GM Swapnil Dhopade leads the May 2026 edition of Tactical Thursday with a highly practical and essential theme — Calculation in the Endgame and Hidden Tactics.
In this camp, the focus shifts to one of the most underestimated skills in tournament chess: the ability to calculate precisely in the endgame, where small inaccuracies are decisive and where tactical resources are often hidden beneath a quiet surface. Many players relax once queens come off the board, yet at a higher level, the endgame is where calculation must be at its sharpest. Tactics in the endgame are rarely loud — they appear as quiet zwischenzugs, stalemate motifs, hidden geometry of the king and pawns, and small combinations that decide entire games.
A central idea of this edition is that calculation in the endgame demands a different mindset from middlegame calculation. GM Dhopade will show how strong players adjust their thinking when material is reduced — counting tempi, recognizing critical squares, evaluating king activity, and spotting the small combinations that convert technical positions. You will learn how to slow down at the right moments, identify hidden resources for both sides, and avoid the typical errors that come from treating endgames as routine.
The second core theme of the camp is hidden tactics. These are the resources that don't appear on the surface — quiet moves that prepare decisive ideas, defensive shots that hold lost positions, and small tactical sequences embedded in apparently strategic play. The ability to see these resources, both for yourself and your opponent, separates strong players from average ones in any phase of the game.
GM Dhopade will demonstrate how strong players:
Tactical Thursday is part of the Modern Chess Academy, meaning Academy members receive free access to all lectures and the final digital product.
🛠 Technical Details
✓ Dates: 07.05.2026 and 14.05.2026
✓ Platform: Zoom
✓ Coach: GM Swapnil Dhopade
📅 Program
07.05.2026 – Paris | New York 🕒 17:30 – 19:00 | 11:30 – 13:00 – Calculation in the Endgame & Hidden Tactics – Part 1 🕒 19:30 – 21:00 | 13:30 – 15:00 – Calculation in the Endgame & Hidden Tactics – Part 2
14.05.2026 – Paris | New York 🕒 17:30 – 19:00 | 11:30 – 13:00 – Calculation in the Endgame & Hidden Tactics – Part 3 🕒 19:30 – 21:00 | 13:30 – 15:00 – Calculation in the Endgame & Hidden Tactics – Part 4 🕒 21:00 – 21:30 | 15:00 – 15:30 – Q&A with GM Grigor Grigorov & GM Petar Arnaudov
🎁 Participants Receive:
🔥 What You Will Gain
This camp will help you calculate accurately when it matters most, see what others miss, and convert endgame technique into full points. A key step toward becoming a more precise and complete player.
This event is completed.