1.b3 According to Jobava Refined - Part 2: Completing the Repertoire
When GM Baadur Jobava introduced his 1.b3 system to the elite chess world, skeptics questioned whether such a humble first move could truly challenge modern preparation. The answer came not through theory, but through practice—Jobava himself dismantled grandmasters who underestimated the system's venom. Now, with Part 2 of 1.b3 According to Jobava Refined, Jobava and co-author GM Pier Luigi Basso deliver the missing piece: a complete arsenal against 1...g6, 1...c5, and every other non-1...e5 response. This isn't a supplement—it's the strategic completion of a fully weaponized repertoire.
The Missing Territory
Part 1 established dominance against 1...e5. Part 2 picks up where theory gets interesting: what happens when Black refuses the pawn center and opts for hypermodern setups or creative sidelines? The course dissects twelve distinct strategic landscapes, each requiring precision. Against 1...g6, White's early c4 clamps down on d5, forcing Black into King's Indian or Symmetrical English set-ups where White's development advantage becomes tangible. The move 1...c5 runs into Tarrasch transpositions and Maroczy Bind formations where White's space control restricts Black’s counterplay. Even rare tries like 1...b6 (met by the aggressive 2.e4!), 1...a5, and 1...f5 receive concrete refutations.
Jobava's philosophy here is consistent with his competitive approach: create imbalance early, avoid main-line encyclopedias, and pose practical problems from move one. Basso's analytical rigor ensures every recommendation withstands computer scrutiny while maintaining the system's fighting spirit. Together, they've constructed a repertoire where White's space advantage and superior piece coordination generate lasting pressure across all structures.
Variation Map
After 1.b3:
- 1...g6 → 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.c4 Bg7 4.g3 O-O 5.Bg2
- 5...d6 → 6.d4 (Chapter 1: King's Indian structures neutralized)
- 5...c5 → 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.O-O
- 7...d6 → 8.d4 (Chapter 2: Symmetrical English with space advantage)
- 7...d5 → Immediate central strike (Chapter 4)
- 5...c6 → 6.Nf3 d5 7.O-O (Chapter 6: Symmetrical Grünfeld battles)
- 3...d5 (Creating central tension) → Chapter 5
- 1...c5 → 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.c4
- 4...e6 → Tarrasch structures (Chapter 7)
- 4...d5 → Maroczy Bind territory (Chapter 8)
- 2...d6 → Botvinnik setup exploitation (Chapter 9)
- 1...b6 → 2.e4! (Chapter 10: transposition to 1.e4 territory)
- 1...a5 → Creative queenside disruption (Chapter 11)
- 1...f5 → Dutch-style response (Chapter 12)
- Rare attempts (including 6...d6 7.d4 d5) → Chapter 3
Course Structure
The technical framework mirrors Part 1's proven format:
- 12 Chapters covering all non-1...e5 responses
- 20 test positions to verify understanding
- Memory Booster for rapid pattern recognition
- To Go Version of every chapter for quick study
- Video instruction with Jobava and Basso’s verbal explanations
- Multilingual PGN availability (English, German, French, Spanish)
For those who studied 1.b3 According to Jobava Refined - Part 1, this continuation integrates seamlessly. Combined, the two parts form a 1.b3 repertoire—only 1...d5 remains uncovered, though the authors hint that something special is coming for this critical response.
Add Part 2 to your arsenal and continue building your 1.b3 repertoire. This is a practical weapon forged by the grandmaster who turned a quiet first move into a competitive threat at the highest level.