Chess Strategy and Tactics:Mikhail Tal's Amazing Games
What you'll learn
- Be able to play more creative fun and effective attacking style chess - entertaining, spectacular, dramatic, and combinational style of play in particular :)
- Be able to see why Tal is thought to have given more joy to the Chess World than all the dry technicians combined
- Be able to understand many of Mikhail Tal's tactics and combinations and demystify some of the magic Tal was known for
- Be able to improve one games tactically and positionally
- Be able to pick up a lot of useful opening theory and systems still popular today - e.g. English symmetrical with early d5 plan for a reverse Maroczy bind
- Be able to play the King's Indian Defence with key Mikhail Tal model games
- Be able to play the Modern Benoni Defence with key Mikhail Tal model games
- Be able to play the fun "Scotch Four Knights variation" of 1.e4 with key Mikhail Tal model games
- Be able to understand the power of default attacking Queen moves like Qc2 (even from 1.d4 opening) or Qc7 as black which hit King soft spots immediately
- Be able to become more acutely aware of opportunies based on King soft spots and two parallel "diagonals of death" leading to h7/h2 and h2/f2 squares
- Be able to understand how Kingscrusher felt creating this course was like an aesthetic experience akin to going on hot dates with a beautiful woman :)
- Be able to unsderstand more than Tal was not just a tactician but also a magician making his games not only instructive but also entertaining
- Be able to take a deeper attacking perspective on principles such as central control - seeing implications for King x-raying
- Be able to see evidence that the majority of Tal's sacrifices were completely sound and the more unsound ones could be called "speculative"
- Be able to see evidence that sometimes Tal's sacrifices are completely unsound but win anyway!
- Be able to see how tactics and combinations are set up as well as seeing lots of key tactical variations behind the scenes
- Be able to more easily get the kind of attacking positions where forced mates will arise from
- Be able to "promote" King x-rays into major attacking opportunities more easily from Tal's examples
- Be able to make use of Tal's pet move on the 6th turn Bg5 with more confidence against the Sicilian Najdorf
- Be able to explore systematically in chronological order an amazing treasure trove of Tal's games
- Be able to appreciate more one of the greatest chess artists the chess world has ever seen
- Be able to appreciate games as though they were like Shakespearean plays with dramatic conclusions at the end
- Be able to appreciate seemingly unbelievable games let alone the key variations behind the scenes of unseen brilliancy
- Be able to appreciate that World champion Mikhail Tal even 20 years later and with health issues can be in the top 10 players officially in the World
- Be able to play even the English opening with 1.c4 and still get a crushing King Attack wherever the King castles :)
- Be able to emulate Mikhail Tal more in positions which Tal excelled in
- Be able to similarities of playing style between Paul Morphy, Alexander Alekhine and Mikhail Tal more clearly
- Be able to create such complexity that normal calculating of variations becomes impossible making opponents nervous, mistake-prone, and losing
- Be able to see that almost up until his death he remained in the chess ratings top 10-20 players of the world
- Be able to see great game examples from arguably one of the greatest attacking players the world of chess has ever seen
- Be able to see more clearly how complications on the chess baord can result in problems very difficult to solve by opponents in the time limit
- Be able to play more easily exciting sacrifices that would induce spectator noise and excitement more than many other ways of playing
Requirements
- Know how the pieces move
Description
Dive into the mesmerizing world of chess through the brilliant moves of the 8th World Chess Champion, Mikhail Nekhemyevich Tal, whose unpredictable, attacking style of play earned him the title "The Magician from Riga". This course, presented by FIDE CM Kingscrusher, aims to not just celebrate Tal's spectacular games but also extract valuable lessons from them to enhance your own chess journey.
Mikhail Tal's games stand as a testament to his unique combinatory style and audacious sacrifices, a beacon of creativity and flair in the chess world. His ability to use complexity as a weapon against his opponents and his bold, sometimes 'incorrect' sacrifices, opened a new dimension in chess strategy. This course embraces Tal's philosophies and principles, aiming to translate his 'magic' to enthusiastic chess players eager to learn from one of the greatest tacticians of all time.
Tal's games often transcended the bounds of traditional opening theory, making them rich sources of strategic and tactical knowledge. His games, played primarily as a 1.e4 player, are teeming with attacking chess, daring sacrifices, and tactical brilliance, often more featured in chess literature than any other player's.
Through a detailed analysis of Tal's games, this course presents an innovative perspective on chess - where the complexity and 'incorrect' sacrifices are not mistakes but strategic tools, where the chessboard transforms into a 'deep dark forest' with its own unconventional logic, where chess becomes a test of character and psychological endurance as much as a battle of wits.
As you navigate this course, remember Tal's profound insight: "You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide enough for one.”
So, embark on this journey with us into the enigmatic mind of Mikhail Tal, where each move promises to be a lesson in creativity, courage, and chess tactics that defy conventional wisdom. Let's explore the beautiful chaos of Tal's games, and in the process, discover a new, exciting way to view and play chess.
Who this course is for:
- Beginner to Intermediate chess players
Instructor
- 4.6 Instructor Rating
- 4,387 Reviews
- 23,542 Students
- 50 Courses
Dive deep into the intellectual universe of chess with Tryfon Gavriel, famously known to enthusiasts as "Kingscrusher." Beyond my titles as a FIDE Candidate Master and British Regional Chess Master, I am a dedicated chess educator, committed to spreading knowledge and passion for the game.
Decades of Strategic Pursuits My engagement with chess is a 35-year-long odyssey marked by competitive achievements both online and offline, including a peak ICC blitz rating of 2625 and an exceptional ECF grading of 212. My early triumph in the Lloyds Under 18 national UK tournament back in 1989 set the stage for a life steeped in chess, culminating in numerous top finishes in Lichess marathons and more. A statistical blog on lichess indicates :
"... an icon on Lichess for over a decade, as a chess streamer and as a very active player on Lichess. He is currently in 2nd place in overall trophies in all arenas (behind the unstoppable ...Hoegi), he has many top 10 places in various rankings, and he has been racking up marathon trophies on his profile as well." - blog titled: "lichess-arena-rankings" (2024)
Udemy's Chess Luminary While I once enjoyed sharing insights and high-level analysis on social media, my current passion lies in crafting comprehensive chess courses for Udemy. My dedication has been recognized with the "highest-rated" award for my detailed course on José Raúl Capablanca's strategies and the "Best Seller" accolade for my "Complete Guide to Chess Tactics," which garnered widespread acclaim shortly after its debut.
Teaching that Transforms Teaching chess goes beyond explaining moves on a board. For me, it's about igniting a passion for the sport and developing a deep, enduring understanding of strategic thinking and tactical decision-making. And it is about giving students the necessary chess abilities and skills that they can make use of in every single game they play. Courses such as the best selling "The complete guide to Chess Tactics" and "The complete guide to chess visualisation". There are also some courses based on champions. Drawing inspiration from chess titans like Paul Morphy, Alexander Alekhine, Mikhail Tal, Bobby Fischer, and Garry Kasparov, my courses offer more than knowledge—they provide a window into the minds of chess's greatest masters.
Your Journey Towards Chess Mastery My offerings on Udemy are designed for learners at all stages of their chess journey. Whether you're just starting or seeking advanced strategies, my courses are a gateway to deeper comprehension and appreciation of chess. Through meticulously designed lessons, I aim to equip you with the skills, confidence, and strategic acumen to elevate your game.
Join me in this exploration of chess, delving into the intricacies that make it a timeless classic. With each lesson, we'll unravel the complexities and joys of chess, fostering not just better players, but lifelong enthusiasts.