Table Of ContentLouis Lima is an active tournament player in Long Island, NY. He holds Purchases from our shop help
a Masters Degree in Training & Development from Teachers College, keep ChessCafe.com freely
Columbia University. He has been involved in the field of intercultural accessible:
training for fifteen years and currently serves as training director for
Prudential Relocation's Intercultural Group.
His published articles include "Faux Pas and Adventures of a Latino in
the American Workplace," "Communication Etiquette 101" and
"Utilizing a Competency-Based Model to Enhance Intercultural
Training Effectiveness." Louis speaks fluent English, Spanish, and
Mandarin Chinese. He enjoys making chess instructional videos, and
ChessBase currently teaches chess to young children at Tzu-Chi Foundation's
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Openings for 1.e4 Players
Fritz 12
Louis Lima
I have been a hopeless chess media junkie for some years now, amassing a
number of videos, DVDs, and Fritz Trainers that I am too embarrassed to
count. However, I am glad to make good use of my learning experiences with
these products.
I often refer Fritz Trainers to my friends as the next generation of chess media
instruction. The advantages over traditional chess videos and DVDs include
the ability to clearly see the presenter and the board, the ability to pause the
video in order to examine the game notation, and the option of adding a
computer engine to evaluate the lines while the presenter is speaking. When a
presenter makes the most of this new medium it can truly feel like having a
live GM coach by your side. Thus, the overall quality and effectiveness of a
The Philidor Defense
Fritz Trainer is often impacted by how the presenter maximizes the
by Alexei Shirov
opportunities this relatively new platform provides. All the authors featured in
this column have a long history of appearing in videos and DVDs, but some
have adapted better than others to the Fritz Trainer platform.
Play through and download
the games from
The f4 Sicilian (DVD) by GM Nigel Davies, Running Time: 4 hrs.
ChessCafe.com in the
DGT Game Viewer.
This opening is commonly referred to as the Grand
Prix Attack and it is an attempt by White to launch a
quick kingside attack, with the mighty f-pawn
usually leading the charge into Black’s camp. The
position is reached via 1.e4 c5 2.f4, though players
who want to avoid 1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5 lines tend to
prefer the move order 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3, and only then ABC of Chess Openings
play 3.f4. The early f-pawn push not only helps
by Andrew Martin
open up lines against Black’s king, but also gains
space for a quick piece transfer into the attacking
zone via maneuvers such as rooks lifts along the f-
file and the transfer of the queen via e1. A cute little
miniature illustrating the kind of massacre White can inflict can be seen in the
following game (which is not on the DVD): Lorenz, Sascha (2306) -
Kiesekamp, Marcos (2223) Berlin 2000, 1.e4 c5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Nf3 g6 4.Bb5
Bg7 5.0–0 e6 6.Bxc6 bxc6 7.Nc3 d5 8.d3 Rb8 9.Qe1 Nh6 10.f5 gxf5?? 11.
Qg3 1–0.
Davies begins with a sample game outlining several key features of White’s
attack when it succeeds, and then moves on to demonstrate a couple of games
advocating the ever-interesting “Tal’s Gambit” after 1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5
Nf6!?. Davies also shows us a game where he tried to sidestep the gambit
with 3.Nc3. These are Davies own games and he does this to build up a case
for reaching the f4 Sicilian via the move order 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 followed by 3.
f4.
Readers should know that this is not a repertoire DVD, where Davies suggests
specific lines and then presents sample supporting games. Instead, we have a
series of games that sketches the historical trajectory of the f4 Sicilian; a bit of
case builder that presents a survey of various ideas. For example, after 1.e4 c5
2.f4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Bb5 Nd4 we reach one of the main positions
in this line.
Here Davies explains that White has many responses such as 6.Nxd4, 6.Bc4,
6.Bd3, 6.Ba4, 6.a4, and he presents a sample game for each of these lines. He
then moves on to recommend 6.0-0 and shows several illustrative games in
this line. Although Black did not win any of these games, he occasionally
offers ways for Black to combat these positions.
By now the case has been made that 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 is the way to go and
Davies proceeds to show us a sample game that outlines the reasons why
Najdorf players need to leave their pet variation pronto after 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6
3.f4. He then concentrates the rest of the DVD on 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 lines,
commenting on several games and concluding with a recent idea for White (1.
e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5!? trying to trade on c6, and only then to follow with 4.
f4) and another one for Black (1.c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 f5.)
Overall, I found the video stimulating, and I particularly appreciated the wide
array of ideas for both sides, though the DVD tends to concentrate on the
white side of the picture. The DVD does have some shortcomings, which
perhaps makes the product have less appeal to players rated 1500 and below.
For one, Davies occasionally speeds through certain sequences of moves with
no explanation and appearing slightly bored. He sometimes ends a variation
with a comment such as “I assess this as good for White,” without any
explanation as to why this is so. If he is going to explain obvious things such
as why White’s bishop cannot go to b5 after 1.e4 c5 2.f4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 as he
does on the DVD, then he should also justify his subjective evaluations in
complex positions. Some very brief and succinct comments regarding his final
assessments in these instances would probably be highly appreciated by lower-
rated players.
For those rated less than 2000, I would suggest PowerPlay3: Pawnstorm by
GM King as an excellent companion volume. King goes into practical detail
about positions featuring the f-pawn advance, and I have improved my game
through his insights. The f4 Sicilian by Davies runs for four hours, and it is
surprising that he does not take the time to describe the disadvantages of
pushing the f4-pawn. While the f4-push does gain space and can open lines of
attack, it does not develop a piece and it weakens White’s kingside along the
second rank and g1-h6 diagonal. In addition, when the f-pawn gets stuck on
f4, the bishop on c1 often makes a poor impression. Perhaps this is the reason
the f4 Sicilian is a “perennial favorite with club players” but only a surprise
practical choice of GMs.
Order The f4 Sicilian
by Nigel Davies
The ABC of the Vienna (DVD) by IM Andrew Martin, Running time: 3 hrs.
and 43 min.
As a 1.e4 player who has never played the Vienna, I
wondered whether Martin’s ABC of the Vienna
would make me want to try it out in tournament
play. The DVD certainly sparked my interest, and I
can only hope my regular opponents at the local
chess club are not reading this column.
The Vienna is characterized by the moves 1.e4 e5
and 2.Nc3. If you have never played this opening
before it might attract you for the same reasons as it
did me: To avoid die-hard players of the Petroff
Defense (yes, they exist) and to try enter the King’s
Gambit without running into a booked-up Albin Countergambiteer after 1.e4
e5 2.f4 d5.
This is a repertoire DVD where Martin recommends specific lines, and uses
various illustrative games to demonstrate typical play:
a) 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 White plays 3.Bc4, followed by a speedy d3 and
f4, except when Black plays 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6. In these
instances, White abandons the f4 idea and opts for 4.d3 and 5.Nge2.
There are a total of eight lectures in the 2…Nc6 line.
b) 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 we see 3.g3 where White fianchettoes the bishop
and adds extra control to d5, a square of special importance in Vienna
strategy. There are nine lectures covering this line.
c) One lecture on 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Bc5 where he recommends 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.
f4
d) One lecture on 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 d6 where Martin again advocates 3.Bc4
and looks at Black’s attempt to contest the a2-g8 diagonal with 3…Be6.
e) One lecture exploring 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 d6 where the recommended
continuation is 3.f4
f) One lecture on 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 featuring a game played by
Alexander Alekhine during a simul tour in 1924.
I have mixed impressions about this DVD. Martin is terrific when it comes to
utilizing the Fritz Trainer platform. He often smiles and makes eye-contact
with the camera, and speaks in a clear, eloquent, and entertaining manner. He
also plays through the moves at a moderate pace, while making good use of
the ability to use arrows and colors to highlight his ideas. The video starts
with a valuable nine-minute lecture summarizing the basic ideas in open
games. For White he discusses the f7-weakness, control of d5, and the attempt
to outstrip Black of his queenside play. For Black he discusses the f2-square,
the liberation of Black’s position with d5, and keeping up the pace with White
regarding queenside development. I walked away from this mini-lecture with
a greater understanding of basic ideas in the Vienna as well as other openings.
In fact, Martin did such a great job in his open game summary, that when he
moved on to his first inspirational game Sheldrick (2161) – Rout (1949)
Australian Open, after 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 0-0 5.f4 exf4 6.
Bxf4 c6, I thought Black is doing fine and getting on with the d5-break Martin
had just mentioned. Except, this is how Martin assesses this position:
“…And now here is the first sign that Black wants to get d5 in. He plays
c6, but already I believe Black’s position is critical, this only after six
moves”
This left me slightly puzzled, and after the following move 7.Qf3 the obvious
d5-break I just learned from Martin is screaming to be played. This move is
completely overlooked in his commentary. 7…d5 is very much possible here
since White’s king has not castled yet. If 8.exd5, Black has a nice number of
choices such as 8...Re8, 8...Bg4 or 8...Qb6; and if White plays 8.Bb3, Black
has already achieved one of his opening objectives.
I often felt Martin underestimated Black’s chances in many positions, and
over-dramatized moves where logical alternatives were available. A perfect
example of this is illustrated in a sample variation he presents in the game
Larsen-Portisch from the Candidates Match in 1968. After 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6
3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Na5 5.Nge2 Nxc4 6.dxc4 Be7 7.0–0 d6 8.b3 0–0 9.Ng3 c6 10.
Bb2 Qa5? 11.Qe1! Qc7, he offers the variation 11...Be6 12.Nd5 Qd8 13.Nxe7
+ Qxe7
Martin comments
“…And the problem in this position is of course the pawn on d6. So
White can start putting pressure on it immediately, for instance, with a
move like 14.Ba3 and Black’s position here is prospect-less. I mean,
Black can play the move 14…c5, but then how on earth is Black going
to shake the grip on d5?…”
I agree Black’s pawn on d6 is weak, but even the average 1900-rated player
Martin often refers to on this DVD would think twice before leaving himself
with a gaping hole on d5. Why not simply sidestep the pin with 14.Qc7 and
keep the d5-break possibility alive?
It is this superficial treatment by Martin that I found slightly irritating at
times. I subscribe to his philosophy of incorporating some offbeat openings
into one’s repertoire, in order to occasionally catch unprepared opponents.
However, it would be helpful to enter Martin’s recommended lines with more
realistic assessments. Martin does a great job at making succinct and lively
comments that any rated-level player can understand, but the actual moves
don’t always back his commentary.
It is perfectly appropriate to show illustrative games that contain mistakes, but
these ought to be pointed out by the presenter, and this is not always the case
with Martin. One example of this is the last game in the DVD, which shows a
sparkling game by Alekhine. The game is a nice illustration of White’s
attacking chances in the Vienna, and serves as a final inspirational game in
the DVD: Alekhine-Downman USA Simul Tour 1924 - 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 3.
Bc4 d6 4.f4 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.0–0 Nf6 7.d3 0–0 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Nd4 10.
Qd1 Bc5 11.Kh1 exf4 12.Bxf4 Qd7 13.Bg5 Ne8 14.Nd5 Nc6 15.Qh5 Kh8 16.
Rf6 Bd4
During the game Downman allowed Alekhine to offer a second rook after 17.
Raf1 Bxf6 18.Rxf6, and Black can’t recapture on f6 without Alekhine
announcing mate in five or six moves. However, from an attacker’s
perspective, the critical line to consider is typically the one that gives up the
most material. Thus, after 17.Raf1, it seems to me that the critical line is not
17…Bxf6 but 17…gxf6, losing a whole rook for the g-pawn. Martin
overlooks this move in his excitement to show White’s attack. Surely 17…
gxf6 is an ugly move, but I couldn’t come up with a way for White to wrap
things up as Alekhine did during the actual game continuation. 17…gxf6
clears the g7-square for the knight to defend the kingside, and Black’s pieces
are not that far away from the king as it visually appears.
However, I still recommend this DVD to anyone looking to sit back and enjoy
a series of lectures on the Vienna, or to the club level player who wants to
start building a repertoire in this opening.
Order The ABC of the Vienna
by Andrew Martin
The Sicilian with 3.Bb5 (DVD) by GM Alexei Shirov, Running time: 7 hours.
In The Sicilian with 3.Bb5, Shirov shares his
experiences playing both sides of the 3.Bb5 system
of the Sicilian Defense, also known as the
Rossolimo Variation. It is a popular choice at all
levels, mainly to avoid theory-laden lines such as
those encountered in the Sveshnikov Variation.
This is a truly outstanding production. We are
treated to over seven hours of learning from one of
the most creative and original players of all time.
Those who follow chess history know that the
player sitting across Garry Kasparov at the Classical
World Chess Championship in the year 2000 should had been Shirov, and not
Kramnik, whom Shirov defeated in the 1998 Candidates Match by a score of
5½-3½.
Currently eighteenth in the world rankings, Shirov provides us with chess of
the highest level. It can’t get much higher than when introducing his game
against Carlsen, he states that at the time of the game, the Norwegian prodigy
had a “relatively modest, I would put, rating of 2720.” His other opponents
include the likes of Kasparov, Kramnik, Kamsky, Morozevich, Leko,
Rublevsky, Van Wely and many others. The DVD contains three lectures for
each of the main moves after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. These are 3…g6, 3…
Nf6, and 3...e6. There is also one lecture for 3…d6. The move 3…e5 is not
covered, but Shirov feels it is not as strong and suggests the plan 1.e4 c5 2.
Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e5 4.0-0 Ng7 5.Bc4, threatening Ng5, and if 5…h6, then c3,
followed by d4, with the idea of taking control of the center, and giving White
a slight advantage. In addition, the DVD contains three bonus lectures from
previous Fritz Trainers: Shirov-Pedrojevic and Shirov-Leko from My Best
Games in the Sicilian, and Akopian-Shirov from My Best Games with Black.
These add-on lectures reinforced the general concepts presented in the new
material.
The line with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ is not covered in this DVD. Shirov
comments that it is “almost absolutely clear Black can achieve equality in an
easy way” by playing 3…Bd7 4.Bxd7 Qxd7 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 g6. He shows his
disdain for players of the white pieces opting to play this “non-fighting”
move. For black players encountering 3.Bb5+ he recommends 3…Bd7 and to
search for Boris Gelfand’s games in this line.
Shirov paints a realistic view of the game. Chess is a very complicated
proposition, so don’t expect an answer from him as to which move is best: 3…
g6, 3...Nf6, 3…e6, or 3…d6. He will readily admit that when it comes to
White’s best approach against these moves he has more questions than
answers. For Shirov, 3.Bb5 is the “beginning of a very complicated opening”
and he half-jokingly points out that he has been finding himself playing 3.d4
to avoid the Rossolimo.
In spite of the above complexities you can rest assured that Shirov will try to
get to the truth for both sides of the Rossolimo. He will weave in and out of
endless variations; always taking the time to verbally explain his moves and
positional assessments. Shirov can be entirely forgiven for not making any
eye contact with the camera, misplacing the color commentary, or
occasionally landing in the wrong variation. This is because he is constantly
analyzing, assessing, and re-assessing moves as he explains them. Most
presenters prepare their material in advance to make a case. Shirov comes in
prepared as well, but is not interested in advocating any lines. He simply
wants to get to the truth. One can often sense he is thinking about a past
variation as he speaks about the present one, and surely one sees him going
back to it until he is completely satisfied with an answer (even if the answer
was that the position remained unclear). Often times he would go silent as he
analyzes a position, and apologizes for taking a break as he wanted to be one
hundred percent honest and truthful to the viewer. At the start of the lecture
featuring Shirov-Van Wely from Bundesliga 2003 after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.
Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Qc7 5.0-0 e6 he comments
“It is always very risky to say that on move five someone is already
wrong, and of course there are no certain refutations. However, I prefer
Nd4. I think in this game I could show well the drawbacks of e6.”
Unsurprisingly, he returns later to say that he was probably too strict in his
assessment of 5…e6, because after 6.Re1 d6 still offers playing chances.
What next? Shirov begins to discern what can happen after 6…d6!
Given Shirov’s depth of analysis, most lectures were thirty to forty minutes
long. The lecture presenting the game Bologan-Shirov from the third round of
the 2008 Poikovsky event is fifty-six minutes long. The game between Shirov-
Zhang from the Rapid Corsica Masters is forty-four minutes long. In this
game twenty minutes had passed and Shirov was still exploring alternative
variations before 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.Nc3 Qc7. It was
mesmerizing to watch him think and display his analytical skills.
Most viewers will need to go over these lectures several times, slowly, in
order to take everything in. Still, I think even lower-rated players can learn a
great deal from Shirov’s verbal comments and advice. A simple, but good
illustration of this was in his game against Van Wely. After reaching the end
of one of the variations, we arrive at the following position:
Here Shirov assesses this position as probably good for White, and goes on to
briefly explain that this is because White can play Bg5 and trade the bishop
on e7, leaving Black with a bad bishop on c8. Even if I was unable to keep up
with him in the variation leading to this position, I learned that I can
sometimes improve my position by trading my opponent’s active pieces,
which would accentuate the bad ones left on the board. Shirov often dropped
such pearls of wisdom in his positional assessments.
I recommend this DVD to anyone interested in the 3.Bb5 Sicilian. Shirov’s
analyses are often complex, but he does not try to convince us that chess is
easy. I would much rather leave a chess lecture feeling confused than
incredulous.
Order The Sicilian with 3.Bb5
by Alexei Shirov
© 2009 All Rights Reserved.
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accessible:
I wonder how much thought goes into deciding on the amount of verbal
commentary and variations to present in a Fritz Trainer DVD on the opening.
If the presenter puts the pedal to the metal and zooms past moves without any
explanation, while jumping in and out of endless variations, then lower-rated
players will often be at a loss and soon lose interest in their purchase. If the
lecturer talks too much in basic positions, then advanced players might get
bored and deem the material too superficial. It is difficult to serve two
masters, and I suspect the commentary-length factor boils down to a matter of
style and the subject matter. It is through this factor that I assess this month's
ChessBase
Fritz Trainers.
Cafe
Scandinavian the Easy Way (2nd edition) by Andrew Martin – Running time:
4 hours
Fritz 12
Louis Lima
The Scandinavian is somewhat of a controversial
defense. We learn as beginners not to neglect
development, and not to bring our queen out too
early in the opening. However, this is exactly what
Black does in the Scandinavian and many of us have
fallen flat on our faces pushing our advantage with
White, only to end up with misplaced pieces and
subject to Black's counterattack. This is perhaps why
the Scandinavian is so appealing at club-level.
The Scandinavian the Easy Way explores the
variation after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6!?. It
ChessBase Magazine #132
is commonly known as the Pytel variation named after IM Krzysztof Pytel.
Edited by Rainer Knaak
However, you'll see all sorts of names out there for this variation, including
the Bronstein, Modern, Gubnitsky-Pytel, Pytel-Wade, and even a "Schiller-
Pytel" mention. Maybe it should be called the Pytel-Tiviakov variation, after
Play through and download
GM Sergei Tiviakov who has been testing this line at the grandmaster level.
the games from
ChessCafe.com in the
Martin does a superb job at explaining the ideas behind this line, discussing
DGT Game Viewer.
both the advantages and disadvantages of 3…Qd6, as well typical piece
placement and main strategic concepts after 1.e4 d5 2.exd4 Qxd4 3.Nc3 Qd6
5.Nf3 a6. One of the main ideas is for Black to prepare the liberating move ...
c5, illustrated by Martin after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3
a6 6.Bc4 b5 7.Bb3 Bb7 8.0–0 e6 9.Re1 Nbd7
ABC of Chess Openings
by Andrew Martin
The first game featured in Martin's DVD is a sparkling win from GM
Stripunsky against GM Goldin at the 2004 U.S. Championship. I'm fortunate
to enjoy a monthly study group facilitated by Stripunsky and asked his
thoughts on the Pytel. He commented that in some ways Black is trying to
reach a Sicilian pawn structure. In the Sicilian we play 1…c5 and aim for the
d5 pawn break. In the Scandinavian we immediately achieve d5 at the cost of
some tempi, and then aim for c5. Martin often reinforced this and other ideas
throughout his sample games in this DVD. For instance, one of the
disadvantages of 3…Qd6 is that the queen often gets harassed from d6, and
sometimes trapped altogether. Martin devotes a short lecture on ways to avoid
this and shows a few examples of what can happen if Black is not careful.
This DVD covers the following lines:
1.e4 d5 2.exd4 Qxd4 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 a6. Several lectures
●
look at White's possible responses, including 6.g3, 6.Bc4, 6.Bd3, 6.
Ne5, 6.Bg5, and 6.h3.
1.e4 d5 2.exd4 Qxd4 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6. Here the lectures cover 5.
●
Bc4 followed by 6.Nge2, 5.Be2, 5.Bd3 a6, and 5.Bg5
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.g3
●
Martin also provides us with several brief lectures discussing various
sidelines. These bits are helpful starting points to investigate further and they
include
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5. Here Martin explores 3.Nf3 and 3.d4 responses
●
1.e4 d5 2.Nc3
●
Unusual second moves including 2.e5 and 2.d4 (Blackmar-Diemer
●
Gambit)
Martin often recommends the plan with ...b5 and ...Bb7 against many White
set-ups. However, the line 1.e4 d5 2.exd4 Qxd4 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 a6
6.g3 b5 has been refuted in recent play. This seems to have prompted an
updated edition of Scandinavian the Easy Way, which is labeled as "2nd
Edition with updates and advice in all critical lines" Somewhat naively; I was
expecting re-recorded sessions with updated material, and when I opened the
first lecture it seemed funny to me Martin was wearing the same shirt as in the
"original" DVD. It took me a minute to realize the second edition is the exact
same DVD, but with seven additional lectures labeled under "Scandinavian
Update" and placed at the very end of the video clip page. This strikes me as
rather lazy from Chessbase. Anyone picking up this DVD for the first time is
likely to look at it in a linear fashion. Imagine making your way through an
opening book, only to find out at the end that the lines are now considered
dubious by the author.
Fortunately this only happens for the line with 6.g3 b5, as the rest are not
really updates of critical lines, but alternative suggestions from the first
edition. I would recommend buyers to first look at the introductory two
lectures, and then move on to the updated content at the end of DVD before
returning to the main content. The seven lectures in the Scandinavian update
cover
1.e4 d5 2.exd4 Qxd4 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 a6 6.g3 Bg4 (Lectures
●
1-2)
1.e4 d5 2.exd4 Qxd4 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 (Lectures 3-5)
●
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nd4 Nf6 4.Nf3 Bf5 (Lecture 6)
●
1.e4 d5 2.Nc3 (Lecture 7).
●
Aside from the Scandinavian updates, the games are not referenced in the
database file. Instead, you are only able to see the moves as variations or sub-
variations without any reference to the player's names or tournament event.
This can be a minor inconvenience to the serious tournament player. Martin
does tell you where the game comes from during the lecture, but the
variations should be properly referenced in the annotations.
Overall, The Scandinavian the Easy Way is a terrific starting point for players
wanting to employ the Scandinavian with 3…Qd6. Martin's generous verbal
assessments and commentary throughout this DVD makes this opening
accessible to any club-level player.
Order Scandinavian the Easy Way (2nd ed.)
by Andrew Martin
The Arkhangelsk by Adrian Mikhalchihin – Running time: Five hours.
I approached the Arkhangelsk's review with great
excitement, as one of my top five Chessbase
Trainers is The Secret Weapons of the Champions
with GM Adrian Mikhalchihin. Just as in this
previous work, Mikhalchishin infuses his
Arkhangelsk lectures with interesting historical
references and anecdotes, increasing our chess
culture and overall enjoyment of the game. You will
not only immerse in "one of the youngest kids of the
Ruy Lopez" as Mikhalchihin affectionately dubs
this variation, but you will also learn about the
history of the Ruy Lopez, the players, and key
encounters that shaped Archangelsk opening theory.
The Arkhangelsk is a sharp attempt by Black to get an active middlegame
position in the Ruy Lopez. After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0
b5 6.Bb3 Bb7, Black has been able to post his light-squared bishop on a
strong diagonal, and will often bring his dark-squared bishop to c5, exercising
strong pressure on White's center and generating attacking prospects on the
kingside. This quick piece deployment comes at the expense of delayed
castling, and White can try to exploit this. One illustration of this is the game
Acs, Peter (2542) – Beliavsky, Alexander (2640) from the Hungary
championship in 2000, which included in this DVD: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 b5 6.Bb3 Bb7 7.c3 Nxe4 8.d4 Na5 9.Bc2 exd4 10.Re1
d5 11.b4 Nc6 12.Nxd4 Be7 13.f3 Nxd4 14.Qxd4 Nf6 15.Bg5 Qd6 16.Nd2
Qb6 17.Nb3 Qxd4+ 18.Nxd4 Kf8 19.Nf8 Bd8 20.a4!
Mikhalchishin points out that "White has very good compensation because all
Black pieces are badly situated. King has not castled, and rooks are not in the
