2000 ELO Secrets

05/03/2026

01/10/2026

February Training Agenda

Endgame
- Knight + pawns vs. knight + pawns
- Bishop + pawn vs. two pawns

Middlegame
- Space advantage
- Central control
- The initiative
- Dark square strategy
- The Maroczy Bind

Opening
- Two Knights
- Scandinavian
- Dutch Defense

Rook endgame (ongoing)

Core Principles
• Active Rook
• Active King
• Controlling the Promotion Square
• Rook Behind the Pawn
• Advance Passed Pawns
• Cut Off the Opponent’s King
• Zugzwang (waiting moves and triangulation)
• Do Not Rush (Precision, not speed)

Shielding Techniques (Avoiding Checks)
• Bridge Building
• Umbrella
• Refuge

Winning Methods
• Lucena
• Lasker
• Two-Weaknesses Principle

Drawing Methods & Defensive Systems
• Philidor
• Vancura
• Chéron
• Keres
• Passive Defenses
o Long-side Defense
o Back-rank Defense
o Frontal defence
• Prokeš

Rule of Five (Guideline)
If:
• The pawn is protected by its king,
• The opposing king is cut off by files
• Pawn rank + number of cut-off files ≥ 5
the position is usually winning.
This is a heuristic with many exceptions; use with caution.

Common Practical Dangers
• Stalemate
• Skewers
• Premature Rook Exchanges
• All Pawns on One Side – Often leads to drawn rook endings.

About the Coach
FIDE Instructor with an international coaching career since 1990.
Specializing in helping ambitious players around the 2000 ELO level unlock their full potential.

Competitive Achievements
Numerous tournament victories including:
OFI Closed 1995 — Perfect score (7/7)
Keres Memorial 2002 — Performance rating: 2313 ELO
Fraser Valley Rapid Christmas 2023
World Chess Day 2024
“Chess in Pubs” Blitz Series (2024–2025)
Fraser Valley Classical 3 (2025) — Perfect score (6/6)
…and many other notable results.

Publications
Bishop and Knight Checkmate
https://a.co/d/awbDAvb
Queen vs. Rook – The Human Approach
https://a.co/d/8KaGCyH
Chess Psychology – 2000 ELO Secrets
https://a.co/d/3nFKomt

Training & Teaching Background
Radar technology training to the Marines
Taught mathematics and physics in public schools
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)
Train the Trainer certification
TESL Diploma from Vancouver Community College

The program
Live via MS Teams - 8 hours/month for only $80 USD

Registration:
Email: [email protected] – include your chess level and goals

01/10/2026

♟️ Weekly Chess Training Webinar – Club Players ♟️
📍 Live via MS Teams

February Training Agenda

Endgame
- Knight + pawns vs. knight + pawns
- Bishop + pawn vs. two pawns

Middlegame
- Space advantage
- Central control
- The initiative
- Dark square strategy
- The Maroczy Bind

Opening
- Two Knights
- Scandinavian
- Dutch Defense

Rook endgame (ongoing)

Core Principles
• Active Rook
• Active King
• Controlling the Promotion Square
• Rook Behind the Pawn
• Advance Passed Pawns
• Cut Off the Opponent’s King
• Zugzwang (waiting moves and triangulation)
• Do Not Rush (Precision, not speed)

Shielding Techniques (Avoiding Checks)
• Bridge Building
• Umbrella
• Refuge

Winning Methods
• Lucena
• Lasker
• Two-Weaknesses Principle

Drawing Methods & Defensive Systems
• Philidor
• Vancura
• Chéron
• Keres
• Passive Defenses
o Long-side Defense
o Back-rank Defense
o Frontal defence
• Prokeš

Rule of Five (Guideline)
If:
• The pawn is protected by its king,
• The opposing king is cut off by files
• Pawn rank + number of cut-off files ≥ 5
the position is usually winning.
This is a heuristic with many exceptions; use with caution.

Common Practical Dangers
• Stalemate
• Skewers
• Premature Rook Exchanges
• All Pawns on One Side – Often leads to drawn rook endings.

About the Coach
FIDE Instructor with an international coaching career since 1990.
Specializing in helping ambitious players around the 2000 ELO level unlock their full potential.

Competitive Achievements
Numerous tournament victories including:
OFI Closed 1995 — Perfect score (7/7)
Keres Memorial 2002 — Performance rating: 2313 ELO
Fraser Valley Rapid Christmas 2023
World Chess Day 2024
“Chess in Pubs” Blitz Series (2024–2025)
Fraser Valley Classical 3 (2025) — Perfect score (6/6)
…and many other notable results.

Publications
Bishop and Knight Checkmate
https://a.co/d/awbDAvb
Queen vs. Rook – The Human Approach
https://a.co/d/8KaGCyH
Chess Psychology – 2000 ELO Secrets
https://a.co/d/3nFKomt

Training & Teaching Background
Radar technology training to the Marines
Taught mathematics and physics in public schools
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)
Train the Trainer certification
TESL Diploma from Vancouver Community College

The program
Live via MS Teams - 8 hours/month for only $80 USD

Registration:
Email: [email protected] – include your chess level and goals

11/02/2025

09/27/2025

Tutoring for ambitious students: Superprof, the site connecting tutors and students.

09/15/2025

09/15/2025

Congratulations to my student, Joyce Zhang, on becoming the 2023 BC Women's Champion!
_______________________________________________________
Elite Chess Training program for 1500 ELO-1900 ELO - Your launchpad for mastering the game and climbing the rating ladder!

📅 Mon–Thu, 4:30pm–8:30pm | Online or In-Person in Fleetwood Surrey

💰 Rate: $32 per hour for a 64-hour program
🏁 Steady Plan – 2 hrs/week, 8 months – $250/month
⚡ Fast Track – 4 hrs/week, 4 months – $500/month

Enrolment is flexible and can begin at any time

📩 Reserve your spot via email to: [email protected]

Looking forward to helping you achieve your chess goals!

Chess & Tennis Academy
www.facebook.com/nickb.the.coach/