Tag Archives: chess

Do strong chess players today possess different qualities than their predecessors in the 1800’s?

Question: Given the increase in chess theory, are different kinds of people likely to be strong chess players now than in the 1800s or earlier (e.g., people with greater memory)? Answer: It’s also important to realize that brute memorization is not a very important factor in chess success. The important factors that the 19th centuryContinueContinue reading “Do strong chess players today possess different qualities than their predecessors in the 1800’s?”

Do you learn chess better by playing or watching?

Question: Do you learn chess better by playing or watching? Answer: Ideally, there needs to be balance between learning by watching examples of strong play and attempting to apply what you have learned through playing chess. Following a study plan will help achieve this balance. Emmanuel Lasker was the World Chess Champion for twenty-six yearsContinueContinue reading “Do you learn chess better by playing or watching?”

Chess Stimulus Plan

If your family is like mine, you are also dealing with some new challenges this school year. I want to do my part to make sure having your children study chess is as easy and affordable as possible. To do this, I am announcing my 2020 Chess Stimulus Plan. There are two main parts toContinueContinue reading “Chess Stimulus Plan”

#Chess Position Worth Sharing! 124

Tonight’s position comes from a 1966 game played between Sven Johannessen (White) vs Bobby Fischer (Black) in Havana, Cuba. Johannessen has just played 26. Nf4. What did Bobby Fischer play here?

#Chess Position Worth Sharing 120

Today’s chess position comes from GM Hikaru Nakamura vs Anish Giri, 2012 FIDE Grand Prix (London, England.) Giri (black) has just played 46… Be5. What does Nakamura (white) play for move 47?

#Chess Position Worth Sharing 119

Today’s position is from the game between Robert James Fischer (White) and Lhamsuren Myagmarsuren (Black) played at the Sousse Interzonal on 10/15/1967. Black has just played 29… dxc2. What does Bobby Fischer play as white?

#Chess Position Worth Sharing 118!

Today’s position is from GM Gata Kamsky vs GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov , World Cup 2013. Mamedyarov (Black) just played 29… Kh6. What did Kamsky (White) play for move 30? What does white play?

#Chess Positions Worth Sharing! 117

Tonight’s puzzle comes from Hikaru Nakamura vs. Robert Lee Hess, 2012 US Championship in St Louis. GM Robert Hess has just played move 30… Kh8. What did GM Nakamura play for white’s 31st move? What is white’s best move?

(GM) Rashid Nezhmetdinov

Question: Why wasn’t Rashid Nezhmetdinov a Grandmaster? Answer: By most accounts, Rashid Nezhmetdinov should be a Grandmaster (if for no other reason than having won the Russian Championship over a talented field in 1950, 1951, 1953, 1957 and 1958.) It wasn’t until 1950 that the Grandmaster title was first awarded by FIDE and only 27ContinueContinue reading “(GM) Rashid Nezhmetdinov”

Basic Chess Strategy

Question: What are some common chess strategies? Answer: Below is a list of chess strategies known as Reuben Fine’s “Thirty Rules of Chess”. Chess is a complicated game and there will always be exceptions to any rule. However, it is a good exercise to understand why each item below is generally recognized as good chessContinueContinue reading “Basic Chess Strategy”