Corsi

Introduzione

Fundamentals

5 Esercizi
  1. 1

    Simple pressure on f7

    Anteprima corso
    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare an active Queen's Gambit.

    2. 2

      Black answers in the center and gives us a clear target for c4.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect d5 and open the game.

    4. 4

      By accepting, Black gives us time to take space.

    5. 5

      We build a big center and prepare to quickly win the pawn back.

    6. 6

      Black strikes back immediately, making the game more tactical.

    7. 7

      We protect e4 without wasting time.

    8. 8

      This pin looks logical, but it leaves f7 too exposed.

    9. 9

      We win the pawn back while developing a piece toward the attack.

    10. 10

      Black trades, but mainly removes a useful defender from the king.

    11. 11

      Remember: against ...Bg4, we simply recapture and the pressure on f7 appears naturally.

  2. 2

    Active recapture

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare an active Queen's Gambit.

    2. 2

      Black answers in the center and gives us a clear target for c4.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect d5 and open the game.

    4. 4

      By accepting, Black gives us time to take space.

    5. 5

      We build a big center and prepare to quickly win the pawn back.

    6. 6

      Black strikes back immediately, making the game more tactical.

    7. 7

      We protect e4 without wasting time.

    8. 8

      Black takes another pawn, but we recover it with initiative.

    9. 9

      The bishop comes out with tempo and our whole game becomes natural.

    10. 10

      Black develops a piece without solving the weakness on b7.

    11. 11

      We get the king to safety before increasing the pressure.

    12. 12

      This development holds the position, but gives our queen a target.

    13. 13

      We defend the bishop and prepare active recaptures.

    14. 14

      Black trades our bishop, but frees a strong square for the knight.

    15. 15

      Remember: here, the most important thing is to finish development without losing pressure.

  3. 3

    Model structure

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare an active Queen's Gambit.

    2. 2

      Black answers in the center and gives us a clear target for c4.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect d5 and open the game.

    4. 4

      By accepting, Black gives us time to take space.

    5. 5

      We build a big center and prepare to quickly win the pawn back.

    6. 6

      Black chooses a solid structure and prepares a calm recapture.

    7. 7

      We win the pawn back without giving up anything in development.

    8. 8

      Black attacks e4 and aims for a classical setup.

    9. 9

      We defend the center and prepare e5 under good conditions.

    10. 10

      This pin is a little annoying, but it pulls Black's bishop away from the king.

    11. 11

      We gain space and chase the knight.

    12. 12

      The knight relocates without solving the space problem.

    13. 13

      We consolidate e4 and keep our development clean.

    14. 14

      Black castles, but our center remains more pleasant to play.

    15. 15

      Remember: in this structure, space and coordination matter more than a forced attack.

  4. 4

    Kingside raid

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare an active Queen's Gambit.

    2. 2

      Black answers in the center and gives us a clear target for c4.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect d5 and open the game.

    4. 4

      By accepting, Black gives us time to take space.

    5. 5

      We build a big center and prepare to quickly win the pawn back.

    6. 6

      Black chooses a solid structure and prepares a calm recapture.

    7. 7

      We win the pawn back without giving up anything in development.

    8. 8

      Black attacks e4 and aims for a classical setup.

    9. 9

      We defend the center and prepare e5 under good conditions.

    10. 10

      Black wants to castle quickly without challenging our space.

    11. 11

      We gain time on the knight and launch the attacking plan.

    12. 12

      The knight relocates, but Black's king remains under pressure.

    13. 13

      The queen targets g7 and forces precise replies.

    14. 14

      Black castles, but the dark-square cover remains fragile.

    15. 15

      The bishop enters with force and directly targets the rook.

    16. 16

      This defense holds materially, but it creates lasting weaknesses.

    17. 17

      Remember: when Black castles too quickly, Qg4 followed by Bh6 often gives a simple attack.

  5. 5

    Double recovery

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare an active Queen's Gambit.

    2. 2

      Black answers in the center and gives us a clear target for c4.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect d5 and open the game.

    4. 4

      By accepting, Black gives us time to take space.

    5. 5

      We build a big center and prepare to quickly win the pawn back.

    6. 6

      Black wants to keep the pawn, but the structure quickly becomes vulnerable.

    7. 7

      We immediately attack Black's pawn chain.

    8. 8

      This move takes a pawn, but gives up the c4-pawn.

    9. 9

      We recapture with check and gain a useful tempo.

    10. 10

      Black blocks the diagonal without keeping the material advantage.

    11. 11

      Remember: against ...bxa4, the key move is Qxa4+ before calmly recapturing on c4.

Queenside

5 Esercizi
  1. 1

    a8 rook

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare the gambit.

    2. 2

      Black sets up a classical center.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect d5.

    4. 4

      Black accepts and gives us the initiative.

    5. 5

      We take space and open lines for our pieces.

    6. 6

      Black wants to hold the extra queenside pawn.

    7. 7

      We immediately attack the base of the pawn chain.

    8. 8

      This support looks logical, but it exposes the a8 rook.

    9. 9

      We remove the defender of the b5-pawn.

    10. 10

      Black recaptures, but the a-file is now open.

    11. 11

      Remember: against ...a6, opening the a-file is often enough to win the rook.

  2. 2

    Rook versus knight

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare the gambit.

    2. 2

      Black sets up a classical center.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect d5.

    4. 4

      Black accepts and gives us the initiative.

    5. 5

      We take space and open lines for our pieces.

    6. 6

      Black wants to hold the extra queenside pawn.

    7. 7

      We immediately attack the base of the pawn chain.

    8. 8

      This support holds b5, but blocks Black's pieces even more.

    9. 9

      We open the a-file and remove a defender.

    10. 10

      Black rebuilds the chain, but the a8 rook remains fragile.

    11. 11

      The knight attacks b5 and prepares tactical motifs.

    12. 12

      Black seems to defend, but allows a known pattern.

    13. 13

      The knight jumps in at the right moment because the rook behind lacks support.

    14. 14

      Black wins the piece back, but immediately loses heavy material.

    15. 15

      We take the rook and Black's compensation remains insufficient.

    16. 16

      The bishop arrives too late to trap our rook.

    17. 17

      Remember: when ...a6 appears in this structure, the Nxb5 followed by Rxa8 motif often comes back.

  3. 3

    c7 fork

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare the gambit.

    2. 2

      Black sets up a classical center.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect d5.

    4. 4

      Black accepts and gives us the initiative.

    5. 5

      We take space and open lines for our pieces.

    6. 6

      Black wants to hold the extra queenside pawn.

    7. 7

      We immediately attack the base of the pawn chain.

    8. 8

      This support holds b5, but blocks Black's pieces even more.

    9. 9

      We open the a-file and remove a defender.

    10. 10

      Black rebuilds the chain, but the a8 rook remains fragile.

    11. 11

      The knight attacks b5 and prepares tactical motifs.

    12. 12

      Black gains space, but gives up c7.

    13. 13

      The knight is already aiming at the fork.

    14. 14

      Black wants to chase it away, but has no time.

    15. 15

      We add another piece and prevent any clean defense.

    16. 16

      The bishop finally develops, without stopping the key move.

    17. 17

      Remember: when ...b4 weakens c7, you should immediately think of the knight jump.

  4. 4

    Pawn on d6

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare the gambit.

    2. 2

      Black sets up a classical center.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect d5.

    4. 4

      Black accepts and gives us the initiative.

    5. 5

      We take space and open lines for our pieces.

    6. 6

      Black wants to hold the extra queenside pawn.

    7. 7

      We immediately attack the base of the pawn chain.

    8. 8

      This support holds b5, but blocks Black's pieces even more.

    9. 9

      We open the a-file and remove a defender.

    10. 10

      Black rebuilds the chain, but the a8 rook remains fragile.

    11. 11

      The knight attacks b5 and prepares tactical motifs.

    12. 12

      This bishop defends, but remains passive.

    13. 13

      We gain space and cut off Black's piece exits.

    14. 14

      Black looks for air on the queenside without solving the center.

    15. 15

      We finish development before driving the pawn in.

    16. 16

      Black finally tries to break free, but it comes too late.

    17. 17

      The pawn settles in and durably disrupts all of Black's coordination.

    18. 18

      Remember: in these lines, the pawn on d6 is often worth more than an immediate material gain.

  5. 5

    Deflection on b5

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare the gambit.

    2. 2

      Black sets up a classical center.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect d5.

    4. 4

      Black accepts and gives us the initiative.

    5. 5

      We take space and open lines for our pieces.

    6. 6

      Black wants to hold the extra queenside pawn.

    7. 7

      We immediately attack the base of the pawn chain.

    8. 8

      This support holds b5, but blocks Black's pieces even more.

    9. 9

      We open the a-file and remove a defender.

    10. 10

      Black rebuilds the chain, but the a8 rook remains fragile.

    11. 11

      The knight attacks b5 and prepares tactical motifs.

    12. 12

      This bishop defends, but remains passive.

    13. 13

      We gain space and cut off Black's piece exits.

    14. 14

      Black seeks central liberation, but opens squares.

    15. 15

      We take this lever before Black solves the problems.

    16. 16

      Black's structure is damaged and the king loses safety.

    17. 17

      The knight sacrifices itself to deflect the bishop and open the attack.

    18. 18

      Remember: the d5, dxe6 then Nxb5 pattern is mainly used to deflect the bishop on b5.

Central pressure

5 Esercizi
  1. 1

    Pressure on b7

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare an ambitious Queen's Gambit.

    2. 2

      Black occupies d5 and gives us the right framework for c4.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect Black's center.

    4. 4

      Black accepts and gives us the initiative.

    5. 5

      We take central space immediately.

    6. 6

      Black counters in the center and makes the position more open.

    7. 7

      We protect e4 and keep development smooth.

    8. 8

      Black takes another pawn, but the king remains in the center.

    9. 9

      We win the pawn back while developing an active piece.

    10. 10

      The knight comes out without solving the weakness on b7.

    11. 11

      We get the king to safety before increasing the pressure.

    12. 12

      This development looks healthy, but it already invites Qb3.

    13. 13

      We protect the bishop and prepare a more active queen.

    14. 14

      Black finishes development, but the weak squares remain.

    15. 15

      The queen targets b7 and f7 at the same time, stretching Black's defense.

    16. 16

      Black trades, but does not remove our initiative.

    17. 17

      Remember: when the queen reaches b3, b7 and f7 become the two real breaking points.

  2. 2

    Breakthrough on b7

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare an ambitious Queen's Gambit.

    2. 2

      Black occupies d5 and gives us the right framework for c4.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect Black's center.

    4. 4

      Black accepts and gives us the initiative.

    5. 5

      We take central space immediately.

    6. 6

      Black counters in the center and makes the position more open.

    7. 7

      We protect e4 and keep development smooth.

    8. 8

      Black takes another pawn, but the king remains in the center.

    9. 9

      We win the pawn back while developing an active piece.

    10. 10

      The knight comes out without solving the weakness on b7.

    11. 11

      We get the king to safety before increasing the pressure.

    12. 12

      This pin forgets that Black's queen will have to defend everything.

    13. 13

      We attack b7 and f7 at the same time, putting Black under pressure.

    14. 14

      This move defends f7, but makes Black's queen passive.

    15. 15

      We force the lines open and drive Black's queen away.

    16. 16

      Black has to accept, but moves away from the real weaknesses.

    17. 17

      We win material just as the whole defense collapses.

    18. 18

      Remember: with Qb3 in place, the sacrifice on f7 is often used to loosen b7.

  3. 3

    Mate on e6

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare an ambitious Queen's Gambit.

    2. 2

      Black occupies d5 and gives us the right framework for c4.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect Black's center.

    4. 4

      Black accepts and gives us the initiative.

    5. 5

      We take central space immediately.

    6. 6

      Black counters in the center and makes the position more open.

    7. 7

      We protect e4 and keep development smooth.

    8. 8

      Black takes another pawn, but the king remains in the center.

    9. 9

      We win the pawn back while developing an active piece.

    10. 10

      The knight comes out without solving the weakness on b7.

    11. 11

      We get the king to safety before increasing the pressure.

    12. 12

      This pin forgets that Black's queen will have to defend everything.

    13. 13

      We attack b7 and f7 at the same time, putting Black under pressure.

    14. 14

      Black trades, but opens the mating diagonal.

    15. 15

      We lure the king onto a square where it lacks escape squares.

    16. 16

      The king has only one precarious retreat.

    17. 17

      Remember: when Black's king comes out to e7, the queen on e6 is often the final square.

  4. 4

    Royal fork

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare an ambitious Queen's Gambit.

    2. 2

      Black occupies d5 and gives us the right framework for c4.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect Black's center.

    4. 4

      Black accepts and gives us the initiative.

    5. 5

      We take central space immediately.

    6. 6

      Black counters in the center and makes the position more open.

    7. 7

      We protect e4 and keep development smooth.

    8. 8

      This pin ignores Black's lag in development.

    9. 9

      We recover the pawn while activating the bishop on the long diagonal.

    10. 10

      Black captures in the center, but the king remains in danger.

    11. 11

      The sacrifice destroys the castled position and forces the king out.

    12. 12

      Black accepts, but becomes exposed in the middle of the board.

    13. 13

      The knight arrives with check and attacks Black's bishop at the same time.

    14. 14

      The king retreats, but remains badly placed and uncoordinated.

    15. 15

      Remember: against an exposed king, the Bxf7+ followed by Ne5+ sequence is often the right mechanism.

  5. 5

    Sacrifice on g6 (1)

    1. 1

      We take the center and prepare an ambitious Queen's Gambit.

    2. 2

      Black occupies d5 and gives us the right framework for c4.

    3. 3

      We offer the pawn to deflect Black's center.

    4. 4

      Black accepts and gives us the initiative.

    5. 5

      We take central space immediately.

    6. 6

      Black counters in the center and makes the position more open.

    7. 7

      We protect e4 and keep development smooth.

    8. 8

      Black takes another pawn, but the king remains in the center.

    9. 9

      We win the pawn back while developing an active piece.

    10. 10

      Black gains space, but opens holes around the king.

    11. 11

      The knight centralizes and puts f7 at the heart of the position.

    12. 12

      Black appears to defend, but overloads that bishop.

    13. 13

      We remove the main defender of Black's king.

    14. 14

      This recapture damages the structure and opens the dark-square diagonal.

    15. 15

      The check forces an additional concession around the king.

    16. 16

      Black blocks the queen, but durably weakens the entire castled position.

    17. 17

      The knight jumps in at the right moment and Black's position remains in great danger.

    18. 18

      Remember: after ...fxe6 and ...g6, the sacrifice on g6 often becomes the strongest move.