GM IGOR SMIRNOV AMA EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

About a week ago, on 20 July (International Chess Day), I conducted an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) event on Reddit. The event lasted two hours and I wrote over 2000 words of advice, anecdotes and even jokes. :)
igorsmirnov
One of the students has summarized all of my thoughts into different categories. Reddit is slightly frustrating in format because of too many threads. This student has organized them across several different topics and published it on his personal blog (LINK).
I found it very nice and instructive, and would like to share it with you now. You can find the original Reddit thread here – LINK.
On Chess Training:
  • Use ACTIVE learning – think for yourself to find the best moves. Just watching videos is for Hollywood, not for serious chess training.
  • Inconsistent training brings inconsistent results. It is rare for people to have a well-thought-out training plan or even a plan at all. Check out these resources– Free: RCA Rapid Improvement Plan (LINK); Paid: Self-taught Grandmaster (LINK).
  • If you’ve been away from chess for a while, just play a few practice games and solve a few problems. Your understanding won’t disappear.
training
On Grandmasters:

  • Opening preparation is much more important and powerful at the IM/GM level.
  • In particular, planning and an organized thinking system are what allow GMs to see 10-15 moves ahead.
  • IMs and GMs have comprehensive knowledge about chess, whereas NMs tend to be more specialized in some areas.
  • Grandmasters play mercilessly, always creating problems for opponents, while lesser players (including FMs) just follow well-known rules.
magnuscarlsen
On playing:

  • An anti-blunder check is always required, even in time trouble. It is the most important part of your thinking system(or at least the part you never skip).
  • They key, as always, is to keep your piece activity high (learn more about this in “Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding”: LINK).
  • With regard to planning, only plan during critical positions. You don’t need to plan and re-plan every move.
  • Blitz is also useful for getting lots of experience in different openings, quickly.
success
Miscellaneous:

  • “Everything is hard until it is easy”. Never give up.
  • Intuition in chess is powerful. It often shows us the best move that our current chess understanding can see.
  • Computers are not “sucking the joy out of chess”. They are a tool that serves us. Analogy: cars run faster than people, but we still run.
  • Don’t complicate things: complexity prevents progress.
nevergiveup

P.S. I hope you had a nice time at my ‘AMA’ event and learnt at least one thing that was new and interesting! :) Thanks for participating.



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PARANORMAL CHESS ENDGAMES WITH DIFFERENT-COLOURED BISHOPS


Generally, there are certain rules and principles that are followed in the endgame stage of a chess game. But in some cases, these rules might not be applicable.
I think you can easily understand what I’m trying to say by looking at the example below:chess
White to play
White is down two pawns here. Moreover, his only two pawns are not connected, whereas all the Black pawns are connected. So it seems that White doesn’t stand a chance here. What do you think about this situation? Do you think it’s a win for Black or can White push for a draw?
Please think about it seriously, as I believe you are going to learn something very exciting and effective today. :)
excite
Normally, endgames with different- (opposite-) coloured bishops might end up in a draw. But it’s not so in all cases. There are some ‘regular’ chess rules that will not work here.
Sometimes, a player may have a few extra pawns (like in the above situation), but still the game would end in a draw. There is something ‘mysterious’ here. :)
mystery
You need to understand the idea clearly – the concept of such chess endgames. Sometimes having a material advantage cannot be considered as a real advantage – it may be in vain.
To help you understand this philosophy, our guest coach GM Levan Aroshidze has prepared a video lesson for you. :)
You can watch the video lesson below:



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GM IGOR SMIRNOV’S NEW BOOK


Today, I’d like to share with you some great news. Some time ago, one of our students placed the following comment:
“I’d love to see Igor Smirnov’s story as a chess prodigy and becoming the Grandmaster in a book or video.
An auto-biography of GM Smirnov’s chess development, witty advices that worked for advancement, remarkable games and encounters with the Champions (directly or indirectly).”

book
There’s a Chinese proverb:
“If you want to know the road ahead, ask those coming back.”
Therefore, I’ve decided to write a book – hence, it might be helpful for you to get the lessons that I’ve learnt over the 21 years of my ‘chess journey’. :)
igorsmirnov
You can help me write a really valuable book soon.

  • Please write in the comments below what you would like to see in this book. Any of your questions or preferences are highly welcome.
  • I’m looking for an editor. Since English is not my native language, you may help me put the words into proper sentences. :) You will have the opportunity to help the chess world, earn some extra bucks and hopefully have a pleasant time working on this project. Please check the details and apply here: LINK
design
Finally, I’d like to remind you of two important things:
First, on 19 and 20 July, you’ll get 10 x RCA Points on your purchase(s).
10xpts

  • What are RCA Points: LINK
  • How to use RCA Points: LINK
So don’t miss this really MASSIVE opportunity! :)

Second, as you may already know, my second “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) event will be conducted on Reddit on International Chess Day, 20 July at 10 a.m. New York time (check timings here: LINK).

  • How to ask questions on my AMA event: LINK
  • My Reddit profile: LINK

Of course, you may ‘follow’ me on my Reddit profile and get ready for my AMA event (I hope you are ready with your questions. :)) However, just stay tuned, as we’ll be sharing the link of the page where my AMA event will be conducted!
igorsmirnovamadesign
While I’m working on this new book for you, you may test your skills in an interesting position presented below:
chess
Black to play
What should Black play here in order to parry White’s threat of g4? After calculating all possible variations, you may check the whole game here: LINK

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BOBBY FISCHER’S PAWN SACRIFICE

About a month ago, I wrote in an article that I had watched the trailer of the movie “Pawn Sacrifice”, which is about the World Chess Championship Match – 1972 between Fischer and Spassky, and that I liked the trailer and was happy to see chess in mainstream cinema.
pawn
Today, we’re going to take a ride into ‘Fischer’s pawn sacrifice’. :) It was the tenth game of the World Championship 1972, where Fischer made a pawn sacrifice that transformed the entire position.
During the event, Spassky had all the support of the Soviet Union, what was then called the “Soviet chess machine”, while Fischer had a much less support.
fischer
But the essential thing that Fischer had was outstanding preparation.
preparationTo discuss this, and to analyse this beautiful piece of the game, IM Valeri Lilov has prepared a very instructive video for you. :) It is to honour the famous pawn sacrifice that Fischer made in that game.
You can watch the video lesson “Bobby Fischer’s pawn sacrifice” below:


If you enjoyed watching this amazing video, then let me remind you of Valeri’s webinar “Webinar in Defense” on Saturday, 18 July at 10 a.m. New York time (check timings here: LINK), which is also a part of our International Chess Week.
webinar
The standard ticket for the webinar costs just $10. Additionally, if you would like to get a 30% discount (you save $3) on Lilov’s webinar, then you can participate in the “I love chess” campaign (LINK) that we’re conducting, as a way of celebrating International Chess Week.
30discount
Moreover, if you take part in the “I love chess” campaign, you can also get your question answered by me during my ‘AMA’ event(LINK) on Reddit on International Chess Day, Monday, 20 July at 10 a.m. New York time (check timings here: LINK)
ilovechess
To know more about International Chess Week, you can check my previous article about it here: LINK. You can also go to the ‘Party hall’ by clicking here: LINK
Moreover, we’ve published some instructive articles/lessons for you. You can check them below:

  • History of chess Part-1: LINK
  • History of chess Part-2: LINK
  • Power of a chess game: LINK
  • Psychology in chess: LINK
igorChess is a great sport that helps you develop your mind, and this amazing game inspires self-motivation and what not! Celebrate this festival with us and spread the love – let’s have fun during this celebration week!
After all, there’s only one “International Chess Day” per year, so let’s make it special. :)
P.S. Many chess players complain that chess is not as popular as it should be. Now you can add your contribution to changing it for the better! I look forward to receiving your chess photos, questions for AMA, etc. :)
LINK SUMMARY
  • Bobby Fischer’s pawn sacrifice – video lesson: LINK
  • “Webinar in Defense” by Lilov: LINK
  • “I love chess” campaign: LINK
  • International Chess Week – main page (Party hall): LINK
  • International Chess Week – special offers: LINK


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