CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Monday, November 15th, 2010.

One of the biggest factors that can decide the outcome of a chess game is just how willing - and of course by extension for just how long you are willing - to sit opposite your opponent with the determination to play the game out for a win. No matter how little material remains on the board. You have true fighting spirit when you try to out maneuver your opponent for the entire game - trying to wear them down by the force of your efforts. This was how Bobby Fischer used to play and I believe this is the very reason why Super Grandmaster Michael Adams won the following game.

For the majority of his game - as Black - versus the Grandmaster Alexandre Dgebuadze Michael Adams seemed to not show any hint of aggression. By Alexandre's selection of opening and by the way he conducted the white pieces it would seem to be a safe bet that all he hoped for was a draw against the World famous English GM. He set his sites far too low as to achieve a draw against a GM you must fight them every step of the way. In the opening, in the middlegame and finally in the Endgame. No where is it easier to make a mistake than in the endgame as then the true level of control or mastery over the pieces will come to the fore. And if your game is a serious chess game you will be tired from having grappled with your opponent for the hours leading up to the grand finale. Enjoy this patient and consistent performance by English Grandmaster Michael Adams*.

* This game can be considered a good guide on the reasoning behind the basic opening moves for my students - or any student of the game that should care to follow along with my commentary while playing the moves over in the Chess Flash player. The big three hold true for players of all skill levers - Control the center, develop your pieces and Keep your King safe!

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Sunday, November 14th, 2010.

Will the real Boris Gelfand step up please!

Boris has been a top ten or twenty club member for quite a while now... and in today's game against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov from round 9 of the Tal Memorial you are going to find out why! One of the things that makes the difference between the very top players and the rest of us is just how well they can defend against an opponent's attack. Today Boris had to defend but knew well in advance that his opponent's attack lacked fangs!

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Saturday, November 13th, 2010.

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Friday, November 12th, 2010.

The 2010 TAL MEMORIAL is producing some wonderful chess - despite the high draw percentage. With the end of the event looming close first place is still up for grabs. Fortune favors the bold and attacking chess wins fans - despite the official result!

Make it a great weekend everyone! Of course if you have five minutes on Saturday and then again on Sunday you will find that I am going to continue these postings over the weekend as well - so stay tuned! - Chess Coach Sean Tobin.

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH! 11_11_2010

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH! 11_11_2010

As experienced players know - attack on that part of the board where you are stronger than your opponent. A good example of this time tested and very sound advice can be found in the endgame of today's "TAL MEMORIAL" ROUND 6 encounter between top ten club member GM Shakhriyar Hamid oglu Mammadyarov, an Azerbaijani, and the Ukrainian Grandmaster Pavel Eljanov. Enjoy their chess art!

CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH! 11_10_2010

If I may be so bold as to offer up one of my own games for this edition of "CHESS GAME DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH!"... having played this game, having spent time playing this game and the way in which I won it has made me an extremely happy chess player! I hope you enjoy playing over this game even one tenth as much as I enjoyed playing it!! Without further ado - here is my own most recent "Chess Diamond" in the rough!