Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Magazines, Periodicals & Newsletters


Active and Archived Chess Magazines


Mechanics-institute-chess-room - Weekly Chess magazine (Active)

California Chess Journal - Archive with Back issues 45- 50 Pages Each (Started back up again in 2021) 

MACA Chess Horizons - Archives - Massachusetts Chess Assoc. (22 Back Issues most recent 2018)

Northwest Chess Magazine —  Archive of Chess News from Washington, Oregon and Idaho (Monthly from 1965 - 2021)

Swiss Chess Newspaper - 2000 - 2021 (Bimonthly Archive 45-50 page PDFs) All in German

California Chess Periodicals 
- Over 80 Chess Periodicals Listed here from 1960-2009
California Chess Articles from U.S. and World Chess Periodicals - 22 Magazines here from (1857 to Present)

Internet Archive Chess Magazines

Inside Chess 

(25 Dec 1989) - 46 Page PDF 
(22 Jan 1990) - 30 Page PDF  (5 Feb 1990) - 29 page PDF  (19 Feb 1990) - 27 Page PDF 
(5 March 1990) - 25 Page PDF  (19 March 1990)
(5 March 1990) - 25 Page PDF  (19 March 1990) - 25 page PDF 
(8 June 1992) - 25 page PDF  (20 July 1992) - 34 page PDF  (Tal Issue) 
(17 Aug 1992) - 26 Page PDF (Bobbys Back Issue)
   (31 Aug 1992)  - 24 Page PDF
(14 Sept 1992) - 24 Page PDF (Fisher-Spassky II)   (12 Oct 1992) - 25 Page PDF
(8 March 1993) - 22 Page PDF   (19 April 1993) - 22 Page PDF


Modern-Chess-Issue-1 - 67 Page PDF    (2015)
British Chess Magazine - November 2015 issue - 56 Page PDF


Chess Mate January 1983 by Manuel Aaron (Ed) - 36 Page PDF
Chess India - June 1981 - 48 Page PDF

Chess Life 1959 -  204 Page PDF

50 Moves magazine - October 2015 issue - 102 page PDF
50 Moves magazine - December 2015 issue - 72 Page PDF

Chess Review 1934 (12 Issues)  - 279 Page PDF
Chess Review 1935 (12 Issues)  - 325 Page PDF
Chess Review 1936 (12 Issues)  - 321 Page PDF
Chess Review 1937 (12 issues)  - 320 Page PDF
Chess Review 1938 (12 Issues)  - 322 Page PDF
Chess Review 1939 (12 Issues)  -289 Page PDF

Chess Review 1940 (12 Issues)  - 229 Page PDF
Chess Review 1941 (12 Issues) - 261 Page PDF
Chess Review 1942 (12 issues) - 312 Page PDF
Chess Review 1943 12 Issues) - 456 Page PDF

Chess Review 1953 (12 Issues) - 432 page PDF
Chess Review 1954 (12 Issues) - 432 Page PDF
Chess Review 1955 (12 Issues) - 432 Page PDF
Chess Review 1959 (12 Issues) - 432 Page PDF

Larry Evans Teaches Chess - 75+ Chess articles from Chess Life from 1978-2007



Sunday, July 10, 2022

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.




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.


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.



Modern Defense 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.


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)
 



Games Databases

365Chess.com

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


B06 Sub-variants:

  • 1. e4 g6
  • 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. e5 Nh5 4. g4 Ng7                    3 Games
  • 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7                                                 Main Line
  • 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. f4                                        1979 Games
  • 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3                                     2951 Games
  • 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. f4 d5 5. e5 h5      1142 Games
  • 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6                                 Main Line
  • 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3                          7793 Games
  • 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 c6                  2844 Games
  • 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. f4                          7172 Games


  • Chessgames.com



  • Modern Defense Video Lessons

  • 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

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



  • 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

  • GM Moulthun Ly 




Saturday, July 9, 2022

Decoding Pawn Breaks in Chess: A Complete Guide

 


Strategic Chess Maneuvers
Harnessing the Power of Pawn Breaks

Elevate your chess game with a deep dive into the art of pawn breaks. Uncover the strategic significance of these pivotal maneuvers and learn how to wield them effectively to seize control of the board. With expert insights, instructive articles, and engaging video lessons at your fingertips. Bishops Bounty Pawn Structures Page (Organized Links to Info On over 20 Pawn Structures)

Books (Free)

(Free Chessable Course)

Judit Polgar: Free Endgame Lesson #2 - 14 Variations on Pawn Breaks 



Pawn Break Chess Articles

Theory of Pawn Breaks Explained! - Article with 20Min Video Embedded

Typical Pawn Breaks: Ruining the Opponent’s Pawn Structure - Short Article

Pawn Break Prophylaxis  - Article showing a few Games

Pawn Breaks, part 1 -Chess.com Article By GM Magesh and GM Arun

Pawn Breaks -  Nice Article by NM Dana Mackenze

The powerful e5 Pawn break against the Benoni: using it as White, neutralizing it as Black - Huge Article on this Specific Pawn Break

Pawn Breaks - Detailed Guide
w/ Embedded Video  - IM Igor Smirnov

Chess Pawn Break: Guide To Using Pawn Breaks in Chess
  - Very nice Guide at The Chess Journal


Pawn Break LiChess Studies



Progressive Pawn-break Studies - In these progressive studies you are presented with a collection of positions where a forced pawn breakthrough is on the board.

First pawn to queen wins the game.
Pawn Breaks 1/4 - [Easy]: lichess.org/study/ddiidonk
Pawn Breaks 2/4 - [Medium]: lichess.org/study/i4sO9cTx
Pawn Breaks 3/4 - [Hard]: lichess.org/study/lT0Aao3u
Pawn Breaks 4/4 - [Extreme]: lichess.org/study/xKG6VGB8

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.


Pawn Break Video Lessons


NM Dan Heismith


Pawn Breakthroughs - GM Ben Finegold - 2014.12.23 - 41 Min
guides you through a jungle of tied-up pawns. How do we untangle this mess and break through with a powerful passed pawn? Sacrifices, king position, and more...

Chess Strategy: Pawn Breaks - 20 Min -
IM Asaf Givon will help you better understand the theory of pawn breaks.

Everything You Need to Know About Pawn Breaks - 31 Min - Dr Can's Chess Clinic - An extensive strategic overview of pawn breaks. We discuss all major functions of pawn breaks by solving instructive examples.(New - 5/30/24)

Chess Fundamentals #4: Pawn Play - 1.5 hr - Im John Bartholomew - discuss key structural considerations (isolated pawns, doubled pawns, backward pawns, pawn breaks, "hooks")

Why Your Pawn Breaks Aren't Working - 4 Min - IM Max Illingworth -
 Discusses the importance of pawn structure and pawn breaks in chess, using a game from the Kasparov variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined as an example.

Jims Chess Channel 

Svitlana's Smart Moves - Middlegame pawn breaks - 52 Min - ChessBase Video Series - Figure out how to hold the tension in the middlegame, why to hold it, and how to break through with your pawns in the right moment.

Importance of Pawn breaks in Chess - 2.5 hr GM Ramesh -
 the importance of pawn breaks in chess, highlighting how they can open up positions and provide strategic advantages. It emphasizes the need for careful planning and understanding of the game’s dynamics to effectively utilize pawn breaks.


Pawn Breakthroughs | Principles of Chess Endgames | GM Naroditsky
 - 47 Min
the endgame master's arsenal: pawn breakthroughs. We examine the 10 most common type of breakthroughs in abstraction, and then put them into practice by analyzing several real-life examples.

Pawn Breaks - 34 Min  FM James Canty
Pawn Breaks and the importance of them! We look at a game, Loek Van Wely vs Thilo Kabisch

Specific Openings

Season 2 Pawn Break - Ruy Lopez - 53 Min FM James Canty - Jose Raul Capablanca vs Edward Lasker in 1913, with a Ruy Lopez.

Under 1400: Preventing Pawn Breaks in the Hedgehog, with NM Spencer Finegold - 58 Min
preventing your opponents’ pawn breaks when Black has a Hedgehog structure. 
Pawn breaks: The Stonewall pawn structures - 1.5 hr  Coach Robert  -
We start with two of the totally-blocked pawn structures: the kingside and queenside Stonewalls.




Wednesday, July 6, 2022

The Devious Decoy Tactic: A Comprehensive Guide

 

The Decoy Tactic:
 A Masterful Way to Lure Your Opponent


Sharpen your chess arsenal with the art of the decoy!

This comprehensive guide equips you with valuable resources to master this deceptive tactic. Explore articles, puzzles, video lessons, and real game examples to identify decoy opportunities, calculate variations, and outsmart your opponents.

The Decoy Tactic in Action:

  • Lure the Big Guns: You aim to tempt your opponent's most valuable pieces, like the king or queen, away from their safe zone.
  • Sacrifice Smartly: You offer a less valuable piece, often a pawn, to create an attractive target for your opponent.
  • Snap the Trap: Once your opponent takes the bait, their captured piece becomes exposed, creating an opening for an attack.
  • Exploit the Weakness: This attack can take many forms, like a fork, pin, skewer, or even checkmate!
  • Calculated Advantage: You need to think strategically and consider different scenarios to ensure your sacrifice leads to a clear benefit.



Decoy Chess Articles


Introduction to Chess Tactics: Decoys - Chess Strategy Online Article - This article provides a good overview of the decoy tactic, including how to identify opportunities to use it and how to calculate the consequences of a decoy sacrifice. 5 Example Problems at the end.

Tactics 101: Devious Decoy Sacrifices – Baiting the Wins - Real Nice Article w/ Different Piece Decoy Explanations and examples.



Decoy LiChess Studies

Sharpen your tactical vision with these exceptional Lichess studies on the decoy tactic!


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.



Games Databases


Chessgames.com

These collections of games from Chessgames.com features games where a decoy tactic was used to win the game. Studying these games can help you see how decoy tactics are used in practical play.




Decoy Chess Video Lessons


Decoys: Dupe the Defender | Beginner Breakdown - NM Ralph Tan - 58 Min - St.Louis Chess Club
 -  a chess class on decoys. A decoy is a tactic that lures an enemy piece off its square and away from its defensive role.

Chess Tactics: Decoy - 9 Min
- TheChessWebsite - in-depth explanation of the decoy tactic in chess, which involves luring an opponent’s piece to a disadvantageous square, often through sacrifice. The presenter, Kevin from thechesswebsite.com, demonstrates various scenarios where decoys can be effectively used to gain material advantage or to expose the opponent’s king to a mating pattern.

Chess lesson # 38: Decoy vs Deflection | Chess tactics with National Master Robert Ramirez - 9 Min - In this video, National Master Robert Ramirez explains the chess tactics of deflection and decoy. He clarifies the differences between the two, provides examples, and demonstrates how to practice these tactics. Deflection involves distracting a defender to achieve an objective, while a decoy lures an opponent’s piece into a disadvantageous position.

Trapping your Opponent with a Decoy | Chess Tactics | Improver Level | IM Kostya Kavutskiy - 9 Min - a lesson on the decoy tactic in chess, explaining its distinction from deflection and demonstrating its application through classic game examples. He emphasizes the importance of observation skills in identifying decoys and provides tips for spotting such tactics in play.

28 Days To Better Chess Tactics - Day 21 - Decoy Attacking Chess - 7 Min - provides insights into advanced chess tactics focusing on the decoy technique. It features three positions from famous games, demonstrating how to use decoys to gain a tactical advantage. The presenter explains each position, highlighting the importance of forcing moves and the consequences of different decisions.

Chess Tactics, Decoy, Examples - 5 Min

Secrets of Chess Tactics | Decoy Tactic Stunningly beautiful secrets revealed | Everything you need! - 30 Min - Kingcrusher - delves into the intricacies of chess tactics, specifically focusing on the decoy tactic. It provides definitions, distinguishes between decoy and deflection, and presents numerous examples from chess history to illustrate the tactic’s effectiveness. 


A playful Disney-style illustration depicts a frog using a fishing pole to dangle a worm over a chessboard, attempting to lure his fish opponent's piece into a decoy tactic trap.
"The decoy is one of the chief tricks in the tactics of chess." - Max Euwe