Chess Jewels: Part Two

It's Your Move

" The foundation of chess is the process of 'vision' – the ability to spot where everything under attack, yours and your opponent's, is located."  – G. Levenfish 

Solve the following special positions beginning with white to play and black to play. Spot the good moves, evaluate them quickly and accurately. Then choose the best one, if you are to play on the board. 

Find the winning move for White & Black

Chess Jewels: Part One

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

(Solutions - 30/Jan/2016)

Chess Jewels: Part Two

White to play – 1.Qg7+! Ng7 2.fg7+ Kg8 3.Nf6+, etc.

Black to play  – 1…Nd4+! 2.cd4 (2.Qd4 cd4) 2...Qg4, etc.

White to play – 1.Qe6+! Kh8 2.Qe8+ Re8 3.Re8#

Black to play  – 1…Qa2+! 2.Ka2 Ra6+# 

White to play – 1.Qa4+! Qa4 2.Rg8#

Black to play  – 1…Rg1+! 2.Kg1 Qe1#

White to play – 1.Qh5+! Kg8 (1...gh5 2.Rh6#) 2.Rag6+ fg6 3.Qg6+ Kf8 4.Qf6+, etc.

Black to play  – 1…Qc1+! 2.Bc1 Re1#

White to play – 1.Qb7+! Kb7 2.Nc5++ Kc7 3.Rd7, etc.

Black to play  – 1…Qh2+! 2.Kf1 Qh1+ 3.Bh1 Rh1#

White to play – 1.Ng6+! hg6 2.Rh1, etc.

Black to play  – 1…Nc3+! 2.bc3 Rb8, etc.

Treasured Chess Jewels

Two-way Puzzles

" Tactical skill is one of the crucial conditions for achieving success in chess. It is absolutely important to constantly develop, perfect one's foresight in chess playing." – Maxim Blokh 

During my younger years, i'm used to or simply had this habit of solving puzzles or any chess problem, first by finding the move from winner’s side and then checking as well attacking reply that the loser’s side can play on his turn. 

Working on these exercises will allow aspiring chess players to practice their skill in finding attacking moves and also be trained to anticipate aggressive counters from an opponent.

The bilateral examples presented below are highly-critical positions specially composed (or taken/modified from actual game), in which both White & Black gain winning advantage by making a first specific move respectively.

Finding Combinations

Note: (Chess positions have no indication of the turn of the move, hence are to be solved firstly beginning with white's turn and then with black's turn.)

Enjoy solving and put your answers into writing. Don't forget to check the solutions on the next installment.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

(Solutions - 21/Jan/2016)

Chess Jewels: Part One 

White to play – 1.Rh6+! Bh6 2.Qe5+ Bg7 3.Qh2+, etc.

Black to play  – 1…Qa1+! 2.Ka1 Rc1+ 3.Ka2 Ra8+, etc.

White to play – 1.Nd6! Qd6 2.g6 and 3.Qh8#

Black to play  – 1…Rb5! 2.ab5 Qa5+ 3.Kb2 Qb5+, etc.

White to play – 1.Rg7+! Kg7 2.Rg2+ Kf8 3.Qh6#

Black to play  – 1…Rb2+! 2.Rb2 Nc3+ 3.Ka1 Qa3+, etc.

White to play – 1.Qf8+! Kf8 2.Rd8+, etc.

Black to play  – 1…Qg3+! 2.hg3 Rh1#

White to play – 1.Qe5+! Be5 2.Be5#

Black to play  – 1…Qf1+! 2.Rf1 Rf1#

White to play – 1.Qf6+! Bf6 2.Nf7#

Black to play  – 1…Ra2+! 2.Ka2 Qa8+, etc.

The Road to Mastery

Become a Winner, a Champion!

" The secret of getting ahead is getting started." – Mark Twain 

The Remote Chess Academy provides high-quality lessons and structured plans of improvement from amateur to titled player. RCA's main goal is to help aspiring players to become a winner, a CHAMPION.

One of the key core of the academy is to equip and enhance practical chess skills through a constant, everyday improvement (Kaizen philosophy). All these undertakings shine through RCA tutorial courses and other educational medium.

Let's kick-start the new year and understand that in chess, "the thin line between success and failure is in WHAT and HOW you train".

1. This excellent course will teach you the main principles of a chess game and the most important rules about pieces and pawns. Everything you need for a good understanding of the whole chess game and its strategy. 

Quick Look -> GM Positional Understanding

2. Arguably one of the best, if not the best chess course produced by GM Smirnov and RCA team. After studying the lessons, your opening understanding will leave your opponents by leaps and bounds. You'll also be able to practice a powerful and complete opening repertoire against anyone. A must-have!

Quick Look -> GM's Openings Laboratory 2

3. Playing chess is fun, winning games is more fun. This unique 3-in-1 training system in tactics, calculation and visualization will surely sharpen your skills and help you win all your games. Clearly explains how strategy and tactics should go hand-in-hand and relate to some playing techniques that are less known to many.

  

Quick Look -> Calculate Till Mate

to be continued...

2016 NEW Release!

The seminar covers four major lectures with practical suggestion to understand chess clearly. In each lecture, GM Igor Smirnov answers all students’ questions and provides additional tips to implement in their games.

GM Smirnov's Chess Seminar

Video Preview -> Think, Plan and WIN

Learn the most essential rules for the quick success in chess:

1. "Time To Win"

2. "Right Thinking in Chess"

3. "Smirnov Gambit"

4. "The Art of Planning"

    (The course contains around 100 minutes of lectures by GM Smirnov and a PDF summary of each lecture.)

Best 3 Chess Gifts

Quality Chess Education

“ If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." – Derek Bok 

Promoted Pawn Package

The book "A Promoted Pawn: My Chess Journey" summarizes the most valuable lessons from 20+ years of GM Smirnov’s extensive chess practice, both as a player and a coach. You’ll learn what does work best for your chess progress. You’ll be warned of typical pitfalls or will see the way out if you're already stuck.

"You will definitely enjoy reading a book full of interesting stories and witty advice. It may give a whole new meaning to your own chess study…"

Additionally, it includes "Your Top Chess Questions, Answered"

Some of the key points that you will learn in this course:

1. How to get maximum benefit when training with a computer?

2. What is "Universal approach" and how to utilize it into your game?

3. Opening skill development process.

4. The very powerful technique to train your attacking and anti-blunder skills.

5. How to progress in chess when you are an adult?

6. How to open the opponents position?

7. Psychological barriers in chess; how to overcome them.

GM Level Positional Understanding

"What is the main difference between a Grandmaster and an amateur? It is the understanding of positions on a very fundamental level, or what’s called the positional understanding." 

Dedicated Link -> Positional Chess

Here’s WHAT you will LEARN:

Chapter 1 – Improving Your Worst Piece

Chapter 2 – Knight vs. Bishop

Chapter 3 – Aiming for the Weakness

Chapter 4 – The Problem of Queen’s Exchange

Chapter 5 – Advanced Techniques

A good positional understanding allows you to:

1. Rapidly evaluate any kind of chess positions.

2. Instantly come up with a winning game plan.

3. Assess which pieces should be left alone, and which need to be exchanged.

4. Determine which pieces need to be improved and how that can be done.

5. Find weaknesses in the opponent’s position and exploit them.

*** Looking for a systematic day-by-day chess training program? Get ACCESS >> 21 DAYS TO SUPERCHARGE YOUR CHESS 

GM Smirnov Bundle

Get to know the unique techniques most players are not familiar with. These are real TRAINING, which develops your SKILLS.

All GM Igor Smirnov’s Premium Videos and Webinar recordings.

Dedicated Link -> GM Smirnov's Bundle

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

1. The Art of Endgame

2. How to win a won game?

3. My Thinking System

4. How to Press your opponents like Carlsen?

5. Play like Nakamura

    Plus FREE Webinar - "The art of Defense in Chess"

Fischer's Maneuver

The Fischer Plan

“You must have a plan!" – Bent Larsen 

In the middlegame, one needs to create an attacking plan either against the opponent's weaknesses or an assault directed to the opposing King. This is something you have to do for a game to make progress. 

Now let me share with you one of the many favorite games taken from Bobby's arsenal, illustrating an original and highly inventive plan of attack.  

Fischer,R. - Andersson,U. 

Siegen, 1970

1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.c4 Nf6 4.e3 Be7 5.a3 0–0 6.Qc2 Re8 7.d3 Bf8 8.Nf3 a5 9.Be2 d5 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nbd2 f6 12.0–0 Be6 

After the first dozen moves, we reached a typical and very playable hedgehog structure by opening transposition. Both sides have accomplished their opening objectives and looks ahead for the ensuing middlegame battle. 

13.Kh1 (D)

The start of what to became known as the "Fischer Plan". White regroups his forces toward the kingside with the aim to break down Black's very solid position.

Position after Fischer's 13th move

The plan is in operation consisting of three stages: (1st) concentration of forces, (2nd) creation of weaknesses in an opponent's position (3rd) break through the opponent's defense.

13...Qd7 14.Rg1 Rad8 15.Ne4 Qf7 16.g4!? (D) 

White is going to gather his forces diligently on the kingside with Rg3, Rag1, followed by a timely Nh4-f5 bringing all resources into the attack.

16…g6 17.Rg3 Bg7 18.Rag1 

Obviously, White is very insistent with the realization of his plan. He knows very well that for an attack to be successful, one should have more attackers (concentration of forces) than defenders.

18...Nb6 19.Nc5 Bc8 20.Nh4 Nd7 21.Ne4 Nf8 22.Nf5! (D)
The knight cannot be taken by 22...gxf5?? 23.gxf5 (activating connected rooks), is winning on the spot.

22...Be6 23.Nc5 Ne7 24.Nxg7! 
Winning small material (knight for a bishop) and exchanging one of the key defender, thus further weakening Black's castle.

24...Kxg7 25.g5! 
This pawn advance helps White to make use of a bishop without counterpart (dark-squared bishop) maximally and increase his positional advantage.

25...Nf5 26.Rf3 b6 27.gxf6+ Kh8 
Temporarily holding-off the strong pressure along the long a1-h8 diagonal, but there's no escape from the inevitable - break through the opponent's resistance.

The game concluded as follows...
28.Nxe6 Rxe6 29.d4 exd4 30.Bc4 d3 31.Bxd3 Rxd3 32.Qxd3 Rd6 33.Qc4 Ne6 34.Be5 Rd8 35.h4 Nd6 36.Qg4 Nf8 37.h5 Ne8 38.e4 Rd2 39.Rh3 Kg8 40.hxg6 Nxg6 41.f4 Kf8 42.Qg5 Nd6 43.Bxd6+ 1–0

Morphy's Grand Strategy

Early and Rapid Development

In 1846 at the age of nine, Paul Charles Morphy became a recognized child prodigy. It was in these formative years that he began practicing his trademark strategy of "early and rapid development." 

( 1837 - 1884 )

To aptly describe Morphy's play: he always aimed to seize the initiative and possess an excellent understanding in the coordination of forces. He managed to dazzle opponent after opponent with his "dynamic and power play", up until he captured the United States chess champion title in 1857 at age 20.

Morphy's "Magnum Opus"

Paulsen, L. - Morphy, P.

First American Congress, New York 1857

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bc5 5.0–0 0–0 6.Nxe5 Re8 7.Nxc6 dxc6 8.Bc4 b5 9.Be2 Nxe4 10.Nxe4 Rxe4 11.Bf3 Re6 12.c3 Qd3 13.b4 Bb6 14.a4 bxa4 15.Qxa4 Bd7 16.Ra2 Rae8 17.Qa6 (D)

17...Qxf3!!

" White cannot be blamed for not seeing the most wonderful combination that the opponent had prepared... One of the most charming poetical chess compositions that has ever been devised in practical play." ~ Wilhelm Steinitz

18.gxf3 Rg6+ 19.Kh1 Bh3 20.Rd1 Bg2+ 21.Kg1 Bxf3+ 22.Kf1 Bg2+ 23.Kg1 Bh3+ 24.Kh1 Bxf2 25.Qf1 Bxf1 26.Rxf1 Re2 27.Ra1 Rh6 28.d4 Be3 0–1

Morphy's Chess Puzzle

This little chess problem (D), said to have been composed by the young Paul (and his only chess problem) before he was ten.

White to play and win.

Morphy's Dynamic Play

Morphy, P. - Anderssen, A.

Match, Paris (10), 1858

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6 5.Nb5 d6 6.Bf4 e5 7.Be3 f5 (D) 8.N1c3! f4 9.Nd5 fxe3 10.Nbc7+ Kf7 11.Qf3+ Nf6 12.Bc4 Nd4 13.Nxf6+ d5 14.Bxd5+ Kg6 15.Qh5+ Kxf6 16.fxe3 Nxc2+ 17.Ke2  1–0

Anderssen after his defeat retorted: "Morphy wins in 17 moves, whereas it took me 7 more.", possibly referring to his "immortal game" against Kieseritzky in London 1851.

Sadly, Paul Charles Morphy went crazy (unexplained mental illness) in 1875 and died from congestion of the brain during the mid-afternoon of July 10, 1884. Truly, the chess world had lost an "Uncrowned Champion"...

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

PAUL MORPHY 

He played a glorious game: in open field, 

Whate’er the opening was, he met the attack, 

And almost always hurled it grandly back; 

And when he did his rival’s fate was sealed. 

‘Tis wrongly said the greatest art’s concealed 

Behind art, for he never strove to hide 

His forte to see beyond the opposing side! 

And deadly mesnes many a time revealed 

To his surprised and quite defenseless foe 

That move of ten moves back a master-coup, 

Who vainly deemed it lost at any rate. 

Most dreaded was he when he seemed to throw 

Piece after piece away, for then all knew 

Swiftly approached the inevitable mate.

                                                             ~ Sheriff
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The Cochrane Defense