Tag Archives: chess

Carlsen vs Anand World Chess Championship 2014: Game 11 Analysis

Timing is critical whether you are playing in a poker tournament at your kitchen table or in the World Chess Championship match. Often times, chess players wait until they are too far behind to play ambitiously enough to win the game.  In game 11 of the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship Match, Viswanathan Anand decidedContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand World Chess Championship 2014: Game 11 Analysis”

Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 10 Analysis

The tenth game of the 2014 FIDE World Championship Match between two of most talented chess players ever was a study in adaptation. Anand opened, as I expected he would, with “1.d4” and Magnus Carlsen chose to play the Grunfeld Defense. A brilliant strategist, Viswanathan Anand knew that he could not play against the GrunfeldContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 10 Analysis”

Carlsen vs. Anand World Chess Championship 2014: Game 9 Analysis

Game 9 of the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship was completed before most of my chess pals in the U.S. had even woken up. After a mere 20 moves, Anand and Carlsen played to a draw by threefold repetition(the same position occurring three times in a game.) For Anand, an easy draw with the blackContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs. Anand World Chess Championship 2014: Game 9 Analysis”

Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 8 Analysis

After an epic battle of 122 moves in round 7, both contestants returned to the chess board in round 8 looking a little worse for the wear. Carlsen, in a World Championship first, even fell asleep in his chair during the early going of the game. Being a point down in the match, Anand returnedContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 8 Analysis”

Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 7 Analysis

The best chess education available comes from attempting to grasp the work of the greatest masters. In game 7 of the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship Match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand, students of the game are treated to a battle between the great master of maneuvering and the great master of the fortress.ContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 7 Analysis”

Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 6 Analysis

Chess is sometimes a cruel game. I was reminded of this in game 6 of the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship Match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanthan Anand. Early on, Anand dug himself into a hole by choosing passive play and dubious plans. There was a glimmer of hope when Magnus Carlsen tossed him aContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 6 Analysis”

Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 5 Analysis

With both players even after four games and Magnus Carlsen due to get the white pieces in rounds 6 and 7, it was important for Viswanathan Anand to make good use of being white in round 5. Vishy once again began with “1. d4” but this time, a more prepared Carlsen, demonstrated his incredible knowledgeContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 5 Analysis”

Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 4 Analysis

After a disappointing loss in Game 3, Magnus Carlsen returned with the white pieces and played “1. e4” in game 4 of the 2014 FIDE World Championship. Viswanathan Anand replied with c5 and the hopes of again proving that his opening preparation is superior to the young Norwegian’s. However, Magnus opted out of the mainContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 4 Analysis”

Carlsen vs Anand 2014 Word Chess Championship: Game 3 Analysis

Viswanathan Anand was in a desperate search for a victory in Round 3 and he found it! A large portion of today’s game followed established Queen’s Gambit Declined Theory. On move seventeen, it was obvious by Magnus Carlsen’s agonized expression and long pause that he was unprepared for Anand’s Ng5. What followed was a brilliant displayContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs Anand 2014 Word Chess Championship: Game 3 Analysis”

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Carlsen vs. Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 2 Analysis

Game 2 of the 2014 Fide World Championship between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand will likely set the tone for the rest of the match. Magnus Carlsen chose to begin with 1) e4 and Anand attempted to steer the game into an early endgame by way of the Berlin Defense. (Those who followed last yearsContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs. Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 2 Analysis”

Carlsen vs. Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 1 Analysis

The 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship began today in Sochi, Russia. This is a rematch from last year’s world championship in which Norway’s Magnus Carlsen stole the crown from India’s Viswanathan Anand. Thus far, both players seem much more relaxed in 2014 than they did in their previous encounter. In round one, Carlsen attempted to surpriseContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs. Anand 2014 World Chess Championship: Game 1 Analysis”

Carlsen vs. Anand 2014: Rematch of Generations

Former World Champion Garry Kasparov has offered his thoughts on the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship Match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand. Garry Kasparov’s letter is written from his uniquely experienced perspective and hits many of the same points I raised in my own preview for the match.  Last year’s first world championship matchContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs. Anand 2014: Rematch of Generations”

Carlsen vs. Anand: World Chess Championship 2014

Championship rematches are a source of the historic rivalries which provide intrigue for fans and motivate the competitors to perform at their highest level. Historically, chess has had many such occasions because a World Champion who failed to defend his title used to be awarded an automatic rematch. The fact that there is no longer aContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs. Anand: World Chess Championship 2014”

Happy Halloween (Gambit)

There is a unique horror the players with the black pieces feel when the Four Knights Opening takes a dark turn into the Halloween Gambit. As white, remember to make black’s Knights run… Should black do something unexpected, just grin like it is all part of your Halloween fun! Here is an example from oneContinueContinue reading “Happy Halloween (Gambit)”

What are the Advantages/Disadvantages of Castling in Chess?

My answer as posted on Quora here: http://qr.ae/DyzTt Castling is the only time in chess when a player is allowed to move two of his/her own pieces simultaneously. The rearrangement that occurs when a player castles is beneficial because the king usually finds increased safety away from the dangerous center files while the rook boostsContinueContinue reading “What are the Advantages/Disadvantages of Castling in Chess?”

An Interview with Chess Coach Jay Stallings

Below is my interview with the incredibly popular chess coach, Jay Stallings. Coach Jay runs the California Youth Chess League which is one of the best run scholastic chess organizations on the west coast. In addition, Jay Stallings just released Coach Jay Chess Academy for the iPhone, iPad and Android Devices. Can you describe CoachContinueContinue reading “An Interview with Chess Coach Jay Stallings”

My Review of Coach Jay’s Chess Academy

Jay Stallings has been successfully employing a martial art belt system to teaching chess for nearly two decades. He has taught approximately 35,000 children the royal game, many of whom went on to become the top chess players for their age in the country. The motivation of earning belts coupled with his passion for and knowledgeContinueContinue reading “My Review of Coach Jay’s Chess Academy”