CHESSBOOK REVIEWS

Latest book reviews of 1 August 2022

Wilhelminalaan 33 

7261 BP RUURLO 

The Netherlands.
           John Elburg


 
                                                                                            
          Chess CD's

ChessBase Magazine issue 208
July/August 2022
ChessBase
 http://www.chessbase.com
E-Mail info@chessbase.com
ISSN 1432-8992
Euro 19.95
System requirements:
Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 12/Fritz 13 or included Reader and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better

The main file of this eye catching issue is good for 2056 entries where a small 52 of them are more than excellent analysed. A fine example of this all is: Moussard,Jules (2630) - Valsecchi,Alessio (2524) [B31]
EU-ch 22nd Terme Catez (6), 01.04.2022
[Moussard, Jules
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 By far the most challenging these days. Die mit Abstand grÃÃYte Herausforderung dieser Tage. 3...g6 One of the many options Black has. Eine der vielen Möglichkeiten, die Schwarz hat. 4.0-0 [4.Bxc6 Is also possible Ist auch möglich] 4...Bg7 5.c3 Nf6 6.Re1 0-0 7.h3 Clearly not the main line but I played it a few times with good success before.
The point is to play a useful move (avoiding some Bg4 for Black after d5) and delay our own push in the center with d4 so the black knight on f6 doesn't find a good and safe square on e4. Das ist natürlich nicht die Hauptvariante, aber ich habe sie schon ein paar Mal mit gutem Erfolg gespielt.
Es geht darum, einen nützlichen Zug zu spielen (um ...Lg4 für Schwarz nach ...d5 zu vermeiden) und unseren eigenen VorstoÃY im Zentrum mit d4 zu verzÃgern, damit der schwarze Springer auf f6 kein gutes und sicheres Feld auf e4 findet. [7.d4 d5 8.e5 Ne4 is the main line now. ist jetzt die Hauptvariante.] 7...e5 My opponent played  this move immediately. Mein Gegner hat diesen Zug sofort gespielt. [7...Qb6 8.a4 a6 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.e5 Nd5 11.a5 Qd8 12.d3 d6 13.Qa4 1-0 (68) Firouzja,A (2702)-Dubov,D (2699) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019 CBM 192 [Firouzja,A] 1-0 (68) Firouzja,A (2702)-Dubov,D (2699) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019 CBM 192 [Firouzja,A]] 8.d3 [8.Bxc6?! dxc6 9.Nxe5 is way too greedy. ist viel zu gierig. 9...Re8 10.d4 cxd4 11.cxd4 Nxe4! 12.Rxe4 Rxe5 13.Rxe5 Bxe5µ] 8...d6 9.Ba4 Just playing a Ruy Lopez type of position. Spielt einfach eine Art Spanisch-Stellung. 9...Bd7 10.Be3 a6 11.Bc2N Supporting the pawn on e4 to prepare a push in the center, maybe. Stützt den Bauern auf e4, um einen VorstoÃY im Zentrum vorzubereiten, vielleicht. 11...Rc8 12.a3 Or maybe on the queenside ... Very flexible structure. Oder vielleicht am Damenflügel ... Sehr flexible Struktur 12...Qc7 13.Nbd2 Nd8 14.Rc1 Preparing b4 or d4, as now my bishop on c2 is protected. Ich bereite b4 oder d4 vor, denn jetzt ist mein Läufer auf c2 geschützt. [14.b4 was possible already because it works tactically! war schon möglich, weil es taktisch funktioniert! 14...cxb4 15.axb4 Qxc3 16.Nc4 Trying to trap the queen Versucht, die Dame zu fangen. 16...Nxe4 17.Bb3 Qxb4 18.dxe4 Rxc4 19.Bxc4 Qxc4 20.Qxd6² But why would you calculate all of this when you can simply play Rc1 ! Aber warum sollte man das alles berechnen, wenn man einfach Tc1 spielen kann!] 14...Ne6 15.Bb3 Changed my mind here, I didn't want to simplify the position, trading too many pieces in the center Hier habe ich meine Meinung geändert, ich wollte die Stellung nicht vereinfachen und zu viele Figuren in der Mitte tauschen. [15.d4 cxd4 16.cxd4 exd4 17.Nxd4 d5 with a lot of trades to come. und es wird noch viel getauscht werden.] 15...b5 16.Ng5!? Trying to trade good pieces to exploit the hole on d5 Versucht, gute Figuren zu tauschen, um das Loch auf d5 auszunutzen. 16...Nh5? Too risky positionally. Positionell zu riskant. 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.c4 Nf4 19.Nf3 bxc4?! [19...Qb7 was probably a better try, holding on to the position. war wahrscheinlich ein besserer Versuch, um die Position zu halten.] 20.Bxc4 Qb7 21.b4! He missed this strong move. Diesen starken Zug hat er übersehen. 21...d5! [21...cxb4 22.Bxf4 exf4 23.Qb3± I'm going to recapture on b4 next move, with many weaknesses in his position Ich werde im nächsten Zug auf b4 zurückschlagen, mit vielen Schwächen in seiner Stellung] 22.exd5 exd5 23.Bxf4 dxc4?? [23...Rxf4 24.Ba2 cxb4 25.Rxc8+ Bxc8 26.Nxe5² was still a good fight for Black, even though practically I find it hard to play for Black with the weak king. war immer noch ein guter Kampf für Schwarz, auch wenn ich es praktisch schwer finde, mit dem schwachen König für Schwarz zu spielen.] 24.Bxe5 Making my task easy now. Das macht meine Aufgabe jetzt leicht. 24...Bxe5 [24...Bc6 25.Bxg7 Bxf3 26.gxf3 Qxg7 27.Rxc4 was the best try, but the position remains winning for White. war der beste Versuch, aber die Stellung bleibt für WeiÃY gewonnen.] 25.Nxe5 cxd3 26.Nxd3 Bc6 [26...cxb4 27.Nc5+-] 27.Nxc5 Qf7 28.Qb3 Bd5 29.Qg3 Rc6 30.Nd3 Rxc1 31.Rxc1 Ba8 32.Rc7 Qd5 33.Ne5 Qd6 34.Nd7 Forcing Black to get into a totally hopeless endgame. Zwingt Schwarz in ein vÃllig hoffnungsloses Endspiel.[34.Nd7 Qxg3 35.fxg3 Rf7 (35...Rd8 36.Nf6+ Kf8 37.Nxh7+ Kg8 38.Nf6+ Kf8 39.Kh2) 36.Rc8+ Kg7 37.Rxa8 Rxd7 38.Rxa6]  1-0.
On this DVD you simple click and enjoy as:European Individual Championship 2022: Analyses of the new Champion Matthias Blübaum as well as of Gabriel Sargissian, Ivan Saric, Ruslan Ponomariov, Aryan Tari, Ivan Cheparinov, Rasmus Svane, Yuriy Kuzubov, Maxime Lagarde and others - Absolute recommendation: Jan Markos' new video series "Practical Tips for the Tournament Player" with the first training unit on "Time Management"! - Are you looking for a fighting concept against the Trompowsky? In her opening article Petra Papp suggests 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 c5!? - "Special" on the FIDE World Championship 1997: exclusive collection of 22 games with detailed commentary + articles on strategy and endgame highlights - Or get directly into interactive training with Robert Ris and replay a current master game "Move by Move" with video feedback!
But there is more: New video series: "Practical tips for the tournament player"
Video files as:
Dorian Rogozenco: Gruenfeld Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.Bb5+
Ivan Sokolov: DG Ragozin Variation (Part I)
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Bb4 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 g5 8.Bg3 h5
Mihail Marin: Slav Defence
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Nb6 8.Ne5 a5
Openings : Grigoriants: English 1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 Bb7 4.Bd3 f5 5.exf5
Papp: Trompovsky 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 c5 Part I
Ris: Sicilian Sveshnikov 9.Nd5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c4 Nd4
Moskalenko: French Advance 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Nge7
Vogel: Italian 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Be7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Re1 d6 7.a4 Be6
Kapnisis: Ruy Lopez 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4  Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c4
Kuzmin: Queen’s Gambit Accepted 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 a6 6.0-0 c5 7.Re1
Miron: Schara-Hennig Gambit 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 cxd4
Braun: Catalan 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 0–0 6.0–0 dxc4 7.Na3
Szabo: Nimzoindian 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 0-0 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 d5 7.Bg5 c5
And Endgame highlights from the FIDE World Championship 1997" and  more!
Conclusion: Very important chess material!   

A Complete Black Repertoire against 1.d4
by  Robert Ris
http://www.chessbase.com
E-Mail info@chessbase.com
2022
 Price Euro 29.90
Windows 7 or higher
Minimum: Dual Core, 2 GB RAM, DirectX11, graphics card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 14/Fritz 16 or included Reader and internet access for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel i5 (Quadcore), 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX11, graphics card with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10-compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet access for program activation.
MacOSX  only available as download! Minimum: MacOS "Yosemite" 10.10 


Robert Ris (1988) is an International Master from The Netherlands who provides the user of this DVD with an complete repertoire for black based on Queen’s Gambit Accepted (1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4)
This opening dated back to Damiano in 1512.The modern concept of today is to play for a free development.
Besides covering all critical lines after 1.d4 & 2.c4, other systems such as the Trompovsky, London/Jobava System, Torre Attack, Colle System and Veresov are well covered as well.
For the interested user: contents
Introduction
QGA Main Line: 3.e4 e5
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 e5
4.Nf3 exd4 5.Bxc4 Nc6 6.Qb3 Bb4+
4.Nf3 exd4 5.Bxc4 Nc6 6.0-0 Be6 7.Bxe6 fxe6
4.Nf3 exd4 5.Bxc4 Nc6 6.0-0 Be6 7.Bb5 Bc5 Minor Options
4.Nf3 exd4 5.Bxc4 Nc6 6.0-0 Be6 7.Bb5 Bc5 8.b4 Minor Options
4.Nf3 exd4 5.Bxc4 Nc6 6.0-0 Be6 7.Bb5 Bc5 8.b4
Move 4 Alternatives
4.Nf3 exd4 Move 5 Alternatives
QGA 3rd Move Deviations
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4
3.Nf3 Nf6 Intro and Qxb7
3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bg4 5.Bxc4 e6 Main Ideas
3.e3 e5 Intro and Minor Options
3.e3 e5 4.Bxc4 Nc6 5.Nf3 e4
3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Intro and Minor Options
3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.e4 b5 6.e5 Nd5 7.a4 e6 Main Line
3.Qa4+ and 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qa4+ Ideas
Queen's Pawn Openings
1.d4 d5
Trompovsky: 2.Bg5 f6!?
Colle System: 2Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 c5
Torre Attack: 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5 Ne4
London System: 2.Bf4 c5 and 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5
Veresov and Jobava System: 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5/Bf4
Blackmar Diemer Gambit: 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 c5:
Included are extra exercises to test your opening skills.
Video running time is 7 hours (English)
It all comes with interactive training including video feedback
Extra: Model games database & Training with ChessBase apps - Memorize the opening repertoire and play key positions against Fritz on various levels
Conclusion: Impressive material!

A Complete Black Repertoire against 1.Nf3 & 1.c4
by  Robert Ris
http://www.chessbase.com
E-Mail info@chessbase.com
2022
 Price Euro 29.90
Windows 7 or higher
Minimum: Dual Core, 2 GB RAM, DirectX11, graphics card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 14/Fritz 16 or included Reader and internet access for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel i5 (Quadcore), 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX11, graphics card with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10-compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet access for program activation.
MacOSX  only available as download! Minimum: MacOS "Yosemite" 10.10 

Robert Riss offers you on this second DVD a clear repertoire for Black against 1.Nf3 and 1.c4. Where the recommended variations are easy to learn and not difficult to memorize.
Against 1.Nf3 the plan is to respond with 1…d5 as Black is ready to return to the Queen’s Gambit.
But first the index:
1.Nf3 d5
2.c4 d4 3.b4 c5 Sidelines
2.c4 d4 3.b4 c5 Main Line
2.c4 d4 3.e3 Nc6
2.c4 d4 3.g3 Nc6 4.Bg2 e5 without d3
2.c4 d4 3.d3 Nc6 4.Bg2 e5 5.g3
Ben-Oni Reversed: 2.e3 c5 3.c4 d4 4.exd4 cxd4 5.d3 Nc6 6.g3 e5
2.e3 c5 3.b3 Nf6 4.Bb2 g6 5.c4 dxc4 6.Bxc4 Bg7 - g6 setup
2.b3 c5 3.Bb2 f6
Reti: 2.g3 Nc6 Intro
Reti: 2.g3 Nc6 3.d4 Bf5 4.Bg2 Nb4 5.Na3 e6 Main Line
1.c4 e5
1.c4 e5
2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.d4 e4 Alternatives on move 5
2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.d4 e4 5.Ng5 Bb4
Grand Prix Attack with reversed colours: 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 f5 4.Bg2 Nf6 5.d3 Bb4
2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 f5 4.Bg2 Nf6 5.e3 e4
English Main Line - New Idea: 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 f5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.d4 e4
Outro and again smashing exercises.
Again a fine and instructive video running time of7 hours (English)
With interactive training including video feedback
Extra: Model games database & Training with ChessBase apps - Memorize the opening repertoire and play key positions against Fritz on various levels
Conclusion: Instructive!

Winning Chess Strategies Vol.1 and 2
by  Romain Edouard
http://www.chessbase.com
E-Mail info@chessbase.com
2022
 Price Euro 54.90
Windows 7 or higher
Minimum: Dual Core, 2 GB RAM, DirectX11, graphics card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 14/Fritz 16 or included Reader and internet access for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel i5 (Quadcore), 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX11, graphics card with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10-compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet access for program activation.
MacOSX  only available as download! Minimum: MacOS "Yosemite" 10.10 


Romain Édouard is a French chess grandmaster. Born in Poitiers, Édouard  who has been playing chess since the age of five.
Specially for ChessBase he has  made a wonderful chess strategy course based on important chess games and instructive exercises as we all know the secret of strong play lays in recognizing patterns.
 And as we know  there is no better way to learn this all as with the exercises of our friend Romain Édouard!
But first a small index: DVD1*
Introduction
Opposite coloured bishops
Description
Example 1: Kramnik vs Topalov, 2015
Example 2: Van Wely vs Topalov, 2005
Example 3: Topalov vs Vachier-Lagrave, 2014
Example 4: Carlsen vs Karjakin, 2013
The bishop pair
Example 1: Giri vs Caruana, 2013
Example 2: Mencinger vs Edouard, 2011
Example 3: Rotlewi vs Rubinstein, 1907
Example 4: Jimenez Ruano vs Kamsky, 2019
Exchange sacrifice
Example 1: Movsesian vs Kasparov, 2000
Example 2: Bekker-Jensen vs Edouard, 2016
Example 3: Nikolic vs Topalov, 2000
Example 4: Topalov vs Kamsky, 2006
Launch a furious attack
Example 1: Topalov vs Ponomariov, 2005
Example 2: Dominguez Perez vs Adhiban, 2016
Example 3: Gashimov vs Lalic, 2007
Example 4: Lupulescu vs Iturrizaga Bonelli, 2016
The right moment to sacrifice
Example 1: So vs Akobian, 2016
Example 2: Wang Hao vs Zeng Chongsheng, 2017
Example 3: Wei Yi vs Bruzon Batista, 2015
Example 4: Van Wely vs Acs, 2002
Example 5: Kasparov vs Topalov, 1999
DVD2*
Introduction and exercises!
Video running time: 9 hours (English)
With interactive training including video feedback
Extra: even more exercises!
Extra: Database with thematic games
Conclusion: A first step to mastership!