Slav Defense – The Schallopp Variation (Part 1)
Posted on February 27, 2012 by William in All Articles w/ Videos, Beginner’s Corner, Chess Openings
Welcome to my 3rd Beginner Chess Openings Series on the Slav Defense. My 1st and 2nd Beginner Chess Openings Series featured the “Stonewall Attack” and the “French Defense.” These three openings represent a comprehensive opening repertoire for the beginner chess player. Examining the big picture of this beginner opening system, you will find that the general ideas and pawn formations are very similar – enabling the beginner chess player to focus more on understanding general […]
Beginner Chess Psychology: Don’t Get So Emotional!
Posted on March 1, 2012 by William in General Chess Articles
It is very natural that the more energy you put into a chess game, the more you become emotionally invested. This can cloud your judgment and lead to second-best decisions, which is exactly why you should be fully aware of the dangers of emotional thinking in chess. It is absolutely critical to play your best chess in every single game that you play, and to do that you will need to be thinking like a […]
Chess960 on Chesscube: jessica_69 vs willstewart (Game 1)
Posted on February 29, 2012 by William in All Articles w/ Videos, Blitz/Bullet Chess
Chess960 is always interesting, and in this game I was able to close down the center and gain good control of the light squares. Black was able to gain a lead in development due to white moving her pawns a lot in the opening (d4, f4, c3, e3). With 7. …f6 and 8. …e5 I was able to break the center and gain activity for my minor pieces by opening the position. After winning a […]
Pawns Adventures (Episode 2)
Posted on February 28, 2012 by iPlayooChess in Beginner’s Corner, Classic Games (Pre 2010), General Chess Articles, Strategy & Game Review
There would be no chess without humble and courageous pawns and their heroic sacrifice in chess battles everywhere. The Sacred Work of Pawns For starters, the pawns, supported by friendly units behind them, are used to create strong points in the center early in the opening. The central pawn structure and well-protected strongholds guard important squares and generally prevent the other warring side from expanding and conquering your territory. The solid pawn set-up in the […]
Follow William for fresh daily updates: Follow @OnlineChessLessWilliam Stewart is a National Master. He specializes in Online Chess Coaching and maintains a daily updated Chess Blog
Is the Slav risky?