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.

The Perenyi variation of the Sicilian Defense - (Found July 2, 2008 )

The Perenyi variation of the Sicilian Defense is for the brave of heart. I have played it twice in correspondence chess. The first game helped to propel me into the final round of the 10th US Correspondence Chess final round. The other game helped me to win the title.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01292004

Rxh7 sacrifice, part 2 - (Found July 2, 2008 )

In Anand's win against Timman last week at Wijk aan Zee, he used a Rxh7 sacrifice that motivated a look yesterday for similar sacs. In that position, the rook sacrifice was against a Black king on g8 and with a white pawn on g7.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01282004

Rxh7 sacrifice - (Found July 2, 2008 )

In honor of Anand's win at Wijk aan Zee, I searched my database for other examples of the Rxh7 sacrifice that Anand used in his fine win against Timman in round 11. Here are two games that do not quite live up to Anand's style, but they are nonetheless instructive.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01272004

Anand finishes first; Defends his Wijk aan Zee title - (Found July 2, 2008 )

The most interesting game of the final round was Leko's attempt to win. As it turned out, he was lucky in the end to draw as Kramnik almost certainly missed winning chances. Here is the game
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01262004

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

Here are the two very exciting games from round 12. Anand sacrificed a pawn and obtained what seemed like adequate compensation, but Topalov pressed on, using a passed b-pawn to achieve enough pressure to win. Having seen the Anand defeat, Adams just never let up. His victory provide a fine illustration of how to use Nimzovitsch's classic style to achive the full point.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01252004

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

Leko and Anand both won in round 11, but Anand's victory over the hometown favorite Jan Timman was so devastating that it is hard to imagine Leko pulling even.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01242004

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

After a day off, the chess resumed at Wijk aan Zee. Here are all of the round 10 games. The fans must have been disappointed by a quick draw between Anand and Adams, but I was pleased to see that Anand chose the hedgehog structure in a critical game and Adams, who had not developed aggressively against it, agreed rather quickly to a draw. The hedgehog figured in another game in the round, Timman-Kramnik, which also resulted in an uneventful draw.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01232004

Jude Acers' new book - (Found July 2, 2008 )

For 25 years, Jude Acers has graced a sidewalk table in the New Orleans French quarter taking on all challengers, giving chess lessons, analyzing classic games, and providing a perpetual boost for chess. If you are as old as me, you will also recall Jude's letters to Larry Evans during the late 1960s and early 1970s, poking holes in existing theory and advocating an aggressive approach to chess.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01222004

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

I have not presented many draws in the BLOG. Draws have a reputation for being lifeless and boring. Not the following game. Kramnik takes on Anand in yet another English Attack. It would seem that all the GMs are well versed in this opening. The result is fireworks. Kramnik develops a nice mating attack, forcing Anand to counter very quickly. The resources he finds here are simply amazing.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01212004

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

Vishy Anand bolstered his first place position at Wijk aan Zee with another fine attack, this time defeating Evgeny Bareev in fine style. Leko also won, defeating Bologan in a complex, tense game. Michael Adams also kept up the pace with a fine victory over Vladimir Kramnik.
http://www.queensac.com/chessblogjan2004.html#chessblog01202004