The Principle of the Two Weaknesses: GM Efstratios Grivas Continues the Chess Lab Series Comprehensive Analysis Through 68 Annotated Games Across All Phases of Play
Modern Chess presents the second installment in the Grivas Chess Lab series: The Principle of the Two Weaknesses. Following his definitive work on Endgames with Opposite-Colored Bishops, GM Efstratios Grivas provides a systematic examination of chess's most reliable winning principle through 68 carefully selected and extensively annotated games.
The Strategic Framework for Converting Advantages
"One sick pawn can lose you the game, but you need two points of attack to win," explains GM Grivas, highlighting the fundamental paradox in positional chess. The Principle of the Two Weaknesses, formulated by Aron Nimzowitsch in "My System," provides the systematic approach for converting positional advantages into decisive results.
This course addresses the gap between recognizing weaknesses and systematically exploiting them, featuring games by Alekhine, Capablanca, Karpov, Smyslov, Kramnik, and extensive analysis of GM Grivas's own instructive victories.
The Boxer Effect: Coordinated Pressure Application
The course introduces GM Grivas's "Boxer Effect" concept—the systematic application of alternating pressure on multiple fronts. This framework demonstrates how attacking one weakness then switching to another gradually overwhelms defensive resources.
Part A: Middlegame Applications Through Four Strategic Contexts
Chapter A1: Open File Control (4 games) Analysis begins with Karpov-Unzicker and includes Grivas-Genov, Rivas-Rodriguez Guerrero, and Sargissian-Yu, demonstrating the coordination between file pressure and distant structural weaknesses.
Chapter A2: Semi-Open File Exploitation (6 games) Six detailed studies including Chekhover-Rudakovsky and multiple Grivas games (Velikov, Skalkotas, Ilandzis, Klimis, Blatny) show practical conversion techniques when controlling semi-open files.
Chapter A3: Complex Middlegame Weaknesses (8 games) From Vogt-Andersson to various Grivas encounters (Kokkinos, Kanakaris, Priyanka, Pandavos, Karagiannis, Papas), these examples demonstrate the principle in positions with multiple structural defects.
Chapter A4: Pawn Island Theory (3 games) The theoretical foundation through Lasker-Capablanca, supplemented by Grivas-Haritakis and Grivas-Vihaan, exploring how pawn structure determines strategic plans.
Part B: Endgame Applications Through Nine Technical Areas
Chapter B1: Alekhine's Contribution (4 games) Analysis of four games by the 4th World Champion, including encounters with Thomas, two games with Euwe, and the instructive win against Saemisch.
Chapter B2: Rook Ending Technique (2 games) Flohr-Vidmar and Lein-Littlewood demonstrate the principle's application in rook endings, where precise technique determines outcomes.
Chapter B3: Position Evaluation (7 games) Seven examples including theoretical positions and practical games like Szabo-Penrose and multiple Grivas encounters, teaching accurate assessment of two-weakness scenarios.
Chapter B4: Theoretical Applications (6 games) Essential theoretical knowledge through Kotov-Pachman, Byrne-Eliskases, Megaranto-So, and Smyslov-Keres, providing the foundation for practical understanding.
Chapter B5: Piece Transfer Technique (5 games) The coordination of forces through Jachym-Grivas, Hutchings-Keene, Hug-Barle, Janowski-Capablanca, and Rubinstein-Takacs.
Chapter B6: Defensive Resources (2 games) Karpov-Parma and Faibisovich-Westerinen demonstrate proper defensive technique and the limits of resistance against two-weakness attacks.
Chapter B7: Extended Struggles (7 games) Seven lengthy encounters including Grivas-Avrukh, Grivas-Bach, Alekhine-Chajes, Capablanca-Tartakower, and others showing patience and technique in complex positions.
Chapter B8: Positional Domination (6 games) Complete strategic control through Smyslov-Ernst, Dreev-Hansen, Shereshevski-Beliavsky, and three additional examples of systematic exploitation.
Chapter B9: Material Advantage Applications (2 games) Tartakower-Boleslavsky and Von Holzhausen-Nimzowitsch demonstrate why the principle applies even with material superiority.
Practical Training Six exercises with detailed solutions through additional games: Grivas-Adamidis, Grivas-Burgess, Grivas-Sarwat, Grivas-Kanavarakis, Alekhine-Bogoljubow, and Carlsen-Eljanov.
Author Credentials GM Efstratios Grivas brings established expertise:
- Olympic Silver Medal (1998, 3rd Board) and European Team Championship Gold (1989, 3rd Board)
- Six FIDE Annual Awards including Boleslavsky Medal recognition
- 153 published works across nine languages
- Former Secretary of the FIDE Trainers' Commission
Course Structure and Formats
PGN Database: 68 annotated games with detailed commentary suitable for database study Video Analysis: 3 hours 20 minutes of visual instruction covering key concepts and critical positions
PDF Reference: Downloadable comprehensive guide for offline study and reference
Technical Focus The course emphasizes practical application over theoretical memorization. Each game selection serves specific instructional purposes, with annotations that reveal both strategic planning and tactical execution. The analysis maintains competitive playing standards while providing clear explanations for systematic improvement.
Series Continuation This course builds on the analytical foundation established in GM Grivas's opposite-colored bishop course, continuing the Grivas Chess Lab series commitment to comprehensive theoretical treatment combined with practical applicability.
For players seeking systematic understanding of advantage conversion through documented analysis and proven technique, The Principle of the Two Weaknesses provides the complete theoretical and practical framework.
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