Tonight we looked at the obscure game Ruger v Gebhard which featured how it is vital that you are tactically aware when playing e4 e5. The game showed how central pawns can provide a springboard to a successful attack on the castled King and that Knights on the b and g files can be vulnerable to attack by a and h pawns.
Tonight we looked at a game by Manchester's own Joseph Blackburne known as the "Black Death" So called for his dress code!
It was a model of how to attack the castled King and the use of space and control of the centre in the attack. It also demonstrated why we shouldn't castle just because we can but when we should.
Tonight we looked at 3 key positions that arise in Rook endings, namely the Lucena, the sit tight defence and the 3rd rank defence.
Tonight we looked at the complicated topic of King and pawn endings. I explained the opposition and the position that are wins for the side with the extra pawn when the King is in front of the pawn on both the 5th and 6th ranks and the exceptions that exist like when the extra pawn is a Rook's pawn.
Tonight we looked at Paul's interesting game from our match against Northenden. It featured some great learning points mainly around how complicated king and pawn endgames can be where the risk reward is massive compared to the early part of the game.
Tonight we looked at one of the most important parts of the game, that of tactic skill and awareness.
We looked at several examples with some great answers being provided by the players.
Tonight we looked at Edmund's recent League victory.
It demonstrated brilliantly how to keep control of a winning game without giving the hint of a chance to your opponent by playing simple moves and following the basics of the game and not trying to be too clever.
Tonight we looked at Ross's game from the match against Bolton.
It featured some interesting tactics and sadly a lack of ambition from both players to take a risk in what were winning position opportunities.
Tonight we looked at Andeels' game from the Harrogate Major.
It had some great learning points including don't accept gambits unless you have no choice, getting the King safe, the downside to early Queen moves, grabbing material when you are behind in development and being always on the lookout for tactical opportunities.
Tonight we looked at the famous game Janowski v Marshall from their match in 1912. The game was used as a "How Good is your Chess"" with the winners prize going to Ahyan by one point.
Tonight we looked at 6 very difficult tactics puzzles encouraging players to look for ideas by using the CCTV method.
Checks or forcing moves first
Captures
Threats and finally checking we aren't
Vulnerable ourselves.
The players did really well finding almost all of the ideas.
Tonight we looked a club players game from the Gloucester league.
It featured lots of things not to do such as moving too many pawns and the Queen early in the opening. Other learning points were castling early, exchanging pieces when short of space and always being aware of tactics on every move.
Tonight we looked at Dylan's game featuring the very sharp Two Knights defence.
It featured some really helpful tips for club players including the advantage of the Bishop pair, King safety, Rook on the 7th rank and having an active King and pieces in the endgame.
Tonight we looked at Andeel's brilliant game in the League v Chorlton. It was a classic in the control he kept throughout the game and the tactical finish at the end. I would have been proud to have play that game myself.
Tonight we looked at the brilliant attacking game from Boris Spassky in 1960 against the legendary David Bronstein.
It's a stark reminder as to how chess used to be played compared to todays sometimes very boring games