Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Conquer the King's Gambit with the Falkbeer Countergambit (C31)

 Master this Aggressive Chess Opening - Expert Resources at Your Fingertips

New to chess openings?

The King's Gambit is a popular but risky strategy for White. The Falkbeer Countergambit (C31) is Black's aggressive response, aiming to exploit weaknesses and turn the tables!

This curated page equips you with everything you need to master the Falkbeer Countergambit, with links to articles, puzzles, videos, and game analysis – all from trusted sources.

Falkbeer Wikipedia Page

In this aggressive Countergambit, Black disdains the pawn offered as a sacrifice, instead opening the centre to exploit White's weakness on the kingside. 

The Falkbeer Countergambit is a chess opening that begins:

1. e4 e5   2. f4 d5 

 Bishop's Bounty King's Gambit Page


Books (Free)

Internet Archive
Boris Aldermans Gambit Guide  - Part 1 - 30 Min , Part 2  - 34 Min  (Both Falkbeer Counter Gambit Videos Found here)


Falkbeer Counter Gambit Articles

Delve into the exciting world of the Falkbeer Countergambit with these in-depth articles:

Falkbeer Counter Gambit: A Comprehensive Opening Guide  - This Chess Journal guide equips you with a strategic roadmap to mastering the Falkbeer Countergambit.

Ernst Karl Falkbeer and his countergambit 
- ChessBase takes you on a historical journey exploring the origins of the gambit and analyzing exemplary games.


Falkbeer LiChess Studies

Sharpen your tactical vision and master the Falkbeer Countergambit with interactive LiChess studies:

How to counter the King's Gambit  - 6 Chapter Study -This interactive study on Lichess guides you through key themes, tactics, and strategic ideas in the Falkbeer Countergambit.

Falkbeer Countergambit  -
6 Chapter Study

What are LiChess Studies?

LiChess Studies are a fantastic, free resource for chess players of all levels. They're interactive training tools that allow you to explore chess concepts, tactics, and opening lines move-by-move. You can test your understanding, analyze variations, and receive feedback as you progress through the study.


Game Databases

Explore a vast collection of Falkbeer Countergambit games to enhance your strategic understanding:

Chess Tempo

King's Gambit, Falkbeer Countergambit, Accepted (C31)  - 918 Games - Chess Tempo offers a user-friendly interface to explore 918 Falkbeer Countergambit games. You can sort by rating, opening line, or other criteria to find games that match your learning goals.

Chessgames.com

King's Gambit Declined, Falkbeer Counter Gambit (C31) 1 e4 e5 2 f4 d5 - 939 Games - Can also filter for Annotated Games

365Chess.com

C31: King's Gambit Declined, Falkbeer counter-gambit 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 - 2859 Games - Dive deep into a massive collection of 2859 Falkbeer Countergambit games on 365Chess.com. This database allows you to filter and explore a wide range of games to suit your needs.


Puzzles (Tactics)

Test your tactical skills and sharpen your vision for exploiting weaknesses in the King's Gambit with these Falkbeer Countergambit puzzles:

wtHarvey.com

Falkbeer Counter Gambit (ECO C31) - 5 Puzzles - Get started with a focused set of 5 puzzles from wtHarvey.com to solidify core tactical concepts in the Falkbeer Countergambit.

LiChess Openings Puzzles

FalkBeer Countergambit - 1647 Puzzles - Deepen your understanding with a massive collection specifically targeting the Falkbeer Countergambit on Lichess Openings.

King's Gambit Declined - Falkbeer Countergambit Accepted - 325 Puzzles
Focus on the accepted line with this set of 325 puzzles from Lichess Openings, honing your ability to punish inaccuracies after White accepts the pawn sacrifice.


Falkbeer Counter Gambit Videos

Falkbeer Countergambit | King’s Gambit Opening Theory - 20 Min - Hanging Pawns - This video dives into the exciting world of the Falkbeer Countergambit, a response to the King's Gambit that offers aggressive possibilities for Black. Learn how Black challenges White's center with a pawn sacrifice (d5) and disrupts their opening plans. The video explores the main lines arising from this move, including lines with Nf3, Nc6, and gambit continuations.

King’s Gambit Declined | Falkbeer Countergambit | Mainlines, Plans & Strategies | Chess Openings - 25 Min IM Ostrovsk - Delve deeper with video on the main lines, plans, and strategies employed in the Falkbeer Countergambit, equipping you for complex positions.

Refute the King's Gambit as Black | Falkbeer Countergambit: Tricky Opening - 20 Min - Remote Chess Academy - Learn how to exploit common mistakes in the King's Gambit and punish your opponent with the Falkbeer Countergambit.

Falkbeer Counter Gambit Chess Traps

Bizarre Opening Trap: Falkbeer Countergambit - 7 Min - IM Eric Rosen -Sharpen your tactical vision with IM Eric Rosen as he unveils surprising traps you can spring in the Falkbeer Countergambit.


Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Falkbeer Counter Gambit - Chess Opening - 16 Video Playlist - Immerse yourself in a series of 16 video analyses of Falkbeer Countergambit games by kingscrusher, learning from the play of masters.

Keres Plays King's Gambit, His Opponent Answers With Falkbeer Countergambit - 7 Min - Watch a historical game where chess legend Paul Keres faces the Falkbeer Countergambit.

Must See! King's Gambit Against Mikhail Tal Himself  - 7 Min - Witness a thrilling encounter where White plays the King's Gambit against the legendary Mikhail Tal, who responds with the Falkbeer Countergambit.
Learn more about Mikhail Tal: Great Chess Players of the Past - Tal

Crushing the Kings Gambit with Falkbeer Counter Gambit | 14 moves | Punishing Opening Blunders - 6 Min - Enjoy a quick and exciting video demonstrating how to punish inaccuracies in the King's Gambit with the Falkbeer Countergambit.

 

Oil Painting of the Center of Chess board with a falkbeer counter gambit.
"He who fears a pawn down in the King's Gambit should not play chess." - Adolf Anderssen

Friday, March 24, 2023

Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation B90 - B99 - Opening Theory

 

Explore the Najdorf:
 Free Resources & Insights 

A Dynamic Powerhouse:

The Sicilian Najdorf (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6) is renowned for its aggressive possibilities and sharp tactical battles. This dynamic opening choice has been a weapon of choice for many legendary chess grandmasters, including Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov, who wielded it to dominate their opponents. (Learn more about the history and variations on Wikipedia: Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation Wikipedia page.)

Are you seeking an opening that injects fire into your chess games? Do you crave sharp positions brimming with tactical possibilities? Then look no further than the Sicilian Najdorf! This exciting and challenging opening offers a path to victory for players who relish dynamic battles and outsmarting their opponents.

Empower Your Chess Journey:

This comprehensive guide equips you with a treasure trove of free Sicilian Najdorf chess resources, articles, annotated games, video lessons, and strategic insights. Whether you're a seasoned player seeking to refine your Najdorf repertoire or a newcomer eager to explore its potential, this collection offers valuable tools to elevate your chess game.



BOOKS (Free)

Internet Archive

500 Sicilian Miniatures Collection II by Bill Wall - 109 Page PDF

How to Beat the Sicilian Defence - 352 page PDF


FREE Chessable Courses

Short & Sweet: Giri's Najdorf Sicilian - 24 Trainable lines w/44 Min Free video

Short & Sweet: Colovic's Najdorf Sicilian  - 20 Trainable Lines w/ 50 Min Free Video

Short & Sweet: Cheparinov's Najdorf Sicilian  - 19 Trainable Lines w/ 57 Min Free Video



Najdorf  Chess ARTICLES

SICILIAN NAJDORF  - Chess Pathways Article w/embedded Video

Chess Opening Basics: The Najdorf Sicilian  - Chessable Blog Opening Guide

Sicilian Najdorf – How to Play, Attack & Counter as White & Black - Chessable blog Opening Guide

Sicilian Najdorf – How to Play, Attack and Counter - Chess Klub Opening Guide w/ Video

How to Play the Sicilian Najdorf   -  RagChess Guide


Najdorf LiChess Studies

Getting Started with Lichess Studies:

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools function like digital chess books, guiding you through Najdorf variations with explanations and challenges. 


  • The Sicilian Najdorf Variation - 5 Chapter Study (1000+ hearts)    This user-favored study (indicated by "hearts") provides a solid introduction to main Najdorf variations with concise explanations.

  • Sicilian Najdorf  - 8 Chapter Study  Variations w/ a pawn Structure lesson

  • The Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation 6. Be2  - 9 Chapter Study  - This study explores the "I don't want Fireworks Variation" with clear analysis, making it suitable for players seeking a more positional approach.

  • The Sicilian Najdorf   - 10 Chapter study  (700+ hearts) (Well Done with an interactive chapter)

  • VERY DETAILED! Sicilian Defense: Najdorf  - 8 Chapter Study - This study lives up to its name, offering in-depth explanations for a deeper understanding.

  • Sicilian Najdorf Repertoire  - 38 Chapter Study (1600+ HeartsConsidered the "Gold Standard" on Lichess, this comprehensive study covers themes, lines, and analyzed games.


Additional Resources:


NEW - Lichess Openings Page Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation 
Lichess now offers a dedicated Najdorf page with variations, win/loss statistics, and board diagrams for further exploration.

LiStudy (LiChess Movetrainer)


Game Databases

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


365Chess.com


Chess Tempo


Chessgames.com (Collections)


Sharpen Your Najdorf Tactics: Puzzles and Training

Test your tactical vision in the Najdorf with these resources:

Chess Puzzles by Bill Harvey (wtharvey.com):

Sicilian, Najdorf (ECO B90)  -   25 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation (ECO B91)  - 21 puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation (ECO B92)  - 25 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf, 6.f4 (ECO B93)  - 25 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf 6.Bg5 (ECO B94)  -  9 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf, 6...e6 (ECO B95)  - 10 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf 7.f4 (ECO B96)  - 10 puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf 7...Qb6 (ECO B97)  - 10 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf 7...Be7 (ECO B98) - 10 puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf, 7...Be7 Main line (ECO B99)  - 11 Puzzles


Lichess Najdorf Puzzles: Dive into a vast pool of Najdorf puzzles (over 7300!) on Lichess to solidify your tactical understanding.

SicilianNajdorf Variation 
- 7300 Puzzles


Najdorf Video Lessons


Dive deep into Najdorf  Video playlists

Playlists

  • Najdorf Sicilian - 18 video playlist - FM James Canty III - Learn key Najdorf concepts and variations through games and analysis

  • Sicilian Najdorf  -  46 video playlist  - Chessbase India - Explore the Najdorf in depth with a comprehensive video playlist by Chessbase India, featuring games and instructional content.

  • Najdorf Sicilian - 11 Video playlist - Robert Plunketts Chess Lab - Master the Najdorf with a focused 10-video series . (all lessons dedicated to the Najdorf).


Lessons

GM Neiksans Boot Camp #21 - Sicilian Najdorf for Black - 3.5 Hrs -  Gain valuable insights from GM Neiksans on playing the Najdorf effectively as Black.

6th Move Options Against Najdorf TIER LIST | GM Moulthun Ly  - 20 Min -Demystify White's options after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 with GM Moulthun Ly's tier list (20 minutes).

How to Play the Sicilian Najdorf - Chess Openings Explained  - 47 min  St.Louis CC -Master the "Cadillac" of openings with St. Louis Chess Club's video guide, delving into the Najdorf and the English Attack.
 

Falling in love with the Sicilian Najdorf with GM Daniel King - 1.5 hr  Chessbase India In this session he will explain to you the key concepts of the opening and tell you as to how he fell in love with the Sicilian Najdorf!
Learn the 6.Bg5 Najdorf! | Prepare Like A Pro - GM Josh Sheng  - 52 min - Prepare for the aggressive 6.Bg5 line in the Najdorf 

NM Caleb Denby


White Against Najdorf


Sicilian Najdorf  Traps and Tactics


Najdorf Game Videos -  (W/ Analysis)


Sicilian Defence: Najdorf   -  232 Video playlist - kingscrusher - This extensive playlist by Kingscrusher offers a treasure trove of Najdorf games for your viewing pleasure.


Kasparov's Masterpiece in Sicilian Najdorf  -  14 min  - GM Igor Smirnov

Kasparov CRUSHES 😲 Anand with the Sicilian Najdorf (Anand vs Garry Kasparov) - 33 Min

The Deadly Najdorf in 2021 | Understanding Practical Chess - FM Thalia Cervantes - 53 Min tours games from the online 2021 Magnus Carlsen Invitational where the Najdorf was played.

 Anish Giri teaches the Sicilian Najdorf  - 2hr  - Chessbase india   Nice Video in Playlist - How did his lines impact the final standings of Tata Steel Masters 2021? In this video we discuss all the Najdorf games from the tournament with the man himself.

 Najdorf by Dorsa | Chess Openings Explained - IM Dorsa Derakhshani - 52 min - shares two of her Najdorf games against fellow Saint Louis University students Benjamin Bok and Robby Kevlishvili.

A painting of a giant Bishop on a frozen lake high in the Mountains.
"The hardest game to win is a won game." - José Raúl Capablanca

  

Saturday, March 18, 2023

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



Demystifying the Marshall Gambit:
A Comprehensive Guide


 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.

Elevate your chess game with this animated demonstration of the Marshall Gambit. Explore the nuances of this aggressive opening and learn how to dominate the board with calculated moves and strategic finesse.



Marshall Gambit Articles 

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


 


Marshall Gambit LiChess Studies

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




Games Databases

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

 

365Chess.com


Chessgames.com


Chess Tempo



Marshall Gambit Video Lessons

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



Tactics and Traps


Marshall Gambit Game Videos (Analyzed)


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

Image of the Ruy lopez Marshal Attack set up on a chess Board painted with acrylics.
"Chess is a sea of troubles, and victory is merely a postponement of the shipwreck."
 - Savielly Tartakower

 

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Evaluating a Chess Position - Chess Strategy

 

A classic painting depicting the Scales of Justice, with one pan replaced by a black and white chessboard. Black Bishop and White Knight face each other across the board, flanked by Kings and Pawns (one side), Kings and Rooks (other side). Symbolic representation of strategic balance in pursuit of justice.
"The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions." - Confucius

Beyond Material:
 Demystifying Chess Position Evaluation

Chess evaluation is the art of dissecting a chess position to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each player. It goes beyond simply counting pieces – it's about analyzing factors like pawn structure, piece mobility, king safety, and potential plans. By mastering evaluation, you'll gain the confidence to make informed decisions throughout the game, ultimately leading to stronger chess strategy and more wins.

This guide brings together a wealth of FREE resources to help you elevate your chess evaluation skills. We'll explore articles, interactive studies, puzzles, and video lessons created by experienced chess instructors, including Grandmasters (GMs) and International Masters (IMs). You'll learn:

  • The key factors that contribute to a strong position
  • How to systematically analyze a chessboard
  • Practical tips and techniques to improve your evaluation skills

Let's dive into the treasure trove of resources and unlock your potential as a chess player!



 Books & Courses (Free)


Chessable Courses

  • The Art of Analysis - ICCF Master - 55 Variations - Introduces you to his simple 8-step method for independent analysis. The same type of analysis you carry out when playing and reviewing your games.



Internet Archive

 


Chess Evaluation Articles



Evaluation LiChess Studies

 


Evaluation Video Lessons


Evaluating Positions & Creating Plans - IM Irina Krush - 2013.10.16 - 46 Min Presents an intermediate-level lecture at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.

Evaluate 📝 Chess Positions Immediately! - IM Lilov [Free Training] - 55 MinLearn to understand what is happening in the chessboard. Knowing which pieces are active and which are passive and what the important weaknesses in the position are (to exploit and to defend) is the first and most important step in creating a winning plan.
Chess Strategy Mastery 🎓 How To Evaluate a Chess Position - GM Bryan Smith (The Chess World) - 47 Min - GM Bryan Smith analyzes a number of games in order to teach this crucial skill in chess strategy.
Get Better at Chess Evaluation And Chess Strategy with GM Damian Lemos! - 36 Min - Talks about the static and dynamic elements of a chess position.

The Amateur's Mind - The secrets of evaluating - 27 Min - IM Andreas Toth I am discussing a few positions and the evaluating techniques that help you to be able to better assess them!
The Amateur's Mind 18 - Decision making and assessment in chess - 52 min - IM Andreas TothA discussion about evaluation, preparation and analytical thinking in chess - with examples from both student games, as well as one of my own.

How to Evaluate Chess Positions? Ft. Magnus Carlsen - 13 Min - Remote Chess Academy GM Igor Smirnov will teach you how to evaluate any chess position easily within seconds with the example of the world champion Magnus Carlsen's games.

How To Evaluate ANY Chess Position - 23 Min - Gotham Chess A chess lesson for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. A good strategy to evaluate a chess position in 4 easy steps! Video below



NM Dan Heisman

  • Chess Evaluation Criteria - Who is better, how much & why? - 30 min - NM Dan Heisman - Ddefines evaluation and discusses position vs piece evaluation, static vs dynamic evaluation. It gives the 4 aspects of static position evaluation (material, king safety, piece activity, and pawn structure) and shows 3 examples of evaluating a position.
  • Find Better Chess Moves - Evaluate Like a GM  - 33 min 3 positions from the new book "Evaluate Like a Grandmaster" by GM Perelshteyn and FM Solon & discusses how to analyze the position & takes a stab at evaluation.
  • Improve Chess Evaluation: Not All Bads are Equally Bad - 29 Min - NM Dan Heisman tries to clear up some of these common misconceptions with multiple examples.
  • Evaluating Chess Pieces: Activity and Mobility - 29 Min Defines activity and mobility and breaks mobility down into actual and potential mobility. Then, with the help of several instructive examlpes, he shows how to achieve/measure mobility, and how to differentiate mobility (objective) from activity (subjective).
  • Award Winning Chess Video: The Ways to Make Better Moves - 24 MinTo become a better player you have to make better moves. That means either knowing them (more knowledge about openings, plans, principles etc) or find them (analysis, evaluation) by comparing multiple candidate moves better.

IM Alex Asteneh

IM Alex Astaneh will teach you a method that helps you to evaluate every position by use of a method. You will learn the different factors of the evaluation method and learn how to apply it to any chess position.


Chess.com


 

Futuristic H.H.Geiger Inspired Chess pieces of Alien design