Chess is Fun Chess BLOGA daily chess blog featuring chess lessons, chess instruction, instructive games, great players, lessons on openings, middlegame strategy, endgames, and great games.Queen's Excursion- (Found July 2, 2008 ) For the newcomers, a quick look at the danger of bringing out your queen too early. I remember when, as a beginner, my father showed me a quick mate with 1.e4, 2.Bc4, 3.Qh5 or Qf3 and 4.Qxf7 If only it were always that easy.http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01062004 Sousse INterzonal, 1967- (Found July 2, 2008 ) In October, 1967, Bobby Fischer took part in the Sousse Interzonal that would decide the Tigran Petrosian's 1969 challenger. Fischer got off to a great start, producing marvelous chess, but he began to complain about the playing schedule and the lighting conditions. The organizers tried to accommodate Fischer's demands, at first with more lamps and by offering all of the players additional off-days.http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01052004 The Gunderam Defense- (Found July 2, 2008 ) One of the first requests on the message board was for coverage of what I have called the Gunderam Defense: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Qe7. The poster recognized that it's not the best opening, but it certainly would surprise most opponents. I confess that I have never personally faced it.http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01042004 Bishop v Knight- (Found July 2, 2008 ) Do you have a strong preference for the bishop or the knight Modern players know that the bishop excels in the open games while the knight is preferred in closed positions. Chigorin was an advocate for the knights. Steinitz was among the first to reveal the science of the two bishops.http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01032004 Mt Great Predecessors, vol 1- (Found July 2, 2008 ) Great chess players write great chess books. The latest addition may become the greatest of all, Garry Kasparov's My Great Predecessors. The first volume features the play of the first four world champions, Wilhelm Steinitz, Emanuel Lasker, Jose Capablanca, and Alexander Alekhine.http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01022004 Corus Wijk aan Zee- (Found July 2, 2008 ) More exciting chess today at Wijk aan Zee. Here are all the games in round 4. Five games were decisive, and some very hard-fought chess. I feel badly for Timman, who is struggling to stay up with the field. I caught up with two of the games. Against Akopian, Topalov demonstrated that white has winning chances in the Classical Caro-Kann by exchanging off the major pieces. Can it really be that easy, or is just a great player making it look easyhttp://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01152004 Corus Wijk aan Zee- (Found July 2, 2008 ) This morning, the focus was on the Anand endgame, Adams nice combination, and a careful set of eyes on the Leko-Akopian match. Here are all the games from round 6, and here are some of the highlights:http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01172004 Corus Wijk aan Zee- (Found July 2, 2008 ) Round 7 at Wijk aan Zee produced more exciting chess. Bologan and Shirov demonstrated solid endgame technique in their triumphs over Sololov and Timman. But two other games stole the show! In the first game, Anand completely outplayed Zhang Zhong in a closed Sicilian. I'm especially fond of his early aggressiveness with ...b5 and the powerful ways in which he safely opened the position while safeguarding his king.http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01182004 Stone Wall pawn structure- (Found July 2, 2008 ) The Stonewall structure in chess carries many clues for the fight that will ensue. Here's the basic diagramhttp://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01312004 Lolli's Mate- (Found July 2, 2008 ) Another tactical theme today. By exploring this small set of briefly annotated games, you'll get a good apprecation for Lolli's mate. Here's the basic patternhttp://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01302004 |