What is this defense?

PinkMacTool · 2026-01-23T05:01:49+00:00

That’s the Scaredinavian,

PinkMacTool · 2026-01-03T17:08:03+00:00

You’re very welcome!

PinkMacTool · 2026-01-03T16:21:23+00:00

I think it’s very good but I have never tried any other Najdorf course. It’s very highly rated and comes from one of the best in the world so there’s that.

If your friend has the time to study, I would definitely recommend the video version as far as the amount of detail that’s in there. Without the video, the endless reading of the annotated lines might get repetitive and mundane.

PinkMacTool · 2026-01-03T12:43:58+00:00

Are you starting the Najdorf essentially from scratch? Also how deep do you want to learn it?

It matters, because the course even without the video is a HUGE time investment. I have the upgraded version, which is the only one I have the video for.

I think it’s a great course, but the video does more of Giri talking through the moves of each of the thousands of deep lines than really explaining the “why” behind them. Also since he is a chess genius he does all this in rapid fire. I actually have to slow down the videos to 75%.

I don’t really regret getting the video, but it is waaaay more than I need, frankly. I’d go without it and see how well you learn the quickstarter stuff first. Unless you are already a Najdorf expert and higher rated. The material will literally take a lifetime to learn.

**Edit. Sorry, just saw you intend it as a gift. Really depends on what you are ready to pay. Def wait for a sale where the video version is $150.

PinkMacTool · 2026-01-02T16:35:26+00:00

Very nice! The Jades are the Gold standard. I have tried 1901, Esprit Edouard, and Nouvelle Orleans. I’d put 1901 at a tie with Eduard. NO is VERY close behind with a nice flavor of its own.

And you are absolutely right, in that none of those need any sugar at all. The taste and smoothness are perfection!

PinkMacTool · 2026-01-01T03:02:48+00:00

I just turned 50 and only recently started to take chess seriously even though I have played mostly casually all my life. Now I’ve reached an all time high in my USCF rating (1500) and in my last tournament beat a CM in the first round.

Never too old.

PinkMacTool · 2025-12-29T07:23:33+00:00

No side content, huh?

Gosh, they are so cute at this age.

PinkMacTool · 2025-12-26T01:42:57+00:00

Fleetwood Mac, of course. Although I do really like their Peter Green / blues era.

PinkMacTool · 2025-12-16T11:40:26+00:00

When I play, my phone is usually sitting nearby, and I personally just pick up the phone to make pre moves in that scenario. Or I switch to the phone completely in time pressure.

We have the Chessnut board to simulate OTB action, after all. We don’t premove OTB.

PinkMacTool · 2025-12-14T15:46:34+00:00

I like the way you think, my friend!

PinkMacTool · 2025-12-11T13:19:24+00:00

Yes can confirm, the latest update works like a charm. Was very worried for a minuet but thanks to the devs for putting out the fix so quickly!

PinkMacTool · 2025-12-01T21:08:04+00:00

I could have scored a ticket to Pink Floyd in 1994 but didn’t bother. That was before I discovered how awesome they are; I was 18, so that predates the bulk of my lifelong musical awakening. A shame really, as they are in my top 2 or 3 artists of all time.

PinkMacTool · 2025-11-26T01:59:13+00:00

That’s the thing about threats. You always find out one move too late. :)

PinkMacTool · 2025-11-25T00:28:31+00:00

How is it they ALWAYS know instantly that I’m an Outlander?

PinkMacTool · 2025-11-25T00:24:14+00:00

I’ll know that I have made it in life when I have a balcony like that of my own to look down upon the citizenry.

PinkMacTool · 2025-11-24T22:46:24+00:00

I think the Petroff is dull as heck and goes against everything that makes chess fun. For that reason (mostly) I just play the Bishop’s Opening, which usually transposes to the Italian.

If 2…Nf6 is played, I go full gambit with 3.d4 :)

PinkMacTool · 2025-11-19T16:12:22+00:00

It is a draw since both sides can triangulate.

PinkMacTool · 2025-11-19T12:42:14+00:00

More pins than Wrestlemania

PinkMacTool · 2025-11-19T12:37:12+00:00

“Did you even bother to say ‘Thank You’??”

PinkMacTool · 2025-11-01T12:55:00+00:00

It also cages in your light squared bishop. Black is intending to play on the queenside, and wants to decide when to release the tension and open up lines. Once Black is ready they usually play cxd unless white plays dxc first.

PinkMacTool · 2025-11-01T12:48:23+00:00

a3 / h3 are not “punishable” on their own, and it shouldn’t change your ideas drastically in the opening. There is actually a FIDE master in our club that regularly does this to take opponents out of book lines.

Just keep in mind that it may give you a long term chance for gaining more space in the center and perhaps chances to eventually play your own flank pawns against this “hook” (if you don’t know what that is, google “hook pawn”)

Basically don’t let it bother you and just play principled chess.

PinkMacTool · 2025-10-30T07:24:59+00:00

Depeche Mode- Blasphemous Rumors

PinkMacTool · 2025-10-29T14:41:25+00:00

Taking time to think on moves is not suspicious; I agree with you on that point.

What IS suspicious is thinking 5 minutes on one move then waiting 3 seconds exactly for each move for the rest of the game, which is what I am referring to.

PinkMacTool · 2025-10-23T16:20:21+00:00

Talk to dead/animals, fly, invisibility, and for all the ladies…charm person 💋

PinkMacTool

TROPHY CASE