The Chess Mind

There is a thread where viewers can post games on the ChessVideos.tv website, and from time to time I present a show looking at the best games and most interesting moments from the selection. This week's show is one of those times, and as usual the games and highlights are diverse - you'll find opening commentary, some neat middlegame tactics and endgame instruction. Something for everyone, as they say.

The show (available here) is free (free registration required) and will be available on-demand for the next month or so.

This week I conclude my look back at the State Championship with my last round win. After a very successful opening, I lost the thread for a moment or two and had to start pretty much from scratch. In this case, it involved going all out for an attack, and as you'll see there were some incredible variations involved - for both sides. If you like nice, placid, clear strategic battles, this is not the game for you. Instead, prepare to have your head explode.

The show is here, and is available for free and on-demand for the next month or so.

Last week we looked at my first round game from the Indiana State Championship, a battle against the "Matrix". This week the opening is more conventional, but the conclusion was anything but. After achieving a good position in the opening, I managed to confuse myself into blundering a pawn and had to suffer for a long, long time. Eventually I survived with a combination of hard defense and a little luck, and you can see for yourself how it all worked out. The video is free, available on-demand for the next month or so, and perversely entertaining.

Last week, I became the Indiana State (co-)champ, and most of my games were very interesting, despite some occasional errors. In round 1, I faced 1.e4 e5 2.Qh5, and while this might be a fearsome weapon in Nakamura's hands, that's because they are Nakamura's hands and not any intrinsic quality enjoyed by the opening. Lower down the food chain, it's a lot less wonderful, and you can see here. White was much worse by move 8, lost by move 16, and resigned - tardily - after my 25th move. If this opening has bothered you, watch the video (it's free and will be available on-demand for a month or so) and you'll be cured.

Here's an adventure of mine from last weekend. I won the game, but all three results were possible. It started with the tricky von Hennig-Schara Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 cxd4!?) and never calmed down. Have a look at it, but prepare to exercise your tactics muscles - it's crazy. Make sure you have some time to spend calculating the various positions; if you do, it will be worth your while.

As always, note that the show is free and will be available on-demand for the next month or so. (Free registration required.)