Ivan Sokolov's ChessBase Training Courses on offer

Ivan Sokolov is a Dutch Grandmaster, acclaimed author and former world top player. He won the Yugoslav Championship in 1988 and the Dutch Championship in 1995 and 1998, reached number 12 in the world and defeated five world champions in classical chess: Garry Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand, Veselin Topalov and a young Magnus Carlsen.

His second career as a coach is just as remarkable. Sokolov has worked with the national teams of the UAE, Iran and Romania, coached Alireza Firouzja and Parham Maghsoodloo before they became international stars, and led Uzbekistan’s young team to Olympic gold in Chennai in 2022. His courses combine the experience of a world class player with the clarity of a coach who knows how to explain difficult middlegame concepts to a broad chess audience.

For a limited time, selected Ivan Sokolov courses are available at a special price.

Understanding Middlegame Strategy Vol 12: Reversed Colour Systems – King’s Indian/Pirc Defence

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.
The King’s Indian Defence is one of the most dynamic openings in chess - and Pirc structures share much of the same DNA. With colours reversed (the King’s Indian Attack), these setups can be just as powerful. What may look modest at first often transforms into highly complex middlegames, where timing, precision, and a deep feel for dynamics make all the difference.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Misplaced Pieces

Understanding Middlegame Strategy Vol 13: Reversed Colour Systems – Grünfeld & Dutch

In this video course, Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov explores the fascinating world of Dutch and Grünfelkd structures with colours reversed.
In this video course, Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov explores one of the most intriguing and under-examined areas of modern chess: reversed opening systems, focusing on the Reversed Grünfeld and the Reversed Dutch. At first glance, these two systems seem unrelated. However, they share a common strategic challenge: the value of tempi, structure, and psychology when familiar openings are played with colours reversed. Drawing on his long professional experience, Sokolov explains why these positions are far more subtle than they appear and why traditional engine evaluations often fail to capture their true complexity.
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: Larsen’s b4 Plan vs Reversed Stonewall Setups: Larsen - Spassky

Understanding Middlegame Strategy Vol.14 Reversed Colour Systems – Benoni, Blumenfeld and Benko Gambit

You will learn how Black's dynamic piece activity and structural counterplay more than compensate for White's extra tempo in the colour-reversed setups.
The Benoni family of openings has toppled world champions, decided match games under the highest pressure, and rewarded those brave enough to play them with some of the most electrifying chess imaginable. In this Fritztrainer, Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov -  continuing his successful series "Understanding Middlegame Structures" - takes you deep inside the complexities of the Colour-Reversed Benoni, the Colour-Reversed Benko Gambit, and the Colour-Reversed Blumenfeld Gambit.
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: Colour Reversed Banoni - Game 1

Understanding Middlegame Strategies Vol.1 - 11

Master your middlegame with the complete strategy series – now available as a bundle at a reduced price. Take your chance to save and improve!
Master your middlegame with the complete strategy series – now available as a bundle at a reduced price. Take your chance to save and improve!