In these two videos, Matt discusses 1.d4 d5 2.e3 Bf5, preventing White's Stonewall setup by beating White to the d3-h7 diagonal. The only way White can play for an advantage is to play 3.c4 with the goal of an early attack on b7. Some of these positions can also be reached via the Slav Defense.
This video explores the Magnus Smith Trap, coined after the three-time, Canadian Chess Champion, Magnus Smith. It's a trap that white can play in the Sozin (also known as Fischer variation) of the Sicilian Defense.
This video shows a chess game that includes a good rook/king endgame battle, along with a king/pawn walk for promotion. See the moves, and learn yourself.
Matt covers some lines with a black ...Bg4. He found the first game with analysis on the Kenilworth Chess Club site. Most of the analysis he gave for this game is taken verbatim, but he does mention a couple side variations that you should be curious about. So watch!
Here, you'll see the Rice Gambit, and how to use it in your opening chess strategy, so one day, just maybe, you'll be able to win.
See how to operate the French defense and Caro-Kahn defense in your opening chess game.
See here the different ways you can win your chess game with only pawns and kings left to suffer.
This video features 6...Qc7 in the mainline of the Stonewall, a good move since after the obvious 7.Ngf3, White turns out worse in all lines. Matt suggests an alternate development of pieces including Nh3 and Qf3.
This video explores the Mortimer Trap, which is attributed to the player James Mortimer. This trap can be played by black in the Ruy Lopez opening. If white falls for the trap, the white player will be subject to a positional nightmare.
Here, see the Evans Gambit Opening book lines with possible variations. The video includes a match of Bobby Fischer's that highlights the use of the gambit. So, play like Bobby and be a master -- soon.
This video is a good match that looks at a dual fianchetto setup versus the Sicilian Defence. Don't know what fianchetto is? Well, here's a hint: It involves the bishop.
This is a match that takes a look at rapidly changing from a queen side attack to a king side attack, and how that can sometimes catch your opponent off guard. The match also shows how creating complications can sometimes mask the most deadly, yet subtle threat.
Here is a match with a Reti Opening transposing to a King's Indian Attack. See how to do it, and see why to do it.
This is a look at the book lines for the Scandinavian Defense played by Black, exploring variations, and also including a grandmaster game between Karpov and Larsen for illustration.
An opening strategy used by Black to have a strong attack against White queen/pawn openings. The Benoni Defence and variations have been used by the likes of Bobby Fischer and Kasparov, to name a few. Learn it!
The Danish Gambit opening allows for rapid attack development for White. This video explores the book line moves, along with possible counter-play by black.
Here, we explore the Alekhine's Defense, played by Black in countering the king's pawn opening, one of the most common openings used by White in online and over-the-board play.
This is an introduction to the Veresov Attack 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3. It features a game in which Matt crushes a reasonably strong guest who only makes 2 very natural looking errors (...O-O and ...c4). Try it out for yourself.
The move order 1.d4 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.Bd3 e6 4.Nd2 c5 5.c3 Bd6 is very annoying because it discourages the key move f2-f4. Instead, White should play a different opening. He can enter a reversed Meran Defense with 6.dxc5, or a Colle System with 6.Ngf3.
We look this time at 1.d4 d5 2.e3 e6 3.Bd3 Nc6, a move order I am calling the Teichmann Defense, after the player who first used it. It seems like a little-explored and reasonable approach against the Stonewall. So pay attention.
This is a discussion of a tricky line against the Stonewall, the Horowitz Defense (2...Nf6 3.Bd3 Nc6). White allows Black to spend three moves capturing the light squared Bishop and bringing White's pawn from c2 to d3, preventing a ...Ne4 invasion. This makes for very dynamic play.
In this series, Matt will examine the Stonewall Attack for White and display defenses which he thinks are challenging and/or interesting. Here's a prototypical Stonewall game where everything goes right for White.
This ending gives White three pawns against a rook, and one is about to queen... or is it? Watch and find out! See how to do it yourself.
This video demonstrate a system against the King's Indian Attack. Enjoy! And don't get too good, because if we ever play, I don't want to lose.
This is a discussion of Black's chances with the Fork Trick in the Four Knights Game... How to remove your opponent's advantage when he plays 4.Bc4! Kill your opponent, but not literally, you dope.
This is a trap in the Torre Attack (1.d4 2.Nf3 3.Bg5). It's a favorite in opening traps, so watch and learn. You'll need it someday.
After using the kings-knight opening, you can learn the Giuoco Piano, so you're not the weakling your opponent always thinks you are.
In this video, Matt explores a gambit line for Black in the Four Knight's English: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Nd4!?
This is a discussion of a trap in the Ruy Lopez, Steinitz Defense. This is an important trap to know, because it shows what happens if Black tries to hold the center in the Steinitz.
This is an interesting chess game presented by Serguei Vorojtsov. Mate this king in only three moves!
Watch the Capablanca vs Tartakower game from 1924. This is one of the most instructive chess games ever played. So, just watch.
This explores the Ruy Lopez Classical Defense opening (ECO C64). The video includes a match between Emanuel Lasker and Wilhelm Steinitz in the Chess World Championship rematch in 1896. See the Spanish Opening here, and learn it for yourself.
This game shows the importance of not making simple mistakes - it's something that every new chess player struggles with, including you. So, see them, and avoid them.
Here is a lesson on the middle game strategies that you can deploy to win the chess endgame. Watch and see how this guy can do it, and how you can do it, too.
This video teaches you how to mate with two bishops and a king when playing check. Instead of using just a king, here you'll see how to keep your bishops together and eventually pin the opponents king up against the wall. You'll learn how to properly line your bishops and always moving in the direction of your king. This is a step by step tutorial on how to psych out your oppenent with a few tricks to check mate at your next chess game.
This explores Bobby Fischer's strategies in, and versus, various openings. This video looks at Fischer's play in the King's Gambit Accepted opening (ECO C33). The match was played in 1968 against Minic Dragoljub at the Vinkovci tournament. Learn from the masters!
This explores Fischer's opening strategies versus various openings. This video looks at one of his defenses against the King's Pawn Opening. The match was played in 1966 in Santa Monica against Wolfgang Unzicker.
Here, we explore Fischer's opening strategies versus various other openings. This video looks at his King's Pawn Opening versus Bent Larsen's French Defense. The match was played in 1971 in Denver, with Fischer winning.
This is a discussion of Lasker's Trap, which shows up in the Albin counter-gambit to the Queen's gambit.
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