Your Weekly Chess Lesson

Last year I sent 50 weekly newsletters (You can join here) with one simple goal: help you understand chess better and make fewer mistakes.
Thank you for reading and supporting it. This year, I continue. Short, practical ideas you can use in your next game.

Let’s keep moving forward together.

IDEA OF THE WEEK

25. Ne6 !!
A strong discovered attack on the queen on b6, and at the same time a direct threat of checkmate on g7.
25... Qxd4+
Black has no choice.
26. Nxd4
Now the knight is perfectly coordinated with the rooks and starts targeting the weak pawn on c6.
26... g5
Black waits and keeps pressure on the e2-pawn, so White cannot capture on c6 immediately.
27. Rc3
A very important move. White changes the defender of the e2-pawn. The rook from behind takes over the defense.
Capturing on c6 right away would be a mistake, because after exchanges Black would get the advantage.
27... g6
This doesn’t really help. There is no longer any attack on e2.
28. R1c2 a5
White calmly improves coordination.
29. Nxc6 Nxc6
30. Rxc6
White simplifies the position and reaches a rook endgame a pawn up, with a clear advantage.

TIPS OF THE WEEK

• Two connected pawns on open files are called hanging pawns.
• Hanging pawns work best when they stay on the same rank. If you manage to block them, the pawn behind becomes very weak.
• Against hanging pawns, use the same plan as versus an isolated pawn: block them and exchange pieces, especially minor ones
• Even in strategic positions, always pay attention to tactical motifs. The most common one is an undefended piece.

PRACTICE THE IDEA

How will you continue the attack on the isolated pawn in the center?
Practice this against an engine rated 300–500 points higher.

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