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GM Karsten Müller outlines in his introductory video the various items for training to be found on the DVD and gives you a taster for some of the high points, such as Gelfand’s victory over Naiditsch from the Olympiad. But his preview of the opening contributions too makes you wish for more. Perhaps a universal weapon against the Caro-would suit you? Or perhaps you are in the market for new ideas against the cool and solid Centre Counter? | | |
| | GM Dorian Rogozenco reviews in two videos the tournament highlights of the months of November and December. First of all, the Russian Cup which was won by the young GM Vitiguov, partially thanks to an interesting idea in the Exchange Variation of the Queen’s Gambit. Naturally Rogozenco lays the emphasis on the Chess Olympiad and includes a presentation of two brilliancies by Sargissian and Akopian, two players whose outstanding results made a decisive contribution to the second Armenian Olympiad victory. |
In his second video Rogozenco concentrates essentially on the high points from Nanjing and from the FIDE Grand Prix in Elista. Topalov’s flashes of genius in Nanjing are on the program, as are two selected fragments from games by Radjabov and Jakovenko in Elista. The decisive game in the traditional Reggio Emilia tournament features an important theoretical innovation (in B33) and at the same time assured the Chinese player Ni Hua of the overall victory. | | |
Chess Olympiad in DresdenSeveral thousand spectators streamed in to see what is, as far as numbers are concerned, the biggest spectacle in the world of chess and were then enthusiastic about the unique Olympic atmosphere. For those who had remained at home, not only numerous stars but also quite unknown and exotic faces were to be seen on ChessBase TV, which broadcast live from Dresden every day. You will find on the DVD a whole heap of clips from these broadcasts. Te whole list can be accessed via the link ChessBase TV Dresden and you can start the individual reports from there. | |
Olympiad victors Armenia
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Carlsen annotates
| | Amongst the star guests on ChessBase TV were Carlsen and Van Wely, whose thorough game analysis is among the highlights of this DVD. Magnus Carlsen annotates in video format his victory over the top Czech player David Navara. Carlsen starts by explaining how he avoided the Marshall Attack in the Ruy Lopez and finally reached the Zaitsev Variation by a transposition of moves. Navara’s surprising knight sacrifice on e4 was not enough to trouble the young Norwegian. The perhaps over-ambitious 19...d5 was soon followed by Carlsen’s exchange sacrifice on e4 for a decisive initiative. |
Loek van Wely had a brilliant victory in his private theoretical duel in the King’s Indian with Teimour Radjabov. In the Classical System the Dutch player came up with the surprising 10.g3, a move which had been his first choice in the 90s. For over 40 minutes Wely dissects this game from the subtleties of the choice of opening, via various strategic ideas (e.g. 13.b5) and tactical complications all the way to the final traps in the ending. The witty and entertaining presentation of the game is rendered even more fascinating by van Wely’s digression into his day to day work with chess programs. | | Loek van Wely annotates
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Gelfand,B - Naiditsch,A Position after 16.h5
| | Boris Gelfand was one of the bankers for the winning of the silver medal by the Israeli team. After a steady start, his team put together a run of six victories, including their important win over a German team which had started so brilliantly in round 8. On this DVD Gelfand annotates in detail his games from this round against Arkadij Naiditsch and Levon Aronian from the next. In Gelfand-Naiditsch we had a theoretical duel in the sharp Ragosin Defence to the Queen’s Gambit. The top German player chose in 10...Nd7 and 15...Ne5 a rare and risky setup. Gelfand’s innovation 16.h5 (see diagram) set his opponent major practical problems, which the German player was unable to solve over the board. After 16...Bd7 17.Rb3 Gelfand won back the pawn with an undiminished initiative. Click here or on the link under the diagram and enjoy Gelfand’s subtle winning procedure and analysis. |
The ninth round witnessed the top level duel between Israel and the leaders Armenia. From the statistical point of view, the leading team were the clear favourites, but the Israeli squad, led from the front by Boris Gelfand, gained the victory on this occasion and for 1 day took over the top place in the table. In Aronian - Gelfand the struggle in the centre in a Four Knights Variation of the English Opening with 4.g3 quickly flared up, especially around the d5-square. In the position in the diagram the black king looks at first glance to be in danger. But Gelfand’s 25...Qb2 not only holds Black’s position together but at the same time introduces an attack along the second rank. In the tactical complications which follow, Gelfand, unlike his opponent, managed to keep his eye on the whole picture and to steer the game into a winning rook ending. | | Aronian,L - Gelfand,B Position after 25...Db2
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Caruana kommentiert
| | Born in the USA, Fabiano Caruana is the strongest Italian grandmaster ever. With his present ELO rating of 2646 at an age of 16, he is one of the most promising stars of the younger generation. On ChessBase TV in Dresden he presented his victory over the Swedish GM Emanuel Berg. Caruana impressively demonstrates in his analysis the potential for White in what looks at first glance like a harmless French with 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7. Click on the link and let Caruana explain this excellent attacking game move by move. |
The young German GM Georg Meier had an outstanding individual result in this Olympiad with 7 points from 9 games. In the very first round his victory over Cheparinov was his first win over a 2700 player. In a side variation of the Sicilian Defence both sides went all out and took risks. Meier advanced his kingside pawns early on and immediately brought pressure to bear on the Bulgarian whose king could not manage to get castled. Meier explains this exciting attacking game from the very first move all the way through to the tricky mating attack with 26.Nf6 (video in German only). | | Meier annotates
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Nisipeanu,L - Topalov,V Position after 17.Txf5
| | The leader in the world rating list, Veselin Topalov, also turned in an impressive performance in this Olympiad. Up till his defeat by Shirov – the ending of this game has been analysed in video format by Karsten Müller on the DVD – the Bulgarian had notched up 6.5 out of 7. Topalov scored one of his victories against Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu. The Romanian GM has annotated this game on the DVD. By move 11 in a variation of the Sicilian Scheveningen, both sides, though playing "logical moves", had managed to enter new territory. Nisipeanu toyed with the idea of an early attack on e6 and did not turn down Topalov’s invitation to a knight sacrifice on f5 with a strong attack. However, only a few moves later the Romanian lost the thread in an unclear position. Topalov neutralised White’s attack with an exchange of queens and went on to realise his material advantage. |
FIDE Grand Prix ElistaThe FIDE Grand Prix in Elista, with an interruption for Christmas, was the final top tournament of the year, The Azerbaijani friends and super-grandmasters Teimur Radjabov and Vugar Gashimov have pursued their chess careers from the beginnings in their schooldays till their position in today’s world elite together. In Elista Radjabov did better and shared first place, but his friend came in only half a point behind in 4th place. On this DVD both of them annotate two of their games from Elista. | |
Sharing tournament victory:
Teimur Radjabov
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Radjabov,T - Kasimdzhanov,R
Position after 22.Se4
| | Against Rustam Kasimdhzanov it was a hard theoretical duel in the Sicilian Dragon, the opening which Radjabov himself together with Magnus Carlsen had once more rehabilitated on the top level in recent years. The Azerbaijani managed to set his opponent problems with an innovation on move 22 of the Yugoslav Attack. It turned out that the ex FIDE World Champion was not able to solve these problems over the board. In his analysis, Radjabov himself expresses doubts about the validity of his innovation. However, Black’s position certainly remains problematic on account of the open position of his king, his weakness on the white squares and his vulnerable f7-pawn. |
In his game against Alekseev, Radjabov avoided specifying any opening system by making moves with his central pawns. After a very peaceful start, he then set out markers for the future course of the game with moves which for many chess players will look pretty unspectacular - 13.f4, 14.e4, 15.Nxe4. Radjabov’s explanations and evaluations of the positions in the opening phase and the middlegame are extremely instructive and give us deep insights into the positional understanding of a player of his class. In the position in the diagram, Radjabov struck out with his decisive and long prepared blow. Can you find the optimal continuation for White? | | Radjabov,T - Alekseev,E
Position after 24...c5
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Gashimov,V - Jakovenko,D
Position after 19.g4
| | Vugar Gashimov had a possibility in round 11 against Jakovenko; a victory would have seen him join the top trio. With the necessary ambition and fighting spirit, he took on the Caro-Kann with 4...Bf5 in the main line, sacrificed a knight on h6 and followed up with 19.g4 - "the idea was: to mate him". On the other hand, the Russian managed to defend by exchanging queens, but only at the cost of accepting a position in which his pieces became more and more paralysed. In the ending with three pawns for the piece, Gashimov had clearly better play for his pieces and with a tricky tactical stroke he could have won a piece and decided the game in his favour. But Jakovenko exploited the single inaccuracy made by his opponent and secured the draw with precise endgame technique. |
Gashimov’s victory with White over his countryman Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in the ninth round was a curious business. In a Sicilian Richter-Rauser Attack Gashimov decided to play 12.Bd3, going for a quieter variation and a long term advantage. From this move on, not a single piece was removed from the board. And yet, at the end of the game Black had to lay down his arms after 32 moves, because his queen had overrun its support and was in a hopeless position in the white camp. Gashimov’s play and his analysis give an instructive example of how, in positions of this type, to exploit the weak points in Black’s pawn structure by careful and targeted play. | | Gashimov,V - Mamedyarov,S
Position after 24.g4
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Pearl Spring Tournament in NanjingThe sport of chess is once again on the march in the Middle Kingdom. After a whole series of Chinese men players had in recent years made the leap into the ranks of the top players, the time was now ripe for the first world class tournament on Chinese soil. The double round all play all tournament was dominated by the leader of the world ratings list from Bulgaria, Veselin Topalov. He finished one and a half points clear of the field. | |
Victory for Topalov
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Topalov,V - Svidler,P
Position after 19.Tb5
| | Topalov remained undefeated in the whole tournament and defeated Peter Svidler in both their games. GM Krasenkow comments on Topalov’s victory as White over Svidler’s Grünfeld Defence, in which there were surprises first from the Russian with the manoeuvre Rf8-d8-d6-a6 and later from the Bulgarian with his exchange sacrifice (see diagram). Krasenkow explains in his analysis, that Svidler took the rook on b5 too soon – it would probably have been better to first ignore the sacrifice and make the capture on b5 later. When the sacrifice has been accepted and after Topalov’s strong intermediate move 22.Qc3 Black’s position is already objectively worse and very difficult to play for Black on account of the many weaknesses. After a further inaccuracy by Svidler, Topalov was able to conclude the game in his favour after only 29 moves. You will find on the DVD all the games from Nanjing, many of which are annotated by GMs Marin, Krasenkow, Ftacnik etc. |
There are further training lessons, some in video format, under the various headings, e.g. in Dr. Karsten Müller’s Endgame column, the Trap by Rainer Knaak or Tactics by Oliver Reeh (see the list of links at the start of this page). The column New DVDs offers you further video clips in Chess Media format a preview of new Fritztrainer DVDs from ChessBase. Opening Surveys Kritz: Scandinavian Defence B01 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c4 | | This variation is of importance for two different openings, the second one of which is the Nimzowitsch Defence. According to the investigations by Leonid Kritz, Black is in difficulties.
B01 Scandinavian Defence 3.Nf3 |
Marin: Pirc Defence B07 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Be3 c6 5.Qd2 Nbd7 6.f3 b5 | | Marin examines systematically and in detailed fashion the lines of the f3 system, which Black will probably not have to fear.
B07 Pirc Defence f3 |
Hazai/Lukacs: Caro-Kann B10 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5 | | When you look at it twice, you see that this surprising knight move has its logic – it does prevent the immediate development of theBc8. This setup can be played without having a great knowledge of specific variations.
B10 Caro-Kann 4.Ne5 |
Karolyi: Sicilian B67 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3 Be7 10.Be3 | | 9.f3 (instead 9.f4) has what it takes to become the new main line. The retreat of the bishop 10.Bg5-e3 only apparently loses a tempo, because Black’s extra tempo (Bd7) is not employed in a sensible way; the d7-square should be free for the Nf6, the bishop can be better deployed on b7.
B67 Sicilian Rauser 8...Bd7 9.f3 |
Langrock: French Defence C03 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7 4.e5 | | This is the third part of the repertoire for Black against the Tarrasch with 3…Be7. By playing 4.e5 White attempts to exploit Black’s lack of space on the kingside, but, as our author shows, Black has no problems with it.
C03 French Defence 3.Nd2 Be7 |
Marin: Italian Game C50 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 d6 | | In order to avoid symmetry in the Giuoco Pano and in order to get interesting play, Mihail Marin aims for a setup involving …g6 and the fianchetto of his bishop.
C50 Italian Game 3.Bc4 d6 |
Bojkov: Ruy Lopez C69 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 f6 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 c5 | | The classical way to fight the Exchange Variation with 5…f6 is, according to Bojkov, also a promising one. In an article which contains many of his own games, the author presents to you the most important lines.
C69 Ruy Lopez Exchange 5...f6 |
Ftacnik: Chigorin Defence D07 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 | | In the first part of his general article about the Chigorin Defence, GM Ftacnik discusses the variations with an early c4xd5. It looks as though Black has equality everywhere or if not is at least close to it.
D07 Chigorin Defence I |
Krasenkow: Semi-Slav D45 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.g4 dxc4 8.Bxc4 | | Taking on c4 as a reply to the Shabalov-Shirov Gambit has recently become less popular. Michal Krasenkow demonstrates why that is the case.
D45 Semi-Slav 7.g4 dxc4 |
Postny: Grünfeld Defence D85 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.Rb1 0-0 9.Be2 b6 10.0-0 Bb7 11.d5 | | With the pawn sacrifice 11.d5 White extends his advantage, Black does not find it easy to get any play, because he can no longer open the c-file. Objectively speaking, Black can perhaps equalise, but he will find himself on the defensive.
D85 Gruenfeld Defence 8.Rb1 |
Grivas: Bogoindian Defence E11 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Nbd2 | | With the help of many of his own games, our Greek author is offering you a repertoire for White against the Queen’s Indian + Bogo-Indian; this is the third part.
E11 Bogoindian Defence 4.Nbd2 |
Kuzmin: Queen's Indian E15 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.Qc2 Bb7 6.Bg2 c5 7.d5!? exd5 8.cxd5 | | This is a very principled line, because with …Ba6 Black has enticed the white queen on to c2, from where it can no longer offer any support to the d5-pawn. Is White well placed here nevertheless? The author sees above all no risk for the first player.
E15 Queens Indian 5.Qc2 |
Stohl: Nimzoindian Defence E25 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 d5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.dxc5 f5 | | By playing 4.f3 in the WCh match, Anand surprised people. His opponent Kramnik countered with 8…f5 (instead of 8…Qa5). In his investigations, Igor Stohl omits none of the side lines and presents you with the latest state of theory on this variation.
E25 Nimzoindian 4.f3 |
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