Grakovsky's Blog
Hi, welcome to my Chess.com blog. I am an avid chess player and writer. Here you will find varied chess write-ups including stories, opening theory, my annotated games, history of chess, endgame studies, and much more.
When writing on more complicated subjects such as opening theory or the history of chess, I do thorough research in valid books and online encyclopedias - and of course I cite my sources!
If you like what I do, please feel free to check out my chess articles which I write regularly just as these blogs.
Submitted by
on Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:32pm.
I am pleased to announce the opening of my new chess blog. You can find it at this link: http://www.daveschessblog.blogspot.com/.
Also if you didn't know by now, Chess.com has recently began making video podcasts which can be found at this link: ... Read more »
Submitted by
on Thu Apr 16, 2009 2:51pm.
The Grand Prix Attack or also known by some as the McDonnell Attack is a strong anti-Sicilian opening. The Grand Prix Attack is most commonly started by 2.Nc3 first before going on with 3.f4. The modern main line continues 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 ... Read more »
Submitted by
on Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:53pm.
Here is a game I just played today. A simple Scotch Game that led to a simple draw where there probably were opportunities for a vivid finale if only I had sharper foresight. I played with the White pieces.
Read more »
Submitted by
on Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:56pm.
The following is a modest collection of my highlighted chess games and positions that I have encountered today. I am posting them here mainly for my own reference and analysis but to also share my chess advancements with others.
Game number one: ... Read more »
Submitted by
on Wed Apr 8, 2009 3:53pm.
One of the simpler variations of the King's Gambit is the less popular Cunningham Gambit: 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 Be7 4.Bc4 Nf6. After 4.Bc4 or 4.Nc3, Black could also choose to play ...Bh4 giving a check and preventing White from castling. Either... Read more »
Submitted by
on Tue Apr 7, 2009 5:45pm.
Alessandro Salvio was an Italian chess player and analyst. Born in 1570, Salvio lived a long life with successful events, of which included starting a chess academy in Naples. He also wrote two books dedicated to his chess analysis, the first was ... Read more »
Submitted by
on Wed Apr 1, 2009 5:19pm.
Here is a chronological list of my previously written chess articles from newest to oldest.
Elements of a chess game
The Knight: Part III
The Knight: Part II
The Knight: Part I
Bishop Excellence: Part III
Bishop Excellence: Part II
Bishop E... Read more »
Submitted by
on Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:07pm.
This following text excerpt is a translated by me piece from David Bronstein's book 200 Open Games. This illustrative book was originally published in Russian in 1973 and all content credit goes to the original writer, David Bronstein. Although th... Read more »
Submitted by
on Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:53pm.
The question stated in the title seems a bit strange, doesn't it?
Everybody nowadays knows that stalemate is an equal ending from which no side gains or loses. A half point to me, a half point to you.
And here we are asked: "to whose favor?". To... Read more »
Submitted by
on Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:58am.
The "Excelsior" was one of Sam Loyd's most famous chess problems which was published in London Era in 1861. Loyd had a friend who was willing to wager that he could always find the piece which delivered the principal mate of a chess problem. Loyd ... Read more »