The Chess Mind

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Our series on bishop vs. knight endings concludes (at least for now) with a pro-bishop example. Taken from a 4.Qc2 Nimzo-Indian game of mine from the late 90s, it can be divided into two unequal halves. The first part of the game offered a good demonstration of how to exploit the advantage of the bishop pair, while the second part is more useful in a negative way, displaying a number of pitfalls one can fall victim to in the realization of an advantage. Both parts are very instructive in their different ways - have a look!

As the title ever so subtly indicates, this is the second in a series of video presentations covering the perennial topic of knights against bishops. In the abstract, the pieces are of approximately equal value, but until one plays a purely abstract game of chess, that very general assessment won't be of much value. So we learn through experience what sorts of positions favor one piece or another, and how best to wield each piece - and the rest of our army - in those particular position-types.

Fortunately, the experience doesn't have to be our own - it's best to learn from others, when possible. Last week I showed some relatively basic knight vs. bishop endings; this time around, there's just one ending and it's a bit more sophisticated (though still accessible to anyone reading this blog). One of the strengths of the knight is its ability to blockade, and that strength is highlighted by an opposing bishop's inability to touch squares of the opposite color. This simple fact has far-reaching implications, allowing the side with the knight defensive possibilities one might not have expected. Case in point: the game I cover in this week's show, where I escape near-certain loss by the skin of my teeth.

So whether you watch for the instruction or the drama, or for the special preview of things to come near the end of the presentation, I do hope you'll tune in! The show is free, available on demand, requires no special software and can be viewed here.

Which minor piece is better, the bishop or the knight? As a little experience informs us, the answer is: It depends. Learning what it depends on is part of the process of education we all go through, and in this presentation I try to offer some assistance towards that end. This week I look at some fairly simple cases in which one minor piece or the other is dominant, and in the next week or two I'll look at more complex examples.

This show is geared primarily at players under approximately 1800 (maybe even a little lower); if you're in that category, I think you'll find the material useful. (If not, you'll let me know!) It's free and available on demand, so you can take advantage of it at your leisure. Enjoy!

Looking through some of my old games, I came across my biggest OTB scalp with the dubious 1.e4 e6 2.c4 anti-French system, a win against IM Jay Bonin. Unfortunately, he played 2...c5, so we'll never know how he'd have reacted to the lively lines after 2...d5 3.cxd5 exd5 4.Qb3, but the game had its tactically rich moments nevertheless. As the title suggests, the players weren't always up to the challenge at that moments, but that's so much the better for you, dear reader (and hopefully viewer): you can watch, stop the recording at the relevant moments, and see if you can find what my opponent and I missed.

Whether you outdo us or not, I trust you'll find the game an entertaining one. But see for yourself: the show is free, available on-demand, and doesn't require any special software. Just click and watch.