Although this variant of chess adheres to the same rules and initial setup as the standard game, it stands out as one of the most fascinating and enjoyable versions due to a significant difference. What you capture becomes your extra weapon to drop on the board as a sudden strike. Creepy, huh?
Month: July 2023
Curiosities
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Pure mate: Do not overkill the king
A pure mate is a special type of checkmate, mostly used in chess compositions for its aesthetic value. A mate is called “pure” when the opponent’s king is being checked by only one piece, and each square around the king is being attacked by only one piece, or if the square is occupied by a friendly piece.
Tricks And Traps
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Fantasy Variation Trap: Crack the Caro-Kann defense
The variation of the Caro-Kann Defense, known as the Fantasy Variation, previously referred to as the Tartakower or Maróczy variation, bears some similarities to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. This is expressed through the sequence of moves 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3.
Endgame Strategy
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Advanced: Bishop and pawn vs. knight and pawn
We know that in open positions, a bishop is stronger than a knight. This rule is also reflected in the endgame, where one player has a bishop and a pawn, while the opponent defends with a knight and a pawn. The bishop can not only stop the opponent’s pawn, but also control the space around his own pawn, while the knight is forced, due to his short range, to limit himself to only one task.
Opening Theory
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Learn to play Belgrade Gambit: The power of knights
The Belgrade Gambit is considered to be somewhat risky for White, as Black has several ways to defend against the attack and equalize the position. However, it can be a fun and aggressive opening to play, and it has been used successfully by grandmasters such as Alexei Shirov and Vassily Ivanchuk.
Tactical Tips
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Half-open file: Pressure your opponent
A half-open file, also known as a semi-open file, is a chess term used to describe a file where pawns of one color are absent. Such a file can be strategically advantageous for a player, as it can provide an open line of attack for their rook or queen.
Puzzles
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#15: What was the idea behind the knight sacrifice?
In the previous move, White made a knight charge to d7, which looked like a…
Full Game Analysis
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Immortal Draw: How White saved the seemingly lost game
During the game, Black makes significant sacrifices of material in order to dislodge the white king from its initial position and aim for a checkmate. However, White impressively thwarts Black’s efforts by continuously putting the king in check, leading to a draw.
Curiosities
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Famous chess study: Win against an unstoppable pawn?
The following study is a very interesting example of a position where a rook is actually stronger than a queen, and White can win the endgame that would be otherwise a draw in most configurations. It was composed by the Czech composer and international master Josef Moravec (20. 3. 1882-29. 8. 1969).
Tricks And Traps
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Noah’s Ark Trap: Win a bishop in eleven moves
It is unclear where the name comes from. It could be due to the resemblance of the black pawns on a6, b5, and c4 to an ark, or it may have originated from the idea that the trap is ancient, dating back to the time of Noah’s Ark (or at least to the time when the modern chess rules were established).