Hi again! I write with another relatively abbreviated linkfest. I don’t have anything to add to this week’s assortment, I hope you all find something of interest. Have a good weekend!
Chess Improvement
Which time control should you play online? GM Avetik Grigoryan breaks it down. “First determine your purpose and think about why you play.’ (Chess.com Blog)
GM Alex Colovic on the Energy of Chess Players “If you take a look at the best players, now and throughout history, they have all exuded incredible energy, sometimes making it difficult to stand in their vicinity.” (GM Alex Colovic’s Blog)
More from GM Alex Colovic, on How he Chooses Lines for an Opening Course. As is becoming increasingly common in the engine age, Alex focuses more on playability over objective merit. (Chessable Blog)
FM Nate Solon on How to Weigh Risk in Chess “what sets GMs apart is not only the ability to calculate more accurately, but understanding when to calculate – and when not to.”
GM Gregory Serper analyzes a landmark victory from a student. “It is a useful idea to move your king to a safer square before engaging the rest of your pieces to attack your opponent's king” (Chess.com)
Evan Seghers takes a look back at a bumpy, but successful year of OTB chess. “My calculation issues were largely coming from completely missing obvious candidate moves or responses, or not blunder checking, so having a set system seemed helpful to have.” (Ocean of Chess)
Martin Justesen is out with a new tactics book focusing on players rated below 1000. (Say Chess Blog)
Chess News
Interesting big picture view of online cheating in the New York Times “Chess.com now has an anti-cheating staff of 30.” (Emily Belz for the New York Times)
Peter Doggers with the latest from Wijk aan Zee. Rising young star Abdusattorov leads the champions section, while rising young star Marc'Andria Maurizzi leads the Challengers section. (Chess.com News)
Rising even younger star Leonid Ivanovic became the youngest ever to beat a GM! Meanwhile, my 10-year-old son can’t tie his shoes! (Tarjei Svensen for Chess.com)
FM Dennis Monokroussos also provided a rundown of the action at Tata Steel heading into the final 3 rounds today. “Ding is looking very rusty, but has time to regain his form by the time he has to defend his title; if he doesn’t, his will be the shortest reign since Vasily Smyslov and Mikhail Tal lost their rematches to Mikhail Botvinnik back in 1958 and 1961, respectively. (The Chess Mind Blog)
Vishy Anand has signed as brand ambassador and commentator for Chess.com! (Leon Watson for Chess.com)