Dear Chess Friends! Knowing when and how to end a fight is one of the most crucial skills a player can acquire in positions that are sharp and double-edged. Complete the game correctly, eliminating all counterplay, in addition to gaining an adva...
Dear Chess Friends, I am pleased to invite you to the French Defense Rapid Arena, which I will be hosting tomorrow, April 24th at 12 PM EDT, on Chess.com in the Chesslance Club. Here are some tournament details:Duration: 1 ...
Dear Chess Friends! This Sunday, I invite you to a new workshop dedicated to a classic and highly effective strategy: the attack on immobile pawns. Those are the pawns that cannot move or escape, they are static weaknesses. They sit, they wait...
Dear Chess Friends, I am pleased to invite you to the Smith-Morra Gambit Rapid Arena, which I will be hosting tomorrow, April 10th at 6 PM EDT, on Chess.com in the Chesslance Club. Here are some tournament details:Duration: ...
Dear Chess Friends, I am pleased to invite you to the Italian Opening Rapid Arena, which I will be hosting tomorrow, April 10th at 12 PM EDT, on Chess.com in the Chesslance Club. Here are some tournament details:Duration: 1...
Dear Chess Friends! Chess is a complete information game — nothing is hidden — but far too complex to be calculated all the way to the end. Our brains are amazing, but they have limits. So how do famous chess players decide when they...
Dear Chess Friends! A well-structured plan is essential in chess, but you also need to know when and how to change that plan. In almost every game, players face moments when the original strategy turns out to be ineffective or their opponent&rsq...
Dear Chess Friends! I'm going to start a new cycle of group lessons "How to Attack & Defend in Chess". This course is happening tomorrow (Friday) at 5 PM EDT. So if you’ve been thinking about joining, now is the time! And don&r...
Dear Chess Friends, I am pleased to invite you to the English Opening Rapid Arena, which I will be hosting tomorrow, April 3rd at 12 PM EDT, on Chess.com in the Chesslance Club. Here are some tournament details:Duration: 1 hourTime Control: 10...
Dear Chess Friends! Are you ready to take your chess strategy to the next level? Join the next workshop, "Multiplanned Play," as we delve into the art of versatile chess strategies that will allow you to penetrate even the toughest defenses. I...
Dear Chess Friends! A king’s safety often determines the outcome of a chess game. The weaker the king’s pawn cover, the easier it is to attack — and understanding how to exploit those weaknesses is a crucial skill for any chess...
Dear Chess Friends! In chess, a strong pawn structure is the backbone of a solid position—it protects the king, prevents tactical threats, and supports strategic plans. That’s why weakening your opponent’s pawn structure can be...
A single pawn can change the entire game—if you know how to promote it wisely! In this lesson, FM Viktor Neustroev explains the key principles of pawn promotion, showing you how to successfully advance your pawn and choose the best piece to ...
Did you know that sometimes, just having to move can be a disadvantage? This is the idea behind Zugzwang, a powerful concept where any move a player makes worsens their position. In this lesson, FM Viktor Neustroev explains how to recognize and ...
Sometimes, when all seems lost, there's still a way to escape defeat—by forcing a stalemate! In this lesson, FM Viktor Neustroev explains how to use stalemate as a defensive resource, turning losing positions into miraculous saves. Underst...
Your opponent’s king might feel safe behind its castle — but what if you could tear that defense apart? In this lesson, FM Viktor Neustroev explains the tactical motif of Demolition of the Castling Position, where you break down the pa...
Sometimes, a piece’s power extends beyond what meets the eye! In this lesson, FM Viktor Neustroev explains the tactical motif of X-Ray, where a piece influences squares and targets through another piece—either defending or attacking in...
A piece can only do so much—what happens when it has too many jobs at once? In this lesson, FM Viktor Neustroev explains the tactical motif of Overloading, where an opponent’s piece is stretched too thin, trying to defend multiple thre...
Not every move has to follow your opponent’s plan—sometimes, you can slip in a surprise move that changes everything! In this lesson, FM Viktor Neustroev explains the tactical motif of the Intermediate Move (or In-between Move)—a...
Dear Chess Friends! Winning in chess isn’t just about knowing the best moves—it’s about making the right decisions based on the situation at hand. A strong chess player must combine technical skill with practical, psychological...
Sometimes, the best way to disrupt your opponent’s plans is by cutting off their pieces from working together. In this lesson, FM Viktor Neustroev explains the tactical motif of Interference (also known as Intersection)—a powerful tact...
Sometimes, the best move isn’t an attack — it’s making space for one! In this lesson, FM Viktor Neustroev explains the tactical motif of Vacating a Square, where you clear an important square to make way for a stronger piece or a...
Dear Chess Friends! I’m excited to invite you to my upcoming workshop, “Positional Sacrifice in the Endgame.” Sacrificing material is often associated with attacking the king in the middlegame, but in the endgame, sacrifices ta...
Controlling open lines is a key to powerful attacks and winning positions! In this lesson, FM Viktor Neustroev explains the tactical motif of Opening a Line, where you clear the path for your pieces to become more active and create threats. Mast...
What’s better than winning a piece? Trapping it with no escape! In this lesson, FM Viktor Neustroev explains the tactical motif of Trapping a Piece, showing you how to restrict your opponent’s pieces and force them into hopeless positi...
