Lessons with a Grandmaster II by Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel R. Sneed Boris: So we meet again to continue our study of the mystical teachings of chess. Joel: Yes! Working with you on the first book had a major impact on my playing. I added several hundred points to my rating. Immediately after completing the book I scored 4 out of 5 with 2 draws and 3 wins at the Marshall Chess Club under-2000 tournament in New York. I tied for first and had a performance rating of 2100! My increased playing strength is a direct reflection of the work we did studying your games, solving exercises, and, in general, listening to you talk about chess. I will never forget the experience of going over your … [Read more...]
The Benko Gambit [A59]
The Benko Gambit [A59] by Abby Marshall This month's column also comes from a reader request: what to do as white against the Volga-Benko Gambit. Dante Zuniga from Canada wrote, “I always look forward to your monthly column. My problem is in regard to the Benko Gambit. It seems that the lines are easier to play for black than white. I hope you can give me a system that I can use for white.” 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 Pal Benko popularized this opening in the 1960s. It had been used by several high-level players a couple decades before this and in Russia it is called the Volga Gambit. 3...e6 is the most common move outside the gambit. 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 is the Modern … [Read more...]