IM Mark Plotkin

NEW COURSE: Positional Chess – Challenges & Rewards

IM Mark Plotkin's exciting new ACC online course is "Positional Chess – Challenges & Rewards" and it will commence on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 7:00 PM. Below are some notes Mark has prepared in order to explain his new Zoom course. Each class runs 1.5 hrs. and is aimed at club players (both adults and juniors) already playing in rated tournaments.

"Positional chess refers to a style of chess where a player focuses on creating the best possible position for themselves rather than going for an attack, or winning through a tactic. Such examples will be to have control over key squares, establishing space, dominating your opponent’s pieces, and improving your own pieces. A player that plays through a 'positional' style will rely on plans that unfold in a few moves rather than searching for the quick kill shot that ends the game, and you will see incremental progress. Thus, an important idea that is taught is to be patient, gradually improve your position and don’t look for flashy moves.

Positional chess is often associated with players who have a deep understanding of the game and can see several moves ahead. It requires a good knowledge of chess strategy, including an understanding of pawn structure, piece placement, and the strengths and weaknesses of different types of positions. While it can be less exciting to watch than tactical chess, it can be just as challenging and rewarding, and many of the greatest chess players in history, such as Anatoly Karpov and Jose Raul Capablanca, are recognized today for their strong positional play."

Here are the individual 8 classes being taught by Mark in Positional Chess:

Each class is 60% lecture and reviewing examples, and 40% hands-on practice.  Homework problems are given each week in order to reinforce the principles learned in the previous week.

Compare with Thursday Evenings – Online with FM Michael Humphreys

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