This article was published originally on The Chess Improver blog on 2017-03-28
I have reposted it here for reference.
"We raise Champions!"
A previous review can be accessed here ChessEssentials, level 1
https://64funsolutions.ca/chessessentials-level-1-0
App link at the iTunes store ChessEssentials
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/chessessentials/id593013634?mt=8
Level 2 (reference ratings 400-800) costs $0.99 and it is an important piece of a proper foundation for any chess lover. It contains 22 lessons, 22 puzzle sets and 22 tests. They are listed in a well thought order covering the following aspects of the game:
Opening
Lessons 1-2 focus on the f7-weak spot called "Achille's heel" and all basic checkmates in the opening connected to this weakness. Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 01 - dia 06
[Event "Opening"][Site "Position 1"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r1b1k1nr/pppp1ppp/5q2/4n3/3PP3/2N5/PPP3PP/R1BQ1BKR b kq - 0 1"]{This simple trap in the 3 Knights opening has been working even at high levels. It exposes the f2-weak square and the weakness of the g1-a7 diagonal} 1... Ng4 (1... Ne7 2. dxe5?? Qb6+ {Starr - Pires, WCO2014, Tromso}) 2. Qxg4 (2. h3 Qf2#) 2... Qxd4+ 3. Be3 Qxe3#
Basic tactics
- Lessons 3-4 cover the importance of attacks and defences: every time there's an exchange possible, we need to count the attacks and defences, as well as the value of pieces involved in it. Lesson 3 looks at the options you need to consider when pieces in general are under attack, while lesson 4 presents the options available when the King is under attack. Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 03 - dia 04
[Event "Attacks and defences"][Site "Position 2"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "1b6/3npk2/2N5/2p3P1/4r3/8/3QB3/4K2R b K - 0 1"]{Black has to choose the best response with Nd7 under attack} 1... Bg3+
- Lessons 5-11 go over the most important tactical weapons players should use during their games. Anyone will make big steps forward just by learning and practicing these tactics. There is the pin and here Bishops pinning Knights happen as early in the game as the first few moves. I remember a retired lady (avid chess enthusiast) from my junior years; she would come regularly at the club and play many games with anyone. She could not stand the opposing Knights and was very afraid of them because of the unexpected forks they could deliver. Her strategy was very simple: trade them Knights as early as possible! After a while you could have success playing her just by avoiding to trade your Knights. Yes, sometimes the strategy you need to win games is as simple as this one!
- Lesson 5 covers forks
- Lesson 6 covers double attacks
- Lesson 7 covers pins
- Lesson 8 covers skewers
- Lesson 9 covers discovered attacks
- Lesson 10 covers discovered checks
- Lesson 11 covers double checks
Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 09 - dia 03
[Event "Discovered attack"][Site "Position 3"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r5k1/p4ppp/1p3nq1/8/8/2PQ4/P1B2PPP/R5K1 w - - 0 1"]{An interesting discovered attack puzzle giving students headaches because of the distance between attackers and their targets after white's first move} 1. Qf3 {Bc2 attacks Qg6, Qf3 attacks Ra8} Qxc2 2. Qxa8+ Ne8 3. Qxe8#
Opening
- Lessons 12-16 return to this important area of the game for any beginner; now armed with all those tactical weapons, it should be easier to navigate the first moves of the game while looking to develop, castle, occupy the center, etc. In case the opponents do not do it, the student can take advantage of it. Here I have proposed 3 basic openings for study with the 4 Knights being one of the most played at this level. Learning any opening should start with learning tricks specific in each case. You can win many a game just by knowing tricks. Amateurs you encounter in any park or club in the World are well versed in all sort of opening tricks. The majority of them have learned those from own painful experience (tricks played on them), so it would save you grief to learn them ahead of time.
- Lesson 12 covers how to play the opening
- Lesson 13 covers how not to play the opening
- Lesson 14 covers the 4 Knights opening
- Lesson 15 covers the Bishop's opening
- Lesson 16 covers the Pilidor defence
Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 14 - dia 04
[Event "Mirror"][Site "Position 4"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r4rk1/pppq1p1p/2np1p2/1B2p3/1b2P3/2NP1P2/PPPQ1P1P/R4RK1 w - - 0 1"]{This position happens from the 4 Knights opening and is a result of playing in the mirror, something I see way too often in many beginners games. The solution shows the advantage is always for the side moving first because it can break the mirror in its favour} 1. Qh6 Qd8 2. Nd5 Kh8 3. Nxf6
Endgame
- Lessons 17-20 jump all the way to the endgame. It is hard to reach your destination when you don't know where you are going. This is the next step forward from level 1 and it shows how the Queen/ Rook has to fight against the lone remaining pawn ready to promote. It does happen in beginners games; have seen it often how the player having the Queen would check endlessly the opposing King because of not knowing how to stop the pawn. The basic pawn endgames cover the important concept of the opposition in the most basic endgame of King+pawn versus King, followed by how to play in King+pawn versus King+pawn with the pawns blocked. Some might argue they are complicated and it is too early to learn these endgames; in my opinion the students must challenge themselves from early on and having to deal with only 3 to 4 pieces helps. Last but not least grasping the concept of the opposition brings a sentiment of excitement which can drive the student forward to study more. It gives great pleasure and a higher level of self esteem to be able to know when a pawn could promote or not. This moves anyone to a higher level of expertise, clearly above the masses called "wood pushers" who just move pieces around.
- Lesson 17 covers the basic endgame King+Queen versus King+pawn
- Lesson 18 covers the basic endgame King+Rook versus King+pawn
- Lesson 19 covers basic pawn endgames - the opposition
- Lesson 20 covers basic pawn endgames - blocked pawns
Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 19 - dia 02
[Event "Endgame"][Site "Position 5"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "8/8/4k3/6KP/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]{This basic position shows the importance of reaching the g7-square first. If black moves first, 1... Kf7 would help it reach the g7-square and the game could end in a draw. Here white reaches the g7-square first and the pawn promotes. I saw juniors unaware of this simple endgame even at provincial levels...} 1. Kg6 Ke7 2. Kg7
Mates
- Lessons 21-22 continue what was started in level 1, reminding the student of the real object of the game. It moves gradually from checkmates in 1 to simple checkmates in 2. One can never do enough of these and focusing on the opposing King (as well as protecting yours from similar disasters) it is needed at all times. Later on you will see that an attack against the King will be more efficient than an attack against a piece or position not including the King. The reason is very simple: capturing the King ends the game. I remember the Romanian junior national chess final from 1979 where a completely unknown player at the time (MF Witezslav Lowy)
https://ratings.fide.com/profile/2802317
rose through the ranks of the 9 rounds tournament to almost win the title; his greatest asset was his knack to attack the opposing King in all his games. He finished tied for first, surprising everyone and leaving a great impression on me as you can tell.
- Lesson 21 covers mates in 1
- Lesson 22 covers mates in 2
Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 22 - dia 02
[Event "Mates in 2"][Site "Position 6"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "1r5r/pR6/3k1p2/3Pp1p1/3pP2p/P2P1RnP/1N4P1/6K1 w - - 0 1"]{Many pieces on the board, Rb7 under attack and the attractive but wrong Nb2-c4+ are just distractions the solver needs to ignore} 1. Rxf6+ (1. Nc4+? Kc5) 1... Kc5 2. Rc6#
Conclusion: level 2 helps the student establish a solid foundation. Using this knowledge could help them get noticed and be considered as promising players. Last but not least I will mention again that it helps the most by providing a plan for studying chess and all has to be tried over and over again in as many games as possible. Hope you find this presentation interesting and the app worth giving it a try!
I have reposted it here for reference.
"We raise Champions!"
A previous review can be accessed here ChessEssentials, level 1
https://64funsolutions.ca/chessessentials-level-1-0
App link at the iTunes store ChessEssentials
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/chessessentials/id593013634?mt=8
Level 2 (reference ratings 400-800) costs $0.99 and it is an important piece of a proper foundation for any chess lover. It contains 22 lessons, 22 puzzle sets and 22 tests. They are listed in a well thought order covering the following aspects of the game:
Opening
Lessons 1-2 focus on the f7-weak spot called "Achille's heel" and all basic checkmates in the opening connected to this weakness. Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 01 - dia 06
[Event "Opening"][Site "Position 1"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r1b1k1nr/pppp1ppp/5q2/4n3/3PP3/2N5/PPP3PP/R1BQ1BKR b kq - 0 1"]{This simple trap in the 3 Knights opening has been working even at high levels. It exposes the f2-weak square and the weakness of the g1-a7 diagonal} 1... Ng4 (1... Ne7 2. dxe5?? Qb6+ {Starr - Pires, WCO2014, Tromso}) 2. Qxg4 (2. h3 Qf2#) 2... Qxd4+ 3. Be3 Qxe3#
Basic tactics
- Lessons 3-4 cover the importance of attacks and defences: every time there's an exchange possible, we need to count the attacks and defences, as well as the value of pieces involved in it. Lesson 3 looks at the options you need to consider when pieces in general are under attack, while lesson 4 presents the options available when the King is under attack. Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 03 - dia 04
[Event "Attacks and defences"][Site "Position 2"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "1b6/3npk2/2N5/2p3P1/4r3/8/3QB3/4K2R b K - 0 1"]{Black has to choose the best response with Nd7 under attack} 1... Bg3+
- Lessons 5-11 go over the most important tactical weapons players should use during their games. Anyone will make big steps forward just by learning and practicing these tactics. There is the pin and here Bishops pinning Knights happen as early in the game as the first few moves. I remember a retired lady (avid chess enthusiast) from my junior years; she would come regularly at the club and play many games with anyone. She could not stand the opposing Knights and was very afraid of them because of the unexpected forks they could deliver. Her strategy was very simple: trade them Knights as early as possible! After a while you could have success playing her just by avoiding to trade your Knights. Yes, sometimes the strategy you need to win games is as simple as this one!
- Lesson 5 covers forks
- Lesson 6 covers double attacks
- Lesson 7 covers pins
- Lesson 8 covers skewers
- Lesson 9 covers discovered attacks
- Lesson 10 covers discovered checks
- Lesson 11 covers double checks
Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 09 - dia 03
[Event "Discovered attack"][Site "Position 3"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r5k1/p4ppp/1p3nq1/8/8/2PQ4/P1B2PPP/R5K1 w - - 0 1"]{An interesting discovered attack puzzle giving students headaches because of the distance between attackers and their targets after white's first move} 1. Qf3 {Bc2 attacks Qg6, Qf3 attacks Ra8} Qxc2 2. Qxa8+ Ne8 3. Qxe8#
Opening
- Lessons 12-16 return to this important area of the game for any beginner; now armed with all those tactical weapons, it should be easier to navigate the first moves of the game while looking to develop, castle, occupy the center, etc. In case the opponents do not do it, the student can take advantage of it. Here I have proposed 3 basic openings for study with the 4 Knights being one of the most played at this level. Learning any opening should start with learning tricks specific in each case. You can win many a game just by knowing tricks. Amateurs you encounter in any park or club in the World are well versed in all sort of opening tricks. The majority of them have learned those from own painful experience (tricks played on them), so it would save you grief to learn them ahead of time.
- Lesson 12 covers how to play the opening
- Lesson 13 covers how not to play the opening
- Lesson 14 covers the 4 Knights opening
- Lesson 15 covers the Bishop's opening
- Lesson 16 covers the Pilidor defence
Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 14 - dia 04
[Event "Mirror"][Site "Position 4"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r4rk1/pppq1p1p/2np1p2/1B2p3/1b2P3/2NP1P2/PPPQ1P1P/R4RK1 w - - 0 1"]{This position happens from the 4 Knights opening and is a result of playing in the mirror, something I see way too often in many beginners games. The solution shows the advantage is always for the side moving first because it can break the mirror in its favour} 1. Qh6 Qd8 2. Nd5 Kh8 3. Nxf6
Endgame
- Lessons 17-20 jump all the way to the endgame. It is hard to reach your destination when you don't know where you are going. This is the next step forward from level 1 and it shows how the Queen/ Rook has to fight against the lone remaining pawn ready to promote. It does happen in beginners games; have seen it often how the player having the Queen would check endlessly the opposing King because of not knowing how to stop the pawn. The basic pawn endgames cover the important concept of the opposition in the most basic endgame of King+pawn versus King, followed by how to play in King+pawn versus King+pawn with the pawns blocked. Some might argue they are complicated and it is too early to learn these endgames; in my opinion the students must challenge themselves from early on and having to deal with only 3 to 4 pieces helps. Last but not least grasping the concept of the opposition brings a sentiment of excitement which can drive the student forward to study more. It gives great pleasure and a higher level of self esteem to be able to know when a pawn could promote or not. This moves anyone to a higher level of expertise, clearly above the masses called "wood pushers" who just move pieces around.
- Lesson 17 covers the basic endgame King+Queen versus King+pawn
- Lesson 18 covers the basic endgame King+Rook versus King+pawn
- Lesson 19 covers basic pawn endgames - the opposition
- Lesson 20 covers basic pawn endgames - blocked pawns
Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 19 - dia 02
[Event "Endgame"][Site "Position 5"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "8/8/4k3/6KP/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]{This basic position shows the importance of reaching the g7-square first. If black moves first, 1... Kf7 would help it reach the g7-square and the game could end in a draw. Here white reaches the g7-square first and the pawn promotes. I saw juniors unaware of this simple endgame even at provincial levels...} 1. Kg6 Ke7 2. Kg7
Mates
- Lessons 21-22 continue what was started in level 1, reminding the student of the real object of the game. It moves gradually from checkmates in 1 to simple checkmates in 2. One can never do enough of these and focusing on the opposing King (as well as protecting yours from similar disasters) it is needed at all times. Later on you will see that an attack against the King will be more efficient than an attack against a piece or position not including the King. The reason is very simple: capturing the King ends the game. I remember the Romanian junior national chess final from 1979 where a completely unknown player at the time (MF Witezslav Lowy)
https://ratings.fide.com/profile/2802317
rose through the ranks of the 9 rounds tournament to almost win the title; his greatest asset was his knack to attack the opposing King in all his games. He finished tied for first, surprising everyone and leaving a great impression on me as you can tell.
- Lesson 21 covers mates in 1
- Lesson 22 covers mates in 2
Please have a look at one sample:
Puzzle set 22 - dia 02
[Event "Mates in 2"][Site "Position 6"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "1r5r/pR6/3k1p2/3Pp1p1/3pP2p/P2P1RnP/1N4P1/6K1 w - - 0 1"]{Many pieces on the board, Rb7 under attack and the attractive but wrong Nb2-c4+ are just distractions the solver needs to ignore} 1. Rxf6+ (1. Nc4+? Kc5) 1... Kc5 2. Rc6#
Conclusion: level 2 helps the student establish a solid foundation. Using this knowledge could help them get noticed and be considered as promising players. Last but not least I will mention again that it helps the most by providing a plan for studying chess and all has to be tried over and over again in as many games as possible. Hope you find this presentation interesting and the app worth giving it a try!