1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 - 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 approximately 6 hours of video and a PGN database which includes 91 files!
You will find the following lectures:
1) Typical Structure 1 - Setups with ...d7-d5
2) Typical Structure 2 - Setups with ...c7-c5 - Hedgehog Positions and Lines with ...Qb6
3) Positional Understanding of the Rare Systems
4) Theoretical Preparation
Now, we shall take a look at the different lectures.
Typical Structure 1 - Setups with ...d7-d5
In this lecture, GM Papaioannou examines all the positional and tactical ideas in the setups based on ...d7-d5.
You will mostly get these setups via the following move order: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 d5 4.e3
In 36 model games, Papaioannou examines all the subtleties of this pawn structure. The lecture is divided into the following subtopics:
1) Black plays ...c7-c5 followed by ...cxd4, getting a Carlsbad Structure with Colours Reversed
2) The Pillsbury Attack (usually combined with a knight on e5)
3) Doubled Pawns on the e-file (arising when Black exchanges our e5-knight and White recaptures dxe5)
4) Black plays ...b7-b6 too early (Papaioannou explains how to take advantage of this move order)
Below, you can see one of the model games.
Typical Structure 2 - Setups with ...c7-c5 - Hedgehog Positions and Lines with ...Qb6
Even though the setups based on ...Qb6 are ambitious and aggressive, it's White who will choose the pattern of play. As it will become clear, he can play either positionally or dynamically.
Black usually applies this concept in the following way - 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 c5 4.e3 Qb6
This is the most precise move order. If Black wants to opt for a setup based on ...Qb6, he should play this move immediately. Now, White should decide what to do with the defence of the b2-pawn.
In the lecture, Papaioannou explains the structures arising both after the positional 5.Qc1 and the dynamic 5.Nbd2. Even though both moves are completely playable, Papaioannou prefers the second option.
Another major aspect of this lecture is the Hedgehog type of position. A typical way of getting there is 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 c5 4.e3 cxd4 5.exd4 b6
With this move, Black indicates his intention to play in a Hedgehog style. Against the Hedgehog approach, Papaioannou suggests the very rare and aggressive Miladinovic System. In a suitable moment, White takes on f6 and castles long. Then, it turns out that he has very good attacking chances on the kingside.
In this lecture, you will also learn how to make use of some typical mistakes by Black.
The PGN version of the lecture consists of 24 model games. Below, you shall take a look at one of them.
Positional Understanding of the Rare Systems
In this lecture, you will learn how to handle the pawn structure arising from the rare systems. True to his didactic approach, Papaioannou pay a lot of attention to the following components: pawn play, typical manoeuvres, good and bad exchanges, typical prophylactic moves, etc. After studying the material, you will never get confused by the move order of your opponent.
The PGN version of the lecture includes 17 model games.
We invite you to take a look at one of them.
Theoretical Preparation
At the end of the workshop, you are provided with some concrete theory in the Torre. Even though you can play this opening without theoretical knowledge, the concrete lines will make your job even easier. Those of you who have carefully studied the previous 3 sections will easily remember the important theoretical ideas.
Just as in the previous 3 sections, the theoretical section is divided into model games as well.
The following game shows how to play against an important variation.