Thursday, April 9, 2009

Ken Smith’s Chess Improvement Course

This used to be in the back of Ken Smith’s Chess Digest book catalog.

Behind a door that many, if not most will never look, is Romantic chess. This Romantic chess starts with the opening or defense. For example:

White will play the King’s Gambit, Vienna Gambit, BDG, Scotch Gambit, Danish-Goring Gambit, or the Evan’s Gambit, and there are more.

Black will play the Albin-Counter Gambit, Henning-Schara Gambit, Englund Gambit, Latvian, Elephant and many more.

The ones playing gambits are examining the Romantic side of chess beyond a closed door.

HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY LIVE YOUR CHESS LIFE LOOKING AT A DOOR AND NOT OPEN IT??

Here's A Chess Player Who Opened The Door

“I just want to say `thanks’ for your guidance through the years from the days in the 70’s with Chess Digest and your chess course today. Your chess course works!!! In the early 80’s I used to dig into the out-of-print copies of Chess Digest for inspiration. I first picked up a couple of your books when I was fourteen and had just played in a couple of tournaments. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it is not just reading good books, but the sequence and pattern of improvement that you recommended that made the difference over the long run.

I learned to appreciate the great players of the past and played gambits (Smith-Morra, Von Henning Schara, Latvian, among many). Gambit play was great as I was improving from Unrated up to Expert. These games were exciting and your opening monographs provided easy-to-understand preparation to ambush higher rated oppo­nents on the way up. By working a lot of tactics books and studying attacking players, there were fewer surprises when I switched to semi-open games. After another couple of years I crossed over 2200 with the English, Sicilian and Benko Gambits.

Your encouragement and patient teaching style helped this very average player climb the ranks to stay. I’ve been over 2200 now for over fourteen years and hundreds of games. It takes time and the mixture of study and play - but your methods work!!!”

USCF Life Master,

Mike Richards

You will need an aggressive desire to WIN !!!

Psyching yourself up prior to playing puts you in an aggressive frame of mind. In most fields of competition, aggression is a virtue. Chess is a game to be played with an aggressive mentality.

Grandmaster Portisch takes a walk before each round to clear his mind and prepare himself mentally for the coming game. He works on his intensity in that way.

When Bobby Fischer was late for most of his games, he was taking a little extra time in his hotel room preparing mentally for the game. He also thought it might psyche out or disturb his opponent. Whether it did or not did not matter, he believed it would.

What is it that winning players have that sets them apart? I think that chess involves more than just knowing the game. What winners have that sets them apart from other knowledgeable players is intensity.

Have you ever watched Jack Nicklaus’ eyes during a putt? Mike Tyson’s just before a fight? Earl Anthony’s over a bowling shot? Something special is going on behind those eyes, something that translates into the success that each of these players has had in his given field. They are in tune with what they are doing; they’re focused, and they exclude all else from their minds. Totally absorbed in what they are doing, they operate at a higher level.

This intensity and focus also is a characteristic of winning chess players. Many people know how to play and what to do in certain situations, yet they have difficulty applying that knowledge consistently at the board. Emotions take control of them. Focus and concentration are intermittent at best. Even some of the world’s technically and intellectually best players remain stagnate most of the time due to flaws in this area. Lack of intensity can be fatal.

You need to get psyched up within your own mind. Get your competitive juices flowing. Get your ego involved -although it also is important to keep it under control Heighten your sense of awareness. Get your animal instincts involved. You will be amazed at the level of focus and awareness that you can condition your mind to develop.

When you truly focus your energies and apply your concentration, you will see more, and will develop a sense of feel. By definition, instincts are something with which we are born - but they also are honed with practice, sharpened by con­centration, and developed over the course of many similar trials in your games.

"First comes your basics: Play and Study, then Study and Play followed by Play and Study, then Study and Play. Second, develop the mentality of always trying your best - don’t give up!"

Intensity!! Intensity!!

Are You Still Here????

In the next couple of pages you will find recommended opening and defensive systems for each class of players. You will learn forcing systems that you can know as good as anyone in the world. Then as you reach high Class A or Expert, start playing the dynamic 1 e4 and maybe, if you choose, answering 1 e4 with 1...e5. but there is recent grandmaster opinion, due to faster speed limits, you should start a little earlier. Maybe a high Class B or when you reach low Class A.

In GM Soltis' 1995 re­vised Giuoco Piano and the Max Lange, he writes: "As the tempo of tournament chess speeds up, the ranks of players are being divided into two opposing camps based on how they approach the opening. One camp holds that in faster games, the priority should be on reaching a playable middle­game position as fast as possible - even if that risks a failure to obtain an edge for White or obtaining a small but clear disadvantage as Black. For example, the elastic series of hypermodern moves (1 Nf3, 2 g3, 3 Bg2, 4 0-0 and 5 d3/6 e4 or 5 b3/6 Bb2) is not likely to get you a plus-over-minus advantage. It's not likely to get you a plus over anything against a player of about the same rating unless you're both beginners. But it won't get you the worst of it in the six or seven seconds it may take to play those moves. The other school argues that chess is chess. This way of thinking maintains that you should always try to find the best move in a position. The most challenging move in the starting position is, by most accounts 1 e4. The most resistant answer is, arguably, 1...e5"-Soltis.

I Believe…..

"It is my belief that chess is an amazingly accurate model for many situations in life. The strategies, the competition and the challenges of living.

In 1994 Nobel Prize for Economics was awarded to three mathematicians for their work on game theory, largely based on the study of such games as chess (and poker)"…..Ken Smith.

Game theory is a mathematical model of hu­man behavior that analyses how people make decisions in competitive situations. One of the three Nobel Prize winners, John Harsanji, was asked to join a group of ten game theorists to advise the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency on tactics. Harsanyi said, "Game theory has become a significant tool for analyzing real life conflicts."

MY PERSONAL OPENINGS AND DEFENSES

Hey - don't knock 'em until you've tried 'em

This little essay on my personal openings and defenses is for players above the rating of 1799 that have mastered tactics and the endgame. Beginners and novices should have simple forcing openings. A little stronger players can go for the King's Indian Attack. I give you those suggestions in the following pages under "1599 and below" and "1799 and below". Then also you might prefer positional openings. These come to me only in my declining years. My FIDE rating is 2365.

If you are going to play my Black defensive system, you must have mastered tactics and have a positive attitude and the ability to draw anyone a pawn down in the endgame. This has been the secret of my chess success. Along with a strong White opening based on gambits and confidence in a Black defensive system with a gambit or an active variation of the Slav Defense. I have always had a strong, strong opening and defensive system that I know as well as anyone in the world. Then fake the middlegame followed by endgame mastery. This plan may not be for you. If not, read the next page and pick one for yourself.

As Black against the English Opening 1 c4, I play 1...e6, then on 2 Nc3 play 2...d5 forcing the game into a Reti or a Queen's Gambit. Get a Reti book and learn one line you like for Black. For other Flank Openings like the King's Indian Attack, Birds 1 f4, or Sokolsky's 1 b4, you must have C-1419 Winning Against Flank Openings-Tangborn. $12.15.

Against the Queen's Gambit, I always try to play the Schara-Henning Gambit 1 d4, d5 2 c4, e6 3 Nc3, c5 4 cxd5, cxd4 which I wrote a book about (C-1541 $13.95).. I have never lost with this gambit - only wins and draws. The last illustrated game is where I played it against GM Robert Byrne (Buckeye Open, Toledo, Ohio 1964). Everyone was gathered around the board to see me lose. Not so - it was a draw with great theoretical values. Most players will not let me play it by playing 3 Nf3 (1 d4, d5 2 c4, e6 3 Nf3). Then I go into a Slav Defense Note­boom Variation (my favorite) or a Semi-Slav if they will not let me play the Note­boom (they play an early White e3). Also note if White plays 4 e3 or 4 Nf3 instead of 4 cxd5, you must be ready to enter a Tarrasch Defense.

Against 1 e4, my reply has always 1...c5 the Sicilian Defense Scheveningen Variation. Get the book C-1558 The Sicilian Scheveningen For Black -Soltis $14.85 (1995) on this variation. Before you can get into the Scheveningen, you need to know what to do against the anti-Sicilians on move 2. You must have C-1442 Beating The Anti-Sicilian-Gallagher $26.45 and C-1460 Trends in The Anti-Sicilian $7.95

In my early years, if I knew White was going to play 1 e4, e5 2 Nf3, the Latvian Gambit 2...f5 was my choice. Usually I played this against weaker players to get a quick win as Black.

My White opening system has served me for 47 years. Now I am going to give you that system. You can copy it or use it as an example for your system. Is it for you? Unless you have taken my advice and concentrate on tactics and the art of attack, you will not be successful (you will not be successful quickly, period).

Your first move is 1 e4. Against 1...e5 you will play 2 d4 after 2...exd4 play 2 Nf3. From this position you will go either into the Goring Gambit, Scotch Gambit or Max Lange Attack. Choose one.

Against 1...c5 play my Smith-Morra Gambit, vs 1...c6 play Advance Variation or Blackmar Diemer Gambit (1 e4, c6 2 d4, d5 3 Nc3, dxe4 4 f3), French 1...e6 play the Advance Variation either the gambit line or regular advance lines, vs Alekhine 1...Nf6 the King's Indian Attack, against 1...d5 just learn a main line against the Center Counter, and when Black plays the Pirc/Modern, you are on your own as these are the hardest for me to meet.

"I can read your mind - you are trying to wimp out and grab your computer. Put it on the top shelf of your closet. You won't need it for a long time! This is a war of the mind - best man wins !!! "

Okay - you have a few questions……

There are two things that overpower most players when learning their opening and defensive system. Let's discuss some of the questions for help that cross my desk.

Question: Most opening books have so much mate­rial that I can never seem to learn enough of it. Can you help?

Answer: The first thing you do is turn to the Index and/or Table of Contents. You play through the moves over and over, then over again until you learn what the variations are. You learn the variations before you tackle the analysis. If a Table of Contents does not give the moves you need, go to each chapter and just learn the variation. After you have mastered the variations, play over only the main line moves in each chapter. Again - repetition is the key - again and again. After the main lines are retained in your mind, start to tackle the notes.

Question: Why can't I ever learn a com­plete White Opening System or a complete Black De­fensive System?

Answer: There are probably two problems: (a) You don't start out with a complete system and (b) When you run into a variation you can't solve with a White plus or Black equal or can't learn how to play, you give up, and maybe give up on the complete opening or defense.

To solve (a) get a complete repertoire book for White and one for Black. Turn to repertoire books in this catalog and pick one for each side. You are not going to like some of the variations suggested - that does not matter. Learn what you are given, then and only then, change to something you like better. The secret is to learn a complete one - do you hear me? - a complete one - then and only then slip in your changes.

To solve (b) be realistic. You are going to run into a variation you don't like. You are going to have your opening or defense fall out of favor. Grandmasters have that problem all the time. They play an opening or defense until they fear their opponent is well prepared for that particular one. Then they drop it until it is "hopefully" forgotten. But they usually go back to it since every major opening or defense is good. You do not have that problem. Pick one, I assure you it is good. Stay with it until you learn it. Don't let one or two problems in that variation stop you. Learn the best that variation has to offer and let stand a slight disadvantage as Black or equal when you are White. Research until you are complete.

Question: How can I learn all that I have to learn about chess? I already feel overwhelmed.

Answer: These feelings are normal for beginners, but strong players have them as well.

I am going to tell you a secret and it is simple: Just play, lose a lot, win a few and study a little THEN, as if by magic, chess will start coming to you.

Be proud of your accomplishments within your class. You are just as much a hero when you do well with players your own strength. Then when you add a few points to that rating with a balanced study program, you are MY hero.

Give yourself a chance, master tactics. Make combination study your priority. In chess opportunity does not knock once, it's knocking all the time. You must learn to take advantage of it when it is there. Keep a book on combinations by the bed in your car, even in the throne room. Become a destroyer.

Hold on …..we're going for the ride….. This is where you come in……

ARTISTRY SERIES

(Yes Marvin - It is in Descriptive. Stop whimpering and study it anyway!)

Everyone has tactical weaknesses. It's what you do about them that counts. This series will make sure you are exposed to all the basics of checkmates, endgames, middlegames and combinations. To make sure you like this series, start with F-54 Theme Artistry.

D-25 MIDDLEGAME ARTISTRY-750 dia­grams to challenge you. 300 pages. $19.95. Descriptive, paperback.

F-54 THEME ARTISTRY-654 combinations to learn themes as you solve. 308 pages. $19.95. Descriptive, paperback.

J-77 ENDGAME ARTISTRY-664 diagrams to make you study the tactics of the endgame. 300 pages. $19.95. Descriptive, paperback.

J-87 PAWN ARTISTRY-734 pawn positions you must know. 308 pages. $19.95 Descriptive, paper

J-74 CHECKMATE ARTISTRY-615 diagrams to teach you forced mates. 304 pages. $19.95. Descriptive, paperback.

When you finish with all five, I will know you have the basics. You must have the basics! Don't go on without them!

I am talking directly to you - to no one else when I say: you will never let your creativity come to a standstill and with each game you will try to perform beyond expectation.

It gets better….

I will now take the "Chess Pledge" and promise….

It's unbelievable!

It's a shame!!

Watching row after row of tournament players I realize how badly, repeat - how badly - nearly every player was playing his White opening or his Black defense. With just a little study time, you can realize a difference

Make these promises to yourself:

1) "I will learn one White opening and know it as well as anyone in the world! My White repertoire will answer any defense Black can play!"

2) "I will have a Black defense to anything White can throw at me. Of course White will get the small advantage due him with the first move, but my choice will have counter-chances."

Remember you can not pick a wrong opening or defense -- all the major ones are good. It is just that they come and go because of the trend set by the Masters. They play one for awhile, then when they think their opponents have prepared, another one is brought forward. You can always be certain that they will go back to the original opening or defense after they think others have forgotten it. You have no such problem -- worrying about "trends". Make a decision and stay with it.

"Still with me Bucky……??…"

A beginning golfer doesn't come out swinging with Arnold Palmer, nor does an amateur boxer slug it out with Mike Tyson. Yet we expect a novice chess player to play in a tournament with strong players, even masters. After losing time after time, many new players drop by the wayside. Little do they realize that with a modest study program and continued play, a miracle will happen - ALL OF A SUDDEN, AS IF BY MAGIC, CHESS WILL START COMING TO HIM AND HE WILL START TO WIN IN HIS CLASS. That is what is important, the exultation of victory, no matter what your playing strength. You will gradually edge upward. Follow my instructions below and you will be a winner - even when you lose - every time you sit down to play.

No matter your strength, from beginner to master, no matter your age, ten to ninety, I want you to be a threat to anyone you play. This requires study.

Here's some tips from IM Nigel Davies (Pergamon Chess) for making studying more effective:

a) Break the work up into periods of half an hour to 40 minutes: it is difficult to maintain concentration for longer than this.

b) At the end of each period, have a 10-15 minute break. Make a drink, listen to some music, or get some fresh air.

c) Make sure there are no interruptions or disturbances, earplugs might be useful! Before you start work, make sure you have all the information you need in front of you.

"I'VE BEEN "HUNG OUT TO DRY" BY SOME OF THE BEST ………!!!"

When Grandmasters put me on the carpet with the following reflections and recommendations, I urge you to pay close attention:

(1) Keep emphasizing "tactics". This part of chess will overcome a bad opening, a poor middle­game and lack of endgame knowledge. Only until you reach "Expert" can you stop devouring everything on combinations and tactics. You put fear into your opponent when you are known as not letting anyone escape.

(2) Every chess book should be saved and gone over a second time. There was no consensus of how much time between readings. Only that you be at a different level of strength. There must be a balance between this study and play.

(3) Be exposed to different authors -- even on the same subject -- even on the same variation of an opening.

(4) Master a complete White opening system and a complete Black defensive system. It does not matter what they are---a complete simple one is better than an incomplete superior one.

Since this course in improving your chess was first written some years ago, there have been some important changes. First, many of the books I recommended have gone out of print, second new books have been printed, and third, in working with pupils and getting feedback from readers, I have found that not enough "intermediate" books were recommended. The "heavy" material was giv­en too early for the lower rated players to comprehend. My suggestion to them, and now to you, is to save every chess book you buy & study it each rating jump of 200 points. At a higher level you will pick up, as well as review, all the essential material. Your comprehension improves as you improve.

If you aren't at least a "high Class A Player…..this news is for you…..!

Until you are at least a high Class A player:

Your first name is "Tactics", your middle name is "Tactics", and your last name is "Tactics". You can overcome a weak opening and be so far ahead in material that the endgame is mopping up.

I demand that you get every book on tactics and combinations that you can afford and study it as if your life depended on it!

Also, there is nothing like a complete game to school you in these tactics as well as the rest of the elements of chess.

The expression of chess talent--of chess progress--goes over a series of hills as you develop and grow towards being a better player. Some players are too slow getting over the first hill; then of course, all players eventually reach that slope of a chess hill they can no longer climb. The very essence of quick chess progress is what you study and in the order that you study it, in relation to your playing strength at that time. We want no "glitches". Those that have all the basics will not only improve faster, they will overtake and pass the ones that left out an important book.

Remember these truths--for they apply to you like no others:

(1) CHESS REQUIRES TOTAL CONCENTRATION. Don't use just a fraction of your energy and clock time - keep your mind completely on the game. Play to win because no one is interested in excuses when you lose.

(2) COMBINE STUDY WITH PLAY. An unbalanced program will stifle development even in a genius.

(3) RECORD YOUR GAMES, EVEN YOUR SKIDDLES. Later, try to find where you made your mistakes. Loses should be concentrated on even more than your wins!

(4) STUDY AND MASTERY OF THE OPENINGS COME IN THIS ORDER: A) Forcing Opening and Defenses, B) Basic Opening System, C) Add Gambits, D) Sharp critical lines - the so-called "long variations", and E) Evolution to closed lines, if this suits your style.

(5) MAKE MY FOLLOWING BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS A MINIMUM BASIS TO BUILD ON. There is no one best book as there is no one worthless book. You must learn to take a little from each book, hopefully learning to recognize the best from each.

Ready - Set Go !!!!

Here comes the path to follow -

I am your biggest fan !!!!

Follow the steps……great men have gone before you!

BEGINNERS

There are many books that will teach the moves and rules. There are a few that give the moves, rules, mates and basic pointers to get you out of the beginner stage. In this second group I recommend these in algebraic books:

A-15 CHESS PROBLEMS FOR BEGINNERS-Reinfeld $7.00

A-50 CHESS FROM SQUARE ONE-GM Tony Miles $11.95

A-58 101 QUESTIONS ON HOW TO PLAY CHESS-Fred Wilson $1.00

A-59 CHESS BASICS-Nigel Short $9.50

A-60 FIRST STEPS IN CHESS-Walker. $14.35

A-67 LESSONS IN CHESS-Gary Kasparov $$17.95

NOVICE TO CLASS E & D

(1399 and Below)

There is a question if players between 1000 and 1399 had to take the tests given in the above books? Would they pass? Most of the time the answer would be, no. Those that I have tested had large holes in their chess knowledge. If you can pass and assure me that you have all those important "basics", then and only then do I say "go on"!.

There is a doubt if you are ready to move into manuals, even basic manuals, unless you can score well in the positions covered by these books. Leave out a couple, maybe the most expensive:

A-47 BEGINNING CHESS 300 ELEMEN­TARY PROBLEMS-Pandofini. $10.80

E-173 BATSFORD BOOK OF CHESS-Wade. $23.70 (clothbound)

F-67 TACTICAL CHESS EXCHANGES-Nesis. $16.10

F-90 THE CHESS TACTICS WORKBOOK-Al Woolum $10.80

Then add a classic manual to the list

CLASSIC MANUALS

Now you should be ready for at least four of the five titles listed below:

E-246 MODERN CHESS LESSONS-Tangborn. $13.00. Algebraic.

E-203 BEST LESSONS OF A CHESS COACH-Weeramantry $12.60

E-215 THINKER’S CHESS-Gerzadowctz $17.20

E-239 HYPERMODERN STRATEGY-van Reek.. $14.85. Algebraic.

E-219 CRASH COURSE IN CHESS-Lin & SSchepel $14.95

CLASS C-1599 AND BELOW

J-128 ESSENTIAL CHESS ENDINGS EXPLAINED MOVE BY MOVE Vol 1 NOVICE THRU INTERMEDIATE-IM Jeremy Sil­man (1992 Revised ed). $14.85. 221 pages, al­ge­braic. The best ending book in print.

E-258 STRATEGIC CHESS: MASTERING THE CLOSED-Mednis $16.95

E-3132 THE AMATEUR'S MIND-Silman. $17.95

B-142 THE DYNAMICS OF CHESS PSYCHOLOGY $14.95

E-220 CHESS TRAINING-IM Nigel Poval $16.15

F-135 ATTACK WITH GM JULIAN HODGSON-GM Hodgson

E-241 101 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CHESS-GM Kosten $14.40

NOW

CHOOSE TWO GREAT PLAYERS - JUST TWO - AT THIS TIME! You can choose from either the "Game Collection" or "Biographical" section. (See catalog or website for choices). Play over EVERY GAME. I want you to identify a little with a Tal, Alekhine, Fischer, Capablanca, Kasparov, Morphy, Karpov, Keres, Seirawan, etc. Pick one living Master and one of the dead greats to become familiar with. I want you to have someone to talk about, argue about, and above all, learn and enjoy from his chess!. Some books will expose you to several players, Try H-80 15 GAMES AND THEIR STORIES-Botvinnik $6.50 or H-138 CHESS INFORMANT BEST GOLDEN GAMES $16.95

If you don't have time for two, then pick one player. I suggest G-261 VISHY ANAND CHESS SUPER TALENT-IM Norwood. $17.25, G-251 GATA KAMSKY CHESS GENIUS!-Gordon $14.85 or G-185 PETROSIAN’S LEGACY $12.95

YOUR OPENING AS WHITE

(1599 and below)

A simple forcing opening is the order of the day. Therein lies a problem, most books may be far advanced for you to master - so you must compromise. The way to do that is just to play over the main lines (skipping the notes) time & time again until you absorb the ideas. Pick one of the following: simple openings:

C-1628 BIRD-LARSEN ATTACK $14.85

C-1152 WHITE OPENING SYSTEM COM­BINING STONEWALL ATTACK, COLLE SYSTEM, TORRE ATTACK $14.85. (A).

C-1218 STONEWALL ATTACK (A) $14.85

C-937 DYNAMIC WHITE OPEN­INGS-Hard­ing. $12.85. That looks at 1 b4!, 1 Nc3! and 1 g4!.

C-2055 COLLE SYSTEM: KOLTANOWSKI VARIATION $14.85

YOUR DEFENSE AS BLACK

(1599 and below)

Choose one: (They answer any White move)

C-1420 WINNING WITH THE ENGLISH DEFENSE-Soltis $14.85

1776 A BLACK DEFENSIVE SYSTEM FOR THE REST OF YOUR CHESS CAREER-Soltis. $14.85

CLASS B-1799 AND BELOW:

When you reach close to 1800 is where the men will be separated from the boys. Here's where you lay the foundation to go on to mastership.

You are now ready to move ahead of those that have a higher rating than you do by making this course of books to study your priority. Do not miss one - for there is no reason to leave a gap in your knowledge.

Those that have missed any book I have previously recommended are taking the chance of leaving a gap in their chess understanding that they may never recover from. You must have the correct basis to move on quickly.

D-36 COMBINATIONS IN THE MIDDLEGAME Theory and Exercises (a) $13.50

J-65 MAKING CHESS ENDINGS EASY TO STUDY Vol 1 - Ken Smith $6.95. Once given the "thinking" tools, there is nothing that separates you from endgame mastership except consistency. Here I teach you ideas, visualization, and make it fun with challenges. Enough diagrams so that board and men are not necessary.

E-201 HOW TO REASSES YOUR CHESS-Silman (1994 Revised) 402 pages. $15.40

D-35 TEST YOUR OPENING, MIDDLEGAME, AND ENDGAME PLAY-Smith & DeVault $14.85

E-142 TEST AND IMPROVE YOUR CHESS-Alburt $12.30

E-244 CHESS IMPROVING AND STAYING SHARP-IM Tangborn $13.90

E-255 SEARCH FOR CHESS PERFECTION-Purdy $19.80

E-174 HOW TO GET BETTER AT CHESS-Evans & Silman $15.40.

E-267 WINNING WITH REVERSE CHESS STRATEGY-Reuter. $17.95

NOW - pick one tournament book and go over ONLY THE GAMES OF THE WINNER round by round. By doing so, you will share in their joys and defeats, even the struggles for draws. Take only 10 or 15 minutes per game. You are after quantity - the players will give you quality. It doesn't matter if a game is unannotated, for you just to question is more important right now than the answer. Every once in a while, pick another tournament and do the same thing. You will find tournaments books in the catalog or online at www.ChessDigest.com.

YOUR OPENINGS AS WHITE

(1799 and below)

You should have already chosen a forcing White opening. If you have not, then do so. It is very important to have one opening that you know as well as anyone in the world. You will still be able to use it throughout your career, even after you become a Master. Choose and know one of these openings (at this strength, you have more choices):

C-1531 ROAD TO EXPERT TITLE $12.15

C-2075 COLLE SYSTEM ZUKERTORT VAR­IATION $14.85

C-1422 A WINNING WHITE REPERTOIRE-Tangborn $13.95

C-1443 THE CATALAN-Smith & Hall $13.95

C-1619 HOW TO PLAY TORRE ATT. $15.75

C-1382 THE VERESOV ATTACK-$14.95

C-1540 TROMPOWSKY ATTACK $14.85

We are right on target………..

Understand the one choice you made above is forcing and is YOUR STANDBY - YOUR FALL BACK -YOUR BASIS TO EXPAND FROM. There are other opening worlds to conquer if Mastership is your goal. Therefore:

It's time to experiment, to get your feet wet. You may or may not stay with what you choose at this point. It doesn't matter! The books I am going to recommend to you are easy to comprehend.

Choose one:

C-908 WINNING WITH 1 e4 -Soltis. $11.10

C-1136 WHITE TO PLAY 1 e4 & WIN $14.25

C-999 WINNING WITH 1 c4-Soltis. $12.55.

C-1140 WINNING WITH 1 f4-Soltis $13.00

C-1418 WINNING WITH 1 d4-Soltis $14.85

C-1422 A WINNING WHITE REPERTOIRE-$14.95

And if over 1900:

C-1560 ROAD TO MASTER TITLE $13.95

To diversify early in your career, will give an overview for the hard choices that will come as you grow stronger. You can change variations within the above books as much as you want. The main thing - YOU MUST HAVE AN OPENING BASIS TO BUILD ON.

YOUR DEFENSE AS BLACK

(1799 and below)

Books that will answer your needs (against any White move) against anything:

C-1776 BLACK DEFENSIVE SYSTEM FOR THE REST OF YOUR CHESS CAREER-Soltis $14.85

C-1197 BLACK TO PLAY CLASSICAL DEFENSES & WIN $14.25

C-1323 THE FRANKO-BENONI $14.25

C-1404 THE MODERN DEFENSE $14.25

C-1420 WINNING WITH ENGLISH DE­FENSE-Soltis $14.

(If over 1900, Then)

C-1560 ROAD TO MASTER TITLE $13.95

or (against 1 e4)

C-1292 THE FIGHTING FRENCH $13.95

C-1273 WINNING WITH THE CARO-KANN $15.65

C-1225 WINNING WITH THE PIRC $15.65

C-2074 WINNING WITH THE SICILIAN DEFENSE-Silman (1998) $20.25

or (against 1 d4)

C-1826 KING’S INDIAN DEFENSE YUGO­SLAV VARIATION-Soltis $14.85

C-1326 WINNING WITH THE BENKO GAMBIT $13.95

C-1220 THE BALTIC DEFENSE-Soltis. $13.50

C-1311 LASKER'S DEFENSE TO QUEEN'S GAMBIT $13.95

C-1383 WINNING AGAINST 1 d4 $14.85

C-1419 WINNING AGAINST FLANK OPEN­INGS-Tangborn $12.15

C-1450 QUEEN'S GAMBIT ACCEPTED $14.85

C-1436 THE TCHIGORIN DEFENSE $13.95

C-1506 SLAV: WINAWER COUNTER GAM­BIT $14.25

C-1760 DUTCH FOR THE ATTACKING PLAYER-Pedersen $18.85

Nice going !!! You have come a long way

(but you aren’t there yet!!!)

CLASS A-1999 & BELOW

D-43 MODERN MIDDLEGAME LESSONS $15.95 This is a super book!!

E-145 LESSONS WITH THE MASTERS-Evans & Smith. $12.85, Even Grandmaster Evans learned pointers writing this book.

E-180 STRATEGY FOR ADVANCE PLAYERS-Schiller (1992) $12.45, (A), 135 pages.

F-57 MODERN ART OF ATTACK-Smith & Hall. $12.15. The era of Tal, Fischer & Kasparov.

Now comes an important book to help make you Mr. Tactics. F-66 COMBINATION CHALLENGE - Hays & Hall $16.15

E-175 HOW TO BE A COMPLETE TOURNAMENT PLAYER-Mednis $15.15

J-129 ESSENTIAL CHESS ENDINGS EXPLAINED MOVE BY MOVE Vol 2 INTERMEDIATE THRU MASTER-FM Ken Smith (1992). $15.75 (A). 298 pages. This along with Volume 1 (J-128 $14.85) will take you to endgame master strength.

F-78 CHESS TACTICS FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS-Averbakh. $15.75

J-83 ESSENTIAL ENDINGS FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS-Donaldson $14.25

NOW you are ready for the INFORMANT or NEW IN CHESS series. Start your collection with the latest one in print and add forward; then, backward as you have the money to spend. Here are your instructions for using them: Look up and play over only the games that FIT YOUR OPENING SYSTEM. Don't stop just because a weak move is made, or it comes to a code telling you how the opening has gone - you must play over every move and be exposed to the middlegame and endgame. Repeat, you must play over the complete game.

YOUR OPENING AS WHITE

(1999 and Below)

There is only one move for you to play at this point in your progress AND IT IS 1 e4!. No, not 1 d4 and the Queen's Gambit because as Santasiere said, "It is a piece of dead flesh kept over long on ice .... more the tool of a coward than an adventurer." You will play an open fighting game and take on all defensives - the closed games can come after you have reached your goal

You are strong enough to pick your own system with 1P-K4 (1 e4). But if you want a basis to show you how to do it, get the recommended below book that shows how to beat any defense Black can play:

C-1499 WINNING WITH THE RUY LOPEZ EXCHANGE VAR.-Soltis. $14.85

C-1136 WHITE TO PLAY 1 e4 AND WIN-Schiller. $14.25

C-908 WINNING WITH 1 e4-Soltis. $11.10

C-1158 VIENNA GAME & GAMBIT $14.25

STOP - STOP- STOP - STOP!

Now is the time the boys will be separated from the men. It is the biggest decision you must be willing to make in your chess career. YOU MUST ADD GAMBITS TO YOUR OPENING SYSTEM (Note: I said ADD -NOT GIVE UP your basic system). You must play them, win with them, and lose with them. There is no substitute. Being a pawn down, you will have to dig into each position on each move. You will learn to use that extra space and tempo. You will develop that "killer instinct" and learn to handle open positions - being ready when that closed position will surely become open. Those than cannot stand to lose games and rating points because they are converting to gambit play ARE HOPELESS in my book. Do not cry with them when they are on "that chess hill they can't climb," and do not feel sorry when they start slipping backward. For with the stubbornness and cowardice, they did not play gambit and dug their own chess graves!

Need clues?????????

NOW HOW DO YOU START?

1 e4, e5

C-1626 EVANS GAMBIT & A SYSTEM vs TWO KNIGHTS-Harding. $14.95

C-2194 HOW TO PLAY THE BELGRADE GAMBIT-$14.85

C-1716 THE DYNAMIC PHILIDOR COUNTER GAMBIT-West $15.75

C-1559 EVANS GAMBIT REVOLUTION $14.85 or

C-1626 EVANS GAMBIT AND A SYSTEM VS TWO KNIGHTS-Harding $14.95

C-1189 ROMANTIC KING'S GAMBIT $15.75

C-1406 THE GORING GAMBIT $14.85

C-649 GAMBITS-Estrin. $4.50.

C-1158 THE VIENNA GAME & GAMBIT-Santasiere & Smith $14.25.

C-1159 WINNING WITH THE KING'S GAMBIT Vol 1 ACCEPTED-Soltis. $14.85 and

C-1188 WINNING WITH THE KINGS GAMBIT VOL 2 DECLINED $14.85

C-1314 MAX LANGE ATTACK $14.25

1 d4, d5 or 1 d4, Nf6

C-1609 THE FIGHTING FAJAROWICZ BUDAPEST GAMBIT-Harding $14.95

C-1275 WINNING WITH THE BLACKMAR-DIEMER GAMBIT-Smith & Hall $13.95

C-1332 ENGLUND GAMBIT 1 d4, e5!? $14.25

As Black: The Tarrasch Defense-even one of the gambit lines in the Tarrasch Defense, or

C-1326 WINNING WITH THE BENKO GAMBIT $13.95

C-1506 SLAV DEFENSE-WINAWER COUNTERGAMBIT-Schiller. $14.25

C-1541 HENNIG-SCHARA GAMBIT $13.95

1 e4, c5

C-1424 THE WINGER SICILIAN WING GAMBIT $7.55

C-971 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SMITH -MORRA GAMBIT-Carr. $7.10

C-1294 NEW SICILIAN GAMBITS $14.25

YOUR DEFENSE AS BLACK

(1999 and Below)

Your strength calls for you to have a system against whatever White might play. Since you play Black one-half the time, we can not emphasize enough how IMPORTANT it is to know what to do with the Black pieces. These six books recommended earlier are still the basis for you to build upon against anything!

C-1776 BLACK DEFENSIVE SYSTEM FOR THE REST OF YOUR CAREER-Soltis. $14.85

C-1716 THE DYNAMIC PHILIDOR COUNTER GAMBIT-West. $15.75

C-1404 THE MODERN DEFENSE $14.25

C-1420 WINNING WITH THE ENGLISH DEFENSE-Soltis $14.85

C-1323 THE FRANKO-BENONI-Soltis $14.25

C-1197 BLACK TO PLAY THE CLASSICAL DEFENSES AND WIN $14.25

Get these books and take a little from each.

OR.......

AGAINST 1 e4: (Pick One)

C-2074 WINNING WITH THE SICILIAN DEFENSE-Silman (1998) $20.25

C-1558 SICILIAN SCHEVENIGEN FOR BLACK $14.85

C-1421 WINNING AGAINST 1 e4 $14.25

C-1292 THE FIGHTING FRENCH-Soltis $13.95

C-1344 CARO KANN IN BLACK & WHITE . $22.45

C-1225 WINNING WITH THE PIRC DEFENSE-Smith & Hall $13.95

AGAINST 1 d4, 1 c4, 1 Nf3 PLAY

C-1826 KING’S INDIAN DEFENSE YUGO­SLAV VARIATION - Soltis $14.85

C-1436 THE TCHIGORIN DEFENSE $13.95

C-1197 BLACK TO PLAY CLASSICAL DEFENSES & WIN-$14.25

C-1311 LASKER'S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT-Soltis $13.95

C-1241 BEATING THE ENGLISH-Soltis $12.15

C-1220 THE BALTIC DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT-Soltis $13.50

C-1326 WINNING WITH THE BENKO GAMBIT-Smith & Hall $13.95

C-1332 THE ENGLUND GAMBIT-Smith & Hall $14.25

C-1216 BEATING THE KING'S INDIAN & BENONI DEFENSES WITH 5 Bd3 VARIATION - Soltis. $12.45

C-1383 WINNING AGAINST 1 d4 $14.85

C-1450 QUEEN'S GAMBIT ACCEPTED $14.85

OR

THE DUTCH DEFENSE

C-1260 HOW TO PLAY BLACK AGAINST STAUNTON GAMBIT-$14.25

C-1121 THE LENINGRAD DUTCH-DeVault. $15.75

C-1264 PLAY THE DUTCH AGAINST 1 c4 and 1 Nf3 and LISITIN GAMBIT-$14.25

C-913 DUTCH DEFENSE-Silman $15.75

Change what you want. BUT ONCE YOU MAKE THAT DECISION - STAY WITH IT UNTIL YOU KNOW IT BETTER OR AS WELL AS ANYONE IN THE WORLD!

EXPERT 2199 & BELOW

1. TAKE SOME TESTS. You should know where your weaknesses are. Don't cheat, take the tests (again) in

D-35 TEST YOUR OPENING, MIDDLEGAME & ENDGAME PLAY Vol 1. $14.85,

D-42 TEST YOUR OPENING, MIDDLEGAME & ENDGAME Vol 2 $13.95,

then try

F-82 TEST YOUR CHESS IQ-Livshitz $17.25

F-119 WINNING MOVES-Keene $11.50

Also now is the time to get deep into endgames with J-165 AMERICAN CHESS ART 250 Portraits of Endgame Study-Korn. $16.75

2. REVIEW. By now, if you have followed my suggestions, you have been exposed to all the basics required to go on to Mastership. It is a question now of reviewing what you have learned and you can do it with enjoyment by quickly going through the books you judge essential.

3. CRITICAL LINES. Your opening should now have gone through this evolution.

A) Forcing Openings & Defenses,

B) 1e4 and taking on all defenses -- a defense to any White possibility,

C) Adding gambits to this system.

Now you are ready for

D) Sharp critical lines - which can be an expansion to your system by adding "the long variation"

Remember, you will play 1e4 until you are an expert or Master. THEN

E) Evolution to closed lines - if this suits your style.

When Fischer played 1 P-QB4 and 1 P-QN3 a couple of times in his career, I asked him why. His reply, "I wanted to give them something to think about when they prepare for me in future tournaments."

When and if Bobby returns to play, HIS FIRST MOVE WILL BE 1e4. (I wrote this in 1973, SO it just took 19 years to prove me right!!)

YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO MASTERSHIP:

I happen to be one of the few people that Bobby Fischer signed a contract with: "I appoint Ken Smith, Editor of Chess Digest Magazine, to help with tournament and match preparation"- Bobby Fischer, International Grandmaster, February 24, 1970. That should be enough qualification to convince you that my suggestions to you are sound. And I know as well as you do that you need to go back and get a correct basis with the books I have suggested. A chessplayer should be as proud of his library as a music lover is of his records.

To be a winner in chess you must FIRST become a LOSER to stronger players. Great expectations are yours if you have refused to let defeat and slow rating progress throttle your chess. Insist on playing and studying until you reach your goal. BE A THREAT EVERY TIME YOU SIT DOWN TO PLAY. You show the greatest expression of confidence at the very moment of discouragement when, with courage, you start again -- another tournament -- another course of study, thereby turning a crisis into an opportunity. This is what instant chess confidence and determination is -- A WINNING SURGE! DO YOU HAVE IT? If you don't - THEN GET IT!

Ken Smith Dallas, 1999

Although Mr. Smith passed away on February 4, 1999, this course has stood the test of time.

How to add chess diagrams to your blog

Copy FEN position to the clipboard

Copy Position

Using ChessBase or Fritz, click Copy Position from the Edit menu. This will copy the position in FEN format to the clipboard. Your chess program may look different.

Paste into the textbox on the right

Paste 

After copying the FEN position, click in the textbox on the right (shown above). If there is already text inside from the last time you pasted, then delete it all by pressing Ctrl-A and then Del. Once the textbox is empty press Ctrl-V to paste. Now click Create Diagram and a link to the Diagram Generator from Steve Eddins’ web site will appear.

Copy the URL into your browser

 browser

Select the URL text. Be sure to select the entire text, you can do this by click inside the textbox and pressing Ctrl-A (select all). Then press Ctrl-C to copy. Open a new browser window or tab and click in the address bar. Press Ctrl-V to paste the URL, it should look like something in the image above.

Right-click the image and click “Save Image As…”

Save image

Save the image in .JPG format for best results.

Add the image to your blog

blog

This varies depending on your blog provider. In Google Blogger, you just click the Add Image icon and upload the file.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

If you aren't struggling, then you aren't learning

When studying becomes easy

If studying is easy for me, then I must be getting better, right?

Well, when there is a choice between repeatedly doing something hard, or repeatedly doing something easy, we all end up repeatedly doing something easy. We may have good intentions at first, but in the end, the result is the same.

A few months ago, I bought Imagination in Chess by Paata Gaprindashvili. It is quite possibly the most difficult chess book I've ever tried to work through. I tried the first 30 or so problems, and got only 1 correct, but even then I did not analyze all of the possible sidelines. Remembering how difficult my first tactics book was when I was 12, Combination Challenge, I challenged myself to work through this book and try not to be discouraged. I worked a few more pages, but I haven't seriously looked at the book in about a month.

Now, my "study" time has consisted of G/15 on ICC followed by "fixing" my openings. I rationalized this by saying that I've been playing chess and then analyzing the game, but it is really just studying openings in disguise. I was more interested in fixing my opening than in fixing my chess. Also, at night, I have been casually playing over games from 500 Master Games of Chess, but not really paying much attention, hoping to learn from osmosis.

I felt pretty good about my playing results, and I felt well-equipped with some new opening tricks. It seemed like I was finally "getting somewhere" with my studies, because it felt pretty easy: just play G/15, fix the opening, go over some lightly annotated games, rinse and repeat!

Staring blankly into space

This semester, I enrolled in a Psychology class at a local college. I arrived late for class on the first day and slid into a back row seat, hoping not to be noticed. The instructor was still taking roll, but she definitely noted my arrival. Then she asked me to introduce myself to the class, and I think I said something clever but nobody laughed. She was probably 5 feet tall at best, hunched over, and in her late 60's or early 70's. I was not looking forward to a boring Psychology class, and I felt resentful because I thought I got shafted by the college again, paying quite a bit of money for a fluff class, and not even getting a decent instructor. She looked like she could topple over at any minute. When she couldn't figure out how to turn on the projector, I put my head in my hands and quietly groaned.

I expected that I would be languishing for 90 minutes, staring at the blackboard just above her face, and occasionally nodding to feign interest. Then she began lecturing. To my surprise, it was immediately clear that she was intellectually sharp and had a vibrant personality. I was actually enjoying the class that I held in disdain.

During the lecture, she made one pithy statement that immediately had a profound impact on me: "If you aren't struggling, you aren't learning." I realized that all the time I have been spending "going over games" and "working on my tactics" has largely been a wasted effort.

Why am I not a GM yet?

It felt too easy, and it was: I was not struggling, and I was not learning. If studying makes you better, and studying is easy, then chess must be easy. So why am I not a GM yet? Why am I still dropping pawns on move 8 to people 600 points beneath me?

When I got back home, I picked up Imagination in Chess again. Now I'm struggling through the problems, hoping that somewhere along the way, I'm learning something new. These problems are hard for a reason: my analytic ability sucks and I need to improve it. While I don't expect to get the same results as when I was 12, I am hoping something will click. I just want to crack 2200. I just want another 120 points!

And flipping through those great games? What a waste, if you do not spend the time to analyze them or appreciate them! Please, do not fool yourself and claim you are studying, if you never leave your chess comfort zone. Do not sit down to study unless you are ready to struggle, or you will be wasting your time.

I am hoping that my renewed motivation will last longer than a few weeks. Hopefully this blog will keep me on track!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Alex Lenderman escapes me

Today I played IM Alex Lenderman (manest) in the ICC 15-minute pool.

White: manest(IM) 2172
Black: Alex Steger 2046
15 0

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 c6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. e3 Nf6 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 Nbd7 10. O-O O-O 11. h3 Re8 12. Rab1 Nb6 13. Rfc1 Bd6 14. Ne5 Qe7 15. a3 Nfd7 16. Nxd7 Qxd7 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. b4 Nc4 19. a4 a6 20. b5 axb5 21. axb5 Ra3 22. bxc6 bxc6 23. Ra1 Rea8 24. Rxa3 Qxa3 25. Qc2 g6 26. e4 Rb8 27. exd5 Rb2 28. Qd1 cxd5 29. Nxd5 Qa2 30. Qf3 Rb1 31. Rxb1 Qxb1+ 32. Kh2 Nd2 33. Nf6+ Kg7 34. Nh5+ gxh5 35. Qg3+ Qg6 36. Qe5+ Qf6 37. Qxf6+ Kxf6 38. Kg3 Ne4+ 39. Kf3 Nd6 40. Kf4 Nf5 41. Ke4 h6 42. g3 Ne7 43. d5 Nc8 44. Kd4 Nd6 45. g4 hxg4 46. hxg4 Ne8 47. f3 Nd6 48. Kc5 Ke7 49. Kc6 Ne8 50. f4 Nd6 51. f5 Ne8 52. Kc5 Kd7 53. Kd4 Kd6 54. Ke4 Nf6+ 55. Kf4 Nxd5+ 56. Kg3 Nf6 57. Kh4 Nh7 58. g5 hxg5+ 59. Kh5 f6 60. Kg6 Ke5 61. Kxh7 g4 62. Kg6 g3 63. Kf7 g2 64. Ke7 g1=Q 65. Kd7 Qc5 66. Kd8 Qd6+ 67. Kc8 Kd5 68. Kb7 Qc6+ 69. Ka7 Qd6 70. Kb7 Kc5 71. Kc8 Qf8+ 72. Kd7 Qf7+ 73. Kd8 Qd5+ 74. Kc8 Qxf5+ 75. Kd8 Qe6 76. Kc7 f5 77. Kb7 f4 78. Kc7 f3 79. Kd8 f2 80. Kc7 f1=Q 81. Kd8 Qff7



{White stalemated} 1/2-1/2

I had 1.5s on my clock, to his 22s. I would like to say that Qf7 was a mouse slip, but it wasn't. Better luck next time, I guess!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

I was wrong

In an earlier post, I said that I would probably never beat an IM in a real game. Well, it happened.

IM Danilo Canda(2318)-Alex Steger(1997)
2008 Louisiana State Championship, Round 3
11/28/2008

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 Bxc3 8.bxc3 Qe7 9. Re1 Nd8 10. d4 Ne6 11. Bc1 c5 12. Bf1 Qc7

12... Rd8 is a smoother way to defend--the knight can go to f8 and g6. Now the knight is passive forthe rest of the game.

13. d5 Nd8 14. c4 Ne8 15. Nh4 g6 16. g3 Qe7 17. a4 Ng7 18. Ra3 Bd7 19. a5 f6

I am reluctant to open the position with f5 since I have no dark squared bishop to oppose Bb2. 19... f5 20. f4 Nf7 21. exf5 Nxf5 22. Nxf5 Bxf5 23. fxe5 Nxe5 24. Bb2 +=

20. f4 Nf7 21. Nf3 Rae8 22. Bg2 Bc8 23. Bb2 Qd8 24. Qd2 Re7 25. Rae3 Rfe8 26. Bc3 Nh5 27. R3e2 Bg4 28. Qe3 Qd7

28... exf4 29. gxf4 Qd7 30. Bd2 Rxe4 31. Qxe4 Rxe4 32. Rxe4 Qa4 -+ according to Fritz 9, but this still looks unclear to me. I didn't even consider this possibility during the game.

29. fxe5 Nxe5 30. Nxe5 fxe5 31. Rf2 Rf7 32. Ref1 Ref8 33. Rxf7 Rxf7 34. Rxf7 Qxf7 35. h3 Bd7 36. Be1 Qe7 37. Kh2 Qd8 38. Qb3 Qc8 39. Bd2 Qc7 40. Bg5 Bc8 41. Qc3 Qf7 42. Qd2 Qf8 43. Bh6 Qf7 44. Qe3 Qf6 45. Bf3 Ng7 46. Kg2 Ne8

The position is closed and I have the "right" bishop, but my pieces have no good squares. White is better, but there appears to be no way to penetrate.

47. Bg4 Bxg4 48. hxg4 Ng7 49. Qb3 g5

Here we enter time trouble, with black having 5 minutes, and white having 10.

50. Qxb7 Qxh6 51. Qxa7 Qf6 52. Qb7 h5 53. gxh5 Nxh5 54. Qc8?+

54. a6 Nxg3 (54... g4 55. Qc8+ Kh7 56. Qf5+ loses) 55. a7 Qf1+ draws.

54... Kg7 55. Qf5 Qd8 56. Qe6 Nf6 57. a6 g4 58. a7 Qh8 59. Qxd6?



...and it happens. 59. Kg1 Qh6 60. Qe7+ Kg6 61. a8=Q Qc1+ draws.

59... Qh3+ 60. Kf2 Nxe4+ 61. Ke1 Qxg3+ 62. Ke2 Qf2+ 63. Kd3 Qd4+ 64. Ke2 Qd2+ 65. Kf1 Qf2#

After this game, I went on to win the tournament, and with it, the title of 2008 Louisiana State Champion. My performance rating was 2569. I am proud of my accomplishment.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Winning With One-Movers

I probably will never beat an IM in a slow game, but occasionally I will catch them half-asleep on ICC in the 5-minute pool. I had a terrible position in this game, but I've been studying up my one-move-knight-forks-with-check-winning-a-queen.

White: Yours Truly
Black: IM Sergii Pryyomov
ICC 5-minute pool

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 e5 5. dxe5 Qxe5+ 6. Be3 Bd6 7. Nf3 Qe7 8. Na3 a6 9. Nc4 Bc7 10. a4 Nf6 11. Be2 O-O 12. O-O Nc6 13. Re1 b6 14. Qb3 Rb8 15. Bg5 Be6 16. Bf1 h6 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Qa3 Rbd8 19. a5 b5 20. Ne3 c4 21. Qc5 Bc8 22. Nd5 Qf5 23. Qxc6 Bb8 24. Ne7+ {Black resigns} 1-0

Oops.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Repertoire Anxiety

As a kid, I used to play the Torre Attack, London System, and Bird/Larsen systems as white. It's time to grow up and play a real opening. I'm not talking about the Scotch Four Knights, Giuoco Piano, or Scotch Gambits. I'm talking about the Ruy Lopez, the king of king pawn openings.

Intending to playing the Ruy lopez is no small matter. You can't just wake up one morning and decide to play 1.e4; you must have an answer to all of the following major defenses before even starting to worry about the myriad of defenses to the Ruy Lopez.

This is a lot, even when choosing c3 Sicilian and Exchange French to reduce my preparation.


Repertoire Anxiety Checklist
White: 1. e4

1. e4 e5
  • 2. Nf3 Nf6 – Petroff
  • 2. Nf3 Nc6 – Ruy Lopez
  • 2. Nf3 d6 – Philidor
  • 2. Nf3 f5 – Latvian
  • 2. Nf3 d5 – Elephant
1. e4 c5 – c3 Sicilian
  • 2. c3 d5
  • 2. c3 Nf6
  • 2. c3 Nc6
  • 2. c3 g6
  • 2. c3 d6
1. e4 e6
  • 2. d4 d5 – Exchange French
  • 2. d4 b6 – Owen’s
1. e4 d5 – Center Counter
  • 2. exd5 Nf6
  • 2. exd5 Qxd5
1. e4 c6 – Caro-Kann
  • 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 – Panov-Botvinnik
  • 2. d4 g6 – Gurgenidze
1. e4 d6
  • 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 – Pirc
  • 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 c6 – Pribyl
  • 2. g6 – Modern
  • 2. d4 Nd7 (can lead to Philidor)
1. e4 g6 – Modern
  • 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 – Gurgenidze
  • 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 – Modern
1. e4 Nf6 – Alekhine’s (so annoying)
  • 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 c6
  • 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 e6
  • 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 g6
1. e4 Nc6 – Nimzowitsch
  • 2. d4 d5
  • 2. d4 e5
  • 2. d4 e6 (Good grief! I used to play this line as black)