Submitted by WGM Natalia_Pogonina for chess.com Psychology is an integral element of chess. To win a game (tournament, match) one needs to be strong not only in chess, but in the psychological sense as well. Every chess player can recall moments when he/she could not recover from a terrible loss (or ... Read More

When Ugly Goes Unpunished Young GM Ray Robson let fly with a very ugly opening (a Bad Blumenfeld) against veteran GM Gregory Kaidanov, quickly reached a lost game as a result of his choice, and then Gregory uncharacteristically let him escape.   I have noticed a theme:  when Slav ... Read More

By FM Mike Klein May 25, 2010 SAINT LOUIS, MAY 25, 2010 – Within only seconds remaining on his clock, GM Gata Kamsky simplified the endgame against GM Yury Shulman to clinch a draw and with it the title of 2010 U.S. Champion. He last won the title in his teenage years ... Read More

Recently I played in a chess tournament that was effectively out of town for me.  I showed up to the event and discovered I was first and eventually learned I would be the highest rated player. Slightly disappointed I decided to play on anyway.  Part of my decision to play was ... Read More

by WIM energia If you are a class player and want to improve you need to have some feedback on your play. There should be someone who can look at your game from a different angle and pinpoint weaknesses you need to work at. Usually, this should be a qualified trainer ... Read More