This week, Neal begins by diving into the listener mailbag. This is followed by an instructive analysis of a recent OTB tournament game. We cover the following and more:

• A common piece of chess coaching advice that is often more idealistic than realistic
• The Pirc Defense (1. e4 d6)
• Play in the center
• Queen's Indian Defense
• Exchange sequences
• Rook and pawn endings
• The OTB thought process

Game Referenced: 1831 vs. Neal (G/90;d10)

1. d4 e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Qc2 Nxc3 9. Qxc3 Be4 10. Nd2 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 d5 12. e4 c5 13. cxd5 exd5 14. dxc5 Bxc5 15. Nb3 d4 16. Qc4 Qe7 17. Nxc5 bxc5 18. f3 Nd7 19. b4 Rac8 20. bxc5 Qxc5 21. Qxc5 Nxc5 22. Ba3 Rfd8 23. Bxc5 Rxc5 24. Rad1 Kf8 25. Rd2 Ke7 26. Rfd1 Ke6 27. f4 f6 28. Kf3 Ra5 29. Rxd4 Rxd4 30. Rxd4 Rxa2 1/2-1/2

📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected].

🎯 Our Links: 

• Website
• Twitter (X)
• YouTube
• Buy Me a Coffee