ChessBase Reviews

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CDs, DVDs, Software Part 41

The Spanish Exchange Variation By Andrew Martin

This is probably one of the first openings I tried to learn when I took up chess. Like many players of my generation I was inspired by the great Bobby Fischer. I wish Andrew Martin’s DVD was around at the time as I might have obtained a far greater understanding of the subtleties of this fantastic opening.

A simple idea underpins the Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez. Take all the pieces off and White wins the ending. Naturally, the execution of this plan is anything but simple because Black obtains the bishop pair and free piece play to compensate him for his doubled pawns on c6. Nevertheless, it is useful to have something to aim for!

Many World Champions have employed 4.Bxc6 and we will see some of their encounters on this DVD, along with a collection of very recent examples. Bobby Fischer was perhaps the most influential of those who played 4.Bxc6 ,as he showed the line could be played dynamically and that White was not restricted only to play for better endgames.

The Exchange Variation is suitable for all levels of player, completely sound and a good tournament weapon. On this new ChessBase DVD, Andrew Martin makes a convincing case for White’s chances. In 2010, 4.Bxc6 is as dangerous as ever. Video running time: 4 hours.

System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.

Two Knights Defence By Lawrence Trent

On this DVD, IM Lawrence Trent presents a comprehensive repertoire and thematic analysis of the most enterprising, yet well less documented move 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 in the Two Knights Defence. Once labelled a "foolish" and "primitive" lunge by the old masters, White ignores his development in order to immediately attack the Achilles Heel of Black’s position on f7.

However, with no less than five World Champions and modern-day Super GMs such as Nigel Short and Hikaru Nakamura essaying this romantic option, 4.Ng5 not only dodges the well-trodden theoretical paths of the Ruy Lopez, but provides an exciting and perfectly sound alternative for the first player. 4.Ng5 is, therefore, certainly no move to be ridiculed! Video running time: 4 h 45 min.

System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.

Trent starts this DVD with the exciting Traxler counter gambit,or as some say the Wilkes-Barre variation that runs with the exciting move 4..Bc5!? as we can see in the following game:

Asrian,A (2634) - Minasian,K (2457)
ARM-ch Yerevan, 2007
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 [4...d5] 5.Bxf7+ [5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ (5...Qe7) 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+] 5...Ke7 6.Bd5 Rf8 [6...Nxd5 7.exd5; 6...d6] 7.0-0 d6 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9.Nf3 Bg4 [9...Nxe4 10.d4] 10.d3 Qe8 [10...Nh5 11.Bg5+] 11.Be3 Qh5 [11...Bxe3 12.fxe3] 12.Nbd2 Bb6 [12...Bb6; 12...Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Qxf3 14.Nxf3] 13.a4 Bxf3 [13...a6] 14.Qxf3 Qh4 15.Bxb6 axb6 16.Qg3 Qxg3 17.hxg3 Nd7 18.b3 g5 19.Nc4 d5 20.Ne3 Nc5 21.exd5 cxd5 22.Nxd5+ Kd6 23.Nc3 1-0.

French Defence Strategy By Nigel Davies

The French Defence is one of the best choices a player can make for his opening repertoire, especially older players with limited study time. The solid construction of Black’s game puts the onus on positional understanding and makes it immune to sharp and tricky variations.

The longer you play the French the better you’ll play it. On this DVD Nigel Davies explains the strategy behind the French Defence by examining typical pawn structures and explaining the plans and ideas for both sides.

The concepts are illustrated via a series of instructive games allowing the viewer to improve his understanding of this opening whilst watching some entertaining and creative chess being played.

After watching this DVD the viewer will understand what to do in typical French Defence middle games and never be at a loss for a plan. It will also make it easier to learn specific variations because these can then be hung on hooks of understanding.Video running time: 4 hours.

Nigel Davies is an International Grandmaster and highly respected chess coach. He has played the French Defence on and off since his teenage years and taught this opening to a number of his students.

System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.

Build a 1.d4 Repertoire By Nigel Davies

Creating a repertoire can be a difficult and demanding job, especially for those with limited study time. Attempts to implement a lot of new openings at the same time can set a player adrift in a sea of unknown chess patterns. This in turn can have a catastrophic impact on their game.

On this DVD Nigel Davies explains how to go about this process of building a repertoire the right way, with a minimal amount of stress or sweeping wholesale changes.

Instead of changing everything at once he proposes that you start out with a Queen’s Pawn Opening such as the London System, Torre Attack or Colle System and then build on these openings step by step. After playing 1.d4 and 2.Nf3 you will gradually introduce lines with 3.c4 whilst acquiring an understanding of the middle games this will lead to.

Davies makes specific recommendations about which variations you should play and the order in which they should be introduced. In the final stage of their repertoire development players may wish to switch to 1.d4 and 2.c4, but with the groundwork having been properly laid. At the end of the DVD Davies explains how to go about this and discusses some of the issues involved. Running time: 5 hours.

System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.

The Sicilian Kan Variation By Alexei Lilov

This dynamic and flexible opening starts with moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6. Through carefully selected games and analysis made for that system, the author will help you understand the opening without the need to memorize tons of moves.

The many innovative ideas that the Sicilian Kan offers combined with the fool-proof teaching approach of the lecturer will give you the opportunity to find your own way of utilizing this solid opening with great success.

A unique Dragon-Najdorf setup is what FM Lilov calls the core of the Sicilian Kan, which will guarantee you a strong and active position even late in the middle game, which will provide you with plenty of counterattack opportunities. Video running time: 4 hours 29 minutes.

FM Valeri Lilov also known as Tiger Lilov is probably the one who once taught you chess and you still remember those little things that come to your mind when you most need them. Today, he is one of the most famous and quality online chess coaches that you will see on virtually all major chess websites on the internet.

His balanced style of play and constant striving for improvement have both shaped his deep knowledge of chess theory, which he is about to demonstrate to you in his first high quality DVD for ChessBase.

System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.

The Queen's Gambit Accepted By Alexei Lilov

Flexible plans for Black and strong weapons against the majority of White’s deviations from the main line are presented in an easy-to-understand manner. Most of the key ideas are illustrated with great examples from notable games between famous chess titans including Kasparov, Anand, Petrosian, Smyslov, and Kharlov.

In this DVD, FM Lilov will teach you a plan for Black with a6, b5, Bb7, Nbd7 and c5, which is one of the best ways to meet White’s Queen’s Gambit. For those of you who like to experiment more in the opening, the FIDE Master has prepared a creative plan with Bg4. Video running time: 4 h 23 min.

FM Valeri Lilov also known as Tiger Lilov is probably the one who once taught you chess and you still remember those little things that come to your mind when you most need them. Today, he is one of the most famous and quality online chess coaches that you will see on virtually all major chess websites on the internet.

His balanced style of play and constant striving for improvement have both shaped his deep knowledge of chess theory, which he is about to demonstrate to you in his first high quality DVD for ChessBase.

System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.