In this course, GM Misa Pap goes through several high-level games of the masters like Tal, Karpov, Alekhine, Carlsen, etc to demonstrate how the big players gain initiative over equally skillful opponents, move by move, like a python squeezing its prey to death.
Every chess player’s dream.
To stay one step ahead of his opponent.
But what does it really mean?
It means that when your opponent prepares that mating attack on h7, you not only do NOT care but also know that you will take away his queen thwarting his plans before that.
That, my friend, is what we call “initiative” in chess.
It’s when you force your opponent to react to your ideas, dodging those blows left and right, and not realizing that he is actually playing to lose, not to win.
How do you gain the initiative in chess? It would be hard to explain that in this short email.
Why not let a Grandmaster teach you that instead? GM Misa Pap is here with his brand-new training called Initiative: Complete Guide for Club Players (as the name says, it is meant for you).
In this course, GM Pap goes through several high-level games of the masters like Tal, Karpov, Alekhine, Carlsen, etc to demonstrate how the big players gain initiative over equally skillful opponents, move by move, like a python squeezing its prey to death.
A sneak peek into the training:
- Take the queen? Yes, of course. But with which piece? The rook or the bishop? If you were like me, you would choose the bishop. Yet Keres chose the rook. Why? To have a rook on the d-file so it can land on d2 on the next move and push those pawns forward. GM Pap tells you how exchange sacrifices can help you chase your plans better.
- Paralysis in paradise. Paralysis for your opponent, paradise for you. Look at the position above. White captured on e3. As a result, Black finds a mating combo that puts a smile on his face. Want to find such combos out of thin air? Let GM Pap show you some of Alekhine’s games, including this one, for your better chess understanding.
- Power of bishops…done right. Who yields it better than Tal, right? In this game, you will see how Tal put the pressure on his opponent throughout the game – just when one hole was plugged, another opened up. Let GM Pap tell you how, despite the many mistakes committed by Tal, he always had the initiative… and how you can too.
If you are spending hours learning openings, ignoring the chess fundamentals, you won’t go very far (sorry to say). The initiative is one such concept – overlooked and underrated.
Here’s your chance to level up with your stronger opponents!
Outline:
Introduction
Chapter 1. Alekhine – Duras
Chapter 2. Bogoljubov – Alekhine
Chapter 3. Reti – Alekhine
Chapter 4. Hort – Keres
Chapter 5. Tal – Keres
Chapter 6. Keres – Smyslov
Chapter 7. Keres – Smyslov 1948
Chapter 8. Botvinnik – Bronstein
Chapter 9. Bronstein – Keres
Chapter 10. Bakulin – Bronstein
Chapter 11. Botvinnik – Tal
Chapter 12. Fischer – Tal
Chapter 13. Bobotsov – Tal
Chapter 14. Tal – Karpov
Chapter 15. So – Aronian
Chapter 16. Carlsen – Aronian I
Chapter 17. Carlsen – Aronian II
About the Author:
GM Misa Pap [FIDE 2521]
is a self-made Serbian Grandmaster. He is a winner of 16 international tournaments with 2600+ performances, former youth Champion of Yugoslavia, and a 3-time Champion of Vojvodina. GM Pap is a regular participant in the European Chess League and has over 15 years of coaching experience. He is also a regular contributor to Chess Informant.
