3/28/2024 – What to do against 1.e4? Many players choose to open with the Sicilian to play for a win with Black and get interesting positions, but they are afraid of the long forced variations in the Najdorf, the Dragon or the Sveshnikov. The Kalashnikov Variation (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6!?) is an interesting alternative. The positions offer a wealth of tactical and strategic possibilities, but the theory is straightforward. In a new course, French GM Fabien Libiszewski shows how to score in the Kalashnikov Variation.
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The Italian Four Knights is the ideal choice. It combines the solid foundation of classical openings like the Ruy Lopez or the Italian Game with an active, initiative-driven style of play.
€24.90
Master the Sicilian Kalashnikov
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Sicilian Kalashnikov! We will unravel the secrets of the explosive opening arising from 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5.
Black willingly makes long-term strategic concessions, but in return forces White to lose valuable development time. This versatile opening will appeal to lovers of dynamic play while providing a solid strategic foundation. You will learn the key ideas and crucial strategic plans so that you feel more comfortable navigating the sharp variations.
Dive into the fascinating world of the Sicilian Kalashnikov variation! We will uncover the secrets of this explosive opening from the very first moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5.
Introduced in 1834 by one of the greatest players of his time, Charles de La Bourdonnais, this opening has stood the test of time and continues to be used by top players at the highest level. Modern heroes of this opening include Teimour Radjabov, Alexei Shirov and, more recently, Parham Maghsoodloo and Hikaru Nakamura, who used the Kalasnikov in the decisive last round of the Grand Swiss 2023, qualifying for the Candidates Tournament in the process!
Expand your repertoire with innovative variations to surprise your opponents. Explore the modern perspective of this opening with French GM Fabien Libiszewski, an expert on the Kalashnikov for almost two decades.
Running time: 5 hours 7 minutes
Interactive video training with feedback
Database with over 300 model games
Extra: Training with ChessBase Apps - Practise the opening repertoire
Sample video
Language: English
Level: Advanced, tournament player, professional
System: Windows 10 or newer, Mac OS X (download only)
Streaming: For iPad & Tablet
Delivery:Download, Post - Free delivery within Germany from 50 EUR purchase value
YOUR PERSONAL CHESS COACH - Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of club chess, or already playing at a tournament level: with FRITZ, you can train more efficiently, intelligently and with a more personalised approach than ever before.
How grandmasters win without fireworks: GM Jan Markos shows you 11 very practical tips from "How to play in a lost position" to "Be patient like Carlsen" that will improve your tournament chess.
The Nimzo-Indian has stood the test of time for over a century: Still a top choice for elite players today, from Magnus Carlsen to Praggnanandhaa, it remains one of Black's most reliable ways to fight for real chances against 1.d4 2.c4 3.Nc3.
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4!? is an opening idea well worth considering. Black immediately threatens to double the pawns on c3 in the style of the Trompowski or Sicilian Grand Prix attack.
Italian Game Powerbase 2026 is a database and contains 8571 top class games from Mega 2026 and the Correspondence Database 2026, of which 479 are annotated.
Videos: Nico Zwirs discusses the Sicilian with 2…e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Qe3 Nf6 6.Nc3. Mihail Marin examines Sindarov’s 6.Ne5 in the Queen’s Pawn Defence. Plus the ‘Lucky bag’ featuring 41 analyses by Berg, Ftacnik, Gupta and many others.
€14.90
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