Alexei Shirov: Beating the Berlin

by ChessBase

I like it! | 0 Comments

3/10/2012 – The Berlin Defence – characterised by the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 – was used by Vladimir Kramnik as a drawing weapon against Garry Kasparov in their 2000 World Championship match. In recent years the Berlin has gained popularity. Now one of it's consummate experts, Latvian GM Alexei Shirov, has produced a training DVD that shows us how to crack this dreary defence.

ChessBase 18 - Mega package

Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.

More...

Still no ChessBase Account? learn more > 8 million games online! Updated weekly, our definitive database has all the latest games. With Live Book and Let’s Check!
Still no ChessBase Account? learn more > My Games – Access your games from everywhere. Store your games, training material and opening repertoire in the cloud. Annotate, analyze and share.
Still no ChessBase Account? learn more > Sac, sac, mate! Solve tactical positions of your playing strength. Boost your calculation skills. Enjoy adrenalin rush with tactic fights!
Still no ChessBase Account? learn more > Thousands of hours of high class video training. Openings, Middlegame, Endgame Lessons. Top authors like Daniel King, Lawrence Trent and Rustam Kasimdzhanov
Still no ChessBase Account? learn more > Real Fun against a Chess Program! Play, analyze and train online against Fritz. Beginner, club and master levels. Assisted play and calculation training.
Still no ChessBase Account? learn more > Learn openings the right way! Build and maintain your repertoire. Memorize it easily move by move by playing against the variation trainer.
Still no ChessBase Account? learn more > The ultimate chess experience every day, PlayChess.com welcomes 20,000 chess players from all around the world – from beginner to grandmaster.

Alexei Shirov: Beating the Berlin Defence

Ever since the Kasparov-Kramnik WCh match (London 2000) players with the white pieces have been breaking their teeth biting on the Berlin Wall in the Ruy Lopez. There may also have been some successes for White of course, but time and again Black has convincingly demonstrated how to equalise or even how to construct an impregnable fortress.

The situation from White’s point of view has become precarious – ducking it is equivalent to capitulation, because in all alternative variations to the Berlin endgame White gives up from the start on the struggle for an opening advantage.

So what can he do? There is no other way, White has to find ways to crack open Black’s defence. With this background in mind, this new DVD by Alexei Shirov comes at just the right time. There is hardly any other grandmaster of his class who is as well known for his uncompromising and creative play as the Latvian.

In over 3 hours of video Shirov will provide you with a multitude of strategic finesses, innovative ideas and specific suggestions. Video running time: 3 hours 49 min.

Price: €29.90 – €25.13 without VAT (for customers outside the EU), $32.98 (without VAT)
Order Shirov's Beating the Berlin Defence here

Video Sampler

About the author

Alexei Shirov was born in Riga – just like legendary world champion Mihail Tal – and his playing style, too, reminds many chess fans of the young Tal.

In the beginning of the 90s a comet-like rise brought the young Latvian to the world top within the shortest period of time. At the age of 22 he already had an Elo rating of nearly 2750 and belonged to the absolute 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.

You can find a lot more Alexei Shirov training DVDs here in the ChessBase Shop