The Super Hi-Octane Version of the King's Indian Attack
GM Nigel Davies has been a fan of the “underdog.” Now since
he is a GM and he plays these systems they shouldn’t really be considered as
underdogs but let’s just say they aren’t that popular among most GMs.
But the fact is, Davies plays the systems he talks about and writes
about. Consider that a novelty.
Davies has written books on the Réti, the Veresov, the Catalan, and other QP
systems. He has used 1… d6 as a universal system with his thoughts on the Pirc.
He’s done similar things with DVDs. I want to write about the King’s Indian
Attack. This however is not just club play but at a more advanced level.
As I thought about my angst some issues ago in The Chess Reports as Black
against the King’s Indian Attack this seemed like an appropriate time to check back
into that hospital.
Davies gives several of his own games including the final one which shows
you how to handle bizarre stuff which Black might toss toward you—e.g., …b5.
He starts out with the classic Fischer-Myagmarsuren, 1967 Sousse.
Click here for replay a sample
from Fischer-Myagmarsuren.
I don’t
know how classic some of the other encounters are but featured White players
include the likes of the redoubtable Morozevich (naturally); Psakhis; Dolmatov;
L. Evans, and others including the amazing Leonid Stein (who obliterates Lajos
Portisch as if he were playing against a tyke).
It’s a good idea to play these games in the order presented as he refers to
earlier games.
There is quite a bit of coverage against the Sicilian in
the form of 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3. Davies also offers coverage against the
Caro-Kann, and the French and makes many noteworthy observations.
There are at least 23 or more games (others in the notes). The most recent I
saw was Davies-S. Collins, 2005-6.
There is a lot of material, making this DVD worthy of study several times
although it is 4 hours in length.
The ONLY issue I have with some of Davies’ lectures is when he diverges from
the MAIN agenda item and interjects his comments with a lot of “ahs.” I
shouldn’t let it get to me, but it does. He is well prepared, I think, except
when he is doing a little ad libbing. Otherwise, superb!
Another great DVD from ChessBase.
More viddeo training with GM Nigel Davies:
