1 Ivan Sokolov | | Chess Castle
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Author - Ivan Sokolov

29 Mar

Understanding Ruy Lopez Chigorin

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0–0 8.c3 d6 9.h3 The three most common choices for Black in this position are Zaitsev, Breyer or Chigorin variations. Black knight jump to a5 represents Chigorin variation of Ruy Lopez. While Zaitsev and Breyer variations have some ‘plans in common’, Chigorin variation leads to (type of) play of its own. 9…Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 This is the starting position of Ivan Salgado’s analyses. Ivan delves into distant past [...]

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29 Mar

Vienna Variation 6. Bc4 Gambit

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 Bb4 This opening line has been (already for many years) frequent guest in top level tournaments. Plenty of theoretical knowledge is definitely needed (for the both sides), however White players have (so far) not found the way to pose Black problems in the main lines (6.Bg5 being the most common choice). White can however escape tons of theory and choose for a daring gambit. 6.Bxc4!? White sacrifices pawn in order to gain (development) [...]

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07 Feb

Young Lions

Jorden van Foreest , Dutch youngest GM ever, shares his 2017 World Juniors’ road…successful opening preparation… and missed chances. Jorden starts with his World Juniors’ Najdorf preparation and shows how his ideas in (still) little played line netted him sizeable opening advantages. In important game however Van Foreest lets his advantage slip and loses dynamic (better) endgame. Consequence of that loss was a ‘must win’ situation in the last round versus Aryan Tari. Playing white (and) fearing ‘direct preparation’ in Scotch [...]

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07 Feb

Blumenfeld Gambit

Romantic Blumenfeld Gambit survived into new century and is relatively often guest in modern tournament practice. White main dilemma is – to accept the gambit or not? Present theoretical state of affairs does not offer a clear guideline on this question. Our “Mr Gambit’s Killer” thinks…the challenge should be taken and provoking pawn eaten! The following comments are of the author himself… 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 b5!? The Blumenfeld Gambit. It was played in the beginning of the 20th century by Rudolf [...]

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01 Feb

Budapest Gambit Refutation [A52]

“Evergreen Budapest” gambit has been romanticized in a number of opening books, pages and pages spent to inspire Black to go for this daring opening choice. White has (theoretically) known options to obtain some advantage, but far from enough to dissuade Black’s adventerous spirit. The “Salgado refutation” is (once seen) very logical and safe. The idea itself is little played and unknown to many (including myself prior to this DVD!). 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ng4 So, we have [...]

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