Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Pirc Defense (B07-B09) - Opening Theory

 

Black Magic Revealed
 Demystify the Pirc Defense

Black players, sharpen your arsenal! This one-stop shop unlocks the secrets of the Pirc Defense, a dynamic opening that offers a ton of benefits:

  • Challenge White's Center: Fight for control from move one and disrupt your opponent's early plans.

  • Dynamic & Unpredictable: The Pirc Defense leads to complex positions with rich possibilities, keeping your games exciting.

  • Solid Yet Aggressive: Develop your pieces efficiently while creating chances for tactical opportunities.

  • Suitable for All Levels: Whether you're a seasoned player or a curious beginner, the Pirc Defense offers a rewarding path to chess improvement.

  • Free Resources Galore: This guide equips you with everything you need to master the Pirc Defense, completely free – dive into articles, videos, puzzles, and more!


Pirc Wikipedia Page

The Pirc Defence is a powerful and versatile opening that allows Black to challenge White's center control from the start. With proper play, Black can get a strong position and a good chance to win.
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6



Free Pirc Defense Books & Courses

Supplement your Pirc Defense knowledge with these free resources, including Grandmaster repertoire recommendations and miniature collections to sharpen your tactics!

Internet Archive


FREE Chessable Course 
Short & Sweet: Pirc Defense - - Learn 24 Variations w/ 2 hrs Free Video (Use Spaced repetition to train Course)


Master the Pirc Defense: A Selection of Compelling Articles

Delve into the strategic intricacies of the Pirc Defense with these in-depth articles. Learn opening principles, explore common variations, and discover the dynamic ideas behind this aggressive opening.

The Pirc Defense - Simplify Chess Page  (In-depth Look at Opening)

How To Play The Pirc Defense Chess Opening - Hercules Chess Article

The Simplified Pirc - Kenilworth Chessclub Article

The Pirc Defense – The Ultimate Guide To A Dynamic Chess Opening - (In-depth ichess.com Article with 3 Embedded Videos )

Pirc Defense – How to Play (as White & Black) - Nice Opening Guide On Chessabale Blog.


Interactive Pirc Defense Studies on Lichess

Master Key Lines: Sharpen your Pirc Defense with interactive studies on Lichess.

Pirc defense - 10 Chapter Study  (80 hearts)

The Pirc Defense - 6 Chapter Study  (Simple with info on Variations) (60 hearts)

Pirc Defense Repertoire - 6 Chapter Interactive Study  (400 hearts)

The Pirc Defense - 14 Chapter Study



Sharpen Your Tactics: Pirc Defense Chess Puzzles

Isolate your weaknesses and refine your tactical vision with these puzzles categorized by specific Pirc Defense variations. Test your skills and identify winning opportunities in critical positions.

WTHarvey.com

Pirc (B07) -1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6  (10 Puzzles)

Pirc, Classical (B08) - 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3   (10 Puzzles)

Pirc, Austrian Attack (B09) - 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4   (10 Puzzles)

LiChess Opening Puzzles

Pirc Defense - 11,879 Puzzles (Main)

Pirc Defense: Classical Variation - 2253 Puzzles
Pirc Defense: Austrian Attack - 866 Puzzles
Pirc Defense: Byrne Variation - 665 Puzzles
Pirc Defense: Kholmov System - 254 Puzzles
Pirc Defense: Roscher Gambit - 129 Puzzles
Pirc Defense: Bayonet Attack - 61 Puzzles



Pirc Defense Games Databases

Analyze master games from various databases, categorized by variations like the Austrian Attack and the Classical Pirc. Learn from the greats and discover new ideas for your own games.

365chess.com

B07: Pirc defence 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 - 57,000 Games (Page with 11 Sub-varients)
B08: Pirc, classical (two knights) system 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 - 10,000 Games (4 Subvarients)
B09: Pirc, Austrian attack 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 - 10,000 Games ( 7 Sub-Varients)

Chessgames.com (Collections)

Instructive games of the Pirc Defense - 10 games 
Pirc/Modern-150 Attack-White wins - 21 Games
AUSTRIAN ATTACK  - 48 Games
Pirc with Black  - 27 Games


ChessTempo.com


Pirc Defense, General (B07) - 25,986 Games
Pirc Defense, 150 Attack (B07) - 1776 Games
Pirc Defense, Byrne Variation (B07) - 4491 Games
Pirc Defense, Classical Variation (B07) - 756 Games
Pirc Defense, Bayonet Attack (B07) - 

Pirc Defense, Classical Variation, Two Knights System (B08) - 5572Games
Pirc Defense, Classical Variation, Schlechter Variation (B08) - 4448 Games
Pirc Defense, Classical Variation, Quiet System (B08) - 3708 Games
Pirc Defense, Classical Variation, Quiet System, Chigorin Line (B08) - 1306 Games
Pirc Defense, Classical Variation, Quiet System, Czech Defense (B08) - 3956 Games
Pirc Defense, Classical Variation, Quiet System,Parma Defense (B08) - 2167 Games

Pirc Defense, Austrian Attack (B09) - 1530 Games
Pirc Defense, Austrian Attack, Dragon Formation (B09) - 3533 Games
Pirc Defense, Austrian Attack, Kurajica Variation (B09) - 1105 Games
Pirc Defense, Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack (B09) - 1147 Games
Pirc Defense, Austrian Attack, Weiss Variation (B09) - 5592 Games



Pirc Defense Video Lessons 

Enhance your learning with a curated selection of Pirc Defense video lessons. Find playlists catering to beginners and experienced players alike, covering opening ideas, middlegame plans, and typical tactical motifs.

Playlists


Pirc Defense | Ideas, Principles and Common Variations - 16 Min


PIRC Defense: Introduction, Middlegame Plans, Typical Tactics | Best Chess Openings - 26 Min -
 Middlegame plans, masters' games, and typical tactics for this Opening.

Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Pirc Defense! - 30 Min 

Opening Ideas: Pirc Defense - GM Yasser Seirawan - 58 Min 
- intermediate-level lecture about opening ideas and the Pirc Defense

Move order matters | Pirc Defense - Standard Chess - 17 Min

GM Ben Finegold: The Pirc Defense - 45 Min - 
 History of the opening, its namesake Vasiukov Pirc, and the evolution of hypermodern chess. Finegold discusses various move orders, transpositions, and the flexibility of the Pirc Defense, offering insights into famous games and strategies for both white and black.

GM Damien Lemos
Not about theory, but more about understanding the plans and ideas behind this opening. Understanding the main strategic ideas such as the different pawn breaks against White's center and various pawn sacrifices which help Black to take over the initiative.


Austrian Attack (4.f4)

Two Knights System (Classical) (4.Nf3)

The Complete Pirc Defense Opening | Classical Variation | Two Knights System and Quiet System - 31 Min


150 Attack (4.Be3)

Czech Pirc

Chess Giant
Palm Beach Chess

Byrne Variation (4.Bg5)


Pirc Defense Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Playlists


Paragua v Akobian | 2008 Chicago Open | Czech Pirc - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 58 Min
Ivanchuk vs. Kramnik, Candidates 2013 | Pirc Defense - GM Yasser Seirawan- 58 Min
Bobby Fischer faces Viktor Korchnoi in the Pirc Defence - World Chess Candidates 1962 - 18 Min
Pirc Defence | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky - 17 Min

Magnus Carlsen Shows How to Play the Pirc Defense - 10 Min - GM Benjamin Bok

Chess Quilt


Saturday, April 16, 2022

Chess Endgames

 Free Endgame Lessons

I have personally Come around to finding that Chessables Spaced Repetition Training (MoveTrainer) works incredibly well at learning Endgames. 

If you have not tried it, below are a list of Free Endgame courses there. 

FREE Chessable Courses

Basic Endgames - 181 Endgames (Very Nice in-depth Instruction) (This course was made by a chess-coach for his students and put up here for FREE)
(This alone is worth trying it)

Endgame Bootcamp with John Bartholomew - Learn the Basics
(Learn 10 Basic pawn , and Rook&Pawn Endgames)
 

Essential endings: Mating with B+N - Learn this Endgame
Essential Endings: Playing R+B vs. R - Key Strategy's
Essential R+P vs. R Endings - IM John Bartholomew
Winning Chess Endings: Free Lesson - Some techniques by GM Yasser Seirwain
Johan Hellsten: Free Endgame Lesson - Endgame Techniques (10 Lessons)
Magnus Carlsen: Free Endgame Lesson - Lessons from his Endgames


Added this list to the  Chess Endgames Video Lessons Page


Friday, April 15, 2022

The Bogo-Indian Defense - A Treasure Trove of Learning Resources - E11

 

Bogo Indian Defense Resources

Feeling predictable with your Black openings? Want to surprise your opponent and take control of the center from the get-go? Look no further than the Bogo-Indian Defense!

This dynamic opening throws your opponent off-balance with its aggressive play for Black. Here's what you can expect:

  • Unleash a powerful and flexible opening: The Bogo-Indian offers a solid foundation against 1.d4 while adapting to various playing styles.
  • Dominate the center and dictate the tempo: Fight for central control from the early moves and keep your opponent on their toes.
  • Unlock a treasure trove of FREE resources: Master the Bogo-Indian Defense without breaking the bank! This guide curates video lessons, puzzles, game analyses, and more to accelerate your chess improvement.

Ready to unleash the Bogo-Indian Defense on your opponents? Dive into this comprehensive guide and start winning with Black!

 Bogo-Indian Defense Wikipedia Page
The Bogo-Indian Defense is a chess opening characterized by the moves:

1. d4 Nf6  2. c4 e6  3. Nf3 Bb4+


BOOKS (Free)

Short & Sweet: Bogo-Indian Defense - FREE CHESSABLE COURSE -  24 Trainable Variations - IM Irena Bulmaga - In this free Short & Sweet course, she gives you a sample of how the Bogo-Indian can re-energize your repertoire in just 24 lines.


Bogo-Indian Chess Articles 

Delve into the theory, history, and key variations of the Bogo-Indian Defense.


Bogo-Indian LiChess Studies

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


Games Databases

365Chess.com
E11: Bogo-Indian defence - 20,000 Games Broken into Subvarients 

Chessgames.com
Bogo-Indian Defense (E11) 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Bb4+ - 9000 Games 

Chess Siberia
16 Annotated Bogo - Indian GM  games 


Bogo-Indian Defense Chess Video Lessons

Playlist


Master The Bogo-Indian Defense Like a GM! - GM Niclas Huschenbeth - 17 Min
Niclas analyzes an early deviation by White that is proving popular, namely 3.g3. Now Black can continue with the standard 3...Bb4+ but there is an excellent opportunity to transpose to a Benoni line where White has committed himself to a timid variation.
Simplification Ideas in the Bogo-Indian Defense  - 12 Min - Jozarov


Opening Preparation: Case Study - Bogo-Indian Defence -  1.5hr - GM Mihail Marin explains some of the most important pawn structures and theoretical lines in this opening.

Crushing White - The Bogo-Indian Defense - GM Damian Lemos - 25 Min


Day 08: Improve your openings with IM Sagar Shah | Bogo Indian - 1.5 hr

Bogo-Indian Defense: Lecture by GM Ben Finegold - 41 Min - Video Below



Bogo-Indian Defense Chess Traps


Bogo-Indian Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Bogo-Indian Defense, Wade-Smyslov variation - Standard chess #50 - 61 Min
Blitz Chess #394: Bogo-Indian Defense, Grünfeld variation - 25 Min
Blitz Chess #332: IM Bartholomew vs. GM Monika Socko (Bogo-Indian Defense) - 20 Min
Blitz Chess #332: IM Bartholomew vs. GM Monika Socko (Bogo-Indian Defense) - 20 Min
Standard Chess #270: Game 2 vs. HÃ¥vard (Bogo-Indian Defense)- 36 Min IM Bartholomew
Standard Chess #148: IM Bartholomew vs. totoff (Bogo-Indian Defense) - 43 Min
Garry Kasparov vs Ljubomir Ljubojevic - Tilburg 1989 - Bogo-Indian Defense (E11) - 10 Min
5 minute chess #62: Wargasm vs IM Greg Shahade - Bogo Indian Defense - 5 Min
3 minute chess #80: GM Ariel Sorin vs IM Greg Shahade - Bogo Indian Defense - 7 Min
5 minute chess #119: sagorjoyee vs IM Greg Shahade - Bogo Indian - 11 Min
5 minute chess #198: GM Zong-Yuan Zhao vs IM Greg Shahade - Bogo Indian - Defense - 13 Min
Bogo-Indian Defence: Alexander Alekhine vs Conel Hugh O'Donel Alexander - Bogo-Indian (E11) - 7 Min
Garry Kasparov vs Nigel Short (1987) · Bogo-Indian Defense - 10 Min

IM Chris Sielecki 


Garry Kasparov vs Ljubomir Ljubojevic - Tilburg 1989 - Bogo-Indian Defense (E11) - 10 Min
5 minute chess #62: Wargasm vs IM Greg Shahade - Bogo Indian Defense - 5 Min
3 minute chess #80: GM Ariel Sorin vs IM Greg Shahade - Bogo Indian Defense - 7 Min
5 minute chess #119: sagorjoyee vs IM Greg Shahade - Bogo Indian - 11 Min
5 minute chess #198: GM Zong-Yuan Zhao vs IM Greg Shahade - Bogo Indian - Defense - 13 Min
Bogo-Indian Defence: Alexander Alekhine vs Conel Hugh O'Donel Alexander - Bogo-Indian (E11) - 7 Min
Garry Kasparov vs Nigel Short (1987) · Bogo-Indian Defense - 10 Min



Chess Art Black and White
"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary."
 - Vince Lombardi


Thursday, April 14, 2022

Just Some Updates

 

Redid all the  Pawn Structure Links  under Chess Strategy . 

               Added Quite a few New Video Links with Better Organization.
               Added some new Article Links.
               Added Links to Books on Pawn Structure to this section.

Under the General Endgame Lessons in the Endgame Link Section.

              Added Links to  
                     Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Atlanta's 
                     Silmans Endgame Course Video Series 42 Videos
                     (Over 60 hrs of Video)