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FirebrandX's Blog


    • New chess book cover art:

      Coming out soon is John Watson's new book on a complete repertoire for white involving 1.d4 and 2.c4. I'm very excited to read this new book when it comes out, and I was honored once again to do the cover art for it. This time, we decided a milit... | Read More

      • FirebrandX
      • | Apr 10 2012
      • | 154 views
      • | 0 comments
    • Chasing down rabbits:

        One of my faults in online blitz is getting highly annoyed by what I call 'rabbits'. These are the cowards that run away after a close game they almost lost. I see them still online playing others, so it's not like they had anywhere they needed... | Read More

      • FirebrandX
      • | Mar 13 2012
      • | 207 views
      • | 1 comment
    • Are computers closing in on solving chess?

      The title may be a little extreme, but I got very curious about the concept. I chose to use ICCF games to get a solid pool of computer-enhanced game results. The arrival of multi-core computers and ever-stronger software like Rybka and Houdini ... | Read More

      • FirebrandX
      • | Dec 01 2011
      • | 691 views
      • | 4 comments
    • Winning an ICCF game with ZERO analysis:

      On ICCF where deep engine analysis drives most of your opponents' moves, it becomes paramount to be well-prepared in the opening. My own method is to create a database of all ICCF games played (they can be downloaded from the ICCF main web site). ... | Read More

      • FirebrandX
      • | Sep 30 2011
      • | 585 views
      • | 10 comments
    • Tournament Blitz: Openings & Timing

      I started playing 3-minute blitz tournaments over at another online site where you pay an entry fee in the form of cubits, hoping to take the top prize of nearly triple your entry fee. This adds intensity and pressure to perform well, actively ... | Read More

      • FirebrandX
      • | Mar 24 2011
      • | 467 views
      • | 0 comments
    • A total one-sided thrashing

      I didn't have the benefit of learning chess as a child. Instead, I picked up the game well into my adult years. As a result, I'm far too slow to play bullet to my own expectations of skill now that I'm nearing 40. 5-min blitz on the other hand,... | Read More

      • FirebrandX
      • | Mar 11 2011
      • | 283 views
      • | 0 comments
    • New ideas in the Alekhine-Chatard Attack:

           Probably the highlight of my chess career as a class player was my win against NM Austen Green in an OTB tournament a couple years ago. I had recently taken up the french defense and modeled my repertoire after IM Ari Ziegler's Chessba... | Read More

      • FirebrandX
      • | Jul 28 2010
      • | 1162 views
      • | 6 comments
    • Kasparov - Deep Blue 1997: History gets it wrong!

      Game 2 of the 1997 Kasparov - Deep Blue match was the subject of much controversy and debate. Kasparov resigned in what looked to be a hopeless position. Shortly after, gossip began spreading like wildfire that Kasparov missed a draw by perpetual!... | Read More

      • FirebrandX
      • | Jul 21 2010
      • | 1608 views
      • | 5 comments
    • Blitz Chess Players Hall of Shame

            For a long time I've wanted to let off some steam and write about a subject that makes my blood boil when playing online blitz chess. If this blog offends you, please try to remember I'm just venting. It feels good to just get it all of... | Read More

      • FirebrandX
      • | Jul 18 2010
      • | 1031 views
      • | 13 comments
    • The return of the killer repertoire:

      As a follow-up to my previous blog on David Rudel's "Zuke 'Em", I'd like to share news of a forthcoming new edition of Aaron Summerscale's "A Killer Chess Opening Repertoire". This time, Summerscale's legendary tome is revised and updated with the... | Read More

      • FirebrandX
      • | Aug 14 2009
      • | 598 views
      • | 1 comment