Why Club Players Struggle Against 1.d4 (And Solving This Challenge) w/ IM Mateusz Kolosowski Artwork

The Chess Experience

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The Chess Experience

Why Club Players Struggle Against 1.d4 (And Solving This Challenge) w/ IM Mateusz Kolosowski

July 16, 2024 • Episode 97

097 Playing against 1.d4 can be awkward. Many club players say they’re less sure of what to do positionally and have more difficulty finding tactical possibilities. Even the most popular, and arguably best, opening responses like the Slav or the Queen’s Gambit Declined can leave club players unsatisfied.

Why is that?

And are there any openings that can at least ease this challenge?

My guest, IM Mateusz Kolosowski, is here to help.

He brings a decade of coaching experience to bear on this subject. And, he’s recently created a course on an opening that works well to ease these problems: the Albin Countergambit.

But what we discuss is far more than the details of a single opening.

In our chat, we also cover why club players inherently struggle with 1.d4 positions and openings. Which reveals some interesting insights.

Hopefully, this episode is both therapeutic regarding 1.d4 woes...and helpful for you!

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