Positional Understanding: Chess isn't just about brute force. The middlegame hones your positional understanding, teaching you the value of piece placement, pawn structure, and king safety.

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Books (Free)

Chess blueprints : planning in the middlegame by Yakovlev, Nikolay  - 282 page PDF

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Chess Middlegame Articles

• Chess Middlegame Strategy: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners  - Really Nice Guide (In-Depth) - This comprehensive guide, perfect for beginners, dives into the fundamentals of middlegame play. Learn where to best position your pieces and gain valuable general tips to build a strong foundation for success.
  
  
• General Middlegame Advice  - Nice in-depth Guide By Exeter Chess Club - Feeling overwhelmed by middlegame complexity? This guide, compiled from beginner's chess books, offers practical strategies to simplify your decision-making process.
  
  
• 16 tips on how to improve your middlegame in chess  -  Chess delights - Consider this a handy cheat sheet packed with actionable tips to elevate your middlegame prowess. Quickly reference these pointers to make informed choices during your next game.
  
  
• 9 Middlegame Concepts You Must Know - TheChessWorld - Overview of all the Major Middlegame Concepts w/ 40 min Embedded Video

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Middlegame LiChess Studies

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

• Middlegame Strategies  -  11 Chapters  (495 hearts) - This comprehensive study delves into each piece's role, guiding you through the process of making a plan and exploiting an exposed king.
  
  
• The Art Of The Middle Game  - 11 Chapters (295 hearts) - Based on the renowned work by Alexander Kotov & Paul Keres, this study condenses the wisdom of the masters, teaching you how to form a plan and effectively attack your opponent's king in a castled position.
  
  
• How to WIN in the Middlegame - 9 Chapter Study  (777 hearts) - Harness the winning techniques employed by GM Igor Smirnov through this study, packed with insights gleaned from his video lectures.
  
  
• 11 Middle Game Plans - 12 Chapter interactive Study -Dive into an interactive learning experience where you'll learn a valuable lesson and plan from each carefully chosen position.
  
  

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Chess Middlegame Video Lessons

Playlists

• Chess Middlegame - 53 Video playlist  - Remote Chess Academy
  
  
• Chess Middlegame Ideas - 50 Video Playlist  - Hanging Pawns
  
  
• The Middlegame in Chess - 35 Video playlist  - Jim's Chess Channel
  
  
• Learn Chess - Middlegame Strategy - 9 Video Playlist  - Chess Explained
  
  
• Miss Strategy's Middlegame Show  - 48 Video Playlist  - IM Anna Rudolph
  
  
• 50 middlegames master class - 23 Video Playlist - Gotham Chess

Lessons

The 10 Best Chess Plans For The Middlegame - Chess Strategy For The Middlegame - Midgame Strategy - 13 Min - NM Nelson Lopez - several examples of types of chess plans and strategies that you can use in your next game!

How To Use Pawns In Chess Middlegames - 15 min - IM Levy Rozman

Creating Strategic Plans | Chess Middlegames  - 28 Min - Hanging Pawns

Middlegame strategy - Using all pieces in the middlegame - 17 min Jozarov's Chess Channel - Today's theme is again the middlegame strategy with the principle of using all of your pieces in the attack.

Finding the best Squares for your Pieces with Maneuvering | Chess Middlegame | GM Sam Shankland - 16 Min - GM Sam Shankland will show you how to improve the placement of your pieces.

The Influence of centralized Pieces in the Middlegame | Chess Strategy - 15 Min IM Ostrovskiy - learn the influence of centralized pieces in the position based on practical examples.

The Golden Rules for the Middlegame |  IM Andrey Ostrovskiy - 27 Min - IM Andrey Ostrovskiy is teaching to you the golden middlegame rules that every chess player needs to know. (Video below)

Tactical Motifs MiddleGame

Middlegame Tactical Motifs | Full Lesson | Oxford University Chess Club - 61 Min

Secrets of the Middlegame 🕵 Unexpected Tactical Chess Opportunities - GM Danny Gormally - 40 Min - In this sample from his course Danny looks at the unexpected tactical opportunities that can arise in every game.

Middlegame Mistakes

Most Common Middlegame Mistakes of Club Players [FM Viktor Neustroev]  - 47 Min - Learn How to Avoid Mistakes in the Middlegame and Improve Your Performance! Covers Many middlegame topics.

Typical Mistakes in Practical Middlegame and Endings - 5 Min

NM Robert Ramirez

• Chess lesson # 91: Middlegame Strategy - 35 Min
• Chess Lesson # 118: Middlegame Mastery  - 23 Min
• Chess Lesson # 138: Master The Middlegame - 13 Min
• Chess Lesson # 101: Middlegame Strategy Playing VS The Isolani Pawn Structure - 46 Min
• Chess Lesson # 149: Middle-game Strategy Tip  - 14 Min
• Easy Opening With Easy Middlegame Plan | Chess Lesson # 191 - 16 Min

St.Louis Chess Club

Playlists

• Mastering the Middlegame Lectures  - 15 Video playlist - Ben Finegold 
• Saint Louis Chess Club | Mastering the Middlegame  -  47 Video Playlist - Assorted Speakers 

Middlegame Planning | Mastering the Middlegame - GM Josh Friedel  - 46 Min 
Develop a Middlegame Plan - FM Aviv Friedman - 2014.10.22  - 49 Min
The Early Middlegame: What to do?! | Road to 2000  - 52 min  NM Caleb Denby
Restriction: Shutdown of Pieces | Mastering the Middlegame - GM Cristian Chirila - 49 Min
Two Bishops in the Middlegame - GM Eric Hansen  - 47 Min
Endgames & Middlegame Exercises | Grandmaster's Choice - GM Yuniesky Quesada - 66 Min
Akobian at the 2014 Olympiad | Mastering the Middlegame - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 37 Min
My Great Middlegames of 1987 & 1988 - GM Ben Finegold - 41 Min
Ben's Wild European Days | Mastering the Middlegame - GM Ben Finegold - 43 Min
Thanksgiving Open Middlegames - GM Ben Finegold  - 45 Min

Game Videos (Emphasis On Middle-game Plans)

Developing a Plan in the Early Middlegame | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. trhdude (1844) - 31 MIN

Middlegame Strategy of Anatoly Karpov by GM Ben Finegold  - 50 min - Analysis of 3 of Karpov's games

"Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do; strategy is knowing what to do when there is nothing to do." - Savielly Tartakower

Clearance Chess Tactics Explained: A Guide to Devastating Sacrifices

 

"A sacrifice is a calculation, not a guess." - Emanuel Lasker

Master the Art of Making Way for Victory

Chess is a constant battle for control of the board. Sometimes, your own pieces can get in the way of a powerful attack. Enter the clearance sacrifice, a tactical weapon where you give up material to open lines and unleash your fury! Studying clearance tactics will sharpen your tactical vision and elevate your game. Here's your one-stop shop to master this skill!

Clearance Sacrifice: This tactical maneuver involves giving up a piece (pawn or minor piece) to vacate a square. This newly opened square often creates a critical line (file, diagonal, or rank) for your other pieces to launch a devastating attack on your opponent's king or key position.

Line Sacrifice: A specific type of clearance sacrifice where you give up material to open a specific file or diagonal. This newly opened line allows your rooks, queen, or bishop to dominate that line and potentially deliver checkmate or capture valuable enemy pieces.

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BOOKS (Free)

Chess Tactics and Combinations - 84 Page PDF -Exeter Chess Club - This free 84-page resource by the Exeter Chess Club covers clearance sacrifices on page 33 . (Free)

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Clearance Chess Articles

Chess Tactics Guide : Clearance Sacrifice - A clear and concise guide with 4 well-explained clearance sacrifice examples.

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Games Databases

Clearance - 60 Games with a clearance Tactic (Chessgames.com)

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Clearance Chess Puzzles

• Tactics. Line Clearance - 60 Puzzles   (Chess for Kids Online Course)
  
• Tactics. Square Clearance - 11 Puzzles (Chess for Kids Online Course)
  
  LiChess Puzzle Themes
  
  Clearance Tactic - 53,000 Puzzles - Dive into a massive pool of over 53,000 clearance tactic puzzles on LiChess
  
  

LiChess Puzzle Themes

Clearance Tactic - 53,000 Puzzles - Dive into a massive pool of over 53,000 clearance tactic puzzles on LiChess

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Clearance LiChess Studies

Interactive Learning for Clearance Mastery

• Clearance Sacrifice - 15 Chapters  This in-depth study  provides detailed instruction across 12 lessons, guiding you through gaining material and checkmates with clearance sacrifices. 3 tests at the end solidify your learning!
  
  
• Line Clearance - 19 Chapters - Delve into the specific intricacies of line clearance tactics with this 19-chapter study. The first 3 chapters provide foundational theory, followed by a wealth of illustrative examples.
  
  
• 557 - 620 CLEARANCE - 64 Chapters  (26 Clearance Puzzles and Rest Interference Puzzles)
  

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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Clearance Tactic Video Lessons

Using Clearance Sacrifices to Improve Pieces - 30 Min Hanging Pawns - Giving up material in order to improve your position and make your pieces better.

Clearance In Chess | Chess Tactics - Line Clearance - 15 Min - Lesson on the deliberate sacrifice of material with the goal of "clearing" either a square or a line.

Chess Tactics #9: CLEARANCE ➡️ 5 Amazing Puzzles explained MOVE by MOVE - 7 Min FM Mederos - Sharpen your skills with FM Mederos as he guides you through 5 carefully chosen clearance tactic puzzles, explaining each move in detail.

How to find tactics in chess! --Clearance Sacrifice with 7 chess puzzles - 9 Min

Advanced Tactics : Clearance (5 Puzzles) - 10 Min

Line Blocking and Line Clearing in Chess | Chess Tactics - 8 Min IM Kavutskiy- delves into the concepts of line blocking and line clearing, illustrating them with tactical examples. This foundational knowledge is crucial for mastering clearance sacrifices.

Clearance In Chess | Chess Tactics - Line Clearance - 15 Min - 

Advance 22 - Clearance Sacrifice - 10 Min- Lesson w/ example and 2 Master games
Advance 23 - Clearance Sacrifice Practice - 6 Min - 3 master games

10 Levels of Tactics: The Clearance Sacrifice -  36 Min - Chess nerd - Let's not only learn but MASTER the Clearance Sacrifice with this Challenge for all levels! (New - 6/4/24)

Morpheus Academy ( Videos of live stream teaching kids Chess)

Examples from master play of the concepts of Square Clearance and Line as a powerful tactic.

• L4 Chess - Semester2 - Wk10 - Square Clearance Part1 - 27 Min
  
• L4 Chess - Semester2 - Wk10 - Square Clearance Pt2 - 10 Min
  
• L4 Chess - Semester2 - Wk11 - Line Clearance Pt1 - 36 Min
  
• L4 Chess - Semester2 - Wk11 - Line Clearance Pt2 - 26 Min

Chess Diagnostic

Covers Clearance! advanced tactics. I cover the method to break down very complicated chess positions. I go really deep in these lessons to lay a foundation for further practice of more complicated chess puzzles and positions.

• 28 DAYS TO BETTER CHESS TACTICS - DAY 16 - CLEARANCE! - 26 Min
  
• 28 Days To MASTER LEVEL Chess Tactics! || Clearance Basics! || Day 24 - 6 Min
  
• 28 Days To MASTER LEVEL Chess Tactics! || Clearance CLEARER! || Day 25 - 8 Min
  
• 28 Days To MASTER LEVEL Chess Tactics! || Clearance FINAL Test || Day 26 - 4 Min

Game Videos w/ Analysis

Brilliant Clearance Sacrifice: Nepomuk vs Frohlich - Graz 1888 - 3 Min

Modern Defense (B06): Unleash a Flexible and Dynamic Opening for Black!

  

The Modern Defense 
 A Dynamic Chess Opening for Black

• Flexible and strategic: Fight for the center without directly contesting it.

• Active piece play: Fianchetto the dark-squared bishop for quick development.

• Solid pawn structure: Build a strong foundation for dynamic play.

• Effective against 1. e4 or 1. d4: Adaptable to White's opening moves.
  

• This post is your launchpad to explore the Modern Defense! We've curated a collection of resources to help you understand its concepts, sharpen your skills, and elevate your chess game.

Modern Defense Wikipedia Page

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BOOKS (Free)

Short & Sweet: The Modern Defense - FREE Chessable Course -This concise course by CM Vjekoslav Nemec offers 22 trainable variations with 2 hours of free video MoveTrainer® instruction. It's the perfect starting point for players new to the Modern Defense.

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Modern Defense Chess Articles 

Equip Yourself with Modern Defense Knowledge: Dive deep into the fascinating world of the Modern Defense with this curated selection of articles! We've gathered resources for players of all levels, from foundational concepts explored in comprehensive guides to strategic insights from renowned chess masters. 

The Ideas Behind the Modern Defence - ( Exeter Chess Club ) - This comprehensive article delves into the core strategic principles behind the Modern Defense, laying a strong foundation for your understanding.

5 Reasons to Play Modern Defense -  ( WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos ) - Discover the key benefits of wielding the Modern Defense in your chess arsenal, making it a compelling choice for Black players.

Strike Back Now With the Modern Defense - ichess.net -This extensive guide by iChess.net serves as a one-stop shop for beginners. It offers a complete overview of the Modern Defense with embedded videos, making it an excellent starting point.

Modern Defense Chess Opening – Deep Dive with GM Damian Lemos - Take a deeper dive with Grandmaster Damian Lemos in this iChess.net article. With video analysis included, this resource provides detailed exploration of the Modern Defense for intermediate players.

How to Win with the Pirc & Modern Defenses – GM Fabien Libiszewski - Learn winning strategies from Grandmaster Fabien Libiszewski! This iChess.net article explores both the Pirc and Modern Defenses, offering valuable insights for Black players looking to expand their repertoire.

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Modern Defense LiChess Studies

• Modern Defense - 15 Chapter Study (One of the Nicer ones)  (626 hearts) - Different Variations, Common Traps and a few Model games.
  
  
• The Modern Defense - 16 Chapter Study - Different Variations Shown
  
  
• Reference games - BLACK - B06 Modern Defense  -  64 Chapter Study  - All 0-1 Games (No Annotations)

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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Modern Defense Chess Puzzles
Test your tactical vision and put your knowledge of the Modern Defense into practice with these engaging puzzles. 

WTHarvey.com

Chess puzzles from the Robatsch (ECO B06) - 9 Tactics Puzzles - Get started with a set of tactical problems focusing on the Robatsch (ECO B06) variation.

LiChess Opening Puzzles

Robatsch Defense -  69 Puzzles - Dive deeper into the Robatsch variation with a dedicated set of tactical challenges specifically tailored to this sub-opening.

Modern Defense - 13,749 Modern Puzzles -Deepen your understanding with a vast collection of Modern Defense puzzles categorized by variations, allowing you to focus on specific areas of your game.  (Broken into 13 Variations on Main Puzzle Page)  

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Games Databases

365Chess.com

B06: Robatsch (modern) defence 1. e4 g6  -  54,000 Games   


B06 Sub-variants:

• Robatsch (modern) defence                                  Main Line 53901 Games

• 1. e4 g6

• Norwegian defence

• 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. e5 Nh5 4. g4 Ng7                    3 Games

• Robatsch (modern) defence

• 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7                                                 Main Line

• Robatsch defence, three pawns attack

• 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. f4                                        1979 Games

• Robatsch defence

• 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3                                     2951 Games

• Robatsch defence, Gurgenidze variation

• 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. f4 d5 5. e5 h5      1142 Games

• Robatsch (modern) defence

• 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6                                 Main Line

• Robatsch defence, two knights variation

• 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3                          7793 Games

• Robatsch defence, two knights, Suttles variation  

• 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 c6                  2844 Games

• Robatsch defence, Pseudo-Austrian attack

• 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. f4                          7172 Games

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• Chessgames.com

• Robatsch (B06)   - 72 Annotated games

• Modern Defence - 10 Games with Different Plans in the Modern

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• Modern Defense Video Lessons

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• Modern Defense Opening Theory - 5 Video Playlist -  Hanging Pawns (Almost 2 hrs)
  Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Modern Defense! -6 Video Playlist  - Chess Giant (New - 6/4/24)
  
  

• Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Modern Defense! - 23 Min - Chess Giant 
  
  Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Modern Defense with …a6!!!! - 28 Min - Chess Giant - In this video, we look over some of the most dangerous concepts in chess openings for black including the Modern Defense, Pirc Defense, Czech Pirc Defense, and Hippopotamus Defense. These openings may be slightly different, but have many similarities in terms of overall chess opening ideas, chess opening strategy, and chess opening principles.
  
  How To Win with the Pirc & Modern Defenses - GM Fabien Libiszewski - 29 Min - In this video, Grandmaster and opening theoretician Fabien Libiszewski explores the many tactical opportunities and strategic plans available to Black in the Pirc and Modern defenses. It is a free preview of his brand new 8-hour in-depth training designed to give you a lifetime repertoire for Black.
  
  MODERN DEFENSE - GURGENIDZE VARIATION - 20 Min - Introduction to the Modern Defense - Gurgenidze Variation. 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6. Learn how to play with Black pieces against e4 opening. Winning with the Modern Defense.
  
  TOP Opening TRAPS | 🔥🔥 | Hikaru Modern Defense 2021 - 5 Min - Black's set-up: Gurgenidze variation g7-g6 ,Bg7 with c7-c6 and d7-d5- Modern Defence Hybrid between Modern Defense and Caro-Kann where you can set opening traps early on for White. Win quickly with Black following online chess superstar GM Hikaru Nakamura.
  
  Beat the London system | Burn it down with the modern defense! - 19 Min - With all the talking and praising for the white side of the London System over the last years, it´s time to try to take it apart with black. And what better way to do it than simply using my favourite Modern Defense
  
  Beat the Jobava London with the Pirc/Modern Defense  - 17 Min - Last time i showed how to beat the traditional London system with the modern defense, and since then i found out that white often tries to counter my idea by using the Jobava system in the london, so today i bring you an antidote against that as well
  
  The Modern Defense | Play the modern by Shirov with ...c6 - 30 Min - Continuing with my favourite Modern defenses, here´s the one Shirov used to play regularly, making ...d6 and then the more unusual...c6, often with the idea of expanding the queen side pawns.
  
  The Modern Defense, Tartakower variation ( or the rat) - 30 Min - This opening was my bread and butter when i started playing chess, and it is now one that i still play and i do so with both colors. The interesting thing for me is to show you my whole story with it, playing it at first with black for more than 7 years, and after that resolving what to do against it with white. Enjoy!
  
  

• Play Against The Modern Lessons

• Universal Killer Attack vs Modern & Pirc!! - 13 Min IM Perunovic - Presents a chess strategy known as the Universal Killer Attack, which is effective against both the Modern and Pirc defenses. 
  
  Beat Modern Defense as White: Chess Opening Secrets - 3 Min - Coach Kestony - Discover the ultimate strategies to Beat Modern Defense in chess with this in-depth guide. Offers detailed insights and tactics for chess players looking to improve their opening game when playing as White. Learn how to gain an advantage from the start and outmaneuver your opponent in the Modern Defense opening
  
  Super Fast Analysis on Crushing The Modern Defense!! - 7 Min - IM Pernuovic
  
  
  GM Naroditsky - Naroditsky - Modern Defense - 6 Video playlist

Master Class | Crushing The Modern Defense | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 23 Min

CRUSHING the Modern Defense | Caro-Kann, Gurgenidze System | GM Naroditsky’s Theory Speed Run - 60 Min 

Beginner To Master | Chess Speedrun | C3 Vs Modern (Saragossa) | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 22 Min

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• Modern defense Game Videos (w/Analysis)

• Playlists

• Pirc and Modern Defence  -  113 Video playlist  - kingscrusher - Famous and Instructive Games with detailed analysis

Modern Defense   - 13 Video Playlist  - Jozarovs Chess Channel - Famous and Engine Games w/ analysis

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• GM Moulthun Ly 

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  When To Blow Open The Centre | Pirc/Modern Defence | Speed Run Series | GM Moulthun Ly - 13 Min - Key Takeaways: - Again value the Bishop pair even if the position is not yet fully open - Look for chances to open the centre especially if the opponents king is yet to
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  Preparing A Queenside Attack | Modern Defence | GM Moulthun Ly - 22 Min - Key Takeaways: - A fairly easy attacking setup for Black in this opening is to meet 0-0-0 with a c6-b5-Nd7-Qa5-Nb6 followed by Be6-Rb8-Nc4 attacking ideas - Delay your kingside knight development to stop Bh6 - Go for quick queenside counter play before White attacks on the kingside
  
  Spotting Weaknesses and Setting Up a Queen Trap | Modern Defence | Rapid Training Game - 28 Min -
  
  Unleashing Your Dark-Squared Bishop | Modern Defence Speed Run Series | GM Moulthun Ly - 7 Min - Hi guys, in this series we will do a speed run from Beginner all the way to Master explaining my thoughts along the way.
  
  
  

• GM Bok vs GM Hikaru | Modern Defense | Blitz Chess - 5 Min - GM Benjamin Bok
  
  Extremely Violent Modern Defense Caused The Fire On Board - 11 Min - Chess School - Ivan Sokolov vs Tiger Hillarp Persson Koge op 1997, DEN, rd 7 Modern Defense: Standard Defense (B06)
  
  Modern Defence : Aggressive Pawn Structure : Molina vs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov - Gibraltar 2012 - 20 Min

• THE BEEF EATER | Epic Opening for Black - 42 Min  GothamChess   (Plays 3 Games of this Variation)

• Magnus Carlsen plays the Modern Defence going into the Hippo || vs Kovachev 2003 - 9 Min

• Leela doesn't mind living dangerously | Stockfish vs Leela | Modern Defense - Averbakh System - 22 Min

• Modern Defence: Sokolov vs Shirov France 1994 - 7 Min

• Austrian Exchange Sac Brilliancy || Jovanovic vs Rapport || Modern Defence - 12 Min

• Positional masterpiece in Modern Defence: Schaufelberger vs Ljubojevic - 5 Min

• Amazing Chess Game: Wei Yi vs Magnus Carlsen : Bilbao (2016) · Modern Defense: (B06) - 21 Min

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