MatBobula's Blog

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Build Smart Habits to Avoid Blunders

Build Smart Habits to Avoid Blunders

IM MatBobula
| 1 day ago

This Sunday, I am hosting a webinar - Build Smart Habits to Avoid Blunders, where I will talk about practical habits and common mistakes. I will also respond to your questions, so feel free to ask. Are you tired of making the same mistakes in yo...

My course launches in just one week!

My course launches in just one week!

IM MatBobula
| 3 days ago

If you've enjoyed my free content, get ready for the main course! On November 17th, enrollment opens for my full chess course. This course is a complete, step-by-step guide on how to avoid blunders, from start to finish. Just follow the instruct...

The Most Interesting Chess Book

The Most Interesting Chess Book

IM MatBobula
| 24 days ago

These are the last days to join the giveaway for The Immortal Game: A History of Chess. In 12 chapters, the author describes how chess has influenced human culture, our views on war, art, science, and the human brain. This isn't a typical chess bo...

Win a Unique Chess Book!

Win a Unique Chess Book!

IM MatBobula
| 30 days ago

Today, I'm thrilled to invite you to participate in a giveaway for an extraordinary book: The Immortal Game: A History of Chess by David Shenk. This book holds a special place in my heart—I stumbled upon it in a small antiquarian bookstore...

Alexander Alekhine's Famous Attack!

Alexander Alekhine's Famous Attack!

IM MatBobula
| Oct 3, 2024

Alexander Alekhine was the 4th World Champion. Born in Russia, he moved to France. His playing style was very aggressive and tactical. I have a special bonus for you! Enhance your free workbook with a multitude of exercises designed to help yo...

Capablanca's Beautiful Endgame Technique

Capablanca's Beautiful Endgame Technique

IM MatBobula
| Sep 30, 2024

José Raúl Capablanca was the third World Chess Champion and came from Cuba. He is considered a master of strategy and positional play. He famously said, 'Anyone who does not know the ideas of the Ruy Lopez cannot understand chess str...

Play the Catalan Against the King's Indian Defense

Play the Catalan Against the King's Indian Defense

IM MatBobula
| Sep 26, 2024

The King's Indian Defense is one of the most popular openings for Black against 1.d4. If you want to play something less common (so Black is often not an expert in it) and more strategic, systems involving g3 offer a great solution. The ideas are ...

Beautiful Lasker's Attack on the King

Beautiful Lasker's Attack on the King

IM MatBobula
| Sep 13, 2024

Emanuel Lasker was the second World Chess Champion, holding the title for 27 years (1894–1921), the longest reign among all world champions. He earned a PhD in mathematics and was known for applying his knowledge and skills, including psycho...

Punish the Uncastled King Like a World Champion

Punish the Uncastled King Like a World Champion

IM MatBobula
| Sep 12, 2024

Wilhelm Steinitz, the first official World Chess Champion, delivered a masterful performance in his famous game known as 'The Battle of Hastings,' where he punished an uncastled king. Can you identify the critical move in this game? I have a s...

Morphy’s Stunning Move

Morphy’s Stunning Move

IM MatBobula
| Sep 10, 2024

Paul Morphy was the unofficial world chess champion and undoubtedly the strongest player of the mid-19th century. He played many brilliant games, but this is one of his finest ideas. Can you find Morphy's move? I have a special bonus for you! ...

Key ideas About 2 Minor Pieces vs A Rook

Key ideas About 2 Minor Pieces vs A Rook

IM MatBobula
| Jul 26, 2024

It often happens that one side exchanges 2 minor pieces for a rook and 2 pawns. Which material configuration is better? The correct answer is: it depends. I have a special bonus for you! Enhance your free workbook with a multitude of exercises...

French Winawer Sidelines Explained in 10 Minutes

French Winawer Sidelines Explained in 10 Minutes

IM MatBobula
| Jul 23, 2024

The Winawer is one of the most popular variations in the French Defense. However, very often White tries to play some sidelines on move 4 to avoid the main, well-prepared variations. Below I explain how to deal with most common sidelines. I ha...

Recognizing Your Opponent's Intentions

Recognizing Your Opponent's Intentions

IM MatBobula
| Jun 24, 2024

One of the most common problems in chess is understanding the purpose behind your opponent's moves. This is also a primary cause of making blunders. There is a famous quote from 'The Art of War': 'If you know the enemy and know yourself, you nee...

Blindfold Chess Training

Blindfold Chess Training

IM MatBobula
| Jun 21, 2024

Blindfold chess is when players play a game of chess without looking at the board. They remember where all the pieces are and make their moves in their minds. It's a way to challenge memory and improve strategic thinking. I have a special bonu...

How to solve puzzles correctly

How to solve puzzles correctly

IM MatBobula
| Jun 13, 2024

Chess puzzles are an excellent tool for honing your tactical skills and improving your overall game. They present you with specific scenarios that require precise and often creative solutions, helping you to develop your pattern recognition and pr...

How to Start Analyzing Your Games

How to Start Analyzing Your Games

IM MatBobula
| May 28, 2024

Chess is a game of strategy and deep thinking, where each move can significantly impact the outcome of the game. Analyzing your games is a crucial step in improving your skills and understanding of the game.  Analyzing your own games allows...

The 10-Step Process to Create the Best Plan

The 10-Step Process to Create the Best Plan

IM MatBobula
| Apr 23, 2024

In chess, it's really important to make a good plan. Every player has to figure this out during the game. You usually think about your plan right after the game starts, and a few more times later on. There's a saying that it's better to have a b...

How to find tactics when you are playing?

How to find tactics when you are playing?

IM MatBobula
| Apr 12, 2024

Recently, I released a series called 'Stop Making Blunders!' All the episodes are available on YouTube. I talk about most common tactics in chess, calculation, tactical motifs, time management and more. I have a special bonus for you! Enhance yo...

THE ROCK SOLID OPENING REPERTOIRE challenge

THE ROCK SOLID OPENING REPERTOIRE challenge

IM MatBobula
| Apr 5, 2024

Take part in the daily chess tournament and practice the middlegame positions from the ROCK SOLID OPENING REPERTOIRE! Join here: https://www.chess.com/tournament/rock-solid-opening-repertoire-challenge  The starting position is the Catalan ...

STOP MAKING BLUNDERS challenge

STOP MAKING BLUNDERS challenge

IM MatBobula
| Mar 22, 2024

One of the best exercises for minimizing blunders is practicing playing in extremely complicated positions. This requires intense focus on calculation, ensuring you don't miss any tactics or make any blunders. This is the reason why I want to in...

How to calculate better?

How to calculate better?

IM MatBobula
| Mar 6, 2024

Recently, I released a series called 'Stop Making Blunders!' All the episodes are available on YouTube. One of the topics that I focus on is calculation, and there are two videos explaining that. _________________________________________________...

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