Chess Tutoring, Chess Coaching, Chess Classes with NM Will Stewart

Everybody knows the importance of infantry. As the oldest branch of combat arms, it is still the backbone of modern armies. The army’s infantry is its most essential component. You don’t win a war unless you have your Infantrymen, “boots on the ground,” standing on and holding your enemies ground. The foot soldier has always ruled the battlefield. Infantry is notable for its reliance on closely organized formations to be employed in battle. As shown [...]

“I have never seen anything more terrible and dreadful than a Macedonian phalanx!” — Aemilius Paullus, Roman general Understanding Pawn Play in Chess: Pawn Duo Two very important concepts of the pawn play, the ram and the lever, have been already covered in the Episode 3. The lever normally serves the attacking side by creating tension and possible lines opening for piece activity to follow. The ram typically serves the defender as it means immobility [...]

We already know that the pawns are the main actors in the game of chess. Don’t underestimate these deceptively weak soldiers. Without pawns there would be no game. They give life to pieces and at the same time form the backbone giving strength to the entire position. Remember Bronstein, “Without pawns, how can there be any strategy, any creative, far-reaching plans, any defensive fortifications or mobile pawn ranks for offensive aims!” In the previous post [...]

Building up strength You’re about to start playing a game of chess. What should be the first thought that guides you through the initial stage of the battle? You know it’s important to bring out your pieces quickly and effectively. You have been told to control the center. But just WHY is it important to control the center? In any battle you fight in your life you need to act from a position of strength. [...]

In part 2 of the Slav Defense, Beginner Chess Openings series I examine other main lines in the Schallopp Variation – specifically revolving around early Nc3 and Nf3 lines. In part 1 I examined the typical plans for black against early Nf3 and e3 main lines for white, and in part 3 of this Beginner Chess Opening series I will take a look at what to play against the Exchange Variation. As you go through [...]

There would be no chess without humble and courageous pawns and their heroic sacrifice in chess battles everywhere. The Sacred Work of Pawns For starters, the pawns, supported by friendly units behind them, are used to create strong points in the center early in the opening. The central pawn structure and well-protected strongholds guard important squares and generally prevent the other warring side from expanding and conquering your territory. The solid pawn set-up in the [...]

Welcome to my 3rd Beginner Chess Openings Series on the Slav Defense. My 1st and 2nd Beginner Chess Openings Series featured the “Stonewall Attack” and the “French Defense.” These three openings represent a comprehensive opening repertoire for the beginner chess player. Examining the big picture of this beginner opening system, you will find that the general ideas and pawn formations are very similar – enabling the beginner chess player to focus more on understanding general [...]