Converting Extra Material
You may be winning, but you haven't put the game away yet! In this series, you'll see what might lead you to fall short when possessing a material advantage.
Make sure you've fine tuned your technique and are accurately evaluating your opponents compensation. IM Sam Shankland has all the learning material you'll need to successfully convert extra material.
Not what you're looking for? Go back to the video guide.
Converting Extra Material Shankland is back on the "video-making circuit"! This time, Sam describes the necessary approach and required tools of good technique — mainly, how to convert your material advantage. Our featured game reveals an example where Sam himself was on the defensive, struggling to hold the position against a higher-rated and aggressive opponent. Did Sam's opponent "put him away" in accurate technical fashion, or did he allow Sam to hold on just long enough? Watch and find out...
Converting Extra Material II Shankland continues his series with his second video regarding the conversion of extra material. In today's lecture, Sam highlights the "three-step process" of showing good technique: elimination of counterplay, activation of your pieces, execution of your advantage.
Converting Extra Material III Shankland is back and today he continues his video series on the topic of technique. Though there were several instructional moments in this game between GMs Boris Gelfand and Ruslan Ponomariov, Sam places special emphasis on White's patient relocation of the pieces to defend the center. Also enjoy Gelfand's disciplined approach in stopping his opponent's counterplay. Sam's outburst at the 17-minute mark is funny too...
Converting Extra Material IV This time we work on our technique! Shankland reviews a recent battle between Naiditsch and Kramnik in which the former world champion sacrifices a piece for attacking chances and tremendous practical compensation. Unlike our previous examples of "converting extra material" where the path to victory was more methodical, here we must learn to calculate, keep our nerves, and shoot down explosive threats from our opponent if we are going to win!
Converting Extra Material V Shankland concludes his video series on the topic of good technique and material conversion. Here we see a classic game between GMs Peter Svidler and Vishy Anand. After a brilliant opening and stellar middlegame by the Russian, Svidler begins to lose his focus and allows Anand back in the game. This game has an amazing, and surprising, ending. So check it out!
