The Complete Guide To Hypermodern Chess

Mastering Positional Chess Strategy: Hypermodern Openings, Central Control, Prophylaxis, Overprotection, Blockade and mo

What you'll learn

Be able to explain the origins and principles of Hypermodern Chess.

Be able to identify and analyze Aron Nimzowitsch's contributions to chess strategy.

Be able to understand and apply Richard Réti's strategic ideas in your games with the Réti Opening.

Be able to understand Siegbert Tarrasch's role in the development of Hypermodern Chess.

Be able to play and counter various Hypermodern chess openings.

Be able to analyze the impact of Hypermodernism on chess evolution.

Be able to evaluate Hypermodern openings using chess engine analysis.

Be able to apply Nimzowitsch's teachings through game analysis.

Be able to swap central occupation for central control in your games.

Be able to dismantle an opponent's central control effectively.

Be able to win opposite-colored bishop endgames.

Be able to use prophylaxis to prevent your opponent's plans.

Be able to exploit Hypermodern doubled pawn structures and restraint.

Be able to play the Nimzo-Indian Defense with greater confidence.

Be able to overprotect a central point like e5 in your games.

Be able to recognize and create passed pawn potential in various positions.

Be able to employ pinning as a tactical and strategic tool.

Be able to use rooks effectively on the 7th rank.

Be able to undermine pawn chains from their base and head.

Be able to leverage the power of the bishop pair in your games.

Be able to execute strategic bishop exchanges.

Be able to apply light/dark square strategies effectively.

Be able to lift blockades and exploit weaknesses in opponent's positions.

Be able to handle positions with bishops without counterparts.

Be able to punish weakening king moves and capitalize on king safety issues.

Be able to strategically manage and exploit superior pawn structures.

Be able to play effectively in the direction of your pawn chains.

Be able to understand and utilize the concept that the threat is often stronger than its execution.

Be able to neutralize and counteract aggressive attacking players.

Be able to keep positions simple when advantageous, reducing complexity while maintaining an edge.

Be able to exploit weak squares through Hypermodern provocation, understanding that pawns cannot move backwards.

Be able to employ Hypermodern blockading strategies in your games.

Be able to effectively play against isolated queen's pawns using the principles of restraint, blockade, and destruction.

Be able to restrain, blockade, and then launch an attack after overprotecting a central point.

Be able to navigate the nuances of playing with hanging pawn structures and turning them to your advantage.

Be able to adapt to and play effectively with doubled pawns, recognizing their potential strengths and weaknesses.

Be able to improve the positioning of your least active piece, enhancing overall board strength.

Be able to exploit the space in the center when beneficial, using it to exert control and launch attacks.

Be able to let the opponent have the responsibility of extra space, using it to your tactical advantage.

Be able to accept temporary central structural weaknesses for strategic gains, such as blockade effects.

Be able to handle passed pawns effectively, keeping them under lock and key.

Be able to turn theoretical weaknesses, like doubled pawns, into exploitable strengths.

Be able to execute aggressive king marches in endgames to seize positional advantages.

Be able to use positional exchange sacrifices to create dynamic imbalances or long-term advantages.

Requirements

Know how the chess pieces move

Description

Welcome to this extensive journey through the evolution and intricacies of Hypermodern Chess. This course delves into the revolutionary chess ideas that emerged in the early 20th century, challenging the then-dominant Classical chess theories. We will explore the foundational concepts of Hypermodernism, focusing on control over the board's center with distant pieces rather than immediate occupation, and understanding the power of pawn structures, prophylaxis, overprotection, and other important concepts. Key Components of the Course:Historical Context and Key Figures: We begin by tracing the origins of Hypermodernism, understanding its contrast with Classical chess, and studying the contributions of pivotal players like Aron Nimzowitsch, Richard Réti, Gyula Breyer, and others.Strategic Concepts and Openings: We will cover core Hypermodern strategies such as central control versus occupation, prophylaxis, and the exploitation of weak squares. The course also includes a deep dive into Hypermodern openings like the Nimzo-Indian Defence and the Réti Opening.Tactical and Endgame Mastery: Learn to master opposite-colored bishop endgames, employ pinning and overprotection tactics, and understand the dynamics of passed pawns. We will also explore the nuances of playing with and against complex pawn structures like doubled pawns and hanging pawns.Modern Application and Analysis: The course integrates modern chess engine analysis to evaluate Hypermodern openings and strategies, offering insights into their effectiveness in contemporary play.Interactive Learning Experience: Engage with practical examples from classic games to understand these concepts in action.Course Objectives:To provide an understanding of Hypermodern chess principles and how they revolutionized chess strategy.To improve strategic and tactical play by studying the games and theories of Hypermodern pioneers.To apply these concepts in modern chess, enhancing your overall chess thinking and performance.This course is designed for chess players who aspire to deepen their understanding of chess strategy beyond conventional theories, offering insights into a style of play that profoundly influenced modern chess. Whether you are a club player, a tournament competitor, or simply a chess aficionado, this course will expand your chess horizons and equip you with a richer understanding of the game's strategic depth.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Where did the term "Hyper-modern" originate from?

Lecture 2 Leading Hypermodernist- Aron Nimzowitsch (1886-1935)

Lecture 3 Leading Hypermodernist - Richard Réti (1889-1929)

Lecture 4 Leading Hypermodernist - Gyula Breyer (1893-1921)

Lecture 5 Leading Hypermodernist - Savielly Tartakower (1887-1956)

Lecture 6 Practicing Hypermodernist - Efim Bogoljubov (1889-1952)

Lecture 7 Practicing Hypermodernist - Ernst Grünfeld (1893-1962)

Lecture 8 Catalyst of Hypermodern Chess - Siegbert Tarrasch (1862-1934)

Lecture 9 Hypermodern Chess Openings

Lecture 10 The Hypermodern Reaction in Chess Evolution

Lecture 11 Hypermodernism Today as Part of Modern Chess

Lecture 12 Brief Engine Survey Analysis: Hypermodern Openings In Modern Chess

Lecture 13 Understanding Nimzowitsch's Teachings More Through Carefully Analyzing His Games

Lecture 14 Course Structure and Conventions

Section 2: Swapping central occupation for central control

Lecture 15 19 Cs- Central occupation swapped for central control - Nz vs Spielmann

Lecture 16 35 Cs-French Defence Advance transforms into e5 overprotection - Nz vs Leonhardt

Section 3: Taking out opponent's central control

Lecture 17 14 Cs- Early temporary piece sacrifice gives better central control - Nz vs Reti

Section 4: Winning opposite colored bishop endgames

Lecture 18 53 Cs- Doubled pawns lead to weaknesses after light bishop gone - Marshall vs Nz

Section 5: Prophylaxis aka Prevention measures

Lecture 19 72 Cs- Interesting prevention measure issues raised - Schlecter vs Nimzovich

Section 6: Hypermodern Doubled pawns and restraint

Lecture 20 54 Cs- Doubled pawns become isolated, and then center undermined - Bogo vs Nz

Lecture 21 208 Cs- Blockading doubled pawns leads to mighty knight on c4- Mattison vs Nz

Section 7: Nimzo Indian Defence (and reverse!)- Knight on e4 or e5 and attacks often easier

Lecture 22 16 Cs- Reverse Nimzo Indian - after Ne5, good attack potential- Nz vs Spielmann

Lecture 23 19 Cs- Wonderful attacking resources like g5 and Qg7 - Vidmar vs Nz

Section 8: Overprotection of a central point - e5

Lecture 24 18 Cs- Nimzowitsch Gambit supercharges e5 central point control - Nz vs Mencik

Lecture 25 12 Cs- Position plays itself after strategic grip takes hold - Nz vs Szekely

Section 9: Passed pawn potential

Lecture 26 8 Cs- Alekhine-Maroczy Gambit goes wrong to allow central pawns - Thomas vs Nz

Lecture 27 1 C- Instructive how three connected passed Q-side pawns created- Nz vs Orbach

Lecture 28 4 Cs- Passed c-pawn allowing opp. rooks to double on 7th rank - Fairhurst vs Nz

Lecture 29 2 Cs- Unlocking the potential of passed pawn and relevant tactics - Olland vs Nz

Lecture 30 9 Cs- Passed pawn arises out of opening and another in endgame - Nz vs Saemich

Lecture 31 5 Cs- Endgame opportunities for both sides with passed pawns - Nz vs Yates

Lecture 32 8 Cs- Black fails to find a way to tackle White's passed c pawn - Nz vs Moller

Section 10: The power of pinning

Lecture 33 15 Cs- Pinning seen as as tactical and strategic helps White - Nz vs Euwe

Lecture 34 19 Cs-Relative pin converts dramatically into an absolute pin - Rubinstein vs Nz

Section 11: Rook on the 7th rank - powerful effects

Lecture 35 3 Cs-Aggressive rooks on the 7th rank provide winning combination - Thomas vs Nz

Section 12: Undermining pawn chains from exploitable base

Lecture 36 17 Cs -Undermining pawn chain on Q-side with King safety issue - Johner vs Nz

Lecture 37 19 Cs- Early b6 leaves White with a weak c pawn and Knight on edge - Reti vs Nz

Lecture 38 4 Cs- g3 move prone to h-file undermining with King safety issues - Colle vs Nz

Lecture 39 12 Cs- c5 becomes a target and d4 drops in tactical manner - Nz vs Spielmann

Lecture 40 11 Cs-Undermining pawn chain more complex when a-file pressure - Nz vs Chigorin

Section 13: Undermining pawn chains from head of chain

Lecture 41 19 Cs- Strategic bishop exchange really helps K-safety and f6 break - Gilg vs Nz

Section 14: Making use of the bishop pair

Lecture 42 10 Cs- Advantage of bishop pair is the opportunity to give one up! Saemich vs Nz

Lecture 43 10 Cs- Hidden opportunities of dark square bishop interesting - Marshall vs Nz

Section 15: Strategic Bishop Exchange

Lecture 44 19 Cs- A caro-Kann variation which is not so popular nowadays - Duras vs Nz

Lecture 45 5 Cs- Early light square bishop exchange gives black a clearer plan- Ahues vs Nz

Section 16: Light/dark square strategy

Lecture 46 12 Cs- Pawns on dark squares help White's light square domination - Nz vs Romi

Lecture 47 9 Cs- Nimzovich chooses a light square strategy in Nimzo-Indian - Reti vs Nz

Lecture 48 15 Cs- Light square play from g5 mistake - Alekhine defence: Wolf vs Gruenfeld

Section 17: Lifting blockades

Lecture 49 18 Cs-Threat of g5 stronger than the execution to lift blockade - Leonhard vs Nz

Section 18: Bishop without a counterpart

Lecture 50 13 Cs- Bishop without counterpart leads to dark square pressure - Vidmar vs Nz

Lecture 51 7 Cs- Reverse Philidor Defence avoids theory and picks up bishop - Nz vs Speijer

Section 19: Punishing weakening King moves or activities that weaken King

Lecture 52 19 Cs- h4 move has effect of severely weakening King safety - Bogoljubov vs Nz

Lecture 53 4 Cs- Precision needed- h4 move leads to being mated on the h-file - Cohn vs Nz

Section 20: Superior pawn structure

Lecture 54 16 Cs- Pawn structure damage results from provocative opening - Nz vs Spielmann

Section 21: Playing in the direction of the pawn chain

Lecture 55 104 Cs- e5 pawn chain tempts White to play on K-side later - Nz vs Tarrasch

Section 22: The threat (or "ghost") is often stronger than the execution - Threat management

Lecture 56 575 Cs-Judging material compensation important in handling threats-Saemich vs Nz

Lecture 57 30 Cs- Panic e4 move shows strength of blacks doubled rooks - Przepiorka vs Nz

Section 23: Neutralising attacking players

Lecture 58 7 Cs- Tempting a piece sacrifice otherwise positionally strong - Nz vs Marshall

Lecture 59 7 Cs- Queens come off early and White gains the Bishop pair - Nz vs Marshall

Lecture 60 3 Cs- a4 supports getting the queens off with structural pressure - Nz vs Munoz

Lecture 61 17 Cs- Resourceful King evacuation trying to keep pieces active- Spielmann vs Nz

Section 24: Good to keep things "simple" to reduce efforts needed and still have advantage

Lecture 62 74 Cs-Early Benoni game- static backward pawn - "Simple" debate - Nz vs Marshall

Section 25: Exploiting Weak Squares through Hypermodern provocation-pawns don't go backwards

Lecture 63 16 Cs- Weakness provocation especially f5 through Nimzo Sicilian - Yeats vs Nz

Lecture 64 42 Cs- Provocative play in opening - pawns don't go backwards - Nz vs Alekhine

Section 26: Hypermodern Blockading strategy

Lecture 65 30 Cs- Isolated h and f pawns lead to blockading h5 and f5 squares - Nz vs Tart.

Lecture 66 20 Cs- A necessary blockade in a difficult position - Nz vs Duras

Lecture 67 142 Cs- Weak squares can turn into mighty knight blockaders - Mannheimer vs Nz

Lecture 68 12 Cs- Blockading pawn sacrifice to get immense light square grip - John vs N

Section 27: Playing against Isolated Queens Pawn - Restrain, Blockade, Destroy

Lecture 69 14 Cs- Isolated pawns but tactically in White's favour - Nz vs Janowski

Section 28: Restrain, Blockade, Overprotect central point and then attack King

Lecture 70 19 Cs- Putting oneself beyond defeat before going onto the attack - Johner vs Nz

Section 29: Playing with Hanging Pawns structure

Lecture 71 16 Cs- Easy to play positions from hanging pawns structure - Tartakower vs Nz

Lecture 72 18 Cs- b-file pressure compensates for weak d pawn - Rubinstein vs Nz

Section 30: Playing against Hanging Pawns structure

Lecture 73 27 Cs- Nimzovich plays the Tarrasch defence against Tarrasch - Tarrasch vs Nz

Section 31: Playing WITH doubled pawns

Lecture 74 14 Cs- Nimzovich playing with the doubled pawns has hard time - Nz vs Colle

Lecture 75 4 Cs- Caro-Kann Bronstein Larsen variation interesting game - Leonhardt vs Nz

Lecture 76 9 Cs- Caro-Kann Bronstein Larsen - Great bishop later and b-file- Yates vs Nz

Section 32: Torture with the London System

Lecture 77 6 Cs- Experimentation with the super-solid annoying London system - Nz vs Johner

Section 33: Improving one's worst piece

Lecture 78 217 Cs- Paradoxical Knight move Nh1 for longer term prospects - Nz vs Rubinstein

Section 34: Taking space in the center can sometimes be useful

Lecture 79 7 Cs- Reversed Nimzo-Indian against Nimzovich - how dare he! - Tartakower vs Nz

Lecture 80 8 Cs- Like playing White vs Gruenfeld defence - f4-f5 plan later- Nz vs Saemisch

Section 35: Letting the opponent have the responsibility of extra space can be useful

Lecture 81 Allowing white to construct broad center and have extra space - Opocensky vs Nz

Section 36: Accepting a temporary central structural weakness - for blockade effect

Lecture 82 3 Cs- Accepting structural d5 weakness with black -d5 break later- Bluemich v Nz

Lecture 83 17 Cs- Accepting d5 hole to prevent d4 leads to awkward Knight - Steiner vs Nz

Lecture 84 19 Cs- Dynamic potential of central pawns underestimated - Nz vs Saemich

Section 37: Turning theoretical weaknesses like doubled pawns into exploitable ones

Lecture 85 17 Cs-Doubled pawns undoubled in endgame to create backward pawn- Jacobsen vs Nz

Section 38: Aggressive King march in endgame

Lecture 86 17 Cs- Trebled pawns provide King route into opponent position- Holzhausen vs Nz

Section 39: Positional exchange sacrifice

Lecture 87 15 Cs-Positional exchange sacrifice creates passed pawn potential - Nz vs Berger

Section 40: Confusing piece sacrifices for complexity of position and setting difficulties

Lecture 88 15 Cs- A bishop sacrifice which sets problems for the defender - Nz vs Gruenfeld

Section 41: Coiled Spring - creating energy behind pawns

Lecture 89 1 C- King's Indian Attack vs French without K-side fianchetto - Nz vs Forgacs

Section 42: Undermining pieces tactically

Lecture 90 2 Cs- Solid Slav Defence - underprotected knight causes issues - Marshall vs Nz

Lecture 91 5 Cs- Knight on h4 exploited in the most accurate way possible - Janowsky vs Nz

Lecture 92 2 Cs- Too keen to get sacrificed pawn back, pieces underminable - Mieses vs Nz

Section 43: Weakness of the last move opportunities

Lecture 93 4 Cs- Good defence to a point until crushing weakness of last move - Nz vs List

Section 44: Tactical Brilliance

Lecture 94 4 Cs- A wonderful exploitation of an unprotected rook - Nz vs Mieses

Lecture 95 18 Cs- Wonderful exploitation of White castling Queenside - Bogoljubov vs Nz

Section 45: Endgame transitioning for advantage

Lecture 96 1 C- Endgame becomes completely winning after Queen trade - Nz vs Pirc

Section 46: Amplification of Hypermodern Fianchettoed bishop

Lecture 97 16 Cs- Piece sacrifice has effect of maximising fianchetto bishop - Nz vs Ahues

Lecture 98 3 Cs- Double fianchetto system results in amazing g2 bishop - Nz vs Monticelli

Lecture 99 6 Cs- Double fianchetto with black but White's c5 break useful - Kmoch vs Nz

Lecture 100 19 Cs-Double fianchetto system assists strong Kingside attack - Nz vs Rubinstein

Section 47: Opposite side castling attacking chess

Lecture 101 19 Cs- Nimzowitsch Sicilian is not sound but led to great attack- Michel vs Nz

Lecture 102 Addendum Gambit notes to Michel vs Nz Sicilian Nimzowitsch variation

Lecture 103 6 Cs- Doubled edge game with opportunities for both sides - Colle vs Nz

Lecture 104 14 Cs- Exchange french defence model game for g-file attack pressure- Grau vs Nz

Lecture 105 15 Cs- Castling Queenside a bit risky but later blockading pawn - Nz vs Jacobsen

Section 48: Rétis Opening- idea of inviting opponent to occupy center to undermine later

Lecture 106 239 Cs- Control of central squares vs Occupying them- Reti vs Capablanca

Lecture 107 82 Cs- Queen doubled with bishop against e5 point for later d4 - Reti vs Yates

Lecture 108 29 Cs-Delayed occupation of center with a move like d4 is allowed-Reti vs Lasker

Lecture 109 420 Cs- Brilliancy Prize game with back row issue exploited - Reti vs Bogo.

Lecture 110 18 Cs- Black c8 bishop issue and White's Bishop pair powerful - Reti vs Janowski

Lecture 111 16 Cs-Supercharged Reversed Benoni - d3 not exploitable - Tartakower vs Janowski

Lecture 112 17 Cs- Black's pawn chain fragile out of the opening - Tartakower vs Spielmann

Lecture 113 22 Cs- Structure changes to a reverse hedgehog - Reti vs Bogoljubov

Lecture 114 6 Cs-Simplification to a winning King and pawn endgame - Bogoljubov vs Verlinsky

Section 49: Nimzo-Indian Defence

Lecture 115 18 Cs- Interesting Knight sacrifice gained central pawn control- Gruenfeld vs Nz

Lecture 116 8 Cs- Bishop pair vs Bishop and Knight but White has weak c4 pawn - Flohr vs Nz

Lecture 117 7 Cs- Least worst option of going the exchange down taken - Bogoljubov vs Nz

Section 50: Nimzo-Larsen Attack

Lecture 118 17 Cs- Reverse Nimzo-Indian style-White's dark square grip powerful - Nz vs Wolf

Lecture 119 16 Cs- Nimzo-Larsen vs Dutch but with early committal Bxf3 - Nz vs Tartakower

Lecture 120 10 Cs- Passed pawn potential underestimated in endgame - Nz vs Turco

Lecture 121 31 Cs - Very strong attacking and bishop liberation potential - Nz vs Rubinstein

Lecture 122 17 Cs- Attacking potentially improved from bad reaction to g4 - Nz vs Michel

Section 51: Nimzowitsch Defence (vs 1.e4) - (can transpose into Nc6 french)

Lecture 123 13 Cs- Provocative and precise play by Black to win material - Euwe vs Breyer

Lecture 124 15 Cs- Few concerns when Strategic bishop exchange and Q's come off- Vajda vs Nz

Lecture 125 5 Cs- Nimzovich defence leads to exchange french and huge blunder - Thomas vs Nz

Section 52: Gruenfeld defence

Lecture 126 49 Cs-Central occupation but overextended- loses exchange- Alekhine vs Gruenfeld

Section 53: PGN Dowloads

Lecture 127 PGN Downloads

Section 54: Conclusions and Philosophical points

Lecture 128 Conclusions

Section 55: Bonus

Lecture 129 Bonus Lecture

Beginner to intermediate players who want to improve their chess in all phases of the game