Chess is Fun Chess BLOG

A daily chess blog featuring chess lessons, chess instruction, instructive games, great players, lessons on openings, middlegame strategy, endgames, and great games.

San Remo, 1930 - (Found July 2, 2008 )

In 1930, Alexandre Alekhine dominated the strong international tournament in San Remo, Italy. Capablanca declined his invitation (he was completing a book), but here were Nimzovitsch, Rubenstein, Bogolubov, Yates, Tartakower, Colle, and Kmoch.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogfeb2004.html#chessblog02022004

A Dragon trap - (Found July 2, 2008 )

Most opening traps catch only the occasional beginner. Here's one that's caught more than its share of experts and masters. In the main line of the Sicilian Dragon, white has an interesting choice on move 9. Most GMs including Kasparov and Anand favor 9.Bc4. Karpov often played 9.g4. I prefer 9.0-0-0. I know... who am I compared with that crowd, but the fact is, 0-0-0 has a nice sting.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogfeb2004.html#chessblog02012004

Corus Wijk aan Zee - (Found July 2, 2008 )

And here's the win, a very quick blowout by Svidler (who now joins Anand and Leko in the lead) after a series of dubious moves by Bareev.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01142004

Two games from Ljubojevic - (Found July 2, 2008 )

During the 1980's, Ljubojevic reached as high as 3 in the chess rankings, but that doesn't tell the story. His chess does. Wonderful attacks, original ideas, awesome energy over the board.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01132004

Corus Wijk aan Zee - (Found July 2, 2008 )

After Akopian's win yesterday, I focused upon his game today against Anand. A similar opening, though today, Akopian played Black. Another theoretical contest, and another exciting finish. A triumph in the end for Anand, who ties for first after two rounds with the win.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01122004

Corus Wijk aan Zee - (Found July 2, 2008 )

One of the most important chess events of the year is now under way at Wijk aan Zee in the Netherlands. Competitors include Kramnik, Shirov, Anand, Adams, Leko, Bareev, Topalov, Sokolov, Svidler, and Timman.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01112004

Caro Kann line - (Found July 2, 2008 )

The question of the day Help was need in a variation of the advanced Caro Kann. I don't recommend the opening for all my students, but Aviv and Arik have played it for some time and adore it. But what to do if white tries a quick g4 push in the advanced variation. As it turns out, its a significantly bad move.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01102004

From Russia with Love - (Found July 2, 2008 )

I had planned tonight to devote my further BLOG efforts to one of these games (maybe tomorrow), but I turned on a Bond Movie, From Russia with Love. At the beginning of the movie is a scene from an international chess tournament, and a clear position on the board. The player with white, a bad guy from SPECTER, receives a note telling him that he's needed at once. So he pulls of a quick combination to end the game.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01092004

Bent Larse's Games of Chess - (Found July 2, 2008 )

In a great chess career that lasts to this day, Larsen combined positional understanding, tactical genius, and a willingness to try new ideas. Such is the nature of the book, with many experiments and thoughtful strategies. Larsen's 1970 book is now well out-of-print, but Larsen has a new book, My Best Games of Chess just out.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01082004

Endgame Strategy - (Found July 2, 2008 )

If the best way to master chess is to play through games, it can also be said that the best way to master the endgame is to play through them. But it sure is nice to have a guide. M. Shereshevsky's Endgame Strategy provides a wonderful collection of real life examples organized in thematic chapters with titles such as: "Do not hurry!" and "The principle of the two weaknesses."
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01072004