4/24/2017 – The Berlin Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6) is a very solid line for Black - so solid that players dubbed it "The Berlin Wall". But Alexei Shirov has some ideas "how to crack the Berlin Wall". Hedinn Steingrimsson liked these ideas - and so did Hou Yifan who used Shirov's recommendations to beat Fabiano Caruana in round 1 of the Grenke Classic.
new: Fritz 20
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally. FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
€49.90
A review by Hedinn Steingrimsson
The Berlin Wall is nowadays the most popular opening after 1.e4 at the highest level. White has been searching for ways to counter it for quite a number of years now. Being a principled player Alexei Shirov has tried many different lines against the Berlin, among others the endgame with 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8 Kxd8 against the writer of these lines in a German Bundesliga game which ended with a draw after some adventures.
In this video, Shirov show his latest interpretation of White’s chances, namely the super solid and popular 5.Re1. After 5…Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 we have the tabia that is discussed. Nine games are analysed in great detail, thereof five that Shirov played himself against top opponents such as Caruana and Kramnik. This variation was Carlsen’s choice in both Berlin games in the World Championship match against Sergey Karjakin in New York last December.
It is very instructive to hear Shirov explain the typical plans that White has in the arising structures. White is aiming for a small plus without much risk, trying to play for two results. In the most solid lines, where black simplifies with 7…Nxe5 8.Rxe5 0-0, which was Karjakin’s choice, White in some lines ends up with a slight advantage in an endgame with a bishop against a knight, which Black objectively should hold, but White can press for a long time see e.g. MVL – Giri 2014.
White’s chances are not the least present in the lines where Black is ambitious and tries to play for all three results, keeping all pieces on the board with 7…Nf5 8.Nf3 d5 9.d4 0-0 10.c3 as Shirov himself demonstrated in his win against Kramnik and was most recently demonstrated by Hou Yifan against Caruana at Grenke Chess Classic.
In these remarkably similar games, Black’s weakened kingside with pawns on …f6 and …g6 was hard to handle after the game opened up in the center with the c4 or for black …c5 break.
This video is suitable for players of all strength, also the world’s best, who want to see how white can play very solidly against the Berlin. The white setup, while being simple and easy to understand, looks innocent - a symmetrical pawn structure that reminds one of the exchange French, but due to a slight disharmony of Black’s pieces, looks can be deceptive. Shirov shows how White can get a position that is easier to play with White and where white retains practical chances.
The video also serves well as a master class lecture on the art of nurturing small advantages, specially involving the bishop pair.
Suitable for advanced club and tournament players.
Video running time: 4 h 30 min (English)
With interactive training including videofeedback
EXTRA: Database with 50 model games
Including ChessBase Reader
Price: €29.90; €25.13 without VAT (for customers outside the EU); $27.14 (without VAT)
15-minute introduction to Alexei Shirov's new DVD on cracking the Berlin Wall
Alexei Shirov
Alexei Shirov was born in Riga, just like world champion Mihail Tal, and also his playing style reminds many chess fans of the young Tal. In the beginning of the 1990s a comet-like rise brought the young Latvian to the world top within the shortest time. At the age of 22 he already had reached an Elo rating of nearly 2750 and belonged to the absolute world elite. Since then Shirov has been one of the best players in the world, delighting all chess fans with original and amazing ideas on the board.
Hedinn SteingrimssonGrandmaster Hedinn Steingrimsson was born 1975 in Iceland. In 1986 he became World Champion U12. 1990, at the age of 15, he won his first Icelandic Championship. Steingrimsson has also made interesting contributions to the field of chess training theory and is interested in how chess training can be improved theoretically and practically.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
Opening videos: Sipke Ernst brings the Ulvestad Variation up to date + Part II of ‘Mikhalchishin's Miniatures’. Special: Jan Werle shows highlights from the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 in the video. ‘Lucky bag’ with 40 analyses by Ganguly, Illingworth et al.
In this video course, Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov explores the fascinating world of King’s Indian and Pirc structures with colours reversed, often arising from the French or Sicilian.
EXPAND YOUR CHESS HORIZONS
It doesn't get any better than this: the premium equipment perfect for tournament players and professionals: with ChessBase program '26, Mega Database, CORR-Database and much more.
€499.90
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.
Pop-up for detailed settings
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies, analysis cookies and marketing cookies. You can decide which cookies to use by selecting the appropriate options below. Please note that your selection may affect the functionality of the service. Further information can be found in our privacy policy.
Technically required cookies
Technically required cookies: so that you can navigate and use the basic functions and store preferences.
Analysis Cookies
To help us determine how visitors interact with our website to improve the user experience.
Marketing-Cookies
To help us offer and evaluate relevant content and interesting and appropriate advertisement.
