KevinChessSmith

This post focuses on an example of a queen sacrificed for a bishop, a knight, an initiative, and a couple of pawns. The pawns are important, but not for raw material counts. Instead, after the queen sac, the opposing pawn structures enhanced the ability to sustain an initiative by the side with four minor pieces. That hint should help you while solving some of the puzzles. KIMPLODES! is my analytic tool of choice. That tool is the focus of a book that IM Attila Turzo and I co-authored. Chessable.com published it in April 2026.

Greco is recognized as a trailblazer among the chess cognoscenti. (They're like the Illuminati, but snide about it, like wine snobs.) You'll have to read on to learn why Greco was an original. This is my take on the greatest chess authors of all time...and some who didn't quite check the box. Today I present the 14th in this new series, presented one at a time and in alphabetical order...mostly...unless I add someone midway through, or just felt like mixing things up.

This blog is a celebration that leverages an outstanding concept of GMs Nielsen and Gustafsson, but offers my unique takes and different material. The two GMs produced videos and multiple lessons regarding their top 50 chess players of all time. Although I freely accept their rankings and provide a link (below) to their work, my focus is different. How does my work differ? Well, first off, I'm not a titled player. Second, I wrote brief biographies for each player and offer limited discussion and pictures of some of their works (if they wrote). Third, I started adding comparisons of their playing record versus peers in their era. Fourth, if they were eminently quotable, I'll throw in a few of those! Fifth, and most difficult, I will include at least two games analyzed by the individual, if such games exist. After all, the greatest of the great should be able to explain what they were thinking during a game, shouldn't they?

This is my take on the greatest chess authors of all time...and some who didn't quite check the box. Today I present the 13th in this new series, presented one at a time and in alphabetical order...mostly...unless I add someone midway through, or just felt like mixing things up.

No deep dives into chess history, chess players and chess couples, game analysis, or hidden tactical patterns about trapped pieces this time. Nope, I'll be taking some time to talk about something that's always been near and dear to my heart: the capability to use a board and pieces while traveling, whether to play a game with a fellow traveler or analyze something in a quiet moment. Of course, sometimes my travels only take me to my backyard, but the same considerations apply. Bottom line: It's nice to touch the pieces. The product reviewed is the 16" Windsor Executive Magnetic Travel Chess Set: Rosewood & Maple Wood Board with Rosewood Pieces found at Royal Chess Mall. I love the feel, look, and portability of this set. It's not for everyone, but it's definitely a premier choice for anyone who loves chess, finely crafted chess sets, and wants a traveling set that works with you, not against you.

Count 'em up, folks! Black has four extra pawns, White has an extra bishop. Plus, White seems to have a lead in development, though that light-squared bishop looks like a problem, as does the rook on h1. Finally, the black queen, bishop, and c4-pawn are all under attack. What is going on here?!? I'll try to answer some of your relevant and even irreverent questions using KIMPLODES!, a human-oriented approach to analysis. We'll be heavily focused on whether or not Black has, and can maintain, sufficient compensation for the material imbalance, with M standing for "Material" in KIMPLODES! [Links providing additional information on KIMPLODES! are found after the post's end.] The game under the microscope was played by Anatoly Karpov and Jan Timman in 1988, in between some of their encounters in various World CC venues.