Exeter Chess Club

Well, ouch! We lost four-nil, but I hope you thought that, however big and strong they were, they weren’t that much better than us, and they didn’t do anything very special to beat us. (Is that a good thing?)  But I was very pleased and proud with how well you played, how well you fought, and how well you concentrated.  It wouldn't have needed much luck for us to come away with 2-2.  They're just tall, that's all...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di1-bB1w4wM

In the end, we fell for a few simple tactics and there were a couple of chances that we missed, and that all comes with time and practice. The best books to start to practice spotting tactics are the blue one I wrote with Tim (Chess Puzzles in One Move) and a yellow book by Tony Gillam, Simple Chess Tactics. If you think those are too easy, try the website http://chess.emrald.net/

These will help, but the main thing is to think for both sides.  There's no point in spotting all the ideas for your side, but ignoring what your opponent can do to you.   Check each check and each capture on every move.

Also, we do need some better openings to put pressure on our opponents. I have written a little guide that I think I’ve given to all the team players, but everyone can have a copy [PDF]if they like. The idea is to play the Scotch Gambit against 1…e5 and to go for IQP positions against everything else.

Wise words:
"There are no hopeless positions; there are only inferior positions that can be saved.
There are no drawn positions; there are only equal ones in which you can play for a win.
But at the same time, don't forget that there is no such thing as a won position in which it is impossible to lose."
-- Grigory SANAKOEV