Keeping up with the Pirc Defence

Piorun-Duda

Austrian Attack

TCh-FRA Top 12 2018 rd5

After 34.Nf1(Diagram)

White played a move not mentioned by Marin in The Pirc Defence(10.Qe1) and proceeded with sharp attacking play

Black took over and had an extra P and the momentum in the late middlegame

What do you recommend for Black now?

After 34.Nf1

The latest issue of TWIC is now available

Selected games

Srinath-Galyas,M

c3 Sicilian

37th Zalakaros Open 2018 rd5

After 16.Bb4(Diagram)

White has the bishop pair while Black has the knight pair

What do you recommend for Black?

After 16.Bb4

Hera,I-Lagarde,M

Dutch Defence

TCh-FRA Top 12 2018 rd6

After 36.Kf1(Diagram)

It is hard to imagine how White’s pieces could be positioned any worse.

What do you recommend for Black?

After 36.Kf1

Available later this year from Quality Chess

The Woodpecker Method

“The Woodpecker Method is the name given by Axel Smith to a training system developed by his compatriot and co-author Hans Tikkanen. After training with his method in 2010, Tikkanen achieved three GM norms and gained 100 rating points, all within a seven-week period.

The quick explanation of the Woodpecker Method is that you need to solve a large number of puzzles in a row; then solve the same puzzles again and again, only faster. It’s not a lazy shortcut to success – hard work is required. But the reward can be re-programming your unconscious mind. Benefits include sharper tactical vision, fewer blunders, better play when in time trouble and improved intuition.

This book contains everything you need to carry out your own Woodpecker training. Smith and Tikkanen explain how to get the maximum benefit from the method, before presenting over 1100 puzzles and solutions, all of which have been checked and double-checked for accuracy and suitability.”

Technical Decision Making

The Queen’s Indian Defence

The Sicilian Taimanov

Just released are

Cornette,D-Laznicka

TCh-FRA Top 12 2018 rd1

After 28.Qf5(Diagram)

The position is sharp but White has a rather loose kingside

What do you recommend for Black?

After 28.Qf5

Don’t get stuck in Philidor swamp!

Available now from New in Chess

Strategic Chess Exercises-GM Bricard,E

90 exercises

• 1-62 Middlegame
• 63-90 Endgame
• Index of themes
• Index of players

The solutions give all the moves to the game.

I tried 4 middlegame and 2 endgame exercises today

The solutions have plenty of word explanations and have variations to back them up

The exercise positions come from old and not well known games

There are only 90 exercise so I would have been happier with more.

There is no scoring system so readers cannot gauge their progress or level

Exercise 1

Donner-Smyslov 

Havanna 1967

After 17.Nc3(Diagram)

What plan leads to a large black advantage?

After 17.Nc3

I got the first move(s) and the plan correct but not the finer details. For this exercise I would have scored 2 out 5 pts(2.5 at the maximum) but there is no scoring system.

I like this book and rate it ***(good) out of 5

The Week in Chess latest issue is now available.

Selected games

Balogh,Cs-Kosten,A

Italian Game

TCh-FRA Top 12 2018 rd3

After 31..Nh5(Diagram)

White has a piece for three pawns and has the position under control. The queenside passed pawns are not a factor and the Nd4 blockades the isolated d-pawn.

What do you recommend for White now?

After 31..Nh5

Edouard-Balogh,Cs

Slav Defence

TCh-FRA Top 12 2018 rd2

After 30..Qxc5(Diagram)

White is on the attack but the g-file looks blocked. Maybe the passed e-pawn will be a factor in the endgame

What do you recommend for White?

After 30..Qxc5

Gledura-Efimov,Ig

Lowenthal Sicilian

TCh-FRA Top 12 2018 rd2

After 30..Rb6(Diagram)

The endgame has arrived and the b5-pawn is about to fall

What do you recommend for White?

After 30..Rb6

Now available from New in Chess

Applying Logic in Chess

By IM Kislik now living in Budapest

Now available from New in Chess

Bologan’s Caro-Kann

352 pp publication date June 15

Play the Semi-Tarrasch

224 pp

-No games index

-Detailed table of contents

Adly-El Gindy

g3 Solid line 5.Qa4

ch-Africa 2018 rd7

After 32.Kg2(Diagram)

White came up with a new way of  developing his knights Nc3-Nge2 instead of the more conventional Nc3-Nf3

Grunfeld players have nothing to fear as White middlegame advantage had nothing to do with the novel knight development

White had a massive advantage for most of the game but what do you recommend for Black here?

After 32.Kg2

The Philidor Defence

Black has a solid and interesting position after the main line 4.Nf3 and must be willing to accept a quick queen trade after 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8 Kxd8 which is not to everyone’s taste.

After 3..e5

Let us see a recent example of the endgame.

Vera Siguenas-Almeida Quintana

Philidor Endgame 6.Bg5 Be6

53rd Capablanca Mem Open rd6

The Philidor Endgame arises after a quick queen trade and Black loses castling rights after 5..Kxd8(Diagram)

After 5..Kxd8

After 83.Rb4(Diagram)

Black is active but is down a pawn. White has two connected queenside passers in this sharp position. Maybe the self-propelled b,c pawns will do fine without their king.

What do you recommend for Black?

After 83.Rxb4