donderdag 6 november 2008

A candle for Johan van Mil

Our thoughts and feelings are with him and his family in these difficult moments!

http://www.debestezet.nl

zondag 12 oktober 2008

Chess Improvement.

Many Knights in the heat of battle will ask themselves from time to time “Why am I not improving despite doing the cycles” Or “Why am I improving so slowly”
I asked my self this question too.
Many high rated players will tell you to devote most of your time to tactics, which I believe is a very good advise. But if you are being outplayed in the opening, tactics will only help you in some cases to save the draw.
After reading DK’s article about Wang Yue, especially the part where he writes that Wang does not go for the opening advantage but for solid opening play and endgame superiority, I was definitely convinced that this is the best way to make some substantial improvement.
Where do you begin?
1. Khmelnitsky’s book Chess exam is a very good start. It is like going to your home physician for a general checkup.
2. Pick a solid repertoire and play main line variations, don’t try to outfox your opponents with offbeat variations if you don’t understand the ins and outs of the opening.
3. At the end of the opening stage you will have standard positions. Here is where you will benefit the most of your tactics training (Cycles!), your opponent will probably deviate from theory/ middle game plans. Find the best move and go for it. Tactics alert !
4. Endgame virtuosity is the way to grand mastery . I think it was Smyslov who said it.
5. Play trough games of GM’s









1. I took the exam and my predicted ELO was not far from my current.
2. I’ve been playing many blitz games on the Chessbase server just to practice my opening and to collect games. So I can have some statistics on the different variations my opponents (ELO differentiation) may choose in a normal game. I’m sticking to my repertoire! I’ve experienced a slight stabilization of my blitz ELO.
3. Going trough Pawn Power in combination with Zurich 1953 helped me in choosing a solid repertoire. The comments of Kmoch and Bronstein are very instructive, I’ve a better understanding of what the opening is about and what my middle game plan has to be. After reading Pawn Power I do understand many openings and middle game plans, even of the openings I do not play. I know where the game is heading to and I’m enjoying kibitzing. I’ve noticed the benefit of tactical training (CT-art) mainly in the transition from opening to middle game, after reaching a standard position. For instance a transition to a favorable endgame, a mating combination or a 2-3 move material gain, mostly a pawn or a better placement of my pieces.
4. I’m still tuning my repertoire. I’m doing some endgame training but just the basics. This section will get more attention in the near future.
5. 10% of my time is Opening preparation(Main line), 10% Strategy, 40%Tactics and 40% Blitz games (for now!).

donderdag 25 september 2008

Posted by PicasaDear chessmen,
These are my 2 kings/queens or king and queen. I'm very very happy and very greatful that they are on their way to this world. Thanks to my lovely girlfriend and God.

zaterdag 30 augustus 2008



My sweet ruling girlfriend followed chesstraining and finished her course with an exam. She had the highest score of the group (all men!). A 9 out of 10, way to go girl!! I'm very proud of you.

vrijdag 22 augustus 2008

vrijdag 15 augustus 2008




Finaly Cycle 1 finished !!!!


donderdag 14 augustus 2008


This is the best book I've ever bought. Thanks to the blog of Grand Patzer!
The plan is to work through this book, CT-art, Bronstein 1953 and some openings.

woensdag 2 juli 2008

Lately I've been reading the Blog of Grandpatzer and got some good advice. I bought Pawn Power and Pawn chess. Pawn power is amazing!!! If you read it in combination with my System you will certanly make some improvement in your OTB play.

vrijdag 18 april 2008

Dear fellow knights,

It’s been a while since my last post. In the mean time I’ve been following your blogs very closely :-) .
I’ve started my cycles and right now I’m halfway cycle1. Last Tuesday I played a game of rapid chess at the chess club in Leiden (the Netherlands). I played with black and it was a Benko gambit, nothing unusual. But I was seeing tactical opportunities very fast, and the guy was blown away.

dinsdag 26 februari 2008

The pattern for the black king and knight against the white queen
The pattern for the black king and bishop against the white queen.

donderdag 21 februari 2008

Phaedrus zei...
I also want to wellcome you to the blogosphere. I think I got the first series of patterns. The green squares where the squares whera a rook could be succesfully double attacked by a queen. I did not get these patterns though. Neither did i get the following knght patterns. Could you help us out, because just as Temposchlucker I am very much into patterns and scanning.

maandag 18 februari 2008



Pattern for the Black King and Rook vs the White Knight.

6. If the King is in the central square (c6,f6,f3,c3 red/white) apply the first 2 figures/rules.

Some more figures



Dear knights,




I’ve started my training with step 1. After some moves I’ve realized that there is a pattern, and I want to share it with you. It will certainly help you in the endgame and will reduce your need to calculate.
1. As you can see the green fields are mined.
2. Your Rook is save in the “shadow” of the king.
3. On the Diagonals emerging from the King, the Rook is also save.
4. If the King is on the edge you can also apply a similar rule with the “shadow” and diagonals! Take a good look at the 4! squares between the "shadow" and the diagonals.
5. Try it out and find the rest for yourselves.
The Caquetio Knight