Explore Matthew's Blog

Posted by Matthew Sadler on 1st November 2021

Engine Snacks! Conquering space with g4!

This super-quick article is in our Engine Snacks series! We see two power plays from Stoofvlees and Stockfish, expanding a queenside space advantage across the whole board with a powerful g4 kingside thrust! These are great examples of whole board play: a major theme I examine in “The Silicon Road to Chess Improvement” and it’s definitely something we should try and emulate in our own games!

Posted by Matthew Sadler on 31st October 2021

Engine Snacks! An unforgettable queen trap!

This super-quick article is in our Engine Snacks series! Ethereal catches Stoofvlees with a combination of 2 tactical themes: diversion and trapping. The position is so full of drama, that once you’ve seen it, you’ll never forget these tactical ideas!

Posted by Matthew Sadler on 31st October 2021

Engine Snacks! Now that’s what I call an IQP attack!

This super-quick article is in our Engine Snacks series!
Leela unveils an amazing attacking scheme in a typical IQP position that I cannot wait to use in my own games!
Once you’ve read this, you’ll be able to do the same!

Posted by Matthew Sadler on 31st October 2021

Engine Snacks! Recapturing material with the optimal piece.

This super-quick article is in my Engine Snacks series! Stockfish avoids an obvious recapture – that would be played by 99/100 players – to realize optimal development and activate its pieces to the maximum right out of the opening. Simple, and so useful to learn for your own games

Posted by Matthew Sadler on 30th October 2021

Don’t believe your eyes…believe your engine!

One of the things I like when watching engine games are evaluations that surprise me. In particular I look out for positions that seem reasonable to human eyes but which produce a high engine evaluation. It’s struck me how often I am misled by plausible-looking development schemes.