Chess Improvement
NM Todd Bryant shares the inspiring story of how NM John Brooks regained 125 rating points to get back to a 2200 USCF rating at age 77! “No one else, at least Black, from Detroit was a master. So I always looked up to John…nobody was like John. “- James Canty (Chess.com)
Dan Bock on what makes his two favorite OTB chess tournaments special (The Chess Improvement Lab)
“TheOnoZone” on what chess has taught him about how to learn things. (LiChess Blog)
KingsCrusher reflects on and advises how to Improve Your Visualization Skills (LiChess Blog)
GM Peter Wells on the evolution of the exchange sacrifice. “As beginners we find a basic outline of the relative value of the pieces to be an absolutely indispensable tool, but as we improve we benefit from observing that it frequently obscures as much as it reveals” (ECF Blog)
FM Nate Solon shares advice on how to review your games. “Above all, use game review to cultivate your curiosity. Let it be your guide as to which parts of the game to explore more deeply.” (New in Chess Blog)
More from Nate on How he Assembles Opening Files “I love Lichess and I hate Chessbase, but Chessbase has a few key features that make the change (to Chessbase) worth it for me.”(Zwischenzug Substack)
David Hamm with another weekly update- How does one frame one’s chess shortcomings? “Do I choose to be thankful for the abilities and opportunities that I have in chess or do I resent the fact that I'm still at a beginner level after nearly two years of hard work?” (LiChess Blog)
Vjekoslav Nemec takes you behind the scenes of making his new Aggressive 1. e4 Chessable collaboration with GM Jan Gustafsson (Chessentials Blog)
Chess News
FM Dennis Monokroussos provides a brief rundown of two recently completed top tournaments. “If you’re immature like me when it comes to these things, you’ll be slightly disappointed that the tournament in Shenzhen didn’t end in a first-place tie between Bu, Yu, and Xu.” (The Chess Mind Blog)
“TheChessCorner” defends the honor of GM Jose Martinez (JoSpem) , who GM Vladimir Kramnik has consistently insinuated is cheating (while presenting no evidence). “Jospem has played 24,000 blitz games online versus Kramnik 1,612… Kramnik has an amazing track record and understanding of chess as a former world champion and elite player- But Jospem is much younger and specialized in online chess.” (Chess.com Blog)
Misc.
Dr. Patzer reviews the book, The Tactics Bible. “If you are looking for the ultimate book on tactics, this is not what you are looking for. Instead, this book is great for getting acquainted with common mating patterns.” (Dr. Patzer’s Blog)
GM Jonathan Speelman rattles off some of the best attacking players of all time. “My criterion is that at least on occasion, these players will more or less utterly disregard material in the heat of battle, relying totally on the power of energy.” (Chessbase News)
That’s all I’ve got for you this week- I hope you all have a good weekend- Ben