A comfortable way to reach comfortable positions

ChessBase Tutorials #01 and #02

By Dr. Leonard F. Koziol

I have been a ChessBase customer, living in the USA. I am also a very busy professional who teaches, who sees patients clinically, who researches, and publishes manuscripts and books academically. I love chess, but my career imposes upon my chess study time. I understand a good chess player cannot "dabble" in chess - the games requires full time study to acquire expertise at my age.

Many of your ChessBase products have been very useful to me in my limited participation in the game. However, I purchased Chess Opening Tutorials, volumes 1 and 2, and I am very impressed. For the "average" club player, these DVD's provide an excellent overview for any club player who is a career oriented person who does not have the time to study opening variations. If you know the basics, these first two volumes provide excellent reviews of the major themes, ideas, and variations - this is excellent, though brief, review material - essential for the person who hopes to improve but who simply cannot afford to spend time on attempting to acquire an in-depth knowledge of subtle theoretical variations.

There is enough material in these volumes so that if you understand opening theory, you can refresh ideas and attempt to steer clear of variations that are very complicated, allowing you to obtain a "comfortable" position. After reviewing these relatively short DVDs, you should have enough knowledge to find your way when playing openings that are not your favorites or "cup of tea." In addition, these DVDs refer you to relevant games, data bases, and other ChessBase DVDs to enhance and develop your knowledge. These materials offer substantial information - I own many of these discs - each and every one is a well done "book" on a CD disc.

From the booklet of ChessBase Tutorials #01

In short, these first two volumes provide an excellent review of the major openings - I have every intention of purchasing the next 3 DVD installments and I expect a similar reaction. The presenters are superb - clear in their thinking and presentation, very logical in presenting ideas, telling you how to avoid unfavorable positions - granted, not presenting a full examination of every opening theory, but giving you enough information to survive by making good decisions in over-the-board play. I must compliment ChessBase for this excellent series which addresses the needs of the chessplayer I have described.

This endorsement should not be taken as a "shortcut" to avoid study through books and the purchase of other ChessBase material which are essentially books and exercises on DVD. These materials are also essential. However, the point here is that the ChessBase team has discovered a methodology of presenting material to help players significantly improve their game - from opening, to middlegame, to tactics, to endgame - I might add, I have nothing but accolades to add to the Mueller Endgame series. Absolutely superb.

I only wish I could retire to have the time to study and apply this information to improve to the fullest. Time for a professional person who dabbles in chess is a major issue - but, I fully believe that the material offered through ChessBase, combined with study and both computer and across-the-board chess-play, can easily lead to very satisfying levels of improvement for any chessplayer.

ChessBase has no rival - in teaching and instruction, in application over the board, and in practical results.

My compliments to the ChessBase team and their efforts.