Showing posts with label defending Champion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label defending Champion. Show all posts

Psychology of defense in chess

First, let me remind you that tomorrow is the LAST chance for you to get our new course “Defending Champion” with a really massive 35% discount, saving about a huge USD $42. You just have to use the code “defend35” when purchasing the course. If you don’t know how to use a discount code, please see here.
Defending Champion chess course

As I said earlier, defense is a very important chess skill. At least in about 50% of a chess game, we need to defend. Many players struggle to get out of hard positions, and crumble under pressure. If you study this course carefully, you will be able to defend correctly against all level of players.

Even someone like YOU, an RCA student, has admitted this truth in the comments section of our previous article:
RCA studentLet me emphasize the statement with a practical example – the third game between Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin in the recent World Chess Championship match.

Carlsen – Karjakin
Carlsen vs Karjakin Game-3
Black to play

Carlsen is a pawn up, and he played 66.Ng4+, trying to win the Black’s e7-bishop. White has a clear advantage, but Black can generate counter-play with the h-pawn, and his King may run to the queenside. If Black King or Rook manages to capture the White’s b3-pawn, then the game will end in a draw.

Can you find a way for Black to save the game? Can you think like Karjakin – the ‘minister of defense’? :)

The game continued as follows: 66…Kf7 67.Re6 Rxh3 68.Ne5+ Kg7 69.Rxe7+ Kf6 70.Nc6 Kxf5
Carlsen vs Karjakin Game-3
White to play

Karjakin gave up his bishop and got an outside passed pawn for compensation. As said above, Black’s main goal is to capture the b3-pawn and draw the game with a great satisfaction. However, White still has chances to win the game. Yes, Carlsen missed a golden opportunity to win the game here. Can you find it? :)

Yes, the World Champion missed the winning move 71.Re1! We can clearly understand that sometimes, the PERFECT DEFENSE is what all we need to stay alive in the game, escape with a draw from tough positions.

Note: you can see the complete analysis of Game-3 here.

Karjakin’s defense would have definitely impacted Carlsen’s psychology and winning confidence, as the latter failed to find the winning move. Thus, we can see that even though our defense does not directly save us from the game, the process is ‘indirect’ – breaking our opponent’s confidence to win. :)

You can learn everything about the psychology of defense, active defense and counterattack, simplification in chess, how to consolidate and save lost position, and lots more from our course “Defending Champion”.
RCA student

Don’t forget to use the coupon “defend35” and save about USD $42 (35% discount!)
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4 typical chess mistakes in defense you should never make!

First, let me remind you that the special 35% discount (save about $40) on our new course “Defending Champion” expires on Wednesday, 4 Jan. Use coupon “defend35” when making your purchase (see how to use the coupon here). You can find more details about the course here.

Let me also remind you that the special 30% discount on all RCA courses to celebrate the Christmas Holidays expires tomorrow (31st). Use coupon “holidays30” when purchasing the courses. You can find more details here.
designWe are humans and we make mistakes, this is normal. There are some typical cases in which chess players make the same mistake(s) repeatedly. In this lesson about defense, you will recognize and understand those mistakes. It will help you avoid those mistakes in your future games and it will drive you in cloud nine! :) 

Mistake #1 – Underestimating opponents’ threats

typical chess mistakeWhite to play

When we are playing a game, our opponent sits opposite to us and he/she wants to win as much as we want to. Don’t forget that we are not the only one playing the game, and what is more important we are not the only ones who are playing to win. Thus, we should pay attention to our opponent’s threats and we should ask ourselves: what does she/he have in mind?

Topalov who plays with the White pieces in the game above, played Nd2. This was the decisive mistake because after 35…dxc3 White has huge problems. Two connected passed pawns are very strong and Black managed to win the game afterwards. The game continued: 36.Nc4 Re8 37.Rxb7+ Qxb7 38.Qxe8 Qb1+ [38...Qb1+ 39.Qe1 c2–+] 0–1

Mistake #2 – Blunders

typical chess mistakeBlack to play

A blunder is like a slipping on a banana peel. Sometimes, even the TOP grandmasters can make such terrible mistakes. It is not something they intend to do; it is simply a mistake, an error. After the blunder, the position immediately collapses.

Adams who plays with the Black pieces is forced to move his King. The correct reply is Ka7 in order to protect the Knight on b6. Instead, he played Ka8 and lost a piece after the forcing variation: 34.Rxd8+ Rxd8 35.Qf6
typical chess mistakeBlack to play

This is a double attack to both the unprotected d8-rook and b6-knight. White won the game afterwards. 35…Nc4 36.Qxd8+ Ka7 37.Qd3 Nxb2 38.Qf5 Qa1+ 39.Kd2 Nc4+ 40.Ke2 Qxc3 41.Qxc5+ 1–0

Suggestion: You may like to read about “Two chess opening mistakes you should never make”


Mistake #3 – Counting on your opponent to play not in the best way

typical chess mistakeBlack to play

In the above game, Nakamura played the move 13.Ne2 very quickly. Perhaps he confuses his opening preparation or he just would like to confuse his opponent. Please let me remind you that he is one of the best blitz players in the world. Unfortunately, Blitz is very different from classical chess.

After the forcing variation: 13…Nxe4 14.Bxd8 Nxd2 15.Be7 Rf7 16.Bxc5 Nxf1 17.Rxf1 b6 18.Bb4 Ba6 we are getting to the following position:
typical chess mistakeWhite to play

White has strategically lost the position because the pawn on c4 is a very weak one and Black’s plan is very simple. Black will double his rooks on the c-file and they will capture the weak pawn. Black won the game easily.

Mistake #4 – Play without castling

typical chess mistakeBlack to play

The most dangerous strategy is to leave your King in the center of the board, because the center usually can be opened easily. Thus, my advice is to castle as soon as possible and keep those pawns snug (f2,g2 and h2) right in front of your king.

Many chess players leave their King in the center for long time, and because of that they lose their games. I hope that you will not make this mistake and will secure your King. :)
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Release of the “Defending Champion” chess course

The day has finally come – today we’ve released our new chess course “Defending Champion”! If you want to strengthen your defensive skills and stop losing games under pressure, then this course is for you.

As promised, we’re providing you with a massive 35% discount (save about USD $40) on this course. Simply use the coupon “defend35” when purchasing this course. If you don’t know how to use a discount code, please see here. This is a limited-period offer: it will be valid from today till Wednesday, 4 Jan. (inclusive).

Why defense?


Defense is a very important chess skill. In at least 50% of chess games, we need to defend. In some games, we play with the Black pieces and White makes the first move; for that reason, White has the opportunity to start the attack/initiative. On some other occasions, one will make a mistake and be forced to defend. Thus, defense is as important as attack.

Many players struggle to get out of hard positions and they crumble under pressure. If you study the course carefully, then you will be able to defend correctly against all level of players.

Is this course right for you?


This course is suitable for beginners and intermediate-level players, but it will be helpful for advanced players, too. Even if your ELO is 1900+, this course will help you improve your defensive skills and you’ll learn some new things.

Key topics covered in the course

Defending Champion chess course contents
  • How to defend in the opening?
  • Stop losing material
  • How to evaluate a position?
  • Simplification in chess
  • Economic defense
  • How to consolidate and save a lost position?
  • Active defense and counterattack
  • A fortress
  • Psychology of defense
  • Dealing with gambits
  • Three main methods
  • Eliminating errors

The course also contains powerful practical tasks: it is necessary to put the received knowledge into practice. There are nine practical tasks (over 100 games) in this course, which will help you to understand and remember the ideas presented in the course better. The training program has a detailed explanation of WHAT and HOW exactly you should perform the practical tasks.

P.S. We’re also celebrating this holiday season – if you would like to study other RCA courses, this is the perfect time: you can get a huge 30% discount on all our courses till 31st Dec. Simply use coupon “holidays30”. Find more detailshere.
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Celebrate the Holiday Season with RCA!


Remote Chess Academy (RCA) wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! :) 
Merry Christmas and Happy HolidaysLet the spirit of Christmas warm your home with love, joy and peace. This time of year is truly wonderful and a magical one, and Christmas is a holiday with a beautiful spirit and traditions. Are you ready to celebrate it with us?

First, I’d like to inform you that we’re providing you with a huge 30% discount on all RCA courses to celebrate Christmas and the Holidays! This is a limited-period offer; it will be valid from today till Saturday, 31 Dec. (inclusive).

Suggestion: you may like to check out some of my interesting photos in the ‘Christmas special article’ where I’ve shared my Holiday spirits with you.

Simply use the coupon “holidays30” when making your purchase. If you don’t know how to use a discount code, please see here.

Second, let me remind you that our new course “Defending Champion” will be released on Wednesday, 28 December. Defense is an essential part of chess, just like attack. Solid defensive skills are vital to ensure your stable good results. If you don’t know WHEN and HOW to defend, then this course is what you need.

After studying this course, you will learn how to evaluate positions, simplifications of positions, psychology of defense, active defense, counter-attack and much more.

Additionally, there is another reason why you should study this course – you’ll get a huge 35% discount on the course during the release days. Moreover, if you pre-register for the course now, you will get a massive 40% discount on the course, saving about $48 USD!

If you haven’t watched the teaser video of the course, then you can watch it here.
 
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