Best Opening Ideas of 2023
We are thrilled to introduce another exceptional product from GM Ivan Cheparinov: "Best Opening Ideas of 2023." In this course, GM Cheparinov offers comprehensive annotations for 13 elite games that stand out for their innovative opening theories. Alongside explaining theoretical concepts, Cheparinov delves into detailed analysis of specific variations within each game's commentary. As a result, each of the carefully chosen games serves as a building block for various segments of your opening repertoire, enhancing your strategic arsenal.
Let's take a brief look at the content of this course:
GAME 1 - Bosiocic,M - Gozzoli,Y
In this game, you will find in-depth coverage of the line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nge7
Quite popular nowadays. Black's usual intended setup varies between ...Ng6 and ...g6. In the game, Black answered 5.c3 with the highly unusual and creative 5...f6!?.
GAME 2 - Saric,I - Grandelius,N
This game might solve many of your problems against the Italian Game. The position of interest arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.0-0 Nb6!?
This line looks a bit suspicious, but it's not so bad objectively and gives Black certain active ideas. The analysis of GM Cheparinov shows that Black is in a pretty good shape here.
GAME 3 - Demchenko,A - Abasov,N
This game features the same line as GAME 2. This time, however, Cheparinov provides in-depth coverage of the move 6...Be7
The line with 6...Be7 is considered to be more solid. After studying the analysis of Cheparinov, you will be able to play this position with both colours.
GAME 4 - Arakhamia-Grant,K - Stefanova,A
This game is very relevant for the state of the theory of the Two Knight's Defence. You will find a full analysis of the line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 b5!?
This line was always considered slightly better for White in view of the precise 6.Bf1!. In the game, however, Stefanova played 6...Nxd5 which is a new line that rehabilitates the whole 5...b5!? variation. It goes without saying that Cheparinov covers all the alternatives to 6.Bf1.
GAME 5 - Theodorou,N - Radjabov,T
This game provides in-depth coverage of the line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.dxe5 Bc5!?
This line is supposed to lead to a forced draw objectively, but it's very hard to know everything until the end and the position is surely dangerous for Black in a practical game.
GAME 6 - Carlsen,M - Abasov,N
A very important win for Magnus Carlsen in the FIDE World Cup, in which he introduced a new strong opening idea. In the analysis to this game, you will find full theoretical coverage of the line arising after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.b3!?
Cheparinov covers all of Black's important possibilities in this position. After studying the comments, you will also get a better understanding of the pawn structure.
GAME 7 - Esipenko,A - Keymer,V
White played a very interesting opening idea in a rare line and won convincingly. In the comments to this game, you will find theoretical coverage of the following line: 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 d4 5.0-0 Nc6!?
Still a rare line, but with some very high-level games already. For example, Magnus Carlsen used it to win a game in his 2021 World Championship match with Ian Nepomniachtchi. The comments to this game will enable you to play this line for both colours.
GAME 8 - Duda,J - Vachier Lagrave,M
A complicated battle in one of the topical lines of the Queen's Gambit Accepted. The game features the position arising after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 e5 4.Nf3 Bb4+ 5.Nc3 Nf6!?
This has been MVL's pet line. The analysis to this game shows that Black is in a pretty good shape here. The fans of Queen's Gambit Accepted can also take a look at Cheparinov's course, Queen's Gambit Accepted - Top-Level Repertoire for Black.
GAME 9 - Vidit,S - Korobov,A
A very interesting and unusual idea by Vidit in the Anti-Moscow Variation of the Slav Defence.
This is the main tabiya of the Moskow Variation. At this point, Vidit played 11.Nd2!?. This probably came as a surprise for Black. White stops ...Nh5, introduces some e5-Nde4 ideas, and, as we will see, there are even sacrifices on c4 possible in certain lines!
GAME 10 - Alekseenko,K - Van Foreest,J
In this game, Jorden Van Foreest played an objectively dubious, but enterprising idea, to play for a win with Black and achieved success against a very strong opponent.
The position of interest arises after the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.Nc3 d6?!
Objectively, it was not great, but it worked very well because White was most likely taken by surprise and had to navigate through the position on his own, whereas Black had detailed knowledge.
GAME 11 - Giri,A - Carlsen,M
A very nice game in one of the gambit lines of the Queen's Indian Defence, which has been losing popularity as an opening, but still occurs from time to time in high-level games.
You will find analysis of the position arising after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.Qc2 Bb7 6.Bg2 c5 7.d5 exd5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.0-0 Be7 10.Rd1 Nc6 11.Qf5
The most principled line. In this game, Giri demonstrates how White can put pressure in this line.
GAME 12 - Predke,A - Duda,J
An excellent game in the gambit line of the Vienna Variation. The focus will be on the line 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 Bb4 6.Bxc4
A dangerous gambit, although also not easy for White to play if Black has good knowledge.
GAME 13 - Warmerdam,M - Aronian,L
Lavon Aronian chose an objectively dubious but combative line with Black that allowed him to play for a win and succeed in this attempt.
After the moves 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e4 Bc5 5.Nxe5 Qe7!?
This rare move can be very dangerous if White is not sufficiently well prepared. In the comments to this game, Cheparinov shows the most precise way of handling the position for both colours.