This is a chess improvement exercise. It is white to move. Would you accept a draw in this position as white? If yes, why? If not, what is your game plan? Play it out against a friend or against...
Finding the right plan
I recently saw this game online between a former U.S. Women’s Champion (White) and an amateur (Black). It is Black to move. White has space disadvantage but all White’s pawns are out of reach of the Black’s Bishop. Black...
Practical game exercise
White to move. Do you prefer White or Black? What is the best plan for White? This is a good game to play out from this point. r1br2k1/p1q2pp1/4p1np/2ppP2Q/2n5/2PB1N2/2P2PPP/R1B1R1K1 w – – 0 22 Hartston, William – Portisch, Lajos (Nice,...
A training exercise
This is an actual position (after move 20…g6) between GM Novikov and GM Timofeev in round 3 of the Moscow Open. It is White to move. Which side do you prefer? Play this position out for a win with...
A great chess exercise
I have often recommended my students to play out positions from both sides as a chess exercise to improve their chess skills. Here is a perfect example to play out. This was an actual game between IM Ivanov and...
An instructional position to play out
Black to move. I often recommend my students to play out unbalanced positions against friends or computers as a form of chess improvement. Here is a good example. 1. How do you assess this position? Would you prefer White...