Striving to apply the time management principles that have worked well for me in the "Using the Clock as a Weapon" series to this 10+0 game, I get a QGD middlegame where I have nagging pressure against Black's queenside majority, and a two vs. zero pawn advantage in the center. With dwindling time, Black lashes out against my king, but can my opponent beat the clock? Review … [Read more...] about Beating the Clock | Standard Chess #286 (Queen’s Gambit Declined)
John Bartholomew
Fighting for Files & Profiting from Padlock Pawns
Understanding how to fight for files is critical in chess, and this 2013 US Chess League game between GM Tamaz Gelashvili and GM Julio Becerra is an illustration of perfect technique. The "padlock pawn structure" also makes an appearance! [Event "USCL 2013"] [Date "2014.09.10"] [White "GM Tamaz Gelashvili"] [Black "GM Julio Becerra"] [ECO "E62"] [PlyCount "113"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. … [Read more...] about Fighting for Files & Profiting from Padlock Pawns
First-Mover e-file Advantage | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. GiofClark (1510)
In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 5+5 game against a player (a viewer, in fact!) rated 1510 on Chess.com. From the Magnus Carlsen-inspired Sveshnikov Sicilian, my opponent plays a … [Read more...] about First-Mover e-file Advantage | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. GiofClark (1510)
Scramble Mode Activated | Using the Clock as a Weapon #21
An attempted match against a Grandmaster turns into an improptu, swashbuckling "Clock as a Weapon" session! In this video, I play five blitz games (3+0) on Chess.com. My goals in this series are to 1) stay even or ahead of my opponents on the clock, and 2) trust my decision-making. Follow along as I try to avoid perfectionist tendencies and apply pressure with the ultimate … [Read more...] about Scramble Mode Activated | Using the Clock as a Weapon #21
Inducing a Ragequit | Using the Clock as a Weapon #20
Playing another iced coffee-backed, action-packed blitz session! I think my time management and decision-making is definitely improving. In this video, I play five blitz games (3+0) on Chess.com. My goals in this series are to 1) stay even or ahead of my opponents on the clock, and 2) trust my decision-making. Follow along as I try to avoid perfectionist tendencies and apply … [Read more...] about Inducing a Ragequit | Using the Clock as a Weapon #20
