Gustafsson's Marshall Gambit: review in the British Chess Magazine

A Complete repertoire against 1.e4
Volume 1: The Marshall Attack- Gustafsson- Chessbase DVD

Review in the British Chess Magazine by Adam Hunt

This is the first in a series of two DVD’s designed to complement each other as a repertoire against 1.e4.

Gustaffson’s English is excellent and he maintains the viewer’s interest by throwing in the occasional joke through the course of the DVD. He advocates main lines which are being played at the very top level, and as a result of this theoretical debate, opinion as to the best way to play the Marshall is changing fast. I like the way he suggests his own novelties and improvements, which have obviously been studied at home to a great depth! (In one particular line, he shows a checkmating attack vs GM Naiditsch which he had in his preparation at home prior to the game).

Similarly the Anti-Marshall variations are covered to a high standard, and to a club player this is important as in my experience allowing the gambit is a fairly rare beast in weekend tournaments these days (Being a Spanish player with White myself I am loathe to allow it).

Some will be put off by the number of sharp variations that it seems you are required to learn, but Gustaffson also explains the strategic points of the opening well, and how a general understanding of the structures and plans will give you a playable game. All in all a highly recommended DVD – I am looking forward to Volume 2!

British Chess Magazine

The BCM is the world's oldest chess magazine, having been published continuously since 1881. It appears twelve times per year, and each issue includes reports on recent tournaments, opening articles, interviews, instructional articles, etc., as well as regular features on chess problems and endgame studies. The magazine caters for players of all strengths. Price: £5.00 (including postage) for three issues, £45.00 for a one-year subscription, £85.00 for two years, £125.00 for three. You can subscribe here.

Order Gustafsson's Repertoire DVDs in the ChessBase Shop:

The price is €32.90 incl. VAT, €27.65 ($38.21) without VAT for customers outside the EU. Both volumes together cost €59.90 (€50.34 or $69.56 without VAT for Customers outside the EU) instead of €65.80 when ordered separately. Clicking any product above will take you to the shop where it can be ordered.

Sample videos

• Sample vidoe on the Marshall
• Sample video on the Antimarshall

Previous reviews

Gustafsson's Black repertoire against 1.e4: The Open Games 19.03.2011 – A couple of weeks Dennis Monokroussos raved about the first volume in the series, in which German GM Jan Gustafsson presented a very detailed Marshall Gambit repertoire. It was the best DVD on chess openings he had ever seen. "Vol. 2 doesn't quite live up to that ridiculously high standard, but it's excellent as well and certainly worthwhile for 1.e4 e5 players," Dennis writes. Here is his review.

GM Jan Gustafsson: The Marshall Attack 08.01.2011 – "German GM Jan Gustafsson is one of the top experts on the Marshall. He is a very strong player with a reputation as a theoretician and analyst. Aside from this, it emerges on the DVD that he has a tremendous sense of humor, enabling him to make a rather entertaining presentation from the countless long lines in the Marshall Attack." Chess Cafe review by Carsten Hansen.

GM Jan Gustafsson: The Marshall Attack 29.10.2010 – "I gave it full marks, five out of five," writes reviewer GM Hedinn Steingrimsson about his colleague's new DVD. Jan Gustafsson is a leading expert on the Marshall Attack, especially in the attacking lines where Black plays uncompromisingly for a win. "This might very well be the best opening DVD that ChessBase has produced," says Steingrimsson. Review with video samples.