The Short Endgame, named for GM Nigel Short, arises after a classic opening and middlegame pattern. GM Hammer shows you how to handle these positions from opening to ending.
Ruslan Ponomariov is a chess legend, so it's hard to choose his greatest game. So why not let Ruslan himself show you his choice, an amazing win against Hikaru Nakamura?
Patience is an underrated skill in chess, and perhaps in life. In a game of imbalances, waiting for the right moment pays off. GM Hammer shows you the power of patience on the chessboard in this lesson.
How did Bobby Fischer, one of the greatest to ever play the game, handle a match against an early chess computer? IM Daniel Rensch shows you an important game in the history of computer chess.
Bishops can be dangerous pieces to play against, but if you know how to restrict their power, you can turn them into glorified pawns—or worse. In this lesson, GM Hammer shows you how to play against the opponent's bis...
Did you know that doubled pawns are not always a weakness in chess? Let GM Jon L. Hammer show you how to turn doubled pawns into a way to launch a winning attack.
GM Simon Williams practices what he preaches as he shows you a quick game he lost to a talented young chess player. Learn from the GingerGM himself on what not to do when playing a strong amateur.
Even though chess is a game of perfect information, the higher-rated player doesn't always win. Join GM Simon Williams in his review of shocking games where the amateur player pulled off the upset.
Chess computers have reached the lofty perch of seemingly unbeatable chess masters, but they have a long history of development. IM Daniel Rensch takes you back to the beginning as he looks at the history of computer...
One more big reason you should study master games is how often the themes, strategies and tactics repeat themselves through the years over the chessboard. Compare these two brilliant games by Capablanca and Carlsen, 7...
Studying the games of chess masters is an important part of the improvement process in chess. Take the time to learn from the players who have gone before you to the peak of the chess world, and you might find more su...
The last thing you want to do in a chess game is underestimate your opponent. Learn how to always respect the position on the board to avoid danger in this lesson.
How did Garry Kasparov, one of the greatest chess players ever, use the Tarrasch Defense to crush another chess legend, Yasser Seirawan? Find out how Kasparov transitioned from the opening to a winning endgame in this...
The Tarrasch Defense is a heavyweight opening used at the highest levels. Learn from this crucial game in the 1984 world chess championship between two of the greatest to ever play the game.
Whenever you learn an opening, you need to know the common traps and tactics that arise from the position. In this review of the Tarrasch, find out what you need to look out for as you add the opening to your repertoire.
As you learn the basics of Fischer Random chess, you will begin to find some big differences between the game and regular chess. GM Yasser Seirawan shows you how even the world champion, Magnus Carlsen, can struggle w...
It's not every day you get to learn a popular chess variant from a chess legend. GM Yasser Seirawan introduces you to the growing game of Fischer Random, also known as Chess960, where the starting positions are shuffl...
For your next in-depth lesson on the Tarrasch Defense, learn how to activate the power of your pieces in this opening system. Is there any greater chess openings authority than the legendary Garry Kasparov? Watch how...
In any serious chess opening, the isolated pawn can be both a weakness and a strong point for an attack. Learn how to play the Tarrasch when the isolated pawn starts marching up the board.
As you understand more about the Tarrasch in this deep lesson series, watch this video to learn about lines where the dark-square bishop develops quickly out of the starting gate.
Continue our lesson series on the complex but fascinating Tarrasch Defense. This video examines the most classical lines, where White plays e3.
If you've followed our comprehensive lessons on the Scotch Game, you know the basics of the opening, key ideas and even some instructive games. Now it's time to learn the rare variations, including Bb4+.
The Scotch is an opening prized by beginners and intermediate players for its straightforward nature, but it's serious enough to be used by the best grandmasters on earth. Watch how Caruana uses the opening to win a n...
Want to learn how to play the Scotch game? Check out this instructive game from a young Magnus Carlsen, who used the opening to demolish the great Peter Leko.
Now that you've had a chance to go over the basics of the Scotch game, get ready to learn the advanced ideas of grandmaster preparation in this rich opening.
