September 29, 2016
Matthew Sadler
2 comments
In 1932, Bogoljubov and Spielmann played a 10-game match in Semmering, Austria which Spielmann edged 5,5-4,5. In his biography of Bogoljubov, Soloviov is dismissive of the match, stating “…after [Bogoljubov] won the first two games, he failed to press home a huge advantage in the third game and then he blundered a piece in game 4….
September 22, 2016
Matthew Sadler
4 comments
The most intriguing part of a game is the turning point: exactly which moves shifted the objective balance of the game and put one of the players on the back foot? With complex games, I start analysing close to the end of the game from a position in which I can demonstrate a clear advantage…
September 16, 2016
Matthew Sadler
No comments exist
A little while back I analysed the double-edged idea …c5-c4 in Queen’s Gambit Declined structures (https://matthewsadler.me.uk/chess-for-life/c5-c4-dogma/) and explained the conditions necessary to make this a viable plan for Black. At the recent Baku Olympiad, Nigel Short won a fascinating game in this structure against his young 2746-rated Chinese opponent: Li,Chao b – Short,Nigel D…
September 8, 2016
Matthew Sadler
2 comments
Most of my chess activities nowadays take place in the train on the way to work. A recent spate of engineering works has lengthened my journey considerably with the happy result that I’ve been studying chess for an extra half hour a day! I’ve spent that time playing through lots of Efim Bogolyubow’s games…
September 1, 2016
Matthew Sadler
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A little while after posting about Alekhine’s inventiveness in the early opening stages (Alekhine’s Themes – at you right from the opening!) I came across another lovely little example which I just have to share with you. It comes from the game Alekhine – Vidmar Hastings 1936. After 13 moves of a quiet QGD,…