Hard times for the devotees of the Sicilian? Several books, pretending to dismantle it, have already been released; besides, nowadays White is using no less than 16 (!) moves against the Najdorf! Now the time has come for GM Ivan Cheparinov to take the word - he is going to give his views on the open Sicilian lines. The whole material will be divided in two parts regarding the most popular Black’s replies to 2.Nf3. Here is the first of them, which is basically a review of 2…d6 with the starting position arising after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 The database consists of 24 theoretical chapters, 24 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (7.5h Running Time).
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We are more than happy to announce that GM Mihail Marin restarts his series on chess classics with a new course - Learn from Smyslov. Contrary to all previous databases from the series, this course comes with a Video Version (4h and 34 min Running Time). Additionally, the size of the current product is considerably bigger.
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The camp of GM Papaioannou - 1.e4 e5 for Black - Repertoire against the Italian Game is already a digital product. 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 9 hours of video and a PGN database which includes 112 files!
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GM Ivan Cheparinov’s last database on the Catalan has just been released, and he is back with another one that is closely correlated. This time the subject is the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 instead of 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 and, to some extent, his new work can be considered an appendix to the previous two Catalan databases.
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We are happy to inform you that the second (and final) part of Cheparinov's Catalan project is already released! In this huge database, you will find out how to deal with Black's most challenging lines against the Catalan. True to his analytical approach, GM Cheparinov provides in-depth top-level analysis. As always, you will find a number of important new ideas and directions. While it's not possible to memorize every single line, you should pay attention to the general concepts and ideas. The database consists of 24 theoretical chapters, 24 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (11.5h Running Time)
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The camp of GM Papaioannou - My Catalan - Complete Guide for White is already a digital product. 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 9 hours of video and a PGN database which includes 149 files!
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GM Mihail Marin comes up with one of the most fundamental works that he has ever done for Modern Chess! His new database My 50 Favourite Endgames is a must for everyone who looks for top-level endgame education. The database consists of 50 carefully selected super instructive endgames and 64 associated tests. Each one of the examples (including the tests) is extensively annotated. This makes a total of 114 extensively annotated endgames! The course also comes with a video version. The running time is 5h and 18min.
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We are happy to inform you that GM Ivan Cheparinov is starting his next project - Catalan Opening for White. Being a huge Catalan expert himself, Cheparinov shares his cutting edge Catalan repertoire in two-part series. The starting position of both databases arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 This is the starting position of the Catalan. The current database focuses mainly on the lines starting with 4...dxc4 which are extremely important. Cheparinov also deals with Black's rare options on move 4. The main moves 4...Be7 followed by 5...0-0 and 4...Bb4+ will be analyzed in Part 2. True to his analytical approach, Cheparinov always goes for ambitious and challenging continuations. Even though some of his recommendations are less explored, they create a lot of practical problems for the opponent.
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The camp of GM Papaioannou - d4 d5 2.c4 - Complete Repertoire for White is already a digital product. 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 9 hours of video and a PGN database which includes 131 files!
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This is one of the most thorough courses on the Alekhine Defence that you will ever see. This database provides something more that usual opening repertoire. In the introduction, Marin writes, "This time I adopted a different approach than in all my previous courses published by Modern Chess. Usually, I examine one line against all the opponent's systems. This time, I have analyzed two or more alternatives for Black, whenever the case was given (not in the minor lines, though). I had two main reasons for that. First of all, the way I built this database can offer a reliable repertoire for a long time."
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The highly anticipated second and final part of Cheparinov' Ruy Lopez repertoire is published! In this database, he covers everything that Black can play after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 True ot his analytical approach, Cheparinov comes up with many interesting novelties and fresh directions. Obviously, this course does not refute the Ruy Lopez. The suggested lines, however, force Black to play extremely precise for many moves. Therefore, this repertoire has tremendous practical value. The database consists of 12 theoretical chapters, 12 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (4.5+hours).
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The camp of GM Papaioannou - Queen's Gambit with ...h7-h6 - Universal Repertoire against 1.d4, 1.Nf3, and 1.c4 is already a digital product. 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 7.5 hours of video and a PGN database which includes 79 files!
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Many players are hesitant to try the Ruy Lopez opening due to its complexity. Aside from the theoretical overload, the Ruy Lopez necessitates a subtle understanding of the arising pawn structures. There is, however, some good news. You will have a reliable lifetime weapon if you put in the necessary effort. In the first part of his Ruy Lopez journey, GM Cheparinov covers everything except the position arising after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 which will be dealt with in Part 2. In this database, you will find 16 theoretical chapters, 16 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (6h and 40 min Running Time).
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Finding a challenging variation against the Nimzo-Indian is one of the biggest issues for every 1.d4 player. The soundness of this opening often discourages White from playing 3.Nc3 after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6. We are happy to announce that GM Cheparinov has come to your rescue! In his brand-new database, he provides a full repertoire for White based on 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3
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The masterclass - 1.Nf3 - Practical Repertoire for White is already a digital product. GM Papaioannou continues his Reti journey. In his previous camp 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 - Play the Reti, Papaioannou provided a complete solution for White against 1...d5. The focus of this camp are all Black's options against 1.Nf3, except 1...d5. This product includes all the videos from the workshop and the PGN file related to the training sessions. Overall, the material consists of approximately 7.5 hours of video and a PGN database which includes 80 files!
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The camp of GM Papaioannou - Understand the Modern Benoni is already a digital product. 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 7.5 hours of video and a PGN database which includes 90 files!
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This course will make you feel the pleasure of seeing your strong opponents walking on thin ice. If you want to win important tournament games without making a single move on your own, GM Cheparinov is the right coach. Even the world's strongest players fear his in-depth preparations. The current Scotch course is not an exception.
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We are happy to announce that GM Mihail Marin has completed one of his huge middlegame projects - Must-Know Structures for 1.d4 Players. The second and final part consists of 40 extensively annotated games which are divided into 5 sections. Besides, you get access to a Video Version with a running time of 3 hours. You will find also 71 test positions.
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The starting position of this database arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 True to his style, Cheparinov always looks for dynamic, challenging and relatively less explored variations. Therefore, the suggested repertoire is perfect for ambitious players who always play for a win with Black. The database consists of 10 Theoretical Chapters, 10 Interactive Test Positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (6h Video Running Time).
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GM Ivan Cheparinov starts another fascinating project - Play the Gruenfeld Defence. In two databases, he will provide top-level Gruenfeld Repertoire for Black. GM Cheparinov has tremendous experience in this opening. Besides using the Gruenfeld Defence as one of his main weapons, he worked on this opening as a second of the former World Champion Veselin Topalov.
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We are happy to present another fascinating opening project by GM Mihail Marin - Tricky Repertoire against the Italian. In this survey, GM Marins suggests a repertoire based on the rare 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 d6!? The database consists of 7 Theoretical chapters, 14 Interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (1h and 40min).
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We are happy to announce that GM Ivan Cheparinov has just released the second and final part of his project - King's Indian Defence - Expert Repertoire for Black. In the current database, GM Ivan Cheparinov covers the Saemisch Variation, all the g2-g3 systems, and White's rare options on move 5 (in the position arising after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.Nf3 d6). The fact that lines like Jobava System, Queen's Pawn Opening, London System, and Torre Attack are covered makes the database valuable for Gruenfeld players as well.
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If you are looking for a positional opening where the typical ideas and plans are more important than the concrete theory, Reti is your choice! In this camp, GM Papaioannou will share his repertoire for White after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3
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In the current database, GM Ivan Cheparinov covers some of the most critical systems that White uses against King's Indian Defence, including the Classical System. It is very important to point out that the suggested repertoire is highly ambitious. Always, when it's possible, Cheparinov proposes relatively less explored lines where Black is trying to overtake the initiative. In the entire repertoire, you will hardly find a static position in which Black is doomed to passivity. The database consists of 17 theoretical chapters, 17 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and Video Version (10h and 50min).
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We are happy to announce the new exciting project of GM Mihail Marin - Must-Know Structures for 1.d4 Players - Part 1. In this part, GM Marin deals with 5 of the most important pawn structures every 1.d4 player should know. The course consists of 49 extensively annotated games which are divided into 5 sections. Besides, you get access to a video version with a running time of 4 hours.
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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 55 files!
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We are happy to introduce the newest opening project of GM Ivan Cheparinov - Classical Sicilian - Expert Repertoire for Black. The starting position of the current survey arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 Classical Sicilian has always been one of the most respectable Sicilian lines. This is a perfect weapon for uncompromising players who are fighting for a win with Black. In this database, GM Ivan Cheparinov provides a full repertoire for Black. You can find many important theoretical novelties in his extremely detailed analysis. After studying the material, you can play the Classical Sicilian at the top level. In order to justify his concepts, Cheparinov goes for in-depth lines. Note that one can easily get lost in all the high-level analyses.
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We are happy to introduce the new opening project of GM Mihail Marin - Play the Modern Defence. After a long period of analysis and research, Marin is finally able to provide you with a universal repertoire that you can use both against 1.e4 and 1.d4. Besides being a highly practical choice, the Modern Defence lies on solid positional foundations. True to the hyper modernist understanding, Black constantly tries to undermine White's centre. Since the strategic imbalance is created at the very beginning, this is a perfect opening for everyone who wants to play for a win with Black. The current database includes 64 theoretical chapters, 15 interactive test positions, Video Version (5h 40min Running Time), and Memory Booster.
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The workshop of GM Papaioannou - 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 - Complete Repertoire for White is already a digital product. 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!
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Nowadays, when modern computers contribute to tremendous theoretical developments, playing for a win with Black is not an easy task. In most openings, White has more than one way to force a draw. This is not the case when it comes to Benko Gambit.
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This video series builds a complete repertoire against the Scandinavian Defence. GM Cheparinov gives a very objective and practical understanding of this opening. The course is about 7 hours long. He provides all the knowledge you need to play against this opening. The course will be also useful for players who play the Scandinavian with Black
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In the introduction to the current database, GM Mihail Marin writes: "When talking about developing the bishop on c5, the modern (or Modern Chess) reader may first think of the Neo-Arkhangelsk system, while I am still nostalgic about the classical Arkhangelsk. There is a third possibility, though: Black can deviate from these by developing his knight to e7. This has been first played in the '30s but started its modern trend with two games played by Mihail Rodin in the first decade of the third Millenium. One typical aspect is that in the beginning engines seem to be very critical about this setup, but after the game advances a bit they start approving Black's strategy. In principle, White can choose between lively piece play, with chances for both sides and the classical solid approach, leaving Black with a solid and flexible position, with good chances for reaching counterplay by manoeuvring accurately."
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We are happy to introduce the newest opening project by GM Mihail Marin - 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 - Aggressive Repertoire against 2...e6, 2...c5, and 2...d5. This huge database includes 48 theoretical chapters, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version with almost 5h and 30min of running time. Additionally, at the end of the database, you will find 47 interactive test positions.
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The workshop of GM Papaioannou - Understand the Scandinavian is already a digital product. 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 105 files!
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We are happy to introduce the newest opening project by GM Mihail Marin - 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 - Complete Repertoire for White. This huge database includes 42 theoretical chapters, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version with almost 6 hours of running time. Additionally, at the end of the database, you will find 20 interactive test positions.
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We are happy to introduce the newest opening project by GM Mihail Marin - Symmetrical English with 3.d4 - Complete Repertoire for White. This huge database includes 28 theoretical chapters, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version with 4 hours running time. Additionally, at the end of the database, you will find 15 interactive test positions. The starting position of the repertoire arises 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 when White is planning to proceed with d2-d4 against every move. Nevertheless, this repertoire can serve well as an Anti-Benoni system: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3. Therefore, the course will be very useful for 1.d4 players as well.
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Are you tired of studying complicated computer lines in Gruenfeld and King's Indian Defence? Would you like to play an anti-computer system that is entirely based on the understanding of the pawn structures? GM Papaioannou is here to teach one of his favourite systems - Torre Attack. In this workshop, he will provide in-depth knowledge of the typical pawn structures as well as an expert-level theoretical preparation.
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The Reti move order (1.Nf3 d5 2.g3) can be quite irritating, depending on the repertoire of the player with Black. In most lines, it is almost impossible to force White to deviate from his flexible setup, based on a later d2-d3 and an attack against the centre with either c2-c4 or e2-e4. Things would become more concrete and easier to handle with Black if White was induced to play d2-d4. As long as Black did not play ...e7-e6 in the meantime, this would not transpose to a Catalan. If Black maintains the possibility of developing his light-squared bishop actively, the combination between g2-g3 and d2-d4 tends to be harmless. 2...Nc6!? - This move, typical for the Chigorin Defence, seems to be the best solution to the complex problem posed above. The principled answer is 3.d4 when Black achieves his first aim. White has agreed on combining the fianchetto with d2-d4, in a moment when the h3-c8 diagonal is free still. On the other hand, Black still needs to justify the knight's development to c6. Unlike in the genuine Chigorin opening, White has not played c2-c4 yet, making the latent pressure on d4 sterile, at least at this stage. The current database is designed to provide a complete repertoire after 2...Nc6.
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The masterclass of GM Papaioannou - Understand the Bogo-Indian is already a digital product. This product includes all the videos from the masterclass as well as the PGN file related to the training sessions. Overall, the material consists of approximately 4.5 hours of video and a PGN database which includes 64 files!
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We have the pleasure to present a unique opening course by GM Mihail Marin - Complete Dragon Repertoire. This opening database is different from everything we have been doing so far. The material consists of the following components: Theoretical Part (51 Opening Chapters), Video Part (2 hours running time), Memory Booster, and Strategy Booster.
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In his second database, GM Mihail Marin completes the examination of Nimzo-Indian Defense. After dealing with the two main moves (4.Qc2 and 4.e3) in Part 1, he now analyzes all other possibilities for White. The Romanian grandmaster stays loyal to his style and suggests some less explored systems based on solid positional grounds. Following his repertoire, you shouldn't memorize long and forced lines but build a fundamental understanding of the arising positions and structures. The database contains 20 theoretical chapters and 15 test positions!
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In this project, he is launching a very ambitious series of databases devoted to the “queen of openings” - the Nimzo-Indian. Arguably, the Nimzo, alongside with the Ruy Lopez, are the two openings every single top-player and almost every single GM have played at some point of their careers. The Nimzo is so vastly popular due to its versatility and flexibility – you can get literally any type of position, such as IQP, hanging pawns, positions with the bishop pair, pawn chains, lead in development, etc. Both sides have a massive amount of choice almost on every move.
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The author introduces Boris Spassky in the following way: "If I was to describe Spassky's most characteristic trait, I would say that he used to develop his pieces actively and harmoniously and then started to throw them at his opponent's position, no matter if this implied serious material sacrifices." The database includes 35 model games and 20 test positions. The material is divided into 9 thematic sections
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The Owen Defence is one of the most interesting and original among hyper-modern openings. It combines ideas from several different openings, such as the Queen's Indian, the Bogo-Indian, the Nimzo-Indian and the Dutch. Black completely refrains from occupying the centre with his pawns and controls it with his pieces from afar, frequently involving the f-pawn in the process. This database aims to offer a complete Owen repertoire against 1.c4 that avoids transpositions to the Queen's Indian or other main openings. The database consists of 24 theoretical chapters and 16 interactive test positions.
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To describe Fischer in a few words while comparing him with the other players I have written databases about: He was practical to a no lesser extent than Karpov, but more accurate than him (especially when analysing). His tactical skills were comparable to Tal's, but he did not incite fireworks for the sake of fireworks but chose the moves he found most promising to achieve the desired results. His style was no less universal than Kortschnoj's. At a superficial glance, he may seem less deep than Viktor L'vovich, but this may be an illusion provoked by the fact that his methods of using his understanding were more straightforward. Time has come to examine in some detail the multiple facets of Fischer's style. The database is divided into the following sections: Classical Strategy, Positional Attack, Flexible/Dynamic Strategy, Development/Initiative, Tactics/Calculation, Endgame Technique, Persistence in the Endgame, Grandiose Fights. The database also includes 20 test positions which are attached to the different sections.
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Welcome to the second (and final) database dedicated to the Bogo-Indian Defence. Our starting position arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Nbd2 There is a small psychological paradox connected with this move. It is true that 4.Bd2 avoids any early commitments, and is likely to maintain the fluency of White's play. But at the same time we have seen that with a minimum of accuracy, Black usually obtains a rock-solid position with good chances of counterplay. After 4.Nbd2 things are more double-edged strategically. While the knight is not optimally placed on d2, White launches an open invitation to what he hopes to prove an improved Nimzo-Indian, by forcing the exchange on d2 with a2-a3, thus avoiding the doubled pawns on the c-file. But at the same time, the last move restricts White's choice of plans, allowing Black to more or less dictate the middlegame structure.
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The suggested repertoire for Black in the Bogo-Indian with 4.Bd2 is both rock-solid and ambitious. Despite White’s space advantage and apparent superior activity, Black can not only keep his own but also find promising ways to counterplay. Many of Black’s wins were possible because of White’s over-optimism in the attempt to use his trumps. The magic of this system is even more obvious when comparing with the King’s Indian, a supposedly more aggressive opening leading to similar structures but with the dark-squared bishops on board. This repertoire does not require memorizing long forced lines, as the focus is on understanding the typical structures.
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In the introduction to the current database, Mihail Marin writes: "During the years I played over Karpov's games with his own comments, there are were a few things I discovered to be typical for his play. 1) An experienced trainer told me at that time that for Karpov, the "global piece cooperation" was essential. I would re-formulate this now as "harmony". His inner instinct (or native talent backed up by accumulated experience and knowledge) allowed him to maintain his position's harmony during the long strategic manoeuvring phases. Many times, this element alone was enough for a win, causing his play to seem effortless (and, at a superficial glance, even boring). 2) This is a continuation of the idea expressed above. Chess is a strategic, but also a concrete game. Karpov could not avoid (and he did not even try) to reach moments when his plan would clash with his opponent's. It was in such situations when it became clear that apart from a fine positional feel, he also had excellent calculating skills. With his army more harmoniously displayed than the enemy one, Karpov used to find the tactical (or attacking) solution to prove his advantage. Apart from the games examined in this database I also recommend the excellent examples Karpov-Spassky Moscow 1973 (used as a test in my attacking trilogy published earlier by Modern Chess) and Karpov-Topalov Linares 1994 (in the main database of the same article series). Sometimes tactics remained behind the scene, when they were having a strong influence over the strategic battle. This was the case in Karpov-Gligoric Leningrad interzonal 1973, from the same series of databases. 3) Karpov was also an expert in what we call domination. His pieces would occupy key squares, keeping the enemy army under control, restricting its activity or even paralysing it completely. It feels almost like he was playing alone, at least in some extreme cases. 4) For Karpov, the three main phases of the game (opening, middlegame, ending) were tightly connected. His endgame technique was dreaded by his opponents, but I will not focus on this particular aspect."
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Studying Tal’s attacking games will definitely induce a new dimension to your play, making it more enjoyable (for yourself first of all) and effective. I can testify for that based on my own experience. A few things one should focus on when examining his games 1) his unparalleled imagination 2) the ability to find resources in long lines far away from their beginning 3) train your calculating abilities by trying to find his lines and moves or, in other cases, refute his flawed but nonetheless difficult to deal with, combinations. 4) chess can be pure joy, and if we take it this way our results should also improve. The database is divided into the following sections: Tal's Magic, Tal's Philosophy, Development, King in the Centre, Attacking, Better Coordination, Hosting the Opponent, Domination, The Swan's Song. While each section includes extensively annotated games, most of them also contain test positions.
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In this database, Mihail Marin provides a complete Black repertoire which is based on the so-called Open Spanish. The basic position of this line arises after the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6. In the introduction, GM Marin writes: "The Open (or Tarrasch) Variation in the Spanish Opening has fascinated me ever since the 1978 and 1981 Karpov-Kortschnoj matches, during which the challenger regularly used it, coming up with many new ideas. Before that, the system did not enjoy a good reputation, but the intense rehearsal during the matches provoked a real boom of the opening. For many years I had an intense but purely "platonic" sympathy for it. I finally decided to include it in my repertoire when I understood that playing the Sicilian against players like John Nunn was pure suicide. And as a reward, my first game with the Open Spanish ended in a draw against the same Dr Nunn, who one year earlier had made me the unwilling co-author of a brilliancy prize in the Najdorf! The aforementioned matches also induced a new fashion trend from White's point of view, but during the '80s, Kortschnoj introduced many new ideas in tournament games. Around 1990 a serious crisis happened, after a crucial loss of Kortschnoj to Hjartarson. I managed to play it for a few more years, switching systems when I feared concrete opponents' preparation, but around 1994 I had to resign to the evidence: Many of my favourite lines did not look playable anymore. Revisiting the variation after such a long time was refreshing. When writing this database I understood that at this stage of theory there are certain systems (mainly 9.Nbd2) in which Black has to go for dynamic play (and not for static positions, as I used to do)."
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