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A Zwischenzug is also called an “in-between move”. It occurs when a player, instead of playing the expected move, first plays another move, posing an immediate threat that the opponent must answer, and only then plays the expected move. Zwischenzug can be seen in attacking on (more commonly) be used…
The Italian Game is a very rich opening system in which any player can find a line that suits his own style: attacking players can rely on the Two Knights...
The Hungarian Defense is a variant of the Italian Game, a very rich opening system. Those two moves are excellent. Bishop to c5 is the start of the solid Giuoco...
Around 1825, on a steamboat traveling between Wales and Ireland, captain Evans, a strong Chess amateur, was playing a game against one of the best players of his time, Alexander...
The Italian game is one of the oldest Chess openings. Analysis about the Italian game have been found from as early as the fifteenth century, by Italian players such as...
The Ruy Lopez is an opening that withstood the test of time. It has been played by players of the highest levels of strength since the Renaissance. It is one of the evergreen, classical, super-solid opening choices which are in every strong player’s repertoire. It...
This article focuses on positions arising from the Ruy Lopez opening, after the Ruy Lopez exchange variation starting with Bxc6 dxc6. This variation does not arise from the Ruy Lopez tense center, as White immediately exchanges the bishop rather than trying to keep the tension...
The Marshall attack belongs to the great family of positions arising from the Ruy Lopez opening, with a very specific strategy. But, let’s be honest, it is a one-of-a-kind opening and pawn center. So the usual plans in the Ruy Lopez do not exactly apply...
This article focuses on plans and ideas in central formations after white plays d4-d5 from the Ruy Lopez tense center. The closed center is one of the many pawn structures arising in the Ruy Lopez. The first type of center we are going to examine...
After Key Squares in pawn endgames, the next fundamental concept in King and pawn endgames is opposition. What is the opposition If you have the opposition, your opponent will be...
Do you see yourself as the master of Rook and pawn endgames ? It is time to assess your true strength ! At the end of this article, you will...
How to defend Rook endgame ? This article is a follow up of my previous articles on the Lucena position and the Philidor position. Rook endgames offer rich possibilities for...
There are two crucial positions to know in Rook and pawn endgames: the Philidor position and the topic of this article, the Lucena position. Its name comes from the Spanish...
Deflection is a Chess tactic that forces an opposing piece to leave the square it occupies. It is then deflected away from defending a piece or an important square. It is a powerful tactic as it often comes as a surprise ! Indeed, some pieces...
A Discovered Attack in Chess is a specific way to create two threats in one move: this is in fact another type of Double Attack, like the Fork in Chess. What Is A Discovered Attack A discovered attack is an attack revealed when one piece...
You may wonder why we are interested in tactical patterns such as the double attack. Here is why: once you have a material advantage in a Chess game, the roadmap is to exchange pieces, which will ultimately help you to create a passed pawn, that...
Tactical patterns in Chess are what will give you a material advantage. We have studied the Pin in Chess and how to win material with it, the Skewer is another fundamental Chess pattern you need to know. The Difference Between A Skewer And A Pin...