January 19th, 2012 | Author: 
Kings Gambit: In fashion again!?
The second weekend of the 4ncl has just passed and after my abysmal 0/2 showing at the first weekend (including a very quick loss against Gawain with the White pieces…) I was determined to put in a better performance.
I felt like my play of recent has been pretty good and I thought it was about time to give the Kings Gambit another showing.
My intended victim was Jonathan Parker, a strong GM who decided that his time was better spent making money in the city.
The 1st Wellington College Rapidplay and Training Weekend
Grandmaster, Nick Pert is organising and running the 1st Wellington College rapidplay and training weekend. This will run on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday 4th and 5th of February 2012.
Both days are open to adults and juniors of all levels
The Rapidplay will take place on Saturday 4th February from 10.00 am to 6.30 pm
The Training Day on Sunday 5th February from 10 am to 5 pm. ESTIMATED PRIZE FUND: £900*
There will be a number of titled players teaching on the Sunday, Nick Pert will be one such GM and myself Simon Williams should also be in attendance. For more information read below.
Interesting Dutch Development
On Sunday in my French league game I faced, what must be, the most critical line in the Classical Dutch.
Originally I assumed that 7…Ne4 8 Nxe4 would leave White with an advantage but the more I look into this line the less convinced I am. In actual fact, in my last three games played in this variation I have scored 3/3, against decent opposition.
In this game I was paired against French Grandmaster Jean-Luc Chabanon, who had obviously prepared for the game and currently has a rating of around 2490, so a real test for the variation. I will take a look at the game in the video below.
French League: Saturday
I had reached the following interesting position last Saturday, whilst playing for my French league team, Rueil Malmaison.
The match was being played over in Le Touquet, which is an easy drive from Calais.
Now to be honest, my form has been pretty terrible of late, so I have not been playing much chess. The hope is that I can make a recovery for Hastings.
My opponent was a 2280 FM and in the position shown, it felt that my pieces where about to flood over him.
Capablanca Simultaneous at Guildford Chess Club?
Just the other day I was visiting my parents house and I noticed a rather interesting picture hanging up on the wall.
Apparently, it was a photo taken of a simultaneous display by J.R.Capablanca, at the opening of the new premises of the Imperial chess club.
The photo also stated that the simultaneous took place at the premises of the Imperial chess club in Guildford and the photo was taken on October the 7th, 1922.
Worse blunder of my life!!!
I am currently playing at the Gatwick international and this morning I was paired against Peter Sowray. We were joint first on 3/3.
After a somewhat dodgy game I found myself two pieces up for absolutely nothing (+8 or something on Fritz). 4 Moves later I had to agree a draw… Let’s just say, I am feeling rather annoyed with myself at the moment!
Anyway for your pleasure take a look at, quite possibly, the worse blunder ever played by a Grandmaster. Someone take my title away!
Play like Tal: Interactive Trailer!!
- Play Like Tal with GM Simon Williams
Order DVD | Description | Promotional Videos | DVD Contents | Reviews | Discuss Order DVD Available now! ^Top Description “Chess, first of all, is art.” – Mikhail Tal Arguably one of the world’s most exciting chess players of all time, Grandmaster Mikhail Tal will always be remembered as an attacking genius. [...]
A first of it’s kind!!! An interactive chess DVD that can be played on all platforms!
I presented this two DVD box set, the aim of which is to get the viewer to try and think along the same lines as the great Magician from Riga, Tal!
Our interactive promotional video can be viewed below. If you want to go straight to the interactive part, jump to around 8:30 on the video!
The Killer Dragon: Parts 1 + 2: Trailers!
- Killer Dragon with GM Simon Williams
Order DVD | Description | Promotional Videos | DVD Contents | Reviews | Discuss Order DVD Released soon – pre-order now! ^Top Description The Dragon variation is considered to be one of the sharpest openings in chess. Made popular due to its aggressive nature, it is little wonder that the Dragon has [...]
The promotional videos for Killer Dragon Parts One and Two have arrived!
I was the presenter of these DVDs and they fully cover the Dragon and Dragadorf. They are quite heavy going, especially DVD one, but they should put you in good shape to be an expert in the Dragon within no time!
They are both around 6 hours long, with a total viewing time of roughly 12 hours. See the trailers below!
The Killer c3 Sicilian: Trailer!
- Killer c3 Sicilian with IM Sam Collins
Order DVD | Description | Promotional Videos | DVD Contents | Reviews | Discuss Order DVD Available now! ^Top Description Over the years, the c3 Sicilian, otherwise known as the Alapin Variation, has become increasingly popular not least because it avoids the reams of theory associated with Open Sicilians, but also because [...]
The trailers have finally arrived!
You can view the c3 Sicilian one below. The DVD will be ready to ship late Friday 9th of October/early Monday 10th of October.
Sam Collins is the presenter. Sam has a clear and concise presenting attitude and he has already filmed a large number of DVDs gaining invaluable experience.
He will aim to answer any questions on the DVD by the end of next week.
