30% discount on RCA comprehensive courses – reminder

To make progress in chess, and to do so consistently, you need to have a strong understanding and a comprehensive knowledge of the chess game. Improper and incorrect training will only give you inconsistent results.

We’ve developed a variety of chess courses for you on this topic – for instance, our hot and top-selling courses like “GM’s Positional Understanding”, “Self-taught Grandmaster”, “GM’s Secrets”, and “How to beat Titled Players” fall into this category.

All of these courses have got 5/5 ratings from our students who have already studied them (as you can see in the image below) – therefore, there is no doubt about the quality of these courses.
By the way, I’ve mentioned only some of RCA’s comprehensive courses above – there are a total of nine comprehensive courses in all!

And the important part is that we can provide you with them for a massive 30% discount, to celebrate the end of the “RCA Crossword Contest”!  You will save as much as a HUGE $175 USD (the total discount you get on all comprehensive courses)!

Simply use the coupon “comprehensive” when making your purchase. If you don’t know how to use a discount code, please see here. This is a limited-period offer and will be valid only till Wednesday, 14 September. I hope you won’t let this great opportunity pass you by! 

<<Shop now>>

Finally, I’d like to keep your energy levels high – so let’s take a look at a very interesting position from a game played by the World Champion, Magnus Carlsen.

Magnus Carlsen – Anish Giri
White to play

We can see that all Black’s pieces are misplaced. Observe how Black’s queen and knight are restricted. But White’s rook is under attack now. How would you play here as White?

Hint: we analyzed this game only a few weeks ago and published an article about it. 

After calculating all possible variations, you can find the whole game here.

P.S. Don’t miss out on grabbing our comprehensive courses with this huge 30% discount, guys! By gaining this knowledge, you will be able to find the best moves easily, like in the above example. Simply use the coupon “comprehensive” when making your purchase.

Crossword contest winners and special discount

I’m very glad to say that the first ever “RCA Crossword Contest” went really well. We had over hundreds of participants, and I appreciate and thank all the participants for taking part in this great event!  
It’s time to announce the winners – the first 50 participants who solved the crossword puzzle correctly and sent the answers to us:

Note: for privacy reasons, we only state their first names.

Pos.	Name	Pos.	Name	Pos.	Name	Pos.	Name
1	Bharath	16	Ion	31	Simon	46	Navya
2	Lovro	17	Arjoe	32	Robert	47	Udhya
3	Aggelos	18	Adnane	33	Hakon	48	Santhi
4	Sudarshan	19	Tejas	34	Gary	49	Ismail Aqa
5	Jim	20	Gabriel	35	Cherriton	50	Jesus
6	Jaikar	21	Greg	36	Kclee
7	George	22	Tenneti	37	Manish
8	Senthil	23	Alfonso	38	Ahmad
9	Oshin	24	Dene	39	Manish
10	Sachin	25	Jack	40	Michael
11	Paul-Adrien	26	Shakti	41	Seth
12	Chlo J	27	Uri	42	Mircea
13	j01375	28	Andrew	43	William
14	Lorenzo	29	Manohar	44	Alwin
15	Tony	30	Mathejoy	45	Sathya

Congratulations to all the winners – you guys deserved it and it seems your knowledge of chess terms is really great!  All the winners were contacted and provided with the special prizes.
Additionally, I promised I’ll providing something special to all the participants as well – all participants will get an RCA premium video of their choice for FREE!  Thanks for participating guys, I appreciate your enthusiasm towards chess – after all, participation matters more than winning.

Note: all the participants were contacted by our Support Team to provide the FREE premium video. If you participated in the contest but did not hear from us, please contact our Support Team here.

Finally, it’s time to announce the solution of the crossword puzzle.  You can download the file “Crossword Solution” (Excel file) which contains the solution for the puzzle – DOWNLOAD.

If you are new or missed this event, you can find the questions and crossword puzzle here:

• Questions (LINK)

• Crossword Puzzle (LINK)

Are you tired of solving the whole crossword?  As you might have noticed, there’s a lot of information and terminology related to chess. Also, we’ve been taught so many rules in chess and it’s hard to choose the best ones when you are there, playing a game, looking for the best moves when you don’t know what to do.
Wouldn’t it be easier if we can apply a SINGLE rule or methodology to all positions – instead of remembering so many rules for openings, middlegame and endgame?

That’s why you need to have a strong understanding of chess and comprehensive knowledge about it. This will “make it simple” for you – you will be able to find the best moves easily in any situation, because you UNDERSTAND the game. I recommend you to study our RCA comprehensive courses which will give you this KNOWLEDGE.
But I’d like to help you further – I thought it might not be fair to those who did not participate in the contest (or unaware of it) if I just provide special gifts to participants and winners only. Also some of you might not be able to afford to purchase our courses.

Therefore, I’m providing EVERYONE with a massive 30% discount on the RCA comprehensive courses (ONLY).

Simply use the coupon “comprehensive” when making your purchase. This coupon will be valid from today until Wednesday, 14 September (inclusive). If you don’t know how to use a discount code, please see here.

<<Shop now>>

Breaking chess rules – defying chess strategy

First, let me remind you that you’ve only got about two more days to submit your answers for the “RCA Crossword Contest”. The latest date for you to submit them is Thursday, 8 September.

<<Participate now>>

I promise that all participants will get something special – moreover, exciting prizes are waiting for you if you win the contest. Find more details and participate now!

Being a good chess player is not only about following every single chess rule and guideline: it is about understanding that everything in chess is relative.

When we first start learning chess, we are taught that a knight and a bishop are each worth three points. As our knowledge of the game increases, we realize that sometimes bishops are stronger and sometimes knights are stronger.

Even though they both possess the same absolute value, their real value changes depending on the position.

When can we break chess rules?

• When your opponent breaks a rule, you might break one, too. You can learn more about this in my video here

• When the nuances of the position demand it. Chess is not only about learning patterns and applying them in games, but also about learning how small differences in a position can completely change the evaluation of a plan. This is why it is important to understand both players’ plan at all times.

In the following game, we will see how Alekhine breaks opening principles to obtain the upper hand.

Ahues, Carl Oscar – Alekhine Alexander

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 b6 3.e3 Bb7 4.Nbd2 c5 5.Bd3 e6 6.c3 Be7 7.Qe2

Black to play

Let’s analyze this position: White has decided to play the Colle system. The flexibility of the Colle is that White can play almost the same moves every time and ignore what Black does.

In this position, white is attempting to play e4. If Black castles, White will reply with e4 and obtain a very scary attack on the kingside. In this case, it is better to leave the king in the center for now. If we castle, we give White an objective. If we don’t, we force White to find another plan. Knowing what White wants to do, what should Black play?

7…Nd5!

We can see that the move Nd5, which breaks all opening principles, makes a lot of sense. The idea of this move is to stop 8.e4, since Black can answer 8.e4 with …Nf4 and capture the light-squared bishop. We can see that understanding our opponent’s plan is crucial if we want to grasp the nuances of the position.

8.dxc5, bxc5 – White decides to take on c5 himself and prevent Black from capturing on d4. 9.Nf1

This may seem like an odd move at first, but looking closely we can see White’s intention. This move allows White to play e4, since the bishop on c1 is now protecting the f4 square.

9…Qc7

Black protects f4, which prevents White’s idea. We can see how both players are defying basic opening rules (castle quickly, don’t move the same piece twice, etc.)

10.Ng3 Nc6 11.Bd2

Black to play

Black must again look for a plan. He could castle on the kingside, queenside, or stay in the center. His play on the queenside is very limited because White’s position on the queenside is solid. We can see that even though Black has great control of the center, he has no real plan.

Black can’t play Nb6, with the idea of playing d5, because White can play e4 or c4. This means that Black should attempt to play on the queenside. Knowing this, what should Black play? 11…g5!

This is the key move in the game. Why did Black make this move? Let’s imagine that Black is allowed to push his pawns forward on the kingside and assess the resulting position.

We can see that pushing the pawns on the kingside is strong for three reasons:

• White’s kingside pawns become targets of attack.

• The long white h1-a8 diagonal becomes very vulnerable for White. The light squared bishop becomes a monster.

•  White’s knights become very passive.

We can see that g5 is a strong move. White must do something in order to stop Black from steamrolling ahead on the kingside.

12.c4 Ndb4 13.Bc3 Nxd3+ 14.Qxd3 Nb4 15.Qe2 Rg8 16.h3

Black to play

Black was able to obtain White’s powerful light-squared bishop. We can see that neither player has castled, but this is not a problem because their kings are not in danger in the center. Because they don’t know what they want to do with their kings yet, they are delaying that particular decision as much as they can.

16…Nc6

The knight on b4 is not doing anything. Black wants to bring the knight into action. While the knight on c6 is still not very active, it might jump to e5 in the future.

17.Nd2 Ne5 18.Qh5 O-O-O Black has finally castled! He connects his rooks and is preparing to start his attack on the kingside.

19.O-O Unfortunately, White had to castle on the kingside, as his kingside pawns are very vulnerable and his king is the only piece that can protect them.

19…f5 20.Qe2 h5!

White to play

At this point, Black does not care about his kingside pawns. He is looking to open the position on the kingside. This is why g5 was a very strong move. The position would be completely different if Black had castled instead of playing g5.

 21.Nxh5

There are two reasons why White captured the pawn.

• Psychological pressure: taking this pawn, even though it opens the h-file, pressurizes Black into winning. If White can successfully defend or if Black blunders, White wins.

• …h4 would force White to move his knight to the very passive h1 square. Now that the knight is on h5, White can prepare f4 for his knight.

21…Rg6

White to play

This is a strong move because it allows Black to bring the other rook into the attack.

The rest of the game does not pertain to the topic of the article; however, it is important to pay attention to how Black assembled a successful attack.

22.f4 gxf4 23.Nxf4 Rh6 24.a3 Rg8 25.Bxe5 Qxe5 26.Nf3 Qg7 27.Rad1 e5 28.Nd5 Rxh3 29.Qd2 Bxd5 30.cxd5

Black to play

30…e4! This is the final nail in the coffin. White’s position crumbles and Black is completely winning.

31.d6 exf3 32.Rxf3 Rxf3 33.dxe7 Qxe7 0-1 White resigns.

Note: you can download the pgn of this game here.

In conclusion:

• Understand the idea behind every move. This is also true in the opening. Even if you analyzed all possible moves in a variation on the computer, it is important to understand the idea behind every move.

• Don’t be afraid to break chess rules. A player’s most powerful tool is intuition. The first step in every surprising combination or deep positional idea is usually an unexpected move.

Recommended

Chess players feel nervous before and/or during a game. This has serious implications for your results. Overcome psychological problems with “Champion Psychology”.

This book will help you to stay cool and do your best, while enjoying the royal game of chess. You’ll learn the most common psychological weapons that top Grandmasters use. Get it now HERE!

Highlights of GM Igor Smirnov’s “Ask Me Anything Event”

First, let me remind you of the “RCA Crossword Contest” – we’re conducting a crossword contest that will run till 8 September. By solving it, you will reinforce your knowledge of chess terms and hopefully have fun along the way.  
Find more details about the contest here, try to solve it, and get a chance to win amazing prizes (RCA courses, premium videos, and gift vouchers worth a total of over $1500 USD!) Moreover, I’ll provide something cool for all participants – therefore, don’t miss it!

Recently, I published an article replying to the unanswered questions from my “Ask Me Anything (AMA) Event” which was conducted on the RCA Facebook page on 15 August. If you missed that article, you should definitely read it here – it contains very useful information.

Today, I’ve decided to share some more useful information from this event. I’ve picked out a few of the interesting questions from our students (you) during the event and would like to publish them below. Let’s go!

Q1: Hello Mr. Igor Smirnov! First of all, thank you for pleasing me with the fact that you are doing this and that I’ll be able to contact via my questions The Grandmaster, Igor Smirnov. I’ll start this with a question. I’ve been trying to figure out the answer to for quite a while, but was unable to do so, which is: ”Why are top Grandmasters breaking basic principles?” You said that the base principles like maximum activity and so on are the MOST important and that we MAY NOT care much about something else.

For example, in the game Carlsen – Giri, Bilbao 2016 (you actually analyzed it), Carlsen played 6. Nd2. You said that the idea is that the Knight supports c4 and/or e4 breaks. White is already thinking about plans. First of all, using the principle of the maximum activity, the Knight should go to c3, so why not perhaps c4+Nc3. Also you said we shouldn’t think about plans in the opening. Also another rule of yours Carlsen broke in this game is: If you can plan in the center – do it!
At move 10, he played a4. Why didn’t he follow this simple rule and played c4, playing in the center? At move 16, he played Qg4. But engines suggest e4! Play in the center! Why is WCC breaking these rules? On the next move he played h4, but again, according to engines e4 was the best move. This isn’t only for this game, but for 99% other games of strong Grandmasters.

And we cannot argue that World Champion doesn’t understand basic principles.  :D Anyways, to sum up the question: Why are top grandmasters breaking these basic principles? Are there special reasons? Thanks in advance for your answers! Cheers!  – Lovro Glavina

What is the difference between cacophony and improvisation (in music)? To use improvisation, you must first master all the rules. Same in chess. Thanks for your well-thought question!

Note: you can find the game between Carlsen and Giri (with analysis) that Glavina mentions in his above question here, and its corresponding article here.

Q2: I am Nicolas and I live in Colombia Sorry for the translation, speak Spanish and I had to translate it into Google. I am delighted with your courses, the truth is that I felt the change in my chess level exponentially, disciplined started training two years. Your teaching is accurate and has helped me beat several people who have had much more preparation than mine. Without any more preambles. My questions are:

1. In the Scandinavian defense (Icelandic gambit ) you recommend me that defense play in tournaments or play the Sicilian defense? I am studying in college and I have almost no time to study, but I always look for a space for your courses.

2. What do you recommend I study within 6 hours of the week?

- Nicolás Gerardo Cuéllar Canosa

1) If your rating is below the 2000 level, you may play any opening. If you are above 2000, I would suggest that you play the Sicilian in tournaments.

2) If you only have 6 hours a week – study the video lessons from my courses and play training games against a computer. Good luck!

Suggested: you can study my FREE course “Chess Training Plan for Rapid Improvement” here.

Q3: Hello Master!! Here is my question! is it true that playing blitz, getting obsessed with chess and being an empiric chess player for so long (since the very beginning, about 9 years ago) can mess up the chess career?? - Favian Mauricio

That’s true. There should be a proper balance between study and practice (playing). You need to learn something new, and then you go and implement it in real games. Then you come back home, analyze your games, find errors, and fix them. Then go playing again. And the cycle goes on.

Q4: Have you ever analyzed different playing styles? At our club we’ve noticed that certain people play much stronger (or weaker) against certain other personalities. There seems to be an attacking style, a tactical style, a positional style, a defensive style, and something, I would call a practical style, where you just play what you get. Have you ever noticed this and what style would you say you are? – Jeffrey Davis

Indeed, different players play in different styles. For instance, Nakamura could not play against Carlsen for a long time because he’s an aggressive player, while Carlsen would not give him a chance to go for the attack.

As for me, I like imitating Capablanca (classical, logical style) or Tal (attacking style) depending on my mood. 

Q5: What exactly is the playing style of Vishy Anand?? – Pawan Kulkarni

He’s a classical player. He plays ‘according to the position‘, as chess players say. This is a very good style to imitate for chess learning. Unfortunately for Anand, this style is not quite enough to overcome players like Carlsen who know that ‘classical style’ too but have some extra skills on top of that. However, for your level, it’s perfectly alright to imitate Anand.

Q6: How do you fix Inconsistency in chess? I am currently a bit inconsistent, beating strong players and even masters but losing to lower players. – Elijah Logozar

Inconsistent results are a consequence of inconsistent learning. You need a SYSTEM of chess knowledge, then you’ll perform well on a regular basis. Studying various separate lessons here and there (which most players do nowadays) is a bad thing.

Suggested: “My Thinking System” will teach you about a developed system of thinking and help you detect the best move in any kind of position. Get it now here.

P.S. Once again, I’d like to remind you of the “RCA Crossword Contest”. Only the first 50 participants who solve the crossword correctly will get a chance to become a winner. Nevertheless, all participants will get something cool – find more details and participate now!