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Sicilian Dragon: The Real Deal! Part 1, 2 and 3 + Sicilian Dragon Powerbook + Powerbase 2022

A series taking a look at Black’s most aggressive response to 1 e4 from both a principled and theoretical perspective. In this first part, the emphasis is on themes and ideas as the viewer is armed with tactical and positional motifs and concepts after 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6.

Sicilian Dragon: The Real Deal! Part 1

From the basic weaponry of the legendary Dragon bishop, maximising the c-file and traps and zaps, through to more complex topics such as prophylaxis and when to use the e-pawn, so many finer points are covered here. Whatever your level, this is designed to develop your comprehension of this ultra-exciting opening so as never to leave you reliant on parrot-fashion learning. No, we have a slightly bigger bird in mind and whilst theory and assessments on variations may change, this information is timeless and guaranteed to develop your understanding and breathe fire into your chess!

• Video running time: 5 hours 20 min (English)
• With interactive training including video feedback
• Extra: Database with model games

Sicilian Dragon: The Real Deal! Part 2

Following on from ‘Part 1: Understanding The Dragon’ where important themes and concepts were explained, now it’s time to delve into the theory that has shaped this exciting opening over the years. From reasons why once popular variations are no more (but with revival suggestions!) to coverage of the more modern systems currently deployed by the World’s elite, this two-parter has it all! 

Following on from ‘Part 1: Understanding The Dragon’ where important themes and concepts were explained, now it’s time to delve into the theory that has shaped this exciting opening over the years. From reasons why once popular variations are no more (but with revival suggestions!) to coverage of the more modern systems currently deployed by the World’s elite, this two-parter has it all!

The Yugoslav Attack always grabs an audience and in this video course it is the 9 0-0-0 and 9 g4 lines that come under the microscope with all systems to date reflected upon but a bias towards where we are now and where it looks like we’re heading. Also featured are the ‘Dragadorf’ systems including the fashionable early …h5 ideas such as the one championed by Magnus Carlsen! With his constant monthly monitoring of Dragon games Worldwide on the chesspublishing site, Chris argues that rather than being analysed to death as many had predicted, in fact the opening has flourished in recent years with new variations frequently popping up. The viewer won’t be overwhelmed with myriads of moves to learn but with a nice choice of systems, will receive a good grounding in all chapters that can be used as a fantastic springboard for further investigation. There is simply no doubt that with these video courses assimilated, the user will be more ready than ever to enter the Dragon!


Themes: Yugoslav Attack 9 0-0-0 and 9 g4 and all things ‘Dragadorfy!’.

• Video running time: 4 hours 22 minutes(English)
• With interactive training including video feedback
• Extra: Training with ChessBase apps - Memorize the opening repertoire and play key positions against Fritz on various levels

Sicilian Dragon: The Real Deal! Part 3

Following on from ‘Part 1: Understanding The Dragon’ where important themes and concepts were explained, now it’s time to delve into the theory that has shaped this exciting opening over the years. From reasons why once popular variations are no more (but with revival suggestions!) to coverage of the more modern systems currently deployed by the World’s elite, this two-parter has it all! 

Everybody loves Yugoslav Attack encounters and in this video course it is the sharp 9 Bc4 line that takes centre stage. Whilst these days most focus on the Soltis, Topalov and Chinese Variations, also covered here, other Black options similarly come under the microscope. Everything non-Yugoslav Attack is also then visited including the trendy ‘Long Castles Classical’ approach. With his constant monthly monitoring of Dragon games Worldwide on the chesspublishing site, Chris argues that rather than being analysed to death as many had predicted, in fact the opening has flourished in recent times with new ideas and variations frequently popping up. The viewer won’t be overwhelmed with myriads of moves to learn but with a nice choice of systems, will receive a good grounding in all chapters that can be used as a fantastic springboard for further investigation. There is simply no doubt that with these video courses assimilated, the user will be more ready than ever to enter the Dragon!

Themes: Yugoslav Attack 9 Bc4, Classical and Fianchetto Systems

• Video running time: 6 hours (English)
• With interactive training including video feedback
• Extra: Training with ChessBase apps - Memorize the opening repertoire and play key positions against Fritz on various levels

Sicilian Dragon Powerbook 2022

For the new edition of the Sicilian Dragon Powerbook the Elo average was set to at least 2450 (computer chess) or 2400 (human chess). This threshold was achieved by 14000 games from Mega 2023 and from correspondence chess, to which have been added 161 000 games from the engine room of playchess.com. The Dragon is one of those openings which you do not simply play but which turns into a passion. With this setup you avoid boring symmetrical positions but by playing it accept greater risks. However, the risk can also be minimised with good theoretical knowledge.

In the Sicilian Dragon Powerbook 2022 too, nice discoveries await you. The numbers confirm that White should aim to castle long with 6.Be3, since the alternatives are harmless. After 6...Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6 you are faced with the next decision. In modern tournament practice there is a slight trend to 9.0-0-0, which is also confirmed by the statistics in the Powerbook. To be sure, the exciting variations occur after 9.Bc4 Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rc8 11.Bb3 Ne5

Here the statistics also confirm that the waiting move 12.Kb1 is much stronger than the alternatives. Black must deviate beforehand and there is, e.g., the very popular, Topalov Variation 11...Nxd4 12.Bxd4 b5.

However, the pretty picture from White’s point of view is contradicted by unsatisfactory evaluations in human practice.

Sicilian Dragon Powerbase 2022

The 736 selected annotated games provide excellent study material. Top players such as Adhiban (1), Anand (2), Edouard (3), Gelfand (1); Kamsky (1), Motylev (1), Nielsen (3) and Tiviakov (9) have analysed their games, plus comments from Dragon experts such as Dorian Rogozenco (289) and André Schulz (140) as well as other top-class authors. In total there are 5490 games, with a rating average of at least 2500 (excluding games with commentaries as well as those of the Dragon specialists Mikhail Golubev, Sergei Tiviakov, Gawain Jones, Rauf Mamedov, the games of the strong correspondence chess players Michel Leqroc and Arild Haugen are also worth studying).

Double-click on the database to load the game overview. Another double-click loads the corresponding game. Using the Players tab, you can sort the games by frequency (with the Total tab). Mikhail Golubev is at the top with 127 games, followed by Sergei Tiviakov (126). Other specialists are Gawain Jones, Rauf Mamedov, Alexei Fedorov and Kiril Georgiev.

The games can be played through or examined further with an engine or a Powerbook.

More...

bundle contains:

This is what is delivered:

  • Fritztrainer App for Windows and Mac
  • Available as download or on DVD
  • Video course with a running time of approx. 4-8 hrs.
  • Repertoire database: save and integrate Fritztrainer games into your own repertoire (in WebApp Opening or in ChessBase)
  • Interactive exercises with video feedback: the authors present exercises and key positions, the user has to enter the solution. With video feedback (also on mistakes) and further explanations.
  • Sample games as a ChessBase database.
  • New: many Fritztrainer now also available as stream in the ChessBase video portal!

That's what the FritzTrainer App can do for you:

  • Videos can run in the Fritztrainer app or in the ChessBase program with board graphics, notation and a large function bar
  • Analysis engine can be switched on at any time
  • Video pause for manual navigation and analysis in game notation
  • Input of your own variations, engine analysis, with storage in the game
  • Learn variations: view specific lines in the ChessBase WebApp Opening with autoplay, memorize variations and practise transformation (initial position - final position).
  • Active opening training: selected opening positions are transferred to the ChessBase WebApp Fritz-online. In a match against Fritz you test your new knowledge and actively play the new opening.

Even more possibilities: Start FritzTrainer in the ChessBase program!

  • The database with all games and analyses can be opened directly.
  • Games can be easily added to the opening reference.
  • Direct evaluation with game reference, games can be replayed on the analysis board
  • Your own variations are saved and can be added to the own repertoire
  • Replay training
  • LiveBook active
  • All engines installed in ChessBase can be started for the analysis
  • Assisted Analysis
  • Print notation and diagrams (for worksheets)

Sample video

Contents

    Sicilian Dragon: The Real Deal! Part 1: Understanding The Dragon

  • Introduction
  • Themes Part 1
  • Description
  • Dark Squared Defender
  • Enter The Dragon
  • Traps And Zaps
  • Thematic d5 pawn break
  • Nifty Knights And Raking Bishops
  • The Dragadorf Set Up
  • Beautiful Bishop 5 Square
  • The Thematic Exchange Sac
  • Themes Part 2
  • Description
  • Make A Date with Queen c8
  • Combining Themes
  • The Action c file
  • Strive To Thrive With e5
  • In a fix, try e6
  • Blocker Trapper Chiseler
  • The Big White Knight
  • The Prophylactic Rook e8
  • Exercises
  • Description
  • Exercise 01
  • Exercise 02
  • Exercise 03
  • Exercise 04
  • Exercise 05
  • Exercise 06
  • Exercise 07
  • Exercise 08
  • Exercise 09
  • Exercise 10
  • Bonus
  • Analysis
  • Further Games
  • Exercises

    Sicilian Dragon: The Real Deal! Part 2

  • Introduction
  • Yugoslav Attack 9.0-0-0
  • 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.0-0-0
  • Introduction to 9…d5 and Accepting The Pawn
  • 9...d5 10 exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd4 Bxd4 13.Qxd4 Qb6
  • 9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd4 Nxc3
  • 9...d5 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Bh6 and 11.Bc4
  • 9...d5 10.Qe1
  • 9...d5 10.Kb1
  • Old Main Line - New twist: 9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd4 e5 13.Bc5 Be6/Re8
  • 9...Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Be6
  • Yugoslav Attack 9.g4
  • 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.g4
  • 9.g4 Bd7 and 9.0-0-0 Bd7
  • Without Bd7: 9...Nxd4/Be6/Bxg4
  • The Dragadorf and Beyond
  • 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 a6
  • 8.Qd2 Nbd7/b5 and 6...a6 7.f3 b5 (Accelerated Dragadorf)
  • 8.Qd2 h5 and 6...a6 7.Qd2; 6...Nc6 7.f3 h5

    Sicilian Dragon: The Real Deal! Part 3

  • Introduction
  • Yugoslav Attack 9.Bc4
  • 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4
  • Soltis Variation Part 1: 9...Bd7 10.h4
  • Soltis Variation Part 2: 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Ne5 11.Bb3 Rc8 12.Kb1
  • Chinese Variation Part 1: 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rb8 11.Bb3 Na5 12.Kb1/g4
  • Chinese Variation Part 2: 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rb8 11.h4 b5 and 11.Bb3 Na5 12.Bh6
  • Topalov System 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rc8 11.Bb3 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 b5
  • 9...Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Be6/Qa5
  • Old Variations: 9...Nd7; 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Qb8/Qc7
  • Old Variations: 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rc8 without h5; 9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Qa5
  • 9...Bd7 10.Bb3 and h4
  • Non-Yugoslav lines
  • 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
  • Long Castles Classical Variation: 6.Be2 Bg7 7.Be3 Nc6 8.Qd2 0-0 9.0-0-0
  • Classical Variation: 6.Be2 Bg7 7.0-0
  • Modern Classical Variation: 6.Bc4
  • Fianchetto Variation: 6.g3
  • Levenfish 6.f4 and 6.Bg5
More...

Dragon Variation

The difference between the Dragon Variation and the many other systems in the Sicilian Defence is above all the active posting of the black king’s bishop on g7. After that, the direction in which the play will develop depends to a great extent on whether White decides to castle on the kingside or on the queenside.

=> More products: Dragon Variation
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