Term 2 of the training squad has started and the main topics have been endgame training, specialising so far in endgames where both sides only have kings and pawns. These are important as they can be reached from all other endings so it is important to know when you can exchange down to pawn endgames and when you can't.
We've also been looking at some opening schemes, and all students are being encouraged to expand their opening attempts. This is because if you keep playing the same openings you will not develop enough new ideas, and won't understand as many different positions as those that do try new things out.
Finally, we have a new database program that all students (and even non students can use) called chess microbase. It is an online site where you can store your gam