Thursday 28 August 2014

Smirnov's Interview

Before the interview, let me remind you this is the last chance if you want to join IM Attila Turzo’s WEBINAR (31st August at 4 p.m BST London Time).
If you haven’t read the blog post about this webinar, you must read it here : LINK
green-fancy-line-hi
A few days ago, GM Igor Smirnov (or should I say “I”?) was interviewed by the team from « October Obsession>>, where I spoke about chess coaching, psychology, my own experiences as a chess player and about chess in general.
 This interview was really funny; that’s why I’ve decided to upload it for you today! I hope you’ll enjoy it and that it will be useful for you to hear about my experiences.
 For your convenience, I’ve divided it into two parts.
Part one of the Interview – 


And if you enjoy Part one, you can continue now with Part two :) – 



PS: Don’t hesitate to provide your Feedback through your comments!

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Webinar : Minority Attack Intro - 2

As you’ve seen in our previous article (you can read it HERE), IM Attila Turzo will conduct a live webinar on Sunday 31 August at 4p.m BST (London Time).
If you’re register yet you can join his webinar by clicking on the button below :

<<Register Now !!!>>

Attila

IM Attila Turzo’s Profile :

He was one of the first coaches to start to teach online 13 years ago, he was Hungarian Junior champion and became International Master at age 18 and also 6 times Hungarian team champion.
For the occasion he prepared a new FREE video for you :

If you have enjoyed it, you’ll probably enjoy his live webinar :  
 Key Highlights:
  • Students can send their games regarding the Minority Attack on a first come, first served basis for analysis.
  • Instead of lasting 1 hr,the duration of the lesson has been increased to 1.5 hrs. Based on the attendee’s feedback, we have made this huge change in the duration.
  • Webinar will have three phases: Attila Turzo’s Lecture, Analysing students’ games and Live discussion with International Master Attila Turzo

Tuesday 26 August 2014

Webinar : “The Minority Attack” - IM Attila Turzo

Today I have some good news for you. International Master Attila Turzo will conduct a live Webinar “The Minority Attack” on Sunday, 31 August 2014. at 4PM BST London Time.
You can register by clicking on the link below:

<<Register Now !!!>>

Attila Turzo made an Intro video, then you have the opportunity to discover his work before registering.


International Master Attila Turzo the very first ever to start giving online chess lessons in the history of online chess lessons, he has over 13 years of experience and counting in online chess coaching.

About the next WEBINAR :

Attila Turzo will explain the deep strategic plan involved in approaching the Minority Attack, from the very basic level to advanced techniques and ideas.Moreover, not only ideas – he will also introduce some of his novelties. Furthermore, he will discuss many transformations to these positions, like from the Queen’s Gambit Declined.
     Students can send their games regarding the Minority Attack on a first come, first served basis for analysis.
 Instead of lasting 1 hr,the duration of the lesson has been increased to 1.5 hrs. Based on the attendee’s feedback, we have made this huge change in the duration.
        Webinar will have three phases:
1. Lecture
2. Analysing students’ games
3. Live discussion with International Master Attila Turzo

Sunday 24 August 2014

The Ezekiel Chess Pieces in Ebony

X2071 - Limited Edition - The Ezekiel Chess Pieces in Ebony

Limited Edition - The Ezekiel Chess Pieces in Ebonymore...

X2071 Limited Edition - The Ezekiel Chess Pieces in Ebony

Limited Edition. King Height 4.3 inch. Base Diameter 1.8 inch. 100g Triple Weighted.
Certificate of Authenticity included.

Copyright Number with the UK Copyright Service: 281656451.

This product from Chess Baron: NEW and Limited Edition! In Grade One Ebony, the Ezekiel set of chess pieces is a wonderful and beautiful example of the very best in chess design. As is often the case, our eyes are drawn to the knight with it's extravagant mane and facial detail. It is certainly a discerning choice. The materials are the finest and the workmen the best available in the chess world. Only 100 will be made.
Chess Baron Chess Sets: Because we know you care - we care. Buy Peace of mind - Buy Chess Baron.

- See more at: http://www.chessbaron.co.uk/chess-X2071.htm#sthash.p0Gr1XqO.dpuf

Get now - http://www.chessbaron.co.uk/chess-X2071.htm

Thursday 21 August 2014

Smirnov's Simul

Advertisement: Open Vacancy
Remote Chess Academy is growing constantly, and thus we are engaging new people into our Team. Currently we are inviting new Chess Assistants. Check out the details here: LINK
Recently there was “a sportsman’s day” in Russia. I was invited to give a simul in the central park of the city.
DSCF0785
The most talented young players were given a chance to test their skills against a Grandmaster. I played a few interesting games that I’d like to share with you today.
NOTE: I’m playing White in all of these games.
Game #1
Smirnov-simul1
White’s turn
White has a dominating position and has several promising continuations. What is the most powerful way to end the game?
PLEASE, THINK ABOUT THE POSITION AND MAKE YOUR CHOICE. AFTER THAT YOU MAY CONTINUE READING.
Of course, White can grab the pawn 1.Qb7; however, there’s a much easier way for a win.
Remember this: the f7 square is the weakest point in Black’s position. White can take advantage of it in different opening lines.
That said, White can also play 1.Bc4-Rf8, 2.Rh8!
Game #1
 Smirnov-simul11
Black’s turn
No matter what Black plays, White will continue with Qf7 on the next move. This wins the game immediately.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Game #2
Smirnov-simul3
White’s turn
White is more active, but Black is a pawn up and has built defensive fortifications. Is there any way for White to break through?
At the end of this article, you’ll find a link to the solutions for all of the examples.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Game #3
 Smirnov-simul2
White’s turn
This is a funny example. This might be the shortest game I’ve ever played.
Obviously White is winning. Nevertheless, when you give a simul and have A LOT of games to play – you really need to beat weak opponents quickly. Then you’ll be able to focus on the games against tough rivals.
So, what is the quickest way for a victory?
Below is me, thinking about it. Please think about that yourself, too, and then check the solution below.
P1040236
The initial impulse is to capture Black’s bishop somehow (1.fe or 1.Ne7). However, White can deliver a smothered mate: 1.fg-Rg8, 2.Nf6#
Game #3
 Smirnov-simul42
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The previous example was simple. Now let’s test your skills in a much more complex position.
Game #4
 Smirnov-simul5
Black’s turn
When I played my last move 1.Rd7, honestly, I thought that Black should resign. White is attacking Black’s king side pawns, and if Black protects them somehow (1…Kf6, for instance) – White continues 2.Rb7 getting two connected passed pawns on the queen side.
Do you think Black actually resigned? Not at all! He found a sudden way “to stay in the game”. Can you find Black’s defensive idea?
Below is the photo of me, playing against this really persistent opponent.
P1040258
 Surprisingly, this was the longest game in the simul!
At the end of this article, you’ll find a link to the solutions for all of the examples.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was really impressed by some of the participants. In the following game, my opponent has set up a REALLY tricky snare!
Game #5
 Smirnov-simul6
White’s turn
It seems that White can win easily: 1.Bb5 (installing a pin) -Bb7, 2.Qc3
Black is losing his c6-knight and should resign, shouldn’t he?
Game #5
 Smirnov-simul63
Black’s turn
Can you find any way for Black to escape?
 P1040247
This boy almost caught me in a REALLY tricky snare!
In the above diagram, Black has a shocking move 2…Nd4! – getting a huge advantage!
Game #5
 Smirnov-simul64
You can download all the games from this article here:  Smirnov_simul
Note: If you don’t know how to open *.pgn files – please read this FAQ: LINK
If you are curious about the final result of the simul, there was one draw, while I managed to win the other games.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Perhaps you’ve heard about a Russian chess school. Let me reveal some of its secrets 
P1040280
The cute female on the right (who has just presented me the trophy) is president of a city chess club! 
green-fancy-line-hi
To conclude, I have a good newss for you : We’ll open our own ONLINE PLATFORM soon !!!
It will offer many options like :
  • An online access to my courses
  • Live training
  • Tracking your performances 
  • And many other options !
The platform will be ready till September and i’ll let you know it.
I have also a second good news : A new WEBINAR will be conducted the 31 August! So be careful :)
P.S. If you enjoyed the article, please click the “Like” button on the left or write your comments below. Thank you!

Saturday 16 August 2014

Typical Mistakes – IM Valeri Lilov

As announced in the previous blog postIM Valeri LILOV will organise a live WEBINAR this Sunday, 17 August at 4 p.m. (16:00) BST (London time – you can check it here: LINK)Previously, we made a mistake about the time – we apologies for that.
 If you didn’t read the previous article about the WEBINAR, you can read it here: LINK
 Places are limited to 100 seats, so if you haven’t registered yet, you can do so now for only $5 US : 
green-fancy-line-hi
To mark the occasion, IM Valeri Lilov has made a special free video for you on the subject of « Typical Mistakes », which he will use in detail in his Webinar. All players at any level make mistakes, even the top players, as we are all human. That’s why, in this special lesson, IM Lilov will show you what the typical mistakes committed by the most players are. It will help you to avoid these in your games and to see when your opponent is making a mistake.
Typical Mistakes



 green-fancy-line-hi
Have you enjoyed this video? Then you’ll probably enjoy the live Webinar,“Typical Mistakes in Practical Middlegame and Endings”.
  • Event: IM Lilov’s webinar “Typical Mistakes in Practical Middlegame and Endings
  • DateSunday, 17 August at 4pm(16:00) BST (London time, you can check it here: LINK)
  • Price5usd.
  • Seats: seats are limited to 100.


 green-fancy-line-hi
To end this article I would like to speak about the latest World chess event. “41st World Chess Olympiad 2014″ has just finished in Norway (Tromso). The winners are:
1. China
2. Hungary
3. India
Amongst women the winners are: Russia, China, Ukraine.
We do congratulate all the winner countries with this great achievement!
I’d like to specially congratulate the INDIAN team, who was 19 in the team-starting rank, but managed to get bronze medals! We have lots of students from India, and some of the Indian chess academies use our materials for training their students. So I’m pretty sure that chess development in India will keep going, bringing lots of new strong players into the chess world. Please, accept my congratulations!
 The registration for the webinar will be closed 2 hours before the start of the webinar.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Najdorf with 6.Bc4

As noticed previously on the RCA social media pages, a NEW GUEST LESSON is now ready for dvdbox1-176x300you!
This article was written by a young IM (18 y.o.) from Cannes (France) named Gary GIROYAN. He was French youth champion many times, European Union champion and always in the top places at the European and World Championships.
His article is about the Najdorf with 6.Bc4.  That’s a very interesting variation for White which forces Black to be very precise during the opening.  In this lesson, Gary will tell you his secrets in this variation which he really enjoys.


Nadjorf with 6.Bc4

Hi everybody,

Today, we are going to see a dangerous variation of the Najdorf Sicilian: 6.Bc4. It’s a tricky variation and Black has to pay attention if he doesn’t want to lose quickly.

picnew1
 There are two main ways for Black to play here, with 7…b5 or 7…Nbd7.
Let’s begin with 7…b5, which is the more current move.
8.Bg5 !?
Of course, the simple 8.0-0 followed by Qf3, Qg3, Bh6, etc. is correct and leads to an equal position. But Bg5 is more surprising and can be a good weapon against an opponent who isn’t prepared for it, even though there are some issues in this line and it must be used only for a game or two if your rating is above 2,000.
…Be7, 9.Qf3 …Qc7, 10.Bxf6 !?
I have got to confess that I used to play this variation a lot and won a lot of easy games.
…Bxf6, 11.0-0-0 …0-0
“11…Bb7?”, which seemed normal, is punished by 12.Ndxb5 ! …axb5, 13.Nxb5 …Qc6, 14.Nxd6+ …Ke7, 15.Qg3 ! +-. cf. Volokitin-Harikrishna, Cap D’Agde 2006.
12.e5 !
picnew2
And here the game begins.
12…Bxe5 !
Not so easy to find: a lot of people have made the mistake of “12…dxe5?”, which is punished by the simple Nxe6 and Qxa8. You can check for yourself if you want to, but this position is winning for White.
13.Qxa8
picnew3
13…Bxd4 !
The only move. If Black doesn’t play this way, the game is over. However, while it may seem easy to play behind a computer screen, during the game it’s not the same. A lot of Grandmasters have gone wrong before – ask our friend“Harikrishna” who lost two times in this variation against “Volokitin”.
14.Rxd4 …Nc6, 15.Rd2 ! …Bb7, 16.Nxb5 ! … axb5, 17.Qa3
This is not easy, but White still has still a material advantage.
…b4, 18.Qa4 …Qb6 ! – only move, 19.Bc4 !
picnew4
 This is a complicated position, but anyway it plays and White is totally ok.
19…Na5 ?!, like Grandmaster “Ibrahimov” played against “Bologan”.
20.Bb5 ! += better than the incorrect Qb5?! played in the game.
Anyway, this position is still unclear, but Black has to be prepared for this, or he is going to have, at least, one hour or less!
Now, let’s see 7…Nbd7
8.f4
8.Bg5 is also possible, but this is not as strong as it would be after 7…b5 and White would have a lot of issues.
8…Ndc5, 9. 0-0 9…Be7
If Black takes the e4 pawn, he is going to suffer a lot. 10.f5 ! ..e5, 11.Qh5 … d5, 12.Re1 ! …Bc5, 13.Rxe4…Bxd4+, 14.Rxd4 …Qb6!, 15.c3! …exd4, 16.Qe2+, Kf8, 17.Qe5 ! Qf6, 18.Qxd5 …h6 (only move, to avoid the threat of Bg5) Bf4 – and White has a very dangerous position.
picnew6
10.e5 !
Whatever variation Black plays, you are going to play with e4-e5 !
…dxe5, 11 fxe5 … Nd7, 12.Qh5 …Nf6 !
After Qd1, White has a draw. After 12…0-0 ?!, 13.Rf3 ! with a dangerous attack coming
13.exf6 !? … Qxd4 +, 14.Kh1
picnew7
In this position, Black is going to have an extra pawn, but it’s going to be complicated to play against White’s growing initiative.
…gxf6 !
14…Bxf6 ?, 15.Bf4 ! += and after …0-0 15.Rad1 …Qb4, 16.Bd6 ! s+-
15.Bf4 … Nxb3
15…f5, 16.Qe2 ! …Rg8, 17. Rad1 … Qf6, 18.Bd5 ! followed by Bf3 and Black can’t move. This is a very difficult position to play with Black, because he can’t find any ideas while White is making every piece better than it was.
16.axb3 … Bd7, 17.Rad1 …Qc5, 18.Qh6 …0-0-0, 19.Ne4 !
picnew8
Here’s it’s clear that only White is playing for a win and Black will try to resist White’s offensive. Don’t forget that you’ll have 1h30 in this position, but what about Black’s clock?
19…Qb5, 20.Bd6 … Bc6 !, 21.Bxe7 Rxd1, 22.Rxd1 Bxe4, 23.Qg7 Re8, 24.Qxf7
pic8
We may think that White is winning, but here’s the miracle:
… Bxg2 + ! 25.Kxg2 …Qe2+=
And Black finally ended with a drawn position. But all of this wouldn’t be easy to reproduce in a game, especially if this variation is used as a surprise.
What do you think?

P.S. Your comments are always welcome. It helps us to encourage more guest authors.
 P.S.2.  For a better preparation you must check our opening courses “The Grandmaster’s Openings Laboratory series”
You might also read these chess courses
1) Opening Laboratory - Click HERE







2) Opening Laboratory - 2 - Click HERE







3) All in one Opening bundle (3-in-1) - Click HERE






Tuesday 12 August 2014

Webinar: “Typical Mistakes in Practical Middlegame and Endings.”

Today I have some good news for you. IM ValeriLilov will conduct a live webinar“ Typical mistakes in practical middle game and endings” on Sunday, 17 August.
Webinar-1024x7031
1.      What “a webinar” is?
It’s a live TRAINING session with a coach. During this event you can communicate with a teacher via chat, perform the tasks, and ultimately, develop necessary SKILLS. Thus it’s a really effective way of training that brings you immediate results.
You may read more about our webinars in this article: LINK
2.     “Typical Mistakes in Practical Middlegame and Endings”
If your chess progress is not as fast as you want (or if you stuck on some level) – this is caused by some errors in your games.
It’s hard to get rid of our weaknesses. Moreover, sometimes we can’t even realize exactly what’s wrong. You just keep learning chess, but don’t get the desired results…
In Remote Chess Academy we interact with thousands of students. Hence we know the most common weaknesses of chess players. We’ll be glad to help you eliminate the weak sides of your play, and to unleash your movement forward.
3.     Should I attend the webinar of IM ValeriLilov?
Certainly I will conduct some webinars myself in the future. At the same time, I will also invite my friends – experienced coaches and strong players – to make such training sessions for you.
Every chess coach has his area of specialization, where he is the most knowledgeable and experienced. If you accumulate the best techniques from different teachers, that will form your comprehensive and powerful chess understanding.
Even when I ask another coach to make a webinar/lesson for you, I supervise his work closely. I will always make sure that you get only high-quality and EFFECTIVE training.
By the way, if you haven’t seen Lilov’s lesson about prophylaxis – please, do so here: LINK
4.     Why is this webinar paid?
You can check it here: LINK
While I’m engaging the best coaches to make highly effective training sessions for you, I’ll try to keep the price really small. For instance, the fee for the webinar “Typical mistakes in practical middle game and endings” is only 5 usd.
green-fancy-line-hi
  • Event: IM Lilov’s webinar “Typical Mistakes in Practical Middlegame and Endings
  • DateSunday, 17 August at 5pm(17:00) BST (London time, you can check it here: LINK)
  • Price5usd.
  • Seats: seats are limited to 100.
Webinar-1024x7031
 The registration for the webinar will be closed 2 hours before the start of the webinar.
After the registration, you will be able to send 1 or 2 of your games in .pgn format, with your comments and questions or troubles related to the topic of the webinar. IM Lilov will explain and clear your doubts.
This is optional to send your games or questions. If you have no specific questions, you are still welcome to join the webinar!
During the webinar each position will be analysed on first come, first served basis. Hence, you should sign up for the webinar as early as possible!