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The Panov Attack might well be White's most unpleasant weapon against the Caro-Kann because compared to other Caro-Kann lines it usually leads to entirely different positional patterns. Therefore Black should know precisely how to react and where to put his pieces. Danielsen recommends the 5...Nc6 variation (after 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3) and presents all the relevant lines that might arise after that. The attraction of his repertoire lies in the fact that it avoids the famous Panov endgame arising after 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.cxd5 without lapsing into obscure sidelines. The Icelandic grandmaster also focuses intensively on the lines arising after 6.Bg5 dxc4.

Despite the fact that many books have been written on tactics in chess, many players still find it extremely difficult to recognize tactical patterns and calculate ensuing lines. With this disk the author not only gives a large number of examples of the most different kind, trying to cover as many ideas as possible, but also suggests a method which will greatly help you to see various tactical motives and systemize your calculation. Video running time: 4 h15 min.

The Rossolimo Variation 3.Bb5 is considered to be one of the strongest replies to 2…Nc6 in the Sicilian Defence. The fact that the move has been played by practically all the top players proves its popularity and strength. But the most interesting aspect of playing 3.Bb5 is that we force sharp, attacking players who love to have the initiative to forget about the Open Sicilian and to adjust themselves to a new world, one full of positional ideas, manoeuvres and nuances. Bologan was introduced to 3.Bb5 by Vecheslav Chebanenco. The merits of the famous coach in this opening are that he worked out a complete scheme for how to play against the doubled pawns after taking on c6. Time has proved the correctness of his theory and nowadays the best answer to 3…g6 is considered to be 4.Bxc6; also after 3…e6 one of the best replies is again 4.Bxc6. We should not be afraid of conceding the bishop pair to our opponent. In exchange we get very good coordination of our pieces, usually by placing the pawns on squares of the opposite colour to that of our bishop. Video running time: 5 hours

Have you always been looking for an attacking weapon against 1.d4? Then the Fajarowicz-variation (3…Ne4) in the Budapest Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5) is certainly for you! The knight move right into the centre perfectly reflects the spirit in which Black has to play this opening. In fact the aim is not particularly the recovery of the sacrificed pawn on e5, but rather the increase in influence on the centre by developing the minor pieces as efficiently as possible. In various lines you’ll see this strategy prevailing, since White’s king often doesn’t have a safe place in which to find shelter from the invading black pieces. After watching the video you will be prepared to employ this aggressive system in your own games.

The variation 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 a6!? does not have an especially good reputation in the theory books. Competitive players can use this unjustified assessment to their advantage because the variation is entirely playable, as International Master Andrew Martin shows on this new Chessbase DVD. With careful selection of variations, Black players can make the O’Kelly work and work well. In fact the O’Kelly was first played by Savielly Tartakower, but it was the repeated adoption of 2...a6 by O’Kelly de Galway after World War Two that gave the variation its name. Club players will enjoy adding the O’Kelly to their repertoire and many opponents will be unfamiliar with the unusual problems that Black is posing. Video running time: 4 hours.

Has the Evans Gambit been refuted in this year of 2008? Not according to Nigel Short and the many other strong Grandmasters that you will see on this DVD. In fact,the Evans Gambit is ideal as a weapon for all players who wish to learn the art of attack or simply want to improve their results! At the cost of a pawn White often gets complete domination of the centre or an assault against Black’s King. Lines are quickly opened and a rapid defeat for Black is possible. Using games old and new, IM Andrew Martin assesses the state of play as it stands today. By learning and using the Evans Gambit you will be developing your attacking skills! Video running time: 4 hours 30 min.

The variation against the Ruy Lopez presented in meticulous detail by Alexei Shirov (3...a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bc5) has so far had no recognised name and Shirov himself has named it after Vladislav Tkachiev, the 2007 European champion, the Tkachiev Ruy Lopez. In fact the grandmaster from Kazakhstan has played a few important games with this system, but it would have been just as justified to name the variation after our author himself, because since 1996 Shirov has not only played numerous games with it, but recently he has turned it into his main weapon against 1.e4 - with splendid success and a lot of imitators. The super grandmaster now shares all this collected knowledge with his viewers. Apart from the Exchange Variation (to which Shirov also devotes a model game) White has hardly any serious deviation after 3.Bb5, making of the Tkachiev Variation a good weapon against the Ruy Lopez. Video running time: 6 hours.

Checkmate ends the game – that’s an undeniable fact. Yet one sometimes gains the impression that players who gleefully and unashamedly play for the attack are treated as a joke by their colleagues. Launching a successful attack is a skillful business that often demands great creativity. And like most themes in chess, this is a skill that can be honed and polished. In this second DVD in the Power Play series, Grandmaster Daniel King looks at attacking play and asks, what makes for a successful attack? At the end of the DVD you can test your attacking and defensive skills by examining a series of specially selected test positions. The Power Play series is suitable for anyone looking to improve their chess, but also provides ready-made lessons and exercises for a trainer.  Video running time: 4h 56min