Courses (424)

In the third part of his Caro-Kann trilogy, GM Firat covers the Panov Аttack, Exchange Variation and minor sidelines for White on moves 2 and 3. He remains true to his investigative approach, uncovering new ideas and reviving forgotten development systems in virtually every variation. He often seeks dynamic options, not shying away from material sacrifices to solve opening problems or even take over the initiative with Black early in the game. Some of his novelties will have an added surprise value, as the opponent has likely not analyzed them in depth, or at all. In more solid variations, he offers sound positional advice when necessary, such as which plans to follow, which pieces to exchange, and which move orders to go for and which to avoid.

The third and final database covers some of the most dangerous and topical systems against the Najdorf as well as all the sidelines. You will find a complete repertoire against the following moves: 6.h3, 6.Be3, 6.a3, 6.h4, 6.Bd3, 6.Nf3, 6.Qf3, 6.Qe2, and 6.Qd3. While 6.h3 and 6.Be3 are considered to be a mainstream theory, other moves are interesting sidelines.

In the past few years, the approach in the opening has changed a little, and people are now looking to get a playable position with interesting possibilities instead of going for theoretical discussions and long forced lines (We may want to call it the "Magnus Carlsen" effect!). Due to this new approach, White players switched to less exploited fields in order to pose new problems for Black in the Najdorf. We will see that despite those lines not being concrete or so aggressive-looking as the ones analyzed in database 2, Black should be aware of them as to avoid getting into trouble.
The database consists of 3 sections - Typical Pawn Structures, Theoretical Section and Test Section.

In the second part of his Caro - Kann trilogy, GM Burak Firat deals with the Advanced Variation (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5)
Recently, this line became White's main weapon against the Caro - Kann. The main continuation 3...Bf5 is very complex and well analyzed. White has a variety of plans and Black needs to be well-prepared in all the lines. That's why in recent years the move 3...c5 becomes fashionable. Players like Mamedyarov, Anand, Grischuk, Nakamura try it with success. GM Firat decides to suggest 3...c5 as his main recommendation against the Advanced Variation and offers plenty of fresh and new ideas for Black.

In Part 1 of his Sicilian repertoire, IM Ogulcan Kanmazalp was dealing with the position arising after the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5. Despite the fact that 6.Bg5 is by far the most critical continuation, White has decent alternatives. These alternatives are the topic of the current database.
The author deals with 7 alternatives to the main move 6.Bg5 - 6.Nb3, 6.h3, 6.f4, 6.g3, 6.f3, 6.Be3, 6.Be2, and 6.Bc4. With the exception of 6.Bc4, these moves are more positional and less critical than 6.Bg5. In the arising positions, the knowledge of the typical plans and ideas is much more important than the memorization of concrete lines. The move 6.Bc4 is considerably sharper and requires a more concrete approach.
As in the first database, IM Kanmazalp comes up with new ideas in all the lines.
The survey consists of 12 theoretical chapters and 24 interactive test positions.

Since a long period of time, the so-called Rauzer-Richter Variation is been considered as one of the most reliable Sicilian weapons. A simple check in the database is enough to see that over the years this line has been employed by the World's best players. The arising positions are usually very subtle from a positional point of view. One should understand very well the typical pawn structures in order to play the Rauzer. That is why the player with a better understanding has good chances to outplay his opponent.

In Part 1 of his opening review of the Batumi Olympiad, GM Boris Avrukh covered all the opening developments in 1.e4 e6 and 1.e4 e5. The current database deals with all other Black's responses to 1.e4.
As it was the case with the first part, the author goes through all the theoretically important games. Besides, making a short theoretical overview of each line and pointing out the novelties, the author often suggests improvements on his own.
The database consists of 30 chapters which cover different theoretical lines. Such a format is ideal for those of you who want to follow the latest developments in their repertoire.

In Part 1, IM Renato Quintillano wrote a quick summary of Black's main ideas and goals in the Najdorf, explaining the reasons why he thinks it is the most reliable option for Black in the Sicilian. In that database, he dealt with the positional lines, in which White wants to keep the position under control and prevent Black from taking the initiative, playing for a small advantage and a strategic approach. Time has come now to deal with those uncompromising lines, in which White seeks a direct attack against the black king, initiating a bloody battle for the initiative. Here the game tends to develop in a very concrete way, and both sides need to search for tactical resources and attacking ideas, instead of strategic motifs and positional maneuvers, as in the first database. Some move orders and subtleties gain in importance now, and strong calculation skills are required.

The Najdorf is the most popular Sicilian played in tournaments, and our author IM Renato Quintiliano considers it the most reliable option in the Sicilian universe. It promises an active game for Black and real chances of playing for a win. The main practical problem for Black, however, is that White has a really wide range of options to face the Najdorf. White can even avoid an open and sharp battle for the initiative and instead go for more solid and positional lines, which can prove a problem for aggressive Black players. It means that if you want to develop a deep knowledge about the Sicilian Najdorf, in order to use this opening as a weapon in your repertoire, it is necessary to not only be aware of long and sharp theoretical lines, but also of positional ideas, typical maneuvres and structures, developing a good strategic understanding about them. These positional lines will be the subject of our first (of three) databases dedicated to the Sicilian Najdorf.

In his first database for Modern Chess, GM Burak Firat starts building a complete Caro-Kann repertoire for Black. The current database features the variation which arises after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6. Before dealing with the theory, GM Firat explains the most important pawn structures. In his analysis, he comes up with many new ideas in topical positions.

Rossolimo variation seems to be the only reasonable alternative to the main lines. In this database, GM Neiksans tries to stay true to the original spirit of the first part and offer you variations which are easy to remember and play on the board. After all, that is the whole concept of the Anti-Sicilian approach!