Zwischenzug (Intermezzo): The Surprise Weapon in Your Chess Arsenal

"When you see a good move, look for a better one." - Emanuel Lasker

 
Zwischenzug Chess Resources

Have you ever been outmaneuvered in chess, feeling like your opponent pulled a rabbit out of a hat?

That surprise move might have been a Zwischenzug (pronounced "tvee-SHEN-tsoog"), also known as intermezzo, a powerful chess tactic that throws a curveball into your opponent's plans.

  Instead of making the expected move, like capturing a piece, a Zwischenzug inserts an unexpected move that creates a new threat or disrupts your strategy. Mastering this tactic will transform you from a predictable player to a cunning strategist, allowing you to exploit unexpected opportunities and gain a significant advantage.

Zwischenzug Wikipedia page
 With explanations and examples

German "in-between move". An unexpected move tossed into an expected series of moves.

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BOOKS (FREE)

ZWISCHENZUG – GERMAN; INTERMEZZO; ITALIAN IN-BETWEEN MOVE - 2 Page PDF Handout - Couple Examples w/ 6 Puzzles

Chess Tactics and Combinations - 84 Page PDF - Exeter Chess Club - Short Violent Games of Chess Organized by Theme. (Page 34 Intermezzo)

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Zwischenzug Chess Articles 

Gain a comprehensive understanding of Zwischenzug with informative articles that explain the concept, showcase examples, and offer strategic insights.

• Chess Tactics Simplified: The Zwischenzug! - Nice Article with Examples at Bottom
  
  
• ZWISCHENZUG: THE TACTICAL PATTERN THAT CAN SAVE YOU - Article with examples
  
  
• Tactics 101: The Incredible Intermezzo (a.k.a. Zwischenzug) - Nice Article
  
  
• Zwischenzug: An Unexpected Tactic of Grandmasters - The Chess Journal Article
  
  
• Zwischenzug - Chess Kid Article w/ Embedded Video
  
  
• Zwischenzug – the intermediate move - Chessbase Article - Nice Explanation w/ 8 Annotated games with this tactic. (Nice)

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Annotated Game Databases

Analyze real-world applications of Zwischenzug by studying annotated games from renowned players, featuring both winning and defensive maneuvers.

 FM Asa Hoffman vs NM Jim West - From Jim West's Blog (Annotated by both players)

Chessgames.com

• Chess Games with a Zwischenzug - 43 games (Some nicely annotated games here)
• Chess Games with a Zwischenzug -  14 Games
• In-Between Move Tactic-- OTB Examples - 25 Games 

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Lichess Studys

Test your newfound knowledge and sharpen your tactical vision with interactive LiChess studies that present a variety of Zwischenzug scenarios.

• LiChess Zwischenzug Study - LiChess Basic Tactics Area 
  
  
• Zwischenzug - 9 Chapter Study w/ Instruction - Well Done
  
  
• Intermediate: Tactics Internalized - Zwischenzug - 5 Chapter Interactive Study
  
  
• In between/ Zwischenzug/ Intermezzo - 29 Chapter Study -  All Positions
  
  
• The Intermezzo Practice Set - 26 Chapter Interactive Study - Broken into Themes - Save, Sacrifice, Threaten and Trade

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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Zwischenzug Puzzles

Put your skills to the test with challenging puzzles designed to hone your ability to identify and execute Zwischenzug opportunities.

ChessGo.in

• Intermezzo Puzzles - 72 Puzzles (Broken into 8 Pages - by Difficulty) Printable

LiChess Puzzles

• Intermezzo - 55,425 Puzzles
  
  

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Zwishenzug Video Lessons

Learn from the best! Renowned chess instructors take center stage in video lessons, offering clear explanations and practical guidance on mastering Zwischenzug.

• Zwischenzug – Winning with in-between moves - 20 Min - A very important tactical motif in the middlegame – the zwischenzug.
  
  
• The Volatility of In-Between Moves - 9 Min  IM John Bartholomew -  Game between IM Jha Sriram and GM Rajaram Laxman (from the excellent book "Mastering Chess Strategy" by GM Johan Hellsten)
  
  
• Chess Lesson # 44: Zwischenzug | Learn & Master In-between Moves | Intermezzo | Intermediate Moves - 14 Min NM Rober Ramirez - In this lesson, you will learn this tactic and then apply your knowledge by solving some exercises.
  
  
• Zwischenzug | Can you find the solutions to these five positions? - 15 min - GM Daniel King gives you five puzzle positions to solve. (New 6/20/2024)

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St. Louis Chess Club Videos

• Chess for Beginners with GM Ronen Har-Zvi (Intermediate Moves | Forcing Moves) - 32 Min - Discusses intermediate and forcing moves in chess, focusing on the concept of intermediate moves. He uses puzzles to illustrate how these moves can be used to gain material advantage.
  
  
• In-Between Moves and Zwischenzugs - WGM Jennifer Shahade -53 Min - Explores in-between moves in a lecture for intermediate level players.
  
  
• Zwischenzug | Puzzler's Paradise - IM Vitaly Neimer -  35 Min - International Master Vitaly Neimer presents puzzles with a theme of zwischenzug
  
  
• Intermezzo: Put Your Plans on Hold! | Beginner Breakdown -  61 Min - Talks about the Zwischenzug, also known as an "intermezzo" or "intermediate move," which describes a move that is played instead of and before the expected move and poses an immediate threat that the opponent must answer.

Game Video's w/ Analysis

Chess Tactics: Zwischenzug: Lichtenhein vs Morphy - 5 Min

Zwischenzug! || Nakamura vs Carlsen - 10 Min

Doubled Pawns

 

Doubled Pawns:
A Chess Strategy Guide with Resources

Doubled pawns can be a double-edged sword in chess. While they might seem like a weakness, they can also create unique opportunities for both offense and defense. This post will guide you through the world of doubled pawns, providing resources to understand their impact on the game and how to use them to your advantage.

What are Doubled Pawns?

Doubled pawns occur when two pawns of the same color occupy the same file (vertical column) on the chessboard. This can happen due to various openings, captures, or pawn promotions. 

Understanding the Impact of Doubled Pawns:

Doubled pawns can have both positive and negative consequences:

• Disadvantages:
  • Weaker squares: The file in front of the doubled pawns becomes weaker, as there's no pawn to defend it.
  • Limited mobility: Doubled pawns can restrict your pawn structure and limit your piece movement.
  • Endgame weakness: Doubled pawns are generally considered a weakness in the endgame, as they can be difficult to defend.
• Advantages:
  • Central control: Doubled pawns can help solidify control over the center of the board, creating a strong base for your pieces.
  • Open files: Doubled pawns can create open files for your rooks, potentially increasing their attacking power.
  • King safety: In some cases, doubled pawns can provide additional protection for your king.

Learning More About Doubled Pawns:

Here are some resources to delve deeper into the world of doubled pawns and how to use them strategically:

Doubled Pawn Wikipedia Article 

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Doubled Pawn Articles

Chess.com Article by GM Gserper

• The Truth About Doubled Pawns - - Endgame Positions w/ doubled Pawns
  
  
• The Truth About Doubled Pawns, Part 2 - investigation of the so-called 'weakness' of doubled pawns, Ruy Lopez Exchange endgame
  
  
• The Truth About Doubled Pawns, Part 3 - cases of a pair of doubled pawns is almost the same as having just one pawn. 2 positions from games and 2 Puzzles to solve.
  
  
• The Truth About Doubled Pawns, Part 4 - Doubled Pawns in the opening and Middlegame. Nimzowitsche's idea of Blockade.
  
  
• The Truth About Doubled Pawns, Part 5 - Concluding our discussion about the positives and negatives of doubled pawns we cannot miss the numerous games played by Botvinnik. He was probably the first world class chess player who loved to have doubled pawns. 7 Games of his.

Doubled Pawns: Chess Pariahs Or Misunderstood? - IM Jeremy Silman - 4 Rules with examples and explanations of how to handle Doubled Pawns.

Doubled Pawns Structure – 3 Things to Know  -  WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos - Middlegame Doubled Pawn Structure

(Archived Articles - takes a min to Load)

• Doubled Pawns: Plans  - ichess.net Article (Archived) 
• Doubled Pawns: Advantages & Disadvantages - ichess.net Article (Archived)
  
  

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Doubled Pawns LiChess Studies

[CHESS STRATEGY] Doubled Pawns  - 14 Chapter Study 

Intermediate: Doubled Pawns - 7 Chapter Study - Nice study with a lot of analysis and explanations.


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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Game Collections

Doubled pawns - 17 Games (Each Game labeled as Bad or Good w/ Doubled Pawns)

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 Doubled Pawn Video Lessons

Learn from the Chess Masters: Doubled Pawns Strategies

Doubled pawns | Improve your technique and positional play - 14 Min NM Robert Ramirez - you will learn what doubled pawns are, when they represent a weakness, and also what benefits they can offer.

The Advantages of Doubled Pawns -54 Min IM Eric Rosen - shows 4 games where doubled pawns led to a winning advantage.

Pawn Structures: Double, TRIPLE the Pawns! | Secret Life of Pawns - IM Vitaly Neimer  - 44 Min - shows two games where pawns were doubled and even tripled. Learn to avoid weakening your structures.

Doubled Pawns | Double King-Pawn Openings - 43 Min GM Ben Finegold - a lecture on doubled pawns at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis

What to do with Doubled Pawns in the Center? - 18 Min  - GM Ivan Sokolov will take a look at the advantages of doubled pawns in the center. Exploiting Doubled Pawns around an opponents King - 11 min - Kingscrusher

Matisons vs Nimzovich - 6 min Video 
(Who better than Nimzovich to show how to play against doubled pawns)

Explaining Doubled Pawns Step by Step - 13 Min  GM Hikaru Nakamura - Hikaru walks us through a game against a 600 and shows us when doubling your pawns can be a good thing.

"The tiniest pawn can upset the most perfectly laid plans." - Bobby Fischer 

Bonus: Dive Deeper into Pawn Structures.

Learn more about the impact of pawn placement on your chess strategy. Bishop's Bounty Pawn Structure Page

Bishop Endings: A Comprehensive Guide for Chess Players

Bishop Endgame Resources:
 A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering bishop endgames is crucial for chess improvement. This guide provides a curated list of resources to help you excel in these key situations.
 

Wikipedia Articles
Opposite Colored Bishop Endgame - Rather large Wikipedia page on this topic
Wrong bishop - Page Dedicated to this one topic

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Bishop Endgame Articles

Bishop Endgame Strategies: Dominate the endgame with expert bishop tactics, techniques, and winning concepts.

Understanding Bishop Endgames:

• How to use the Bishop - 6 Page Article about Bishops with some Endgame Info Also.
  
  
• Materialism , Opposite Colored Bishops, and Kasparovs Theorem - Chess.com Article by GM Vbhat - Analyze a game showcasing the complexities of material vs. opposite-colored bishops.
  
  
• Bishop Endgames - Exeter Chess Club Page (Comprehensive Guide): Deep dive into various bishop endgames, including in-depth articles and studies.
  
  
• Double Bishop Endgames - Exeter Chess Club - (Specialized Guide): Explore complexities and strategies specific to double bishop endgames.
  
  

Bishop Endgame Strategies:

• The Chess World: Chess Fortress   -(FM Yuriy Krykun): Learn the surprising concept of sacrificing material to build a winning "fortress" in specific Bishop endgames.
  
  
• The Chess World: Bishop Endgames with Karpov   - (WGM Raluca Sgîrcea & IM Renier Castellanos): Analyze endgames featuring the legendary Karpov's bishop mastery (4 example games).
  
  
• The Chess World: Rook vs. Bishop Endgame   -(Yury Markushin): Gain valuable tactics and techniques for drawing rook vs. bishop endgames.
  
  
• The Chess World: Opposite Colored Bishops Endgame   - (Yury Markushin): Master key concepts and strategies for opposite-colored bishop endgames.
  
  

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LICHESS Bishop Endgame Studies

Sharpen your bishop skills with these Lichess studies!

• Bishop And Pawn Endgames  - 25 Chapter Study - Master fundamental bishop and pawn endgames in this comprehensive study (rated highly with 106 hearts).
  
  
• Bishop endgames  19 Chapter Interactive Study - Put your skills to the test by playing against the computer in various bishop endgame scenarios (includes lessons).
  
  
• same-coloured bishop endgames  - 2 Chapter Study
  
  
• Endgames 3 (Opposite colored bishop) - 10 Chapter Study - Well Done study with nice Lessons
  
  
• Practice: Bishop And Pawn Endgames:  - 25 Chapter Interactive Study - Great Group of Positions to play against the computer.
  
  
• Bishop Pair Endgames  - 15 Chapter Study  (15 Really Nice Annotated Games)

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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Bishop Endgame Video Lessons

a) Bishop Endings General

Master essential bishop endgame concepts with these video lessons:

Bishop Endgames - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 54 Min - Grandmaster Var Akobian takes us through opposite-colored and like-colored Bishop endgames. Turn an apparent drawn position into a winning one. Hold an apparent lost position to a draw. Not everything you've heard about Bishop endgames is true. Also, learn the benefits of triangulation.

Force that Bishop to the Short Diagonal! - 24 Min GM Akobian - Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian explores bishop endgames. Evaluate opposite-colored bishop positions. When the bishops are on the same color, learn to bully a bishop from a long diagonal to a short one to promote a pawn.

Checkmate with 2 Bishop - 10 min Video - This video illustrates how to checkmate with two bishops. I provide a systematic approach to solving this unlikely chess ending.

Bishop and Pawn vs Same colored Bishop - 10 min Video - I show an endgame discussed in Aron Nimzovitch's 'My System' in which a Bishop is able to display a number of tricky maneuvers to ultimately win control of the Queening Square.

The 5 Bishop Endgames All ChessKids Must Know! - 15 Min

Bishop Endgames Crash Course - Bishop And Pawn Endings Fundamentals - 11 Min - Learn fundamental bishop and pawn endgames: winning tactics, basic concepts, and key ideas for beginners and intermediate players

How to win Bishop and pawn Endgames with the 2 Weaknesses Principle! - 10 Min - Robert Plunketts Chess Lab - (New 5/29/24)

b) Same Color Bishop Endgames

Demystify the challenges and opportunities of same-colored bishop endgames:

 

• GM Magesh Panchanathan: Same Color Bishop Endgames | U.S. Chess School - 61 Min - discussing key concepts, strategies, and common mistakes. He emphasizes the importance of understanding which diagonal the bishop should be on and how to manipulate it to achieve a winning position or secure a draw. 
  
  
• Same-Color Bishop Endgames | Endgame Exclam!! - GM Cristian Chirila  - 43 Min - presents an advanced lecture on the conversion and defense of endgames where each side has a bishop on like-colored squares.
• Same-Color Bishop Endgames, with NM Spencer Finegold - 54 Min - w/ analysis of 4 top level Games.

c) Opposite Color Bishop Endgames

Not all opposite-colored bishop endgames are draws! Explore winning techniques and essential strategies:

• GM Neiksans Boot Camp #15 - Opposite Color Bishop Endgames  - (Almost 2 Hr ) -GM Neiksans explores winning techniques in opposite-colored bishop endgames
  
  
• The Opposite Color Bishops | Endgame Class - NM Caleb Denby - 58 min - National Master Caleb Denby looks at opposite color bishop endgames. Start with the "bare bones" of the situation and then work up with more pawns being added to the board.
• Opposite Colored Bishops Endgames | Endgame Strategy | Intermediate Level | IM Andrey Ostrovskiy  - 16 Min -  IM Andrey Ostrovskiy will teach you the basic theory of opposite colored bishop endgames.
• How to Win the Opposite-colored Bishop Endgames? - 20 Min - Remote Chess Academy -  IM Asaf Givon has prepared a very instructive video lesson for you on a tricky topic – Opposite-colored Bishop Endgames! In this lesson, he will teach you how to win and defend in such endgames with the instructive examples - games of Mikhail Tal, Paul Keres, Veselin Topalov, Ding Liren, and more.
• Opposite Color Bishops: Know the Rules | Insane in the Endgame - GM Josh Friedel - 60 min - Learn the "rules" of opposite color bishop games.
• Opposite-Color Bishop Endgames | Grandmaster's Choice - GM Dariusz Swiercz - 50 Min - Grandmaster Daro Swiercz looks at chess games where opposite-color bishop endgames occurred. Usually, these types lead to draws. However, that is not always the case. See different scenarios where the pawn structure made the difference.
• Key Tips for Endgames w/ Opposite Colored Bishops | Dojo Lessons  - 24 min  Chess Dojo - The video provides an in-depth analysis of a chess game focusing on the endgame with opposite-colored bishops. It discusses strategic moves, tactical errors, and principles for winning such endgames.
  
  
• IM Kassa Korley: Opposite Colored Bishop Endgames | US Chess School - 56 Min - IM Kassa Korley delivers a lecture on opposite colored bishop endgames w/ 6 Example games.