Using Your Knights
Knights are best in the center, where they can control up to eight squares. Knights work well with queens and also do a...
Using Your Bishops
Bishops are most useful when controlling long, unblocked diagonals. Bishops are particularly useful when you have both of...
Using Your Pawns
Pawns have four primary uses. 1. Pawns can control key squares, such as the center. If your pawns control the center the...
Name Your Pawns: Harry The h-Pawn
Harry the h-pawn is a wonderful attacker and a favorite of both Simon Williams and the engine AlphaZero! Learn when to advance...
Name Your Pawns: Garry The g-Pawn
Not Garry Kasparov, Garry the g-pawn! Simon Williams loves to use Garry to attack the opposing king and gain space on the...
Name Your Pawns: Freddie the f-Pawn
Freddie the f-pawn is often a key attacker! Check out how Simon Williams, the Ginger GM, uses Freddie to control the center...
Name Your Pawns: Eddie the e-Pawn
Eddie the e-pawn loves to race down the board and cramp the opponent. Learn from Simon Williams how to cause your opponent...
Name Your Pawns: Derek The d-Pawn
Welcome to the center! The d-pawn is maybe the most valuable pawn on the board! Join GM Simon Williams as he demonstrates...
Name Your Pawns: Charlie The c-Pawn
In open games, the c-pawn often hides behind a knight, but in closed positions, you're probably going to need your c-pawn...
Name Your Pawns: Barry The b-Pawn
GM Simon Williams loves to give away Barry the b-pawn! You can play the Evans Gambit, a wing gambit or even a positional...
Name Your Pawns: Arry The a-Pawn
Not Harry, Arry! Arry the a-pawn is an often overlooked piece on the edge of the board. However, even on the side he can...
The Sicilian Nimzowitsch: The Surprising ...f5!
Before covering the crucial main line, IM Tuan Minh Le takes a look at some sidelines that you're likely to face. White...
The Sicilian Nimzowitsch Defense: When Your Opponent Backs Down
When you surprise your opponent with the Sicilian Nimzowitsch, there's a good chance that he or she will simply defend the...
The Sicilian Nimzowitsch: A Brilliant Blitz Weapon
How did International Master Tuan Minh Le score wins against Hikaru Nakamura, Anish Giri, and other top Grandmasters? He...
The Sicilian Nimzowitsch: A Sharp Double Gambit!
Time for the main lines! IM Tuan Minh Le finishes off his Sicilian series with a look at White's sharpest tries against...
How To Use Your Pieces Tactically: Attacking Balance
We've attacked with knights, bishops, rooks, and queens. Now try using them all together! GM Dejan Bojkov demonstrates how...
How To Use Your Pieces Tactically: The Queen
Queens are the strongest attacking piece, so it's important to use them correctly. GM Dejan Bojkov will demonstrate how...
How To Use Your Pieces Tactically: The Rook
How can White you use your rooks to win games? GM Dejan Bojkov demonstrates how to attack with rooks and win more games!
How To Use Your Pieces Tactically: The Bishop
How can you make the best use of your bishops? They work well in a team and need open diagonals. GM Dejan Bojkov will show...
How To Use Your Pieces Tactically: The Knight
No other piece moves like the knight, which gives it an amazing attacking potential. Watch as GM Dejan Bojkov demonstrates...
Checkmate in 2 Moves
It's helpful to look at all of the checks for each side and see if there are checkmates or other tactics available on the...
King Safety
Never forget to protect your most important piece, the king. A material advantage doesn't matter if there's checkmate. Be...
Weak Targets: f2 and f7
The f2 and f7 pawns are only defended by the king in the starting position, so it can be subject to attack. If you can attack...
Back Rank Checkmates
Castling is a good idea, but if the king is on the back rank without other pieces to defend it, it may be vulnerable to...
Don't Just Check
Attacking the king is great - but it's not always the right move. Be patient. Make sure that a check accomplishes a goal,...