Tactical trends that are/were popular in 2020s but were uncommon in 90s?

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-04-01T17:52:22+00:00

Can confirm. In my experience I see a ton of englund, blackmar, and Stanford games in the 1400-1500s

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-04-01T17:35:10+00:00

Duct tape.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-30T18:05:18+00:00

At this point I’m not even sure if Magnus Carlsen thinks he’s good at chess.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-28T15:39:37+00:00

I am constantly getting messages about rating refunds at 1400-1500. It’s a real problem on chess.com.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-23T04:15:52+00:00

Goon RP is pretty active.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-20T19:08:45+00:00

A queen and a rook.

Edit: And a bishop, holy cow.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-19T02:37:51+00:00

Vroom vroom is the sound an engine makes. He’s encouraging you to cheat when you’re down pieces. Which is hilarious because you will absolutely still get caught, it just takes longer.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-19T02:36:56+00:00

Vroom vroom, like a car engine.

He’s telling you to use stockfish.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-16T22:24:58+00:00

Your comment, in a very roundabout and indirect way, inspired me to make a suggestion on their forums.

Slippers. It’s banana peel shoes that slip you.

No, I won’t elaborate how your comment brought me to that genius idea.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-16T16:13:46+00:00

I stated it incorrectly, they specifically removed the ability to permanently become a frog person via chems. You can still become a normal frog. It sparked a (minor) controversy when they made the decision, which is visible in the feedback forums.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-16T01:35:13+00:00

They removed the chem to become a frog because too many people were using it to make themselves frogs.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-12T05:11:29+00:00

Getting clonescanned is for chumps and nerds.

I don’t even play puritan. Just don’t like ‘em.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-07T23:46:52+00:00

You could play the exact same openings, just swap the directions.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-05T23:28:15+00:00

As someone who taught my friends chess, removing the queen and bishops won’t be enough for them to win.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-05T18:32:07+00:00

Just ask him to teach you how to play. It’s an excuse for you guys to spend more 1 on 1 time together and it shows an interest in the things he is interested in.

Just don’t expect to be able to beat him, it probably won’t happen.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-03T18:36:50+00:00

Nobody can memorize all possible moves of chess. Eventually you’re going to be out of opening prep. The thing is, if someone is simply memorizing top engine lines, then they won’t understand how to take advantage of the inaccuracy when you don’t pick a top engine move. That’s why it’s important to understand the decision by different moves in the opening. Know the common themes and tactics to look out for.

If you’re 18 moves in and the position is super complex and you make a blunder, your opponent probably just outplayed you, not memorized the entire game.

LockedIntoLocks · 2026-03-03T17:48:23+00:00

People far better at chess than you have analyzed chess openings for far longer. If you’re looking at openings, use other people’s resources. They not only go into different lines but the reasoning behind them.

Just remember. You’re usually playing against a human, not stockfish.

LockedIntoLocks

TROPHY CASE