Learning Openings? Do this!
In a previous post, I outlined the three major challenges that typically hinder average chess players from excelling in opening play. Quick recap, those are: Clarity: Which opening should you…
Most players doing it wrong!
Do you know that over 70% of club players consider studying openings as ‘very important‘? They spend on average 3-5 hours per week learning openings… And yet they improve by…
How to Beat French Defense with 3.Nd2
The French Defense has become a popular choice of late among Grandmasters and club players. This opening affords great scope for imagination and creativity from both sides. White has numerous…
Chess Openings for Beginners with GM Marian Petrov [TCW Academy]
Let GM Marian Petrov guide you through this initial phase with his new course, “Chess Openings for Beginners,” and quickly gain confidence in every new game you play! Ever felt…
Queen’s Gambit Declined Explained: Complete Guide for Black
Queen’s Gambit Declined (QGD) is a timeless opening. Every world champion from Steinitz to Ding Liren has played this opening. This should tell us volumes about the depth and rich…
Modern Defense: Complete Guide for Black
Modern Defense seeks to fight on its terms because it unbalances the battlefield. The pieces march on to their locations before launching an offensive in the center. This can lead…
Alfred’s Double
I’ve recently been researching the Leicester player Alfred Lenton, who shared 3rd place and 2nd place in the 1935 and 1936 British Championships. At the time he was an avid…
Busch-Gass Gambit
The other day one of my clubmates asked me about the Busch-Gass Gambit, which, I must admit, was a new one on me. There are a few videos around so…
Opening Selection
If you had a friend – or a pupil – who was just starting to play competitive chess, what openings would you advise them to play? To the best of…
Top 5 Opening Systems You Must Know
Chess openings are akin to the initial strokes on a canvas, setting the stage for intricate struggles that unfold as the game progresses. Each system beckons players to embrace their…