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Carlsen-Anand, Game 2. Could Black hold if not for 34...h5?

At Black's 34th move in Game 2 of the Carlsen-Anand match, Anand blundered with 34...h5??. What were his chances for salvaging the draw if he had defended actively via, say, 34...Qd2 or 34...Qd4, counterattacking the f2 pawn? [fen…
ETD
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How can I build my opening repertoire and memorization?

I have been playing chess for the last two years. I am trying techniques like controlling the center, not allowing weak pawn structure, etc. Now I am trying to build up an opening repertoire. My question is where to start? Which openings should be…
Ren
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Has a highly-rated GM ever lost to a low-rated opponent who didn't go on to become a GM?

Has a highly-rated GM ever lost to a low-rated opponent who didn't go on to become a GM? Also, currently has there ever been a GM who lost to low-rated opponents on a consistent basis?
xaisoft
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What is the bishop pair worth?

It depends on the position but with all things being equal how much material value would you say the bishop pair is valued at?
james82345
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Instructive chess positions (and famous games/studies containing these) that engines do not understand well

Basically, I would like to ask people to share their knowledge on famous and/or particularly instructive examples of chess positions, which chess engines do not understand well (i.e. do not evaluate correctly). A good example of the kind of…
Zvonimir
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Strategy in Isolated Queen Pawn Positions

What should Black's plan be in Isolated Queen Pawn Openings like this one arising from the Caro-Kann Panov attack? [fen ""] 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 e6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.cxd5 Nxd5
Jacob
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How many legal but unreachable positions exist?

Consider this legal chess position which can never be reached from the normal starting position. [FEN "6kb/6p1/6K1/8/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"] The Black bishop is placed on h8, but with the Black pawn on g7, there is no way the bishop could have…
NM Wesley Falcao
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Is chess a game of skill or chance? To what extent?

I want to know whether chess is a game of skill or game of chance, and how much is the degree of skill or chance in terms of percentage. Edit (21 Feb 2014): Please make sure that your answer includes credible references. To be sure that chess is a…
258135
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7 answers

Is there a computer program that generates quality chess problems?

Is there a chess engine that automatically generates quality chess problems. For example I will input 3 - it produces a mate in 3 problem. But the problem shouldn't be so obvious that one can solve in microseconds.
fercis
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Is this endgame winnable for white? (Knight vs two connected passed queenside pawns)

I would like to know if this endgame is winnable for white. Black to play. Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
mounaim
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How to play a Grandmaster in a simultaneous?

Would you play well known Opening theory, or avoid it? What other strategies would you employ to beat a GM in a simultaneous? I have my own strategies which I've used. See link in my profile. But what is best?
ezaspi
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Can Loss by Checkmate be Avoided by Invoking the 50-Move Rule Immediately After the 100th Half-Move?

The FIDE Laws of Chess state the 50-move rule as follows: 9.3 The game is drawn, upon a correct claim by a player having the move, if: 9.3.1 he/she indicates his/her move, which cannot be changed, by writing it on the paper scoresheet or…
Dave
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Why is it better to control a vertical/horizontal than diagonal?

I'm trying to truly understand why Rooks are more valuable than Bishops. Yes, they control more squares. But why? I understand that a rook forms a line that pieces cannot pass through, and this is related to the fact that it controls squares of…
Alec
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As a novice, how can I improve at defending my pieces other than what I'm already doing?

I’m struggling with chess after about six weeks of proper learning, i.e. strategy other than how the pieces move. I get this is a short time. I’m working hard to try and learn, and joined a chess club about a month ago. So far I’ve won zero games.…
tomdot
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What is the fastest loss by a GM in a FIDE classical game?

What is the shortest FIDE classical game a grandmaster lost? It can be either resigning or checkmate. The opponent doesn't necessarily need to be GM. Forfeits don't count. Only serious games count, instead of resigning after one or two moves as a…
cmgchess
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