Listen to Audio Clips of GM Sergey Erenburg!

Audio Erenburg! Erenburg on Chess at UMBC

This week, GM Sergey Erenburg talks about his experiences playing chess and studying finance at the University of Balitmore, Maryland. In this 2-minute audio clip, Erenburg discusses his plans for continuing chess in graduate school and reveals why he thinks being a chess player will help him stand out in the realm of finance. The comments are fast-paced and enlightening. How often does one actually get to hear a chess grandmaster talk about his future career plans? Listen to the audio interview now!

Breaking the 2200 Barrier

Are you stuck at the 2100? I myself had a hard time breaking the 2200 barrier, and often found myself reading innurable "self-help" columns and articles for Expert-strength players. Although I tried to follow the advice in those pieces, I still felt lost when it came to earning my master title. Why had my improvement slowed down? How could I continue to improve?

NM Evan Rosenberg, who graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology, recently wrote what critics such as myself are calling the definitive pocket list for jumping from 2100 to 2200. The piece, published on Chess Life Online this week, has already inspired numerous reader comments. In the article, Rosenberg discusses the key realizations he had to make about himself in order to leave behind his 2100 shell and reemerge as a practical, master-strength competitor--one with the ability to take on strong players such as IM Irina Krush.

This was Rosenburg's first-ever chess article, but I hope we will see more of his writing in the future. USCF Life Master and President of the Chess Journalists of America Jerry Hanken said the style of the article was "clear and a bit lite--the perfect balance". To benefit from Rosenberg's experience, read his article here.

Kiblitzing with Alan Naroditsky!

Do you know who USCF Expert Alan Naroditsky is? Chances are, you think you've heard his name before. Something in the back of your head tells you that it sounds familiar...

Duh! He's the older brother of U12 World Champion FM Daniel Naroditsky. In fact, he was the one who taught his brother the moves! But more importantly, Alan is an integral part of the teenage chess culture here in the United States. Although he has yet to earn his master title, he's often seen at tournaments in the San Francisco area, home of the Mechanic's Chess Club. San Francisco is also home to many other popular chess personalities, including NM Michael Aigner and FM Sam Shankland, both of whom have previously been featured in the KibBlitz. (Shankland is still receiving the windfalls of the legendary KibBlitz Bump--his rating just recently surpassed the USCF 2400 mark for the first time!)

So, if you'd like to know which country Alan's best tournament performance of his life was in, what percentage of his life is spent on the Internet Chess Club, or which player he has picked as his chessic role model--the answer to that one may well surprise you--take a chance on a glance through this week's KibBlitz.

Chess.FM Update

This week, World Chess Live members can view GM Ronen Har-Zvi's series Unusual Queen Pawn Openings. This is a new series meant to arm players with the Black pieces against second-rate or "pet" 1. d4 lines. The Trompowsky, the Colle, the early fianchetto with g2-g3--all of these systems will be covered. If you meet 1. d4 with either 1. ... d5 or 1. ... Nf6, Ronen Har-Zvi's lectures will help you find the best routes to take against systems you are likely to face at the club and Expert level. Give the first one a try here.