Intermediate

LESSONS

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MASTER COURSE · PHASE 3 · 1400–1800

Intermediate

Strategic thinking. Imbalances. Positional play.

LESSONS

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Overview

You see tactics. Now see the position. Silman's imbalances become your scoring rubric, plus the rook endings every player must know cold.

Unit 1 · Advanced Tactical Patterns

Goal: Tactics that need calculation, not just sight.

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CONCEPT

Zwischenzug

The in-between move that derails the expected reply.

START

CONCEPT

Removing the Defender

Trade the defender and the target falls into your lap.

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CONCEPT

Deflection

Drag a defender off its post with something it can't refuse.

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CONCEPT

Overloading

A piece asked to defend two things at once. And it can't.

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TEST

Test: Advanced tactics

Three positions that require real calculation.

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Unit 2 · Silman's Imbalances

Goal: Evaluate any position by its imbalances inside thirty seconds.

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CONCEPT

What's an imbalance?

Any meaningful difference between the two sides. And there's always one.

START

CONCEPT

Good vs bad bishop

A bishop blocked by its own pawns is the textbook definition of 'bad.'

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CONCEPT

Weak Squares & Outposts

The squares your pieces move into and never leave.

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CONCEPT

Space advantage

More space, more room to maneuver, more plans on the menu.

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TEST

Test: Imbalance recognition

Three positions: name the dominant imbalance.

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Unit 3 · Rook Endings

Goal: Half of all endgames are rook endings. Master two positions, convert most of them.

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CONCEPT

Philidor Position (defending R+P)

The drawing technique when you're a pawn down in R+P vs R.

START

CONCEPT

Lucena Position (winning R+P)

The bridge-building technique that converts R+P vs R.

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CONCEPT

Rook behind the passed pawn

Tarrasch's rule, applied with menacing regularity.

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TEST

Test: Rook endings

Three rook-ending positions.

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Phase sources

• Silman: How to Reassess Your Chess (imbalances)

• Silman: Endgame Course (Parts 4-5: 1400-1799 USCF)

• Nimzowitsch: My System (prophylaxis, overprotection)

• ChessMood: 1500-2000 Study Plan