1.b3 - Expert Repertoire for White - Part 2
GM Baadur Jobava & GM Pier Luigi Basso
After the highly successful 1.b3 - Expert Repertoire for White, we are happy to present the second and final part of the 1.b3 repertoire by GM Baadur Jobava and GM Pier Luigi Basso. In this part of the course, the authors deal mainly with 1...d5. Besides, you will find an in-depth analysis of the moves 1...a5, and 1...c5.
It's very important to point out that the current repertoire can be very useful for 1.Nf3 players as well. After studying the material, such players can answer 1...d5 either with 2.b3 or 2.e3.
The suggested repertoire is very suitable for creative players who like complex strategic positions. In many lines, the variety of possibilities for both sides is so big that one starts feeling again the joy of playing chess in the pre-computer era!
The course consists of 13 theoretical chapters, 8 extensively annotated model games, 12 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (4h and 40min).
Introduction by GM Pier Luigi Basso
Welcome to the second part of our 1.b3 repertoire! In this second part, we will investigate the moves 1...a5 and 1...c5 in Chapters 1 and 2. From Chapter 3 we will have a very long journey through all the details of the big 1...d5 variation.
Let's start with the position arising after 1.b3 d5 2.Bb2
Here we have an ocean of possible variations! Let me speak in short about an interesting aspect of this repertoire. If one day you feel that you don't want to play the 1.b3 e5 lines, you can always start with 1.Nf3! In this case, when Black plays 1...Nf6 followed by g6 lines, you can use our Part 1 of this repertoire. When Black plays 1.Nf3 d5, you can play 2.b3 and this repertoire can be used as a full repertoire also with this move order! Personally, I think I will employ 1.b3 a few times, but after I have used my ideas against 1...e5, I will switch to 1. Nf3 and I will use this same analysis but with the move order 1.Nf3 d5 2.b3!
At this point, Black's most common move is 2...Nf6. The move 2...Bg4 is dealt with in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 examines 2...Bf5. Chapter 5 introduces 2...c6 when we go into the Slav Universe.
Special attention deserves 2...c5
This is positionally the most ambitious option for Black, and we need to be prepared against it. We'll analyze it very carefully in Chapters 6 and 7 and I am sure you will enjoy the many new ideas we have created for the White side! You will see that at some moment we'll have a clash with my Modern Chess repertoire "1.Nf3 d5 - Top-Level Repertoire for Black - Part 1". I will suggest you how to play against my own repertoire, even if I cannot promise you an advantage against the players who have studied it carefully from the Black side! About this you will have a BONUS Chapter 13.
After 2...Nf6, our main move order starts with 3.e3.
3.Nf3 is another possible move order, we will speak about 3.Nf3 and 3.e3 in Chapter 3. You'll then understand when to employ one and when to employ the other. You'll also see that if your feeling is wrong, nothing terrible will happen, and you will still have a nice, playable position.
An important tabiya is being reached after 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3
At this point, Black should decide whether to develop the bishop on e7 or d6. For instance, the move 4...Bd6 is very popular nowadays. The play continues 5.c4 0-0 6.Nc3
The move 6...Re8 and other 6th moves are considered in Chapter 9. In Chapter 8, we cover the move 6...c6. I will share with you my knowledge about this position. I've played this line from the Black's side for nearly a decade, allowing me to uncover its nuances and challenges firsthand. Within these pages, I'll outline my primary concerns and dissect the lines that have consistently posed the greatest discomfort for me.
After 4...Be7, the game continues: 5.c4 0-0 6.Nc3
This is the main position of our repertoire. We'll speak about all the arising lines in Chapters 10–12. After studying the material, you will know how to put pressure on Black in all these positions.
SAMPLE CHAPTER
SAMPLE VIDEO