11/13/2023 – Ivan Sokolov's long awaited "Understanding Middlegame Strategies" continues! The dutch Grandmaster and star coach released three new volumes on the French Winawer, Catalan Structures, and the French Tarrasch Variation.
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Many young top-players are opting for the trendy “Dynamic Catalan” where, against the triangle or semi-slav structures, White can sacrifice a pawn to gain immediate initiative. This sacrifice can lead to long term positional advantage, but often White can unleash dangerous threats upon the black king with a central pawn break.
Many games will become attacking adventures for White, with various opportunities to sacrifice material and create stunning threats. The “Dynamic Catalan” can be your choice of opening - if you are willing to take the game into your own hands from the very beginning; and with this video course, you will add a sharp weapon to your repertoire.
The author GM Ivan Sokolov has been on the white side of the “Dynamic Catalan” in many top-level games, against players such as Caruana and Vallejo Pons, and “felt comfortable playing it: space, initiative, safe king.”
Video running time: 4 hours 48 minutes
With interactive training including video eefdback
Extra: Training with ChessBase apps - Pyla “Dynamic Ctalan” positions againts Fritz on various levels
Ivan Sokolov: Understanding Middlegame Strategies Vol. 7 - Dynamic Catalan
New: Understanding Middlegame Strategies Vol. 8 - French – Winawer
The French is a complex opening and can lead to a wide variety of middlegames. The Winawer after 3...Bb4 is Black’s most proactive option, immediately weakening White’s pawn structure by doubling their c-pawns.
While Black gets to play against the weak square d4, White often gets attacking chances on the kingside and a space advantage. Structurally, this line can lead to closed positions after ...c4, or open and dynamic play by white’s structural exchange dxc5.
“My game selection is aimed at explaining the most important plans of these strategically complex positions.” (Author GM Ivan Sokolov)
Video running time: 3 hours 55 minutes
With interactive training including video feedback
Extra: Training with ChessBase apps - Play “French: Winawer” positions again
Ivan Sokolov: Understanding Middlegame Strategies Vol. 8 - French Winawar
New: Understanding Middlegame Strategies Vol. 9 - French – Tarrasch
In the Tarrasch variation, White seems to be doing great, but initial evaluations can be deceptive and Black certainly has trumps, creating complicated and fascinating positions.
“The French´s household-name proponent is the legendary Victor Kortschnoj - arguably the best player to have never become world champion - so naturally, I have included a number of his games.”
He played these positions in two of his World Championship matches in 1978 & 1981 against Anatoly Karpov - who many consider to be the most precise player against isolated pawns - not losing a single game.
French middlegames are very rich and tricky to master, but with this video course you will gain a better positional understanding and learn precise strategic planning.
Video running time: 3 hours 50 minutes
With interactive training including video feedback
Extra: Training with ChessBase apps - Play “French: Tarrasch” positions against Fritz on various levels
Ivan Sokolov: Understanding Middlegame Strategies Vol. 9 - French Tarrasch
Whether you‘re a beginner looking for a clear roadmap or an advanced player ready to refine your strategic edge, this comprehensive course will transform the way you think about chess.
Biel Chess Festival 2025 with analyses by Aravindh, Navara, Wojtaszek et al. Opening videos by Blohberger, Engel and Sokolov. Training columns ‘The fortress’, ‘Opening traps , ‘Fundamental Endgame Knowledge’ and much more
If you are looking for a practical, easy-to-learn system to sidestep the main lines and catch your opponent off guard, the Two Knights Variation is your perfect weapon against the French!
In this 60-minute course, IM Andrew Martin introduces you to a flexible and refreshingly simple opening setup - that Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has used to rack up numerous impressive wins.
ChessBase is re-releasing this timeless classic in the modern ChessBase Media format - complete with brand-new training features. Get ready to rediscover a masterpiece of chess instruction!
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