ChessBase Opening, Middlegame and Endgame Training CDs & DVDs
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specified otherwise.
| 1000 x Checkmate £17.50 |
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Slovak GM Lubomir Ftacnik provides you with 1,000 tests: mate
in 1, 2 or 3 moves.
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 ABC of the Chess
Openings DVD-ROM £17.50 |
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In the all-new ABC of Chess Openings, IM Andrew Martin
explores the diverse possibilities available to everyone in
the opening phase of the game. The material is broken down logically
into Open Games, Semi-Open Games, Closed and Semi-Closed Games,
Flank and Irregular Openings. Invaluable advice is given about
what to look for and how to play each specific category, and
the instruction is enhanced by the use of recent, thematic master
games to complement this advice. General instruction about how
to play the opening is also included. Running time: 5 hrs 09
min. There is something here for everyone. Strong and even very
strong players will enjoy the investigations into some excellent
modern novelties, whereas the average or elementary player will
pick up a wide range of interesting ideas for use in their games.
The author‘s love for the game comes through in this work,
which he tries to communicate to the viewer.
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 ABC
of the Middlegame £17.50 |
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Gary Gauthier explains all the basics themes with the help
of selected master games. The games are annotated and explained
in a way that makes it possible for even the rank amateur to
follow, while graphic commentary enables you to grasp the main
ideas at a glance. Each chapter has a video clip with an introduction
by GM Daniel King.
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 ABC
of Endgames £17.50 |
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This is an elementary guide to the endgame, consisting of
13 inter-linking texts and 176 Chessbase positions with analysis.
It's a well-structured endgame resource for the less experienced
player and will appeal to those who prefer learning via a computer
to slogging through a book. One irresistible feature of this
CD is the video footage of a post-mortem between Kasparov and
Karpov of their king and pawn ending from Las Palmas 1996, with
a running commentary from the admirable Karsten Müller.
This must rank as the finest implementation of Chessbase’s
built-in video capability to date. One day all published chess
analysis will be like this.
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 ABC
of the Benko Gambit (DVD-ROM) £17.50
important: this is not a stand-alone product - check specification
information before buying
|
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The Benko Gambit is one of the most profound contributions
to opening theory of the 20th Century. Black sacrifices a pawn
as early as move three for enduring positional pressure. On
this new ChessBase DVD-ROM, IM Andrew Martin traces the history
of the Gambit from the games of Opocensky, Lundin and Stoltz
back in the 1930s, through the golden age of Bronstein, Benko
and Browne all the way to the present day, where the gambit
is as popular as ever. Martin describes the main themes and
ideas of the Gambit and gives sound guide lines, so that any
one who wants to play for the initiative with Black and play
the Benko Gambit, will be very well equipped. Do you want to
play for the initiative with Black? Then the Benko Gambit is
surely for you. Contains more than 4 hours of video lessons,
the latest ChessBase 9.0 Reader as well as an unannotated database
of the contents. System requirements: Pentium-Processor at
300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows
XP, Windows Media Player 9.0, DVD drive.
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 ABC
of the Czech Benoni (DVD-ROM) £18.99
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By Andrew Martin. The Czech Benoni has never quite made it
to the top of the charts as a reply to 1 d4. Perhaps it is the
very nature of blocked central positions which put people off.
Thus after 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e5 the first impression is
that the Black position could become rather passive and it's
not difficult to find excellent games by White where all the
life is stifled out of Black's game. Repertoire books are similarly
pessimistic about Black's chances but it could be that the best
Black wins have been overlooked, with players of the calibre
of Nisipeanu, Ivan Sokolov, Milidanovic taking a fresh look
at the opening and using the Czech Benoni with success in recent
games. Thus by playing 3...e5, you angle the game into a path
of your own choosing, which is very much the modern style and
very difficult to do with Black. Some fascinating chess, demonstrating
that the Czech Benoni is well worth playing. Video playing
time: 4 hrs. System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz
or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, DVD drive,
mouse, soundcard
|
 ABC
of the Kings' Indian (DVD-ROM) £17.50
important: this is not a stand-alone product - check specification
information before buying
|
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In this original and entertaining DVD, IM Andrew Martin takes
you on a guided tour of this fascinating and creative opening.
Through the use of complete games, both classic and modern and
some repertoire suggestions, Martin paints a comprehensive picture
of the current state of play and looks towards the future. This
DVD will inspire all players and demonstrate that the King‘s
Indian is very much alive on the modern master scene. 1st Chapter:
• Introduction 02:32 min • Ljukmanov vs. Martin 21:10
min • Ljukmanov vs. Martin solution 00:38 min • Martin
vs. Buckley 20:27 min - 2nd Chapter: Classical games intro and
Donner-Gligoric 18:49 min; • Kortschnoj vs. Fischer 13:09
min • Ftacnik vs. Cvitan 09:44 min • Summerscale vs.
Hebden 14:58 min • Vitiugov vs. Khismatullin 14:21 min
- 3rd Chapter: 4 pawns attack intro and Daces-Mrdja 11:43 min
• 4th Chapter: Sämisch variation intro and Karpov-Kasparov
13:06 min • Platonov vs. Shamkovitch 08:23 min • Some
thoughts on 6. ...c5 06:57 min • Analysis against 6. Bg5
07:25 min - 5th Chapter: Fianchetto intro Mattonen-Vooremaa
09:28 min • Burmakin vs. Morozevich 09:35 min • 6th
Chapter: Systems with an early Bg5 intro and Schandorff-Nataf
14:15 min • Averbakh 6 ... Na6 analysis 05:47 min •
Chernin vs. Cebalo 11:38 min - 7th Chapter: Other white systems
intro and Behrmann-Tartar 08:38 min • Williams vs. Gallagher
08:27 min • 8th Chapter: Closing remarks 02:11 min - total
running time: 3 h 53 min. System requirements: Fritz
8, PC 233, 64 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, sound card, mouse, Windows
XP, 2000, Me, 98 SE, Windows Media Player 9.Attention:
this course is a supplementary program for Fritz8 and can only
be run if the chess program Fritz8, Shredder8, Junior8, Hiarcs9
or Tiger15 is installed on the PC. Neither Fritz8, ChessBase
9.0, Shredder8, Junior8, Hiarcs9 or Tiger15 is supplied with
this training course.
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 ABC
of the Modern Slav (DVD-ROM) £18.99
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By Andrew Martin. 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 - The Slav
Defence to the Queen's Gambit - has always had a solid reputation,
dating right back to the days of Lasker, Alekhine and Capablanca,
but it's only in the last 15 years that the popularity of the
opening has really taken off and taken off at all levels. Naturally,
Slav set-ups and ideas can also be used against the other flank
openings (1 Nf3, 1 c4, 1 b3, etc.) and so by learning the Slav,
in a way you are learning a universal approach. Coming to this
DVD, we will find ideas for Black which can be used by amateur
and professional alike, predominantly featuring the trendy new
approach to Black's armoury involving a very early ...a7-a6.
The ...a6 Slav offers Black solidity, dynamism and variety couched
in an easy-to-understand setting. Perhaps this is why grandmasters
of the calibre of Kasparov, Shirov, Morozevich, Bologan and
Dreev, among many, have all used the opening with success and
continue to do so! Video playing time: 3½ hours.
System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher,
64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.
|
 ABC
of the Ruy Lopez (DVD-ROM) £17.50
important: this is not a stand-alone product - check specification
information before buying
|
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The venerable Ruy Lopez is one of the most interesting of
chess openings. In this diverse and instructive DVD, IM Andrew
Martin explains how the opening works, with the help of (mostly
recent) complete master games, although there are some classics
too! The most important ideas are highlighted and there are
some repertoire suggestions too, all presented in the light,
easy, relaxed style for which this author is noted. Running
time: 3 hours 33 minutes. System requirements: PC 233,
64 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, sound card, mouse, Windows XP, 2000,
Me, 98 SE, Windows Media Player 9. Attention: this course
is a supplementary program for Fritz8 and can only be run if
the chess program Fritz8, Shredder8, Junior8, Hiarcs9 or Tiger15
is installed on the PC. Neither Fritz8, ChessBase 9.0, Shredder8,
Junior8, Hiarcs9 or Tiger15 is supplied with this training course.
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| Accelerated Dragon £17.50 |
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By Claudio Minzer & Gustavo Albarran. Comprehensive coverage
of the opening (1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6) with
21 texts by the Argentinian authors, more than 9,500 games in
a database, 20 training positions to test understanding and
a tree of variations. The texts include content on the fundamentals
of the Accelerated Dragon, a history of its earliest exponents
(with photographs and games) . A well-organised and worthwhile
guide.
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 Albin
Counter Gambit
£14.50 |
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By Luc Henris. This gambit (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5) is one of the
less worn by-ways of the Queen's Gambit but it is one that appeals
to Black players of either a counter-punching or romantic streak.
The initial text files are well structured and lead in efficiently
to the most interesting examples on the database, which numbers
over 3,600 games, 150 of which have some annotations. As usual,
the games have also been built into a tree of variations, and
there is a separate training database where the reader can try
his skill on some typical Albin problems and positions.
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| Basic Principles of Chess Strategy, Vol.1 £17.50 |
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Professor Bartashnikov's comprehensive introduction to the
secrets of chess strategy. With 68 extensively annotated games,
this volume of the Basic Principles of Chess Strategy shows
how to treat the opening and middlegame successfully. Everything
about fast piece development, safety of the king and fighting
for the centre. Test your fresh knowledge in ten test games
with training tasks fighting against the clock.
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| Basic Principles of Chess Strategy, Vol.2 £17.50 |
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Professor Bartashnikov's goes on to discuss the middlegame
with a further 68 annotated games. Strong/weak squares, piece
activity, attack on the king... ten more test positions to put
your new knowledge to the test.
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| Basic Principles of Chess Strategy, Vol.3 £17.50 |
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By Prof. Alex Bartashnikov. This well-structured multimedia
primer covers the elements of chess strategy for the intermediate
player who has some experience of practical play and wants to
study some theory. The course examines in turn such subjects
as the centre, development of pieces, pawn structure, strong
and weak squares, open lines, the bishop pair and the position
of the king. This particular volume concentrates on Middlegame
Strategy and Endgame Strategy. Some 80 positions are used to
exemplify the topics under consideration and it is easy to navigate
from text files to game positions. When the time is ready, the
student proceeds to the ten tests, and can review performance
in the Test Overview section.
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 The
Basics of Winning Chess (DVD-ROM) £17.50 |
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By IM Andrew Martin. Modern chess is a tough relentless game,
which demands that all chess players, regardless of strength,
keep their command of basic technique in tip-top shape. On this
instructive and entertaining DVD, Andrew Martin takes you on
a tour of the basics of winning chess, so that you never have
to worry about this part of the game again. Through the use
of classic games and game fragments, Martin charts a survival
course through the competitive minefield. His firm conviction
is that everyone is capable of great improvement, if the right
mental attitude is combined with a strong grasp of essential
chess ideas. This DVD will guide you in the right direction.
It is based on the new instructional Fritz8-Chess Media System:
all the lectures are presented in their entirety with video
pictures and synchronised chess graphics. There is no better
way to explain chess. Total running time: 3 h 39 min. This is
how chess training can be real fun! System requirements:
PC 233, 64 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, sound card, mouse, Windows
XP/2000/Me/98SE, Windows Media Player 9. This package includes
the latest ChessBase 9.0 Reader.
|
 Bird
Opening £17.50 |
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By Dimitri Oleinikov. The Bird Opening (1 f4), more commonly
known as Bird’s Opening, does not get many outings at super-grandmaster
level, but the rest of us (particularly the “theoretically
challenged”) maintain a healthy respect for its potency.
This is a very well laid-out CD with some useful background
material on the opening, and on the player after whom it was
named, HE Bird. There is plenty of sensible advice (in 14 text
chapters) on the best way to play the opening. The author is
clearly a resourceful man; he wanted to know which were the
commonest ways of meeting the Bird Opening in practice, so sat
down and played 1,000 games with it on the Internet Chess Club,
and then worked it out from this prodigious sample. 47 training
tests, database of 15,093 games and a variation tree. One of
the best ChessBase opening disks so far.
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 Budapest
Gambit (2nd ed in 2005) £17.50 |
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By Dimitri Oleinkov. This CD presents the aggressive opening
system 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e5! that leads to an uncompromising struggle
from the first opening moves. Special attention is paid to the
schemes often played in club tournaments on the sub-master level.
The 2nd edition has approximately 9,000 more games in the database
(up to April 2005) than in the 1st edition, and now has 210
games in the 'Instructor' section, 44 more than in the original
1999 edition. System Requirements: Pentium, 32MB RAM, Windows
98 SE/2000/ME/XP
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 Caro
Kann Panov Attack £17.50 |
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By Zoran Petronijevic. The Caro-Kann opening (1 e4 c6 2 d4
d5) is said, possibly unfairly, to be a bit on the tame side.
But what is fascinating about it in any case is the number of
totally different playing styles to which Black must adapt himself.
One of these is the Panov Attack, (3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4), by means
of which White immediately attacks the centre, but in doing
so must also accept possible positions with an isolated d4-pawn.
A second theme on the CD is the Exchange Variation, in which
White exchanges on d5, but then does not play c4. It used to
be considered to be harmless, but attained a fair amount of
popularity after Fischer’s brilliant victory over Petrosian
(Belgrade 1970). It is a favourite of players who do not wish
to take risks. The author treats all the variations which come
under B13 and B14 in great detail. This is what makes chess
training fun: 145 database texts • approx. 800 model games
annotated by the author • more than 25000 games •
training database • reader based on ChessBase 9.
|
 Catalan
E00-E09
£21.50 |
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The Catalan is an opening in which Black may well be able
to obtain easy equality, but in which he frequently draws the
short straw in the ensuing positional battle. The reason for
this is that the player of the white pieces has usually assimilated
much better the laws governing this opening and the plans to
be adopted. With great precision and clarity, GM Marin has examined
the individual variations. Once again, as was the case with
the author’s first offering “English 1 c4 e5”,
one comes across a large number of indications of possible transpositions
and related variations, sometimes from quite different openings.
In this fashion, the learner obtains insights into a genuine
grandmaster’s opening. This is what makes chess training
fun • suitable for advanced players • 62 texts and
500 annotated model games • database with over 27,000 games
• training database • an opening tree including all
the games • includes ChessBase-Reader.
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| Check and Mate! £17.50 |
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Studying can be fun: watch and listen to the famous English
grandmaster Daniel King in this interactive, multi-media CD-ROM
as he teaches you to attack the right way. Effective attacking
patterns are presented and explained in ten chapters. Each chapter
contains a test game followed by further examples to illustrate
the main theme. Includes audio-visual commentary (see example
screen). Read
the March 2001 Review.
|
 Chigorin
Defence £17.50 |
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"At master level, the Chigorin Defence has been played relatively
seldom, and probably that's one of the reasons why it has been
analysed less intensively than other openings - good prerequisites
for free-thinkers and adventurers on the chess board!" (Breutigam).
The Chigorin Defence resulting after the moves 1 d4 d5 2 c4
Nc6 has become popular again thanks to the young Russian Alexander
Morozevich, who, with this choice, has been holding his own
even against the players of the absolute world top. It was high
time for a publication to make the subtleties of this opening
understandable also to the non-grandmaster, and this gap in
chess literature now has been filled by FIDE Master and experienced
Bundesliga player Martin Breutigam. The database has 100 entries
- 7 texts and 93 sample games. Another database includes 54
training questions enabling the user to test his freshly acquired
knowledge. The CD features a reference database of more than
4,000 games plus a big tree of all games. Read the May 2001 Review.
|
 Classical
Nimzo-Indian 4 Qc2 £17.50 |
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The Nimzo-Indian is not only one of the most solid openings
against 1 d4, but it also suits the player with Black who is
aiming from the start for the full point. In many treatments
of the opening, White runs slight risks - doubled pawns and
an isolated queen pawn are typical. At the peak of world chess,
there is thus a clear preference for the Classical System 4
Qc2, in which White usually retains the bishop pair and the
pawn structure remains intact; however on some occasions it
is necessary to make up for being behind in development.
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| Classical Sicilian £17.50 |
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By Tony Kosten. The 27 texts on this disk are particularly
well structured and linked to guide you through what is a labyrinthine
set of variations. There are 8,000 games on the database, up
to August 2000; these can also be accessed via a Chessbase tree
of variations, and there is a training database containing 25
tests of your comprehension of the opening. A well-constructed
opening guide with much to recommend it.
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|
 Colle
System
£17.50
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The Colle System is rather a playing scheme than an opening.
White plays d4, Nf3, e3, Bd3, 0-0, Nbd2 and possibly c3 - nearly
regardless of what Black replies. Opening knowledge is of secondary
importance. This is where the author starts his work, explaining
plans, patterns and typical mistakes. For example, two chapters
are titled "Ten inspirational games" and "Eight
warning games". However, Oleinikov naturally also deals
with opening theory in the classical sense and discusses the
critical variations, at one point showing himself surprised:
"To my amazement, none of my opponents has reached this
crucial position so far". Certainly a hint that the second
players know too little about the Colle System and rather play
it by ear. This CD-ROM is suited for club players • clear-cut
learning database with 380 games • opening course in 17
chapters • 100 games annotated by the author • three
topical training databases • big database with a total
of more than 21,000 games
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Note: to use and enjoy the CDs & DVDs
on this page there is no need to own any other software unless
stated otherwise. They come with Chessbase reader software.
|
 Deadly
Threats £17.50 |
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George Renko has assembled lots of juicy combinations and
tactical examples - more than 2,500 in all - to keep you occupied
for hours. It's so easy just to load the first one and do it,
then the next one, and the one after that - and soon the whole
day has wandered by. Unlike with a real board, where you have
to keep setting up the pieces, here it is a matter of a couple
of keystrokes. Very addictive!
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 Dutch
Defence A80-A85
£17.50 |
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In the third and final part of his trilogy about the Dutch,
Boris Schipkov turns his attention to the less important lines.
But some of them could well be considered main lines, since
they are played by respected grandmasters and since the statistics
are excellent from the point of view of White. For example 2.Nc3
- White immediately begins to fight for the advance e2-e4. Or
2 c4 Nf6 3 Nc3 - which is encountered so often in praxis that
it can hardly be called a sub variation. The author treats all
lines with great thoroughness. All are preceded by a text in
which Schipkov presents the underlying strategic ideas of the
variation in question and refers to the relevant model games.
All the features at a glance • 20 texts • 370 model
games annotated by the author • over 37,000 games •
training database • reader based on ChessBase 9.0
|
 Dutch
Defence Leningrad A86-A89
£15.99 |
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People who play the Dutch Defence are usually aiming for more
than a draw. This is particularly true of the Leningrad System
(involving the moves f5 and g6 against 1 d4). The author is
even of the opinion that this system is better than the King's
Indian, because you have already achieved the pawn thrust f5.
Under A86 there are also variations, in which Black plays 3...d6
and does not necessarily follow up later with g6; these are
also covered on the CD. In the chapter "Strategic principles
underlying the Leningrad System" the author tackles various
themes, such as the e2-e4 breakout, often preceded by b3 and
Bb2 (or else Black has no difficulty playing e5). Another theme
is the "queenside pawn attack", frequently played
in conjunction with an early b2-b4. But, in general, the author
is more concerned with the possibilities for Black. Author Boris
Schipkov, 42, lives in Novosibirsk and has already published
various books and articles, including the ChessBase CDs "The
Queen's Gambit Accepted" and "Dutch Defence A90-A99".
All features at a glance: 18 database texts • 142 model
games, annotated by the author • more than 15,000 games
• Training database • Reader based on ChessBase 9.0.
|
 Dutch
Defence A90-A99 £17.50 |
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Boris Schipkov deals with the variations in which Black plays
e6, mainly the Stonewall (with d5) and the Iliin-Shenevsky Variation
(with d6 and eventually e5). Defined by the pawn moves f5, e6
and d5, the Stonewall doesn't carry its name by chance. It can't
be taken by storm, it is only by long siege that White might
possibly make progress. Boris Schipkov's database contains more
than 14,000 games, 300 of which are annotated. There are 17
database texts featuring introductions to the variations, and
57 sample games have been annotated by the author. A training
database includes 20 games with 70 training tasks to check your
freshly-acquired knowledge.
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 Dvoretsky's
Endgame Manual £21.99 |
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Russian IM Mark Dvoretsky is perhaps the most respected chess
instructor in the world today. His latest work is sure to become
a classic reference book on one of the most difficult and subtle
phases in chess. “I am sure that those who study this work
carefully will not only play the endgame better, but overall,
their play will improve. One of the secrets of the Russian chess
school is now before you, dear reader!” (GM Artur Yusupov).
"Going through this book will certainly improve your endgame
knowledge, but just as important, it will also greatly improve
your ability to calculate variations… What really impresses
me is the deep level of analysis in the book... All I can say
is: This is a great book. I hope it will bring you as much pleasure
as it has me” (IM Jacob Aagaard).
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|
 Endgames
1: Basic Knowledge for Beginners DVD-ROM £21.50 |
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Endgame theory constitutes the foundation of chess. You realize
this in striking clarity once you obtain a won endgame, but
in the end have to be content with a draw in the end because
of a lack of the necessary know-how. Such accidents can only
be prevented by building up a solid endgame technique. This
is Karsten Müller's first DVD, and the grandmaster
from Hamburg and endgame expert here lays the foundation for
acquiring such a technique. The first part of his training series
can be started without any endgame knowledge. Only a knowledge
of the rules of chess is assumed. But for a lot of club players
this course will be a welcome brush-up, as a glance at the content
confirms. The topics range from elementary endings such as mating
with the queen, with rook and with two bishops and mating with
bishop and knight. The DVD also teaches the fundamentals of
pawn endings, knight vs. pawns endings, bishop vs. knight endings,
queen vs. pawns endings plus knight and bishop endings, including
endings with bishop of the same and of opposite color. Those
who have always felt that studying the endgame from textbooks
is too uninspiring or too arduous will enjoy this DVD and certainly
profit from it. Video running time: 5½ hours. Included
on the DVD is a ChessBase 9.0 Reader.
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Endgames 2 - Rook Endgames DVD-ROM £21.50 |
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By Karsten Müller. Endgame theory forms the basis for
chess. This becomes painfully clear as soon as a player has
reached a clearly won endgame, yet must finally content himself
with a draw because he lacks the necessary know-how. Does this
sound familiar? Then avoid such accidents and make endgames
your strength - by building up a solid endgame technique. With
this second volume of his endgame training series, grandmaster
and endgame expert Dr Karsten Müller from Hamburg continues
to lay the solid foundations for the last phase of the game.
After dealing with basic endgames from giving mate with the
queen to the basics of pawn endgames in part 1, part 2 is dedicated
exclusively to rook endgames: rook versus pawn, rook and pawn
versus rook, rook and rook pawn versus rook, rook and two connected
pawns versus rook. Those who have always found studying endgames
with chess textbooks too dry and tedious will enjoy this DVD
with its comfortable training system and benefit enormously
- in brilliant endgames at the actual board. Complete video
running time: 5 hours.
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Endgames 3 - Major Piece Endgames DVD-ROM £21.50 |
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By Karsten Müller. The third part of the endgame series
tackles queen endings, rook against minor pieces, queen against
rook and queen against two rooks. Queen endings are not nearly
as mysterious as they appear at first sight. Knowing a few rules
of thumb and principles will make things very much easier for
you. In the case of rook versus knight or bishop, you should
not only know how to draw a pawnless endgame, but also when
a fortress can be set up and when not. The case for queen against
rook is rather similar, except of course that when there are
no pawns the queen wins against the rook. In the duel against
two rooks, further aspects come into play such as the coordination
of the rooks. Those who have always found studying endgames
with chess textbooks too dry and tedious will enjoy this DVD
with its comfortable training system. System requirements:
Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows 98
SE, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Media Player 9.0, DVD
drive. Complete video running time: 7 hours.
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Endgames 4 - Strategic Endgames DVD-ROM £21.50 |
|
By Karsten Müller. In the fourth volume of the endgame
series a lot of themes with more material are included like
rook and minor piece vs rook (and minor piece), rook vs two
minor pieces, double rook endings, queen and knight vs queen
and bishop, the bishop pair and endgame principles. Typical
topics are: the so called Fischer endgame rook and bishop vs
rook and knight, which occurs quite frequently in practical
play and is very often favourable for rook and bishop; with
opposite coloured bishops the presence of one rook each greatly
increases the winning chances of the attacker compared to the
pure opposite coloured bishop endgame (see DVD 1); when are
queen and knight stronger than queen and bishop; which drawing
methods exist in the pawnless endgame rook and bishop vs rook,
which is quite often won over the board. Those who have always
found studying endgames with chess textbooks too dry and tedious
will enjoy this DVD with its comfortable training system and
benefit enormously - in brilliant endgames at the actual board.
Complete video running time: approx. 6 hours. System requirements:
Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows 98
SE, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Media Player
9.0 or later, DVD drive.
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|
 English
1 c4 e5 £18.99 |
|
By Mihail Marin. With the move 1 c4, you can avoid some of
the openings and lines to be feared after 1 d4. Following 1
c4 e5 – this move order is also called the Reversed Sicilian
– there arises an independent opening which still leaves
space for many transpositions. To deal with the vast amount
of material requires expert skill and great knowledge of the
variations, both qualities distinguishing the author, Grandmaster
Mihail Marin. The total number of 69,000 games on the CD shows
the gigantic field he managed to cover. His enormous work is
reflected in no less than 60 database texts and 330 games, exclusively
annotated for this CD-ROM. There are another 1,500 annotated
games plus a training database with 46 games.
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| Franco-Benoni £17.50 |
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Pioneered by Barcza, and later revived by Larsen, the Franco-Benoni
(1 e4 e6 2 d4 c5) is, as the name suggests, a cross between
the French and the Benoni. This resilient, spring-like pawn
structure is especially effective against unsuspecting 1 e4
players and can serve as a universal black defence against 1
e4, 1 d4 or 1 c4. Black has to be prepared to meet Benoni lines
after 3 d5 but most 1 e4 players hang back from d-pawn structures
and opt for Sicilian Paulsen or c3 systems. 13,000+ games (800
annotated, a discussion of basic ideas and patterns, openings
tree and 37 training positions. By Don Maddox, strong correspondence
player and former editor of Chess Life.
|
 The
French Defence £18.99 |
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DVD-ROM - The French Defence is a very powerful opening against
1 e4 players who plays aggressively. Against the French you
have to understand the underlying positional themes, if not
you will quickly get a difficult position. As all major openings
the French defence is full of concepts and variations. Many
books leave the students with lines and ideas that are easy
to mix up. In this DVD you will be presented a coherent strategic
opening repertoire against 1 e4 The main theme is to always
attack White's centre with the f- and c-pawns, and then with
the pieces until nothing is left of it. The recommended repertoire
is based on understanding rather than memorization. The pedagogic
idea is to give you an integrated understanding which will help
you to solve all kind of problems over the board. You will learn
which pawn formations in centre to strive for, to be able to
implement powerful manoeuvres and to recognise small strong
moves. You will also learn when it is time to switch to an attack
against the opponents king. The recommended lines are solid
and it will be able to play the lines many years without having
to bother too much about recent developments. This CD covers:
1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 c5 - 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nd2 Nf6 4 e5 Nfd7
- 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e5 Nfd7 - 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3
Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7 - 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 - 1 e4 e6 2 Nf3 d5 3
Nc3 - 1 e4 e6 2 d3 (King's Indian Attack) - 1 e4 e6 2 Qe2 -
1 e4 e6 2 Nf3 d5 3 b4 (Wing Gambit). Video running time:
6h 48min System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or
higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows XP,
Windows Media Player 9.0, DVD drive.
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| French with 3 Nc3 £17.50 |
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Knut Neven covers all variations after 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3.
The main database contains more than 44,000 games, of which
about 1,000 are annotated * 15 database texts * training positions
* variation tree suitable for Fritz Opening Book use.
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| French without 3 Nc3 £17.50 |
|
Another enjoyable work from Knut Neven, editor of Canada’s
national magazine En Passant, and features 73,000 games
in three separate databases. The principal variations looked
at are the Advance (3 e5), Tarrasch (3 Nd2) and Exchange (3
exd5); the scope is basically the same as that covered by ECO
codes C00 to C09. 37 training positions, plus an opening tree
incorporating 65,000+ games from the databases. Many games up
to year 2000.
|
 Fritz
Technique Trainer 2
£14.50
important: this is not a stand-alone product - check specification
information before buying
|
|
Winning won positions - this vital chess skill can be acquired
and improved with the CDs of the Fritz Technique Trainer
series. "The tasks on this CD deal exclusively with the
creative work of the 1st official world champion Wilhelm Steinitz.
He was the first to describe the fundamentals a promising attack
is based upon. Thus most exercises are about showing how a successful
attack is conducted" (Schlossner). Each exercise starts
with a won position from a Steinitz game which you are to play
against Fritz. It is rarely about finding a combination to solve
the problem. Usually the win can be achieved in different ways.
But there are always a few obstacles to be swept out of the
way and then you will experience the sweet smell of success.
Attention: this course is a supplementary program for
Fritz8 and can only be run if the chess program Fritz8, Shredder8,
Junior8, Hiarcs9 or Tiger15 is installed on the PC. Neither
Fritz8, ChessBase 9.0, Shredder8, Junior8, Hiarcs9 or Tiger15
is supplied with this training course.
|
 Fritz
Trainer: Middlegame Strategy and Tactics £17.50
important: this is not a stand-alone product - check specification
information before buying
|
|
This CD by Peter Wells addresses advanced players. It contains
an introduction and five lectures which deal with purely practical
subjects: the calculation of variations and how errors arise.
These are important themes where a grandmaster trainer is able
to draw on his rich and varied experience and provide chess
students with valuable tips. There are five more lectures on
positional chess. The CD contains a total of over three hours
of high-quality video lectures and training. The following
subjects are part of the CD: Introduction 5:34 min • Calculation
29:23 min • Commitment and Defence 17:02 min • Zwischenzug
16:56 min • Anatomy of Blunders I 19:49 min • Anatomy
of Blunders II 15:44 min • Positional Pawn Sacrifice I
8:35 min • Positional Pawn • Sacrifice II 20:08 min
• Bad Pieces I 20:25 min • Bad Pieces II 22:14 min
• Blockade 20:00 min • Note: you must have
one of the following programs – Fritz 8, Shredder 8, Hiarcs
9 or Junior 8 – running on your computer to use this disk,
plus the latest interface which can be obtained from playchess.com
|
 Fritz
Trainer Middlegame: Attacking Chess Vol. 1 £17.50
important: this is not a stand-alone product - check specification
information before buying
|
|
By Danish IM Jacob Aagaard. The author has chosen a very
beautiful example for his introduction, which illustrates important
factors required for a successful. This is followed on this
CD by 10 more files in Chess Media Format; these constitute
an entertaining and instructive introduction to the art of conducting
an attack. In total there are more than three hours of top class
video training on the CD. The CD is based on the new instructional
Fritz8-Chess Media System: all the lectures are presented in
their entirety with video pictures and synchronised chess graphics.
There is no better way to explain chess. This is how chess training
can be real fun! System requirements: PC 233, 64 MB RAM,
CD-ROM drive, sound card, mouse, Windows XP, 2000, Me, 98, Windows
Media Player 9. • Note: you must have one
of the following programs – Fritz 8, Shredder 8, Hiarcs
9 or Junior 8 – running on your computer to use this disk,
plus the latest interface which can be obtained from playchess.com
|
 Fritz
Trainer Middlegame: Attacking Chess Vol. 2 £17.50
important: this is not a stand-alone product - check specification
information before buying
|
|
By Danish IM Jacob Aagaard. For the second part of his work
on the attack in chess, Jacob Aagaard has selected some more
instructive examples, which he has analysed and presented on
camera. There are 12 files in Chess Media Format; these show
typical attacking methods. In total there are more than three
hours of top class video training on the CD. The Danish International
Master Jacob Aagaard, 30, has already published a whole array
of chess books, including the prize-winning “Excelling
at chess”. The CD is based on the new instructional Fritz8-Chess
Media System: all the lectures are presented in their entirety
with video pictures and synchronised chess graphics. There is
no better way to explain chess. This is how chess training can
be real fun! System requirements: PC 233, 64 MB RAM,
CD-ROM drive, sound card, mouse, Windows XP, 2000, Me, 98, Windows
Media Player 9. • Note: you must have one
of the following programs – Fritz 8, Shredder 8, Hiarcs
9 or Junior 8 – running on your computer to use this disk,
plus the latest interface which can be obtained from playchess.com.
|
 Fritz
Trainer Middlegame: Basic Positional Ideas (DVD-ROM) £17.50
important: this is not a stand-alone product - check specification
information before buying
|
|
Danish IM Jacob Aagaard presents six video lectures on the
most important principles of positional play in chess. Weak
squares, good and bad pieces, prophylaxis and pawn weaknesses
are concepts which should belong in the toolbox of every chess
player. The lectures are followed by 50 exercises. In total
there are more than four hours of high-class training on this
DVD. The DVD-ROM is based on the new instructional Fritz8-Chess
Media System: all the lectures are presented in their entirety
with video pictures and synchronised chess graphics. There is
no better way to explain chess. This is how chess training can
be real fun! System requirements: PC 233, 64 MB RAM,
DVD-ROM drive, sound card, mouse, Windows XP, 2000, Me,
98, Windows Media Player 9. • Note: you must
have one of the following programs – Fritz 8, Shredder
8, Hiarcs 9, Junior 8 or Tiger 15 – running on your computer
to use this disk, plus the latest interface which can be obtained
from playchess.com.
|
 Fritz
Endgame Trainer £17.50
important: this is not a stand-alone product - check specification
information before buying
|
|
The Fritz Endgame Trainer shows the fascination of
pawn endings in a practical way, making you ready for practice.
In more than 100 training positions, you can try to win or draw
endgames against Fritz (note - you must own Fritz6 or upwards
to use this disk). In view of its well-known endgame strength,
this is clearly a most difficult task. Experienced author and
chess trainer Martin Weteschnik has systematically split up
the training positions into six chapters with extensive explanations
and 'workshops', i.e. commented videos explaining the
proceedings on the screen. The range of tasks is immense, reaching
from elementary endgames to examples from the practice of the
world champions. If you have solved even the sophisticated tasks,
you can choose from the 50 studies from a second database to
play them against Fritz. The Fritz Endgame Trainer is suitable
for Fritz-friends who want to learn the basics of pawn endgames
through playing as well as for strong club players who want
to check their technical skills against Fritz and broaden their
horizon. System Requirements: you must have Fritz
6 or higher on your computer to use this disk.
|
Note: to use and enjoy the CDs & DVDs
on this page there is no need to own any other software unless
stated otherwise. They come with Chessbase reader software.
|
 Giuoco
Piano C50-54 £17.50 |
|
Whoever plays 1 e4 as White, has to ask himself what he intends
to do after 1…e5 2 Nf3 Nc6. If you do not feel up to
the heavy positional demands made on you by the Ruy Lopez,
you more or less have to turn to 3 Bc4 and after the strongest
reply, 3…Bc5, you are into the Giuoco Piano. This opening
set-up is reckoned to be one of the oldest known in the history
of chess and the author is right to comment: “This opening,
more than any other, reflects the very development of the
game of chess. This means that the Giuoco Piano is the best
suited for those making a start in opening theory.” The
author Reinhold Ripperger has put great emphasis on his training
database, so that the learner can check the knowledge he has
gained in an interactive fashion, struggling against the clock.
That is how chess training can be fun: • suitable for
club players • 11 texts and 240 annotated model games
• training database with more than 160 questions •
2 supplementary databases with more than 44,000 games •
includes the ChessBase Reader.
|
 Great
ABC of Tactics £18.99 |
|
As is usual with CDs by George Renko, his latest publication
provides a wealth of training exercises. Before that he even
explains the rules of chess. Then several thousand one movers
provide practice of even the simplest tactical patterns. And
for those who quickly master this stage, the CD offers many
further tactical exercises. Contains: Training material in 7
databases • Over 11,000 training exercises • ChessBase
9.0 Reader
|
 Grunfeld
£21.99 |
|
The Grünfeld is one of the most aggressive openings against
1 d4, and it’s no wonder that Garry Kasparov has included
it into his opening repertoire. Playing with White, one is well-advised
to accept the challenge since in the harmless variations it’s
usually already Black who dictates the course of action. In
the main lines, however, theoretical knowledge is of great importance.
Knut Neven has taken on the great task of arraning the huge
amount of data – all more than 67,000 games divided up
into three sections depending on Informator codes, and another
200 are annotated by the author. The learning database contains
600+ games and texts and is particularly well organised. Plus
the usual training positions and exercises.
|
 Fritz
Technique Trainer
£15.99 |
|
Winning won positions – who would not like to be able
to do that, but has often enough fallen down on the job? For
many people it is even the main problem when playing chess:
they often have such good positions and nothing comes out of
it. What then could be closer to their heart than training to
convert winning positions – naturally with Fritz! To bring
this about, Henrik Schloessner has sought out positions, which
can be won even against the cool program itself. It is rarely
about finding combinations to solve the problem. Usually the
win can be achieved in different ways. But there are always
a few obstacles to be swept out of the way, and then you will
always experience the sweet smell of success. 102 winnable game
positions • explanations as how to go about things •
appropriate examples of how to win • classified according
difficulty • with multimedia database “Brains in Bahrain”
System Requirements: you must have Fritz 7 or
higher on your computer to use this disk.
|
 How
to Play The Nimzo-Indian
£14.50
|
|
By Reinhold Ripperger. Study material for the Nimzo-Indian,
with 17 introductory texts and a 345-game annotated database.
Comes with a 35-game training database, and a 47,000 database
of unannotated games.
|
 How
to Play The Najdorf Vol. 1 by Garry Kasparov
£21.50
(DVD) |
|
The Najdorf system in the Sicilian Defence has a legendary
reputation as a defensive weapon for Black. It is an opening
where people often strive for a full point, instead of simply
defending the position with the black pieces. Many great players
have contributed to the development of this complex opening.
There were two world champions who formed much of their careers
using the Najdorf system as their weapon of choice against 1
e4: Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov celebrated spectacular
successes with it. Both players used the Najdorf (pronounced
“ny-dorff”, rhyming with “high-dwarf”) during
their child prodigy years and retained it as an important part
of their repertoire during their entire careers.
For Garry Kasparov this added up to experience
with the Najdorf at the very highest levels of chess. For chess
amateurs and professionals alike it is a great moment when the
world's leading expert shares all the secrets in his favourite
opening. In part one Garry Kasparov introduces the various sub-systems
of the Najdorf, including the central “Poisoned Pawn”
variation. The development of each line is placed in historical
perspective and examined in great depth, with Kasparov's characteristic
intensity. More than 2½ hours of first-class private
tuition.
The DVD can be played both on a PC and a DVD
player, using your living-room TV set (PAL). It contains subtitles
in English, German, Spanish, Italian and Turkish. The package
includes the latest ChessBase 9.0 Reader, a big reference database
featuring more than 16,000 Najdorf games, as well as a complete
opening book that can be used to practice what you have learnt
with Fritz. Introduction 12:37 • possible deviations 9:43
• 6.Bg5 Nbd7 18:35 • 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qf3 19:21 • Gothenburg
variation 19:59 • Poisoned pawn variation 9.Rb1 19:36 •
Poisoned pawn variation 13.e5 22:46 • Poisoned pawn variation
13.Be2 and 9.Nb3 27:49 • Poisoned pawn variation 8.Nb3
17:24 • Example (1:43). System requirements: PC (minimum
233 MHz and 32 MB RAM, recommended 1 GHz, 256 MB), DVD drive,
Windows98 SE, ME, 2000 or XP, Sound card, Windows Media Player
9 or higher (for the multimedia lessons). Alternately: standard
DVD player and TV set (PAL).
|
 How
to Play The Najdorf Vol. 2 by Garry Kasparov
£21.50
(DVD) |
|
The Najdorf system in the Sicilian Defence has a legendary
reputation as a defensive weapon for Black. It is an opening
where people often strive for a full point, instead of simply
defending the position with the black pieces. Many great players
have contributed to the development of this complex opening.
There were two world champions who formed much of their careers
using the Najdorf system as their weapon of choice against 1
e4: Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. Both players celebrated
spectacular successes with it, both used the Najdorf during
their child prodigy years and retained it as an important part
of their repertoire during their entire careers. For Garry Kasparov
this added up to experience with the Najdorf at the very highest
levels of chess. For chess amateurs and professionals alike
it is a great moment when the world's leading expert shares
all the secrets in his favourite opening. In part one Garry
Kasparov introduced the various subsystems of the Najdorf, including
the central Poisoned Pawn variation. Part two is devoted to
the main lines against 6 Bg5 e6 7 f4. This includes the legendary
Polugaevsky Variation. This DVD-ROM contains more than two
hours of first-class private tuition. The package includes
the latest Chess Base 9.0 Reader, a big reference database featuring
all relevant Najdorf games, as well as a complete opening book
that can be used to practice what you have learnt with Fritz.
System requirements: PC (minimum 233 MHz and 32 MB RAM, recommended
1 GHz, 256 MB), DVD drive, Windows98 SE, ME, 2000 or XP, Sound
card, Windows Media Player 9 or higher (for the multimedia lessons).
Note: this DVD is not playable on standard TV DVD players.
|
 How
to Play The Najdorf Vol. 3 by Garry Kasparov
£26.99
(DVD) |
|
The Najdorf variation in the Sicilian Defence has a legendary
reputation as a counter-attacking weapon for Black. It is an
opening where people often strive for a full point, instead
of simply defending the position with the black pieces. Many
great players have contributed to the development of this complex
opening. Two world champions used the Najdorf variation as their
weapon of choice against 1 e4: Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov.
Both players celebrated spectacular successes with it, retaining
it as an important part of their repertoire throughout their
entire careers. For chess amateurs and professionals alike it
is a great moment when the world's leading expert shares all
the secrets of his favourite opening. In part one Garry Kasparov
introduced the various subsystems of the Najdorf, including
the central 'Poisoned Pawn' variation. Part two was devoted
to the main lines against 6 Bg5 e6 7 f4, including the legendary
Polugaevsky Variation. In Part three he examines the move 6
Be3 which is today considered the main line of the Najdorf.
The DVD contains more than five hours of first-class private
video tuition. The package includes the latest ChessBase
9.0 Reader, a big reference database featuring all relevant
Najdorf games, as well as a complete opening book that can be
used to practice what you have learnt with Fritz. System requirements:
PC (minimum 233 MHz and 32 MB RAM, recommended 1 GHz, 256 MB),
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