The Ultimate Bulletproof 1...e5: Fight the Deviations from 2.Nf3
When Classical Principles Meet Modern Preparation
The chess world has witnessed a curious paradox in recent years. While opening theory explodes in complexity across the Sicilian, French, and Caro-Kann, the classical 1...e5 has quietly evolved into what FM Or Cohen calls "an island of stability in modern opening theory." This seven-volume project, co-authored with GM Grigor Grigorov, challenges the fashionable notion that Black must sidestep central confrontation with moves like 1...e6 or 1...c6. As GM Jan Gustafsson memorably put it: "I have a hard time believing in moving a pawn one square like 1...e6, 1...c6, 1...g6, etc. The center is there, fight for it!"
Volume 1A represents the first step in this comprehensive undertaking—a course specifically designed for players who meet 1.e4 with the principled 1...e5 but face everything except 2.Nf3. Cohen and Grigorov's philosophy is refreshingly pragmatic: they're not interested in creating chaos or delivering knockout blows against club players. Instead, they've built a repertoire "as if preparing for a World Championship match," prioritizing stability, liquidation, and clean paths to equality. The course doesn't chase computer-generated brilliancies; it lives and breathes in practical play, tested through countless blitz games and refined over two years of research.
What's Inside
This course tackles White's most dangerous attempts to sidestep main-line theory after 1.e4 e5:
- The King's Gambit (2.f4) - Complete analysis with both classical and modern defensive approaches
- The Vienna Game (2.Nc3) - Including 3.f4, 3.d4, and critical 3.Bc4 lines (with 3.g3 reserved for Volume 1B)
- The Center Game (2.d4) - Comprehensive coverage of this direct central strike
- The Bishop's Opening (2.Bc4) - All variations except 3.d3, which appears in Volume 1B due to its connection with reversed setups
- The Scotch Gambit - Fully analyzed and integrated into the broader repertoire structure
Training Resources:
- 30 carefully selected test positions
- Memory Booster for pattern recognition
- To Go Version for rapid review of critical variations
- Professional video instruction
The course structure deliberately separates early deviations from the mainline Petroff territory (Volumes 2A through 3B), making Volume 1A particularly valuable for players who prefer 2...Nc6 systems but want a complete answer to White's second-move alternatives.
Repertoire Map
After 1.e4 e5:
2.d4 (Center Game) → 2...exd4 - Full analysis provided
2.f4 (King's Gambit) → 2...exf4 - Complete defensive repertoire
2.Nc3 (Vienna) → 2...Nf6 with:
- 3.Bc4 Nxe4 (covered here) / 3...Nc6 (Volume 1B)
- 3.f4 d5 (covered here)
- 3.d4 exd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 (covered here)
- 3.g3 (deferred to Volume 1B)
2.Bc4 (Bishop's Opening) → 2...Nf6 with:
- 3.d4 and rare moves (covered here)
- 3.d3 (the main alternative to 2.Nf3, saved for Volume 1B)
2.Nf3 → 2...Nf6 (Petroff) leads to Volumes 2A-3B
2.Nf3 → 2...Nc6 covered primarily in Volume 1B (Four Knights and related systems)
Cohen and Grigorov recently collaborated on The Ultimate Damiano Defense Guide, which serves as "Volume Zero" in this series—covering the provocative 3...Nxe4 in the Petroff. That course established their working methodology: deep engine preparation filtered through practical testing, with the flexibility for students to adapt the material to their own needs.
Why This Approach Works
Cohen explicitly encourages students to edit, shorten, or reorganize the material. You can create tournament-ready databases by removing ultra-rare sidelines or condensing lengthy variations. This isn't just theory dumped on the page—it's a working repertoire designed for adaptation.
The authors don't shy away from positions that might appear "a little clumsy" or simplified. Their priority is finding the cleanest, most reliable paths to equality, not generating exciting content for streaming platforms. This repertoire is built for strong GMs, but scaled to serve players for every level, and overall, the course offers depth without sacrificing practical applicability.
Ready to fight for the center from move one? Explore The Ultimate Bulletproof 1...e5 - Volume 1A and discover why classical opening principles remain the foundation of serious chess preparation.
INTRODUCTION BY FM OR COHEN
Wha@ you are about to study is my complete repertoire against 1.e4,
the result of two years of focused research and refinement.
This is not just another project; it is one of the most meaningful works I have undertaken.
The idea began when I was back into chess in 2021, during the post-COVID era, with the goal of creating a repertoire rooted in classical principles.
We respond to 1.e4 with 1...e5, refusing to concede space in the center and embracing traditional chess at its core.
I consider 1.. .e5 an island of stability in modern opening theory.
While my work relies on engine support, I don’t simply copy computer lines.
I live and breathe the positions I recommend, testing them repeatedly in blitz and practical play.
My aim is to keep the repertoire reliable and practical, even if some ideas may look a little clumsy.
I don’t mind if positions appear drawish or simplified;
my focus is on liquidation and finding the cleanest, most stable paths to equality.
This is a repertoire built as if for a strong GM, not one meant to beat club players.
If you want chaos, there are other openings — perhaps the Modern Defense would suit better.
But this course values truth over style.
I study both sides objectively, anticipating innovations from 1.e4 players.
I believe 1.e4 may soon become desperate, because 1...e5 simply kills it at the highest level.
I don’t care about creating content that is flashy or made for show;
my focus is on depth, clarity, and professional preparation.
I build this database as if I were preparing for a World Championship match —
even though I’m neither a super GM nor a second to the World Champion,
I try to act as one.
I often go the extra mile to cover even the smallest possibilities,
but one of the main advantages of Modern Chess is that readers can enjoy the material
and have the freedom to edit, cut, and adapt the PGN to their own requirements,
unlike some other platforms like Chessable.
As GM Gustafsson aptly said:
“I have a hard time believing in moving a pawn one square like 1. ..e6, 1...c6, 1. ..g6, etc.
The center is there, fight for it!”
Some of the finest openings for Black against 1.e4 include:
– the Berlin,
– the Marshall,
– the Petroff,
– the Sveshnikov,
– the Najdorf,
– the Open Spanish.
Will this list appear outdated in the future? Possibly.
The first two volumes, 1A and 1B, are designed for 2...Nc6 players and do not yet relate directly to 1.e4 e5 2. Nf3.
Personally, I believe that 2...Nf6 offers an even better approach, which will be explored later.
Volume Zero was devoted to the fascinating Damiano,
but the true journey with 1.e4 e5 begins here.
The aim of this course is not merely to play for the win
but to neutralize 1.e4 in the clearest and most instructive way possible.