A quote by François-André Danican Philidor, the best player of the 18th century, who could only play by giving pawn or piece odds to his opponents and influenced his successors: Deschapelles, La Bourdonnais, Saint-Amant... Back then, pawns were only used as fodder to open lines, such as in the King's Gambit. A revolution was needed … Continue reading "The French Revolution: Pawns are the soul of chess"
5 rounds of 10+5 rapid. ECF membership (bronze minimum) required. Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/twgtcDwiAcBNDKRf9
Five rounds of duck chess! Rules and practice: https://support.chess.com/en/articles/8615411-what-is-duck-chess All skill levels are welcome. Please sign up here. See you on Monday!
Siegbert Tarrasch was at his peak #1 or #2 in the world. He is known for his clear, but provocative statements, his principles. Are they still valid after 135 years? YES, they have become integral to the modern chess player's thinking. The 1-hour lecture is mainly addressed to players up to 1800 - because, if … Continue reading "Learn from Tarrasch"
5 rounds of 10+5 rapid. ECF membership required. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/37d3SAJLWJ5k6Tn79
Join Gastón Franco to learn more about this tactical pattern, starting from the basic concept of how it works and gradually increasing in complexity up to how it's used in Grandmaster games!
9 rounds of 5+2 blitz. ECF membership not required. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/hH1zZTKWfs93mmpd8
We are honoured to welcome Grandmaster Daniel King. He will be presenting awards for the 2024/25 season, and announcing and showing our Game of the Season.
5 rounds of 10+5 rapid. ECF membership required. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/mjJ2UyYvHDL2grYs8
Gastón Franco takes us through some of the most exciting games from the Grand Swiss in Uzbekistan, that will have just finished.
The first round of our infamous annual blitz tournament series. The stronger you are, the less time you get on your clock! Enter here: https://forms.gle/9Qu1TMXfq5JZAVzy7
There are countless ways to win a game of chess before it has really got started! Richard Cranston will present a number of these from his book, "50 Tricks and Traps in the Opening Game".
