“Castling is safe. Castle early while you still can.”
Isn’t that what everyone says? Guess what – they are WRONG!
Take a look at how Kasparov destroys Mephisto (the computer engine) and his castled king in this game in 1985…
One of the most difficult challenges for those who play 1.e4 is what to do after 1…e5. White’s mainstream options require deep understanding and good memory, nevertheless, Black gets solid positions in all of them. Learning tons of modern theory becomes not only difficult but also not very effective. Then why should we go for that at all?
The Art of Exchanges is one of those under-the-radar ‘super skills’ that all the strong players possess, and the rest doesn’t quite get.
It is perhaps the most important, very underestimated SKILL in chess.
Few players, other than IMs and GMs realize how powerful that skill really is.
Needless to say, over 95% of club players do not put much thought when it comes to exchanging their pieces or pawns. If the exchange looks “fair” or “equal” why not swap a pair of bishops, trade the knight, or few pawns?
If you are looking to take your positional understanding to the next level, the TCW Academy course on the Outposts is a definite must-take! IM Milovan Ratkovic starts out with the basics and quickly deep dives into the mechanics of the outpost play.
Do you struggle in middlegame/endgame play? Have you ever wished you could convert your advantages more seamlessly in your games?
If so, have you considered engaging in the middlegame and minor-piece endgame study? We at TheChessWorld.com want to introduce you to Minor Piece Mastery. This 3-hour course will show you how to recognize good and bad minor pieces, when to trade, and how to convert the advantage in seemingly equal positions!
Have you ever found yourself in middlegame positions with no idea of what to do next? Are you tired of having to play dull, boring games with way too many piece trades?
If so, TCW Academy introduces an exciting new course on the Minority Attack with FM Zaur Tekeyev. This course will push you to force pleasant positions for yourself while simultaneously developing weaknesses for your opponent.
Have you been struggling to find the perfect Black opening against 1. d4?
With so many openings to choose from, it’s hard to find one that suits your chess style.
Though the Dutch Defense isn’t as commonly played as other openings, it can provide you with a new, lasting, and simple-to-learn setup that can provide you with the tools necessary to finish the game!
Are you looking for new, grandmaster-level techniques to play as White? GM Jacek Stopa is back with a new and powerful weapon against the Nimzo! This course provides you with many of the essential attacking ideas and strategies necessary to beat your opponent.
Interested? Keep reading for more info about how you can transform your game as White!
London System is one of the most popular openings nowadays, on both Grandmaster and Club levels.
In this 3-hour crash course, GM Marian Petrov will reveal everything you need to know about playing the London System for White.
We get tons of questions, all of which come down to this “I know what to do in the opening, I know how to start the game, but then I begin to struggle… unless I have a clear attack I really don’t know what to do in the middlegame”.
In this course, IM Kolosowski will address those concerns and questions. Mat will demonstrate how you can spot your opponent’s weaknesses and use them for your benefit.
