In 2008 one of the worlds leading online chess shops opened it’s doors for the first time. Since then the little embryonic business has become one of Europe’s leading suppliers of luxury chess sets and traditional wooden games. Based in … Continue reading →

There are two competing schools of thought when dealing with winning positions. The first says “reduce, reduce, reduce” and the other says that the material disparity is just one imbalance among many. I subscribe to the second approach. The game … Continue reading →

Here is an online Game 30 where white converts his endgame advantage. The win is not so dramatic but it does emphasize endgame planning. I am 1611 USCF here and my opponent is 1511. 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c5 … Continue reading →

Giofreda – (1607) NN – (1525) This is an online Game 30. I am using the Nimzo-Indian as black here, to improve my play from the white side. I fell in love with this gambit and will play it every … Continue reading →

Happy Christmas Eve to my friends across the pond. When you’re done eating your figgy pudding, then curl up next to your yule log, break out your old wooden chess set and check out this winter-time puzzler. It’s white’s move … Continue reading →

Here’s another game 30, courtesy of Chess.com. I played as white. Themes include key squares, piece coordination, prophylaxis and control along the a8-h1 diagonal. Black’s relaxed rooks decided the game. How could they have better participated in the struggle? This … Continue reading →

Here’s an online game I just played. I am holding steady at 1610 due to some long-overdue studying (knock on the chessboard). It is a Game 30. 1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5: My opponent cedes the center. I’ve found … Continue reading →

Hanover County Open – 12/01/12 Giofreda (1538) – NN (1300) This is my game from the final round of a small, four-round tournament. I have 2.5/ 3 and my opponent has 2/3. The gentleman with whom I shared a contentious … Continue reading →

Here’s a game from the same tournament as I wrote on last time, the third round. We played on a wooden set and I enjoy playing this opponent a lot because he’s a heck of a nice guy – he’d … Continue reading →

I just returned from a weekend chess tournament, placing first in the U1600 section. In the final round I stood my ground with the Caro-Kann and I’m still not sure why. My opponent uses the Italian Game so this dissuaded … Continue reading →