1.d4 d5 2.c4 - Complete Repertoire for White
This product includes all the videos from the workshop as well as the PGN file related to the training sessions. Overall, the material consists of 9 hours of video and a PGN database which includes 131 files!
You will find the following lectures:
✅ Learn the Exchange Slav - Part 1
✅ Learn the Exchange Slav - Part 2
✅ Practical Repertoire against Queen's Gambit Declined
✅ Risk-Free Repertoire against Queen's Gambit Accepted and Tarrasch
✅ Dealing with Sidelines on Move 2
✅ Bonus Lecture - 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 - Complete Repertoire for White
Now, we shall take a look at the different lectures.
Learn the Exchange Slav - Part 1 and 2
The Exchange Slav is one of the favourite weapons of GM Ioannis Papaioannou. In 28 model games he covers all the important ideas and subtleties that you should know about this opening.
His suggested move order is 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Bf4
This seems to be the best move order for White. As a general rule of thumb for the move orders, if 4...Nc6, Black puts pressure in the center so White plays 5.e3, while if 4...Nf6, Black is gaining control of the e4-square so White plays 5.Nc3.
The main crossroads arises after 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.e3
At this point, Black's main move is 6...a6. This is a typical waiting move that is preventing Nb5 and preparing b7-b5 at some point. It's the main line of this variation. White can reply with 7.Nf3, but it's not the most accurate due to Bg4.
In the lectures, Papaioannou explains why the moves 6...Bf5 and 6...Bg4 are well met by 7.Qb3.
Also, Papaionnou dedicates a lot of time to point out all the drawbacks of the moves 6...g6 and 6...e6. After studying the lectures, you will have in-depth understanding of the arising structures.
After the main move 6...a6, White should play 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2
White's plan includes typical moves like 0-0, Rc1, a3, Na4, b4, and Nc5. White can possibly consider Bg3 and Nf4 at some point which would activate the knight.
FREE MODEL GAME
Practical Repertoire against Queen's Gambit Declined
In this lecture, Papaioannou provides a practical and easy-to-learn repertoire against the Queen's Gambit Declined. The vast majority of suggested variations are entirely based on understanding. Immediately after watching the videos and studying the PGN files, you will be able to start playing with White.
After the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6, we start with 3.Nc3
Papaioannou likes to keep the g1-knight flexible. In some of the lines, especially after 3...a6 and 3...a6, the knight can be developed via the e2-square. Opponent's who want to play Queen's Gambit Declined will usually start with 3...Nf6.
In the suggested line, the move order does not matter so much. For instance, after 3...Be7 4.Nf3 Black should play ...Nf6 anyway since we are ready to follow with e2-e4. 4...Nf6 5.Bg5 and we get back to the main line.
In case of 3...a6 and 3...h6, Papaioannou's main suggestion is 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4. In the lecture, he provides in-depth explanations of how to handle the arising Carlsbad structure.
The main position of the repertoire arises after 3...Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.e3 h6 (the passive 6...Nbd7 is covered as well) 7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.Rc1
This is the starting position of the suggested setup. White is ready to complete the development by means of Bd3 followed by 0-0. The move 8.Rc1 is designed to prevent the advance ...c7-c5. Black's main problem is the development of the light-squared bishop. If you like endgame positions with slight advantage, this is your line!
Those of you who prefer dynamic and sharp play can try the alternative suggestion 8.Qd2 followed by 0-0-0 and attack on the kingside.
FREE MODEL GAME
Risk-Free Repertoire against Queen's Gambit Accepted and Tarrasch
This lecture deals with two very important openings - the Tarrasch Defence and the Queen's Gambit Accepted. Papaioannou goes for а practical approach - to enter risk-free endgames. He likes very much choosing such lines because it saves a lot of time studying useless theory.
Against the Queen's Gambit Accepted, Papaioannou suggests entering the endgame arising after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.0-0 a6 7.dxc5
As you will see in the model games, in the arising endgame, White retains slight but lasting pressure.
Let's take a look at the repertoire against the Tarrasch. After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 (4...cxd4 is covered as well) 5.Nf3 Nc6, Papaioannou recommends 6.dxc5!?
Papaioannou likes this line very much because we enter a slightly better endgame almost by force - 6...d4 7.Na4 Bxc5 8.Nxc5 Qa5+ 9.Qd2 Qxc5 10.e3 dxe3 11.Qxe3 Qxe3 12.Bxe3
Many games were played in this position. We can conclude that White's play is easier.
FREE MODEL GAME
Dealing with Sidelines on Move 2
In this lecture, Papaioannou covers Albin, Chigorin and the Traingle System arising after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6. True to his approach, he goes for less popular lines in which White can fight for a slight advantage. Once again, almost no theory is required to start playing these openings as White!
FREE MODEL GAME
Bonus Lecture - 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 - Complete Repertoire for White
As you know, before the camp, Papaioannou made a free lecture featuring the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5. This lecture is an important addition to the Torre Repertoire of Papaioannou (1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 followed by 3.Bg5 against both 2...g6 and 2...e6).
As promised, all the participants in the camp will get the PGN version of this Free Lecture.