Cumbernauld Chess Club

Ian · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 133

Coaching next Wednesday, 13th! And the following week, 20th, if there are the numbers/demand.

What I have in mind is not opening theory as such, but looking at ways of how to improve your middle game prospects coming out of the opening, what to aim for, how to go for it etc. This is much more important than learning 12-15 moves of an opening that your opponent might not play! It won't be a lecture but a Q & A thing, so the bigger the audience the more chance you have of being able to hide Laughing

Seriously, I hope that I'll be able to provide you with food for thought, advice and suggestions that will help to improve your game, so come one, come all.

See you next week!

Ian · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 133

Thanks to all those who braved the elements and turned up tonight! I hope you found the session useful. Next week I'll take another look at how theory isn't the most important thing and how to handle a stronger opponent. Any suggestions you have on the night will also be welcome.
See you then!

George Thomson · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 99

Hi Ian,
Just thought Ian that your game from last night might be instructive for people. The final position at my first glance looked to be lost for you until I noticed the pawn on h7 Ready to mate. It might be helpful to encourage one not to crumble because your opponent "APPEARS" to have a strong attack against you.

Ian · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 133

George -

Thanks for the suggestion. Will see what I can do.

Ian · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 133

Thanks to those who came along to session #2. I hope you enjoyed it and, if anything I said helps you win the odd game, it'll have been worth it.
I'll have a shufti at the club calendar and see if there are any free Wednesdays in the new year when we can get round the demo board again.

robert kelso

Ian,

I wonder if you would like to put the games you were talking about on both Wednesdays on the web page?

If you send me the files in PGN I can post them in the games section. I could also add any commentary you require.

Just a thought
Robert
_________________
Robert

Ian · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 133

Hi Robert,

Sure, good idea. Will let you have PGN soon.

Ian · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 133

I meant to suggest a few book titles if you find explanatory stuff helpful.

Neil McDonald - Chess: The Art of Logical Thinking & The Art of Planning in Chess
Steve Giddins - 50 Essential Chess Lessons
John Nunn - Understanding Chess Move by Move

Each of these analyses GM games more or less move-by-move with the emphasis on explanatory text rather than tons of variations. Nunn goes deeper than the other two, but he is an excellent writer and well worth the effort. Any or all of these would be beneficial in terms of how to look at a position and how to choose plans and moves.

I also meant to mention the old tip of finding a player whose games you admire, Personally, I find Tal the most inspiring, while Karpov is hard to beat for positional play. Fischer was also a fabulous technical player. His games with White are particularly clear-cut. But really, any top players will do.

Have a great Christmas and a Guid New Year!