Online chess community where you can play chess, learn strategies and tactics, read chess news, see book reviews, find rules & tips, get free downloads, and more! http://www.chess.com/ 2007 Chess.com Alekhine faced off against Bogolijubow in two matches for the World Championship, and won both easily. This particular game set the tone for what was to come in the first. It inicates a strong attack. http://blog.chess.com/benws/setting-the-toneSun, 12 Oct 2008 07:09:32 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/setting-the-toneHere's a game i played recently. I was black, and found a few nice little tactical shots. Some were obvious, and some were not. I hope this will encourage you to always be on the lookout for tatics. http://blog.chess.com/benws/importance-of-tacticsWed, 08 Oct 2008 15:39:04 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/importance-of-tacticsIn celebration of my one year at chess.com, I'd like to post one of my very own games! This one was especially interesting, although i think i probably could have won (no offense to my opponent). Comments would be appreciated. http://blog.chess.com/benws/endgames3Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:27:56 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/endgames3This is a very nice game by Alekhine played in his early days. It made such an impression that it even inspired Schlechter to proclaim him a "future world champion." http://blog.chess.com/benws/young-prodigySun, 05 Oct 2008 05:57:23 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/young-prodigyTal is brilliant in this very complex game. Sacrifices start pouring in as soon as the opening is over. Hecht has a chance for a draw, and is forced into a bad endgame which Tal converts. http://blog.chess.com/benws/astonishingWed, 01 Oct 2008 15:36:22 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/astonishingIn one of the most famous games of this match, Petrosian makes a few odd moves to tempt Spassky into overreaching. Finally he does and two exchange sacrifices later, the stage is set for a brilliant combination. http://blog.chess.com/benws/psychologySat, 27 Sep 2008 06:58:51 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/psychologyKorchnoi comes out fighting in this game, but Karpov has a novelty prepared. He then follows up with a few cunning moves, and then some quick tactical blows that cannot be answered.               http://blog.chess.com/benws/cunningWed, 24 Sep 2008 17:56:23 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/cunningAn unusual opening leads to a quick exchange of the queenside pawns. Anand keeps the advantage and then suddenly sacrifices a piece on black's kingside. Karpov is unable to keep up with the pressure and flags. http://blog.chess.com/benws/cool-calculationSun, 21 Sep 2008 08:35:57 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/cool-calculationSteinitz employs a new idea in the opening, and Lasker quickly goes wrong. He tries to complicate the position, but Steinitz was in an irrepressible mood and sacrifices a piece for a strong attack. When Lasker finally cracks, it's all over. http://blog.chess.com/benws/irresistibleSat, 20 Sep 2008 06:48:26 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/irresistibleThis small collection of games shows really just how far a small burst of inspiration can go. Whether it be for sacrificing the whole house or crushing your opponent's king's position, they are remarkable in many ways.             Â...http://blog.chess.com/benws/inspired-you-betThu, 18 Sep 2008 14:44:14 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/inspired-you-betA brilliant game by Zviagintsev. When his opponent tries too hard to attack on the kingside, he takes over instead. Soon come the sacrifices: first a piece, then the exchange, and finally the queen herself. By this time it's clear the white king w...http://blog.chess.com/benws/dashing-attackMon, 15 Sep 2008 17:50:16 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/dashing-attackOver the years of chess history, we have seen many fantastic king-hunts. This is just a small smaple of them, but I feel like they deserve some credit. Hopefully, they will make you say, "I wish I could have played that game."    ...http://blog.chess.com/benws/still-rocksSun, 14 Sep 2008 09:09:57 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/still-rocksThis game is one of Nimzowitsch's great achievements. He implements a shocking plan on the 12th move, but it works! Johner is unable to defend against all the threats and his position is dismantled bit by bit. http://blog.chess.com/benws/quirky-strategemFri, 12 Sep 2008 16:25:15 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/quirky-strategemIn this game, Alekhine nullifies white's advantage in the opening. He then begins a series of threats and then strikes with a deadly combination.  This game recieved a brilliancy prize. http://blog.chess.com/benws/tactical-bombshellsTue, 09 Sep 2008 19:16:40 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/tactical-bombshellsTopalov makes an opening slip in this game, and allows black to equalize. However, he keeps on playing as if he still had the advantage. This allows Ivanchuck to take the initiative. When a deadly piece sacrfice forces the white king into the open...http://blog.chess.com/benws/a-quick-routSat, 06 Sep 2008 05:47:48 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/a-quick-routTarrasch takes advantage of Nimzowitsch's opening to build up control of the center, then makes the classic double bishop sacrifice. Nimzovitch tries to find counterplay, but in the end his king must take a walk up the board. http://blog.chess.com/benws/double-bishop-strikeFri, 05 Sep 2008 13:20:53 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/double-bishop-strikeBoleslavsky gives up a pawn in this game to establish a knight at d5 so that it can not be driven away. After this, he then begins an attack with his king-side pawns, and with the help of some tactics, finishes his opponent off. (notes & tit...http://blog.chess.com/benws/knight-outpost-at-d5Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:32:11 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/knight-outpost-at-d5A nice game by Fischer, as he demonstrates how powerful a passed pawn can be. He drives away the blockaders of the pawn, while gaining precious time by attacking unprotected pieces. His play might remind some of another chess prodigy-Paul Morphy. ...http://blog.chess.com/benws/passed-pawns-lust-to-expandSun, 31 Aug 2008 15:48:30 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/passed-pawns-lust-to-expandPetrosian was one of the best at handling kingside attacks. In this game, he starts out by making three aggressive moves with his queen, which uproot the three pawns defending black's king. Next he lures away the enemy queen with a bishop sacrific...http://blog.chess.com/benws/dispatching-the-kings-musketeersSat, 30 Aug 2008 07:10:25 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/dispatching-the-kings-musketeersAlekhine is at his best in this game, as he anchors pieces on strong squares, seizes open files, doubles his rooks on the 7th rank, and especially shows just how active a king can get. If there are combinations to be found, then Alekhine will find...http://blog.chess.com/benws/coup-de-graceFri, 29 Aug 2008 12:36:26 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/coup-de-graceA magnificent game by Rubinstein, in which he stresses the importance of centralization. With his rook on the 7th rank, and a powerful knight on e5, the whole game, with a king journey included, is a treat. (notes & title by irving chernev) http://blog.chess.com/benws/command-of-the-boardThu, 28 Aug 2008 13:13:58 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/command-of-the-boardPetrosian was a genius! How else could he cause a player as eminent as Korchnoi to suddenly collapse? He brings about a position where his opponent's pieces rely on each other for support. Then with the skill of a jujitsu expert, he applies pressu...http://blog.chess.com/benws/a-touch-of-jujitsuTue, 26 Aug 2008 12:24:33 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/a-touch-of-jujitsuIn what may be the most instructive rook & pawn ending ever, Tarrasch uses his aggresive rook to keep his opponent under unending pressure, and then marches his king & pawns up the board. (notes & title by irving chernev) http://blog.chess.com/benws/aggresive-rook-in-the-endingSat, 23 Aug 2008 08:26:18 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/aggresive-rook-in-the-endingThis year, at the 35th LPO, i tied for second in my section, with a score of +2=2 (a bye in the first round). Here are a few of my highlights. I would like to know what you think of the games and how i could have improved. DEBATE TOPIC: Are prem...http://blog.chess.com/benws/35th-lpoMon, 11 Aug 2008 19:30:13 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/35th-lpoI have decided to start a new type of contest that introduces people to the wide range of puzzles and the sense of humor of some composers. In this contest, you have to give the full answers to the puzzles, as well as the important variations. N...http://blog.chess.com/benws/variation-contestSat, 26 Jul 2008 08:07:44 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/variation-contestThe third contest has started! Name the key and you'll recieve a prize! If you've seen this before, no spilling the answer, and NO INTERNET USE. Remember, you have to post the correct answer in this blog to recieve credit. I'll post wh...http://blog.chess.com/benws/contest-3Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:32:09 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/contest-3The second contest has started! Same rules as the first- you get a chess problem, and have to name the key. If you've seen this before, no answering. no using anything except a board & pieces-no internet. The winner again recieves a prize!...http://blog.chess.com/benws/contest-2Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:30:32 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/contest-2I've decided to start a contest. I'll give you a chess problem, and you have to name the "key"- the first move that leads to checkmate no matter what black plays. no cheating- if you've seen this before, no answering. and no ...http://blog.chess.com/benws/contest-1Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:26:24 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/contest-1The American chess legend Paul Charles Morphy (1837-1884) was one of the most famous chess players of the 19th century and possibly the best of his time. After becoming U.S. champion in 1857, the following year he set off on a famous tour of Europ...http://blog.chess.com/benws/morphys-tourWed, 11 Jun 2008 16:38:26 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/morphys-tourIt's always nice to see a double-rook sac and a king-hunt all over the board. And if it occured in the 18th century? http://blog.chess.com/benws/you-cant-hideFri, 06 Jun 2008 18:28:25 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/you-cant-hideThe great Miguel Nadjorf (1910-1997) created some brilliant masterpieces during his lifetime, but one that really stands out is this one he played in 1928. Dubbed the "Polish Immortal", he sacrifices all 4 minor pieces to win. http://blog.chess.com/benws/the-polish-immortalWed, 28 May 2008 13:44:14 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/the-polish-immortalIn this widely overlooked historical game, Black sacrifices his queen just to force White's king deep into his territory. Amazingly enough, White's pieces cannot free his king from the trap and the game ends in perpetual check.   http://blog.chess.com/benws/forced-into-a-drawMon, 26 May 2008 09:13:41 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/forced-into-a-drawWe've all been there- after a horrible and unthinkable blunder, we're facing a hopelessly lost position. What do we do then? Resign? No. "Sit tight and hope for a blunder."- Sammy Reshevsky. Just ask David Bronstein...   http://blog.chess.com/benws/bronsteins-immortalSun, 25 May 2008 09:24:42 -0700http://blog.chess.com/benws/bronsteins-immortalThis is a positional masterpiece by Tarrasch. Despite there being no combinations, it illustrates how to stifle your opponent and take advantage. http://blog.chess.com/benws/systematic-strangulationThu, 22 Nov 2007 07:53:48 -0800http://blog.chess.com/benws/systematic-strangulationThis was a beautiful game I found in a book. Pay close attention to how White exploits the powers of zugzwang and the see-saw.    http://blog.chess.com/benws/a-brilliant-gameFri, 16 Nov 2007 16:39:00 -0800http://blog.chess.com/benws/a-brilliant-game