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Tricks and traps, especially in the opening, are a dangerous reality of competitive chess. All sorts of surprises await the unwary player, from devastating sacrifices to cunning move order ploys. A knowledge of such ideas is essential if a player wants to be the hunter rather than the victim. 

Tricks and traps, especially in the opening, are a dangerous reality of competitive chess. All sorts of surprises await the unwary player, from devastating sacrifices to cunning move order ploys. A knowledge of such ideas is essential if a player wants to be the hunter rather than the victim. 

Tricks and traps, especially in the opening, are a dangerous reality of competitive chess. All sorts of surprises await the unwary player, from devastating sacrifices to cunning move order ploys. A knowledge of such ideas is essential if a player wants to be the hunter rather than the victim.

The Sveshnikov Variation of the Sicilian Defence is considered one of the most promising replies to 1.e4, often giving rise to sharp and complex positions which require precise and inventive play from both sides. Thus, an opening tailor-made for Alexei Shirov (FIDE World Cup finalist in 2007), who has included it into his repertoire with both White and Black and knows the mutual tricks and traps all too well. In more than four hours of video, the genius from Latvia presents and explains his best Sveshnikov games, from his first successes in 1992 until his latest achievements in the year 2007. The spectator is shown typical opening plans for both sides, receives explanations on strategy and tactics in the middlegame and learns how to convert obtained advantages in the endgame – and all this in a most entertaining way. A masterful course on one of the most popular opening of our times by one of the best players of our times. Video running time: 4 hours.

Many chessplayers consider Albin’s Countergambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5) nothing more than a relict of romantic chess, connecting with it – at most – the names of the old masters like Lasker, Aljechin, Janowski, Marshall and Keres. Even many tournament players don’t really know much more about this opening than the following nice trap with the sub-promotion of a pawn into a knight: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.e3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3 6.Bxb4 exf2+ 7.Ke2 fxg1N+ with a winning position for Black. Fortunately enough, from time to time certain world-class players are willing to reconsider the old and connect it with new ideas. Thus Albin’s Countergambit experienced a revival in 2004 when topten player Alexander Morozevich repeatedly employed in tournament practice – with success. Fascinated by the possibilities of this opening, also Kasimdzhanov followed Morozevichs example – and was successful too. Now Rustam Kasimdzhanov presents to you the experience made in top chess in the last years, in nearly 3.5 hours of video.