📖 Lessons
Guided learning with arrows and a full explanation after every move.
The Pyramid Setup
BeginnerThe model London formation vs a solid Black setup.
Meeting ...Bd6
BeginnerSidestep the bishop trade with Bg3.
...Bxg3 — Open the h-file
IntermediateIf Black trades on g3, hxg3 hands you the h-file.
Trading Black's Good Bishop
IntermediateChallenge ...Bf5 with Bd3 and swap it off.
Early ...Bf5
IntermediateMeet 2...Bf5 by challenging on d3.
Slav-style ...c6 & ...Bf5
IntermediateSolid ...c6/...Bf5; trade the bishop and press.
vs the ...c6 Wall
BeginnerQuiet Slav-London; complete development.
vs ...Be7 & ...Nbd7
BeginnerA standard restrained setup for Black.
Prophylactic h3
BeginnerSlot in h3 to kill ...Bg4 ideas.
...Nbd7 & ...Bd6
IntermediateKeep the bishop and build the battery.
vs ...h6
BeginnerBlack spends a move on ...h6; just develop.
vs ...a6
BeginnerA slow ...a6; carry on with the plan.
vs the ...Bb4+ Check
IntermediateBlock with c3 and reach a comfortable setup.
Symmetrical ...c5
IntermediateBoth sides build pyramids; out-develop Black.
The ...Qb6 Probe
IntermediateDefend b2 calmly with Qc1.
...Qb6 with ...c4
AdvancedUndermine Black's ...c4 clamp with b3.
...cxd4: Trade the Bishops
IntermediateRecapture exd4, then swap light bishops.
...cxd4: Build the Attack
IntermediateKeep the pieces on and aim at the king.
...c5 with ...g6
IntermediateBlack fianchettoes after ...cxd4; stay solid.
...c5 & ...Nc6/...Bg4
IntermediateDevelop naturally against active pieces.
...e6/...c5 Maroczy-style
IntermediateA central structure with chances for both.
Punishing ...Nh5
IntermediateWelcome the trade — hxg3 opens the h-file.
vs ...e6/...b6 (QID-style)
BeginnerComplete harmonious development.
vs an early ...b6
BeginnerA Queen's-Indian flavor; just develop.
vs the ...Ne4 Lunge
IntermediateChallenge the advanced knight with Nbd2.
The h3 Anti-KID
IntermediateCalm setup with h3 and Be2.
Meeting ...e5 with Bh2
IntermediateThe payoff of h3: retreat to h2.
Meeting ...e5 with dxe5
IntermediateOpen the diagonal and the d-file.
vs ...Nc6 King's Indian
IntermediateBlack pressures d4 with ...Nc6 then ...e5.
vs ...g6 & ...d5 (Grünfeld-style)
IntermediateBlack combines fianchetto with ...d5.
vs an early ...d6/...g6
BeginnerPirc-style; build the solid wall.
vs 1...g6
BeginnerImmediate fianchetto by Black.
London vs the Dutch
IntermediateSolid development against ...f5.
vs the Leningrad Dutch
IntermediateVersus ...f5 with ...g6.
The Ne5 + f4 Pawn Storm
AdvancedReposition Bg3, plant Ne5, storm with f4 and Rf3.
The Bd3 + Qc2 Battery
AdvancedAim bishop and queen at h7.
Early Ne5 Jump
IntermediateOccupy e5 the moment it's ready.
vs the ...Bg4 Pin
IntermediateMeet ...Bg4 with h3 and keep the tension.
...Bg4: Trade on f3
IntermediateIf Black takes on f3, recapture and keep the center.
vs ...Nc6 Setups
BeginnerBlack blocks the c-pawn with ...Nc6; develop freely.
...c6/...Nf6/...Bf5 Wall
IntermediateA super-solid Slav-London; trade the bishop.
...c5: Grab & Hold with dxc5
AdvancedA pawn-grabbing sideline — hold c5 with b4/c3.
...c5 Carlsbad with O-O
IntermediateThe full exchange structure, both sides castled.
...Qb6 then ...Bg4
IntermediateDefend b2 with Qc1 and develop through ...Bg4.
vs ...e6/...Be7 Flexible
BeginnerA flexible move-order; reach the standard setup.
vs ...e6/...b6 (Queen's Indian)
BeginnerDevelop calmly versus the fianchetto.
vs ...d6 & ...e5 Break
IntermediateMeet ...e5 by retreating Bg3 and recapturing.
Symmetrical with Nd2/Ngf3
IntermediateA clean knight maneuver versus the symmetric setup.
The Greek Gift Sacrifice
AdvancedBxh7+! when Black's knights can't defend.
The b2 Gambit
AdvancedLure ...Qxb2, then Nb5 with the Nc7+ fork.