Here’s another position from the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament. At first glance Black is definitely on the ropes and waiting for a knockout, but Black has a game saving jab.

Hope you enjoyed the 21 instructional games which should have given you insights to all the amazing things that can happen on a chessboard. Today’s position is a case in point. Black is in dire straits here, yet she ...Read More

Number 21 in our series of instructional games. Seidman - Santasiere B29 New York, 1939 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6? (Best is 2...Nc6) 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nc3 Nxc3 5.dxc3 (White is already more mobile.) 5...b6 6.Bc4 (Also fun is 6.e6 dxe6...Read More

Number 20 in our series of instructional games. Shamkovich - Nezhmetdinov (E97)Baku, 1961

This is a wild game. The King's Indian Defense is very difficult for both sides. This game demonstrates the war between Black's ...Read More

Number 19 in our series of instructional games. This is a good one for beginners to learn from the early notes. Shilov - Razdobarin B28 1959

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6 3.c3 d5! (A good idea against c3 with the Sicilian Defense.) 4....Read More

Number 18 in our series of instructional games. Kholmov - Bannik B93 Minsk, 1962 A wonderful game to play through. Get that chess set out! 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 g6? (General Sicilian rule--...Read More