Lessons
Playing with Material Imbalances

Playing with Material Imbalances

GMBenjaminFinegold
GM Ben Finegold
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Learn to judge trades like a GM!

Have you ever wondered if your rook and pawns will beat two pieces, or if your queen can handle two rooks? Then this is the course for you! Join GM Ben Finegold as he demonstrates how to play with unbalanced material. He shows two of his own games against young American masters and demonstrates how minor pieces can attack effectively, even when the opposing side has an extra rook. Start dominating in materially imbalanced positions today!

Here is what you will learn:

  • How to judge and evaluate unbalanced trades!
  • Practice calculating complicated tactics!
  • How to win with material imbalances!

"The 'every move explained' approach to chess instruction is obviously not new, but you seem to do it better than almost anyone else. Thanks!" - Chess.com member baddogno

Playing with Material Imbalances - Part 1

When asked by a group of top juniors for one of his best games, GM Ben Finegold only had to go back a few weeks in his memory bank to dig out a beautiful win over a promising youngster. Reminiscent of the Frankenstein-Dracula Opening, the Grandmaster offers his queenside rook, several pawns, and then eventually sacrifices the queen en route to exposing White's king! Watch and learn how passive rooks get overwhelmed by active minor pieces.
23 min
5 Challenges

Playing with Material Imbalances - Part 2

GM Ben Finegold sacrifices the exchange again in another brilliant combination. He channels his inner 19th-century persona and acts like Morphy in his stylistic treatment of the Sicilian. The tactic is far from obvious, and is pleasing in that Black has many options but no path for a safe king escape. Enjoy this thrilling king hunt!
22 min
5 Challenges

Playing with Material Imbalances

Master Games
2 Lessons
45 Minutes
10 Challenges
Released 7/12/2019

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