4/13/2013 – For those who may be unfamiliar with the presenter, Alejandro Ramirez is an American Grandmaster. He has been a Benko Gambit exponent for many years and here proposes a repertoire for Black. "Overall, I really enjoyed this DVD – Ramirez presents clearly and his enthusiasm for the opening is inevitably transferred to the viewer," writes the reviewer in CHESS Magazine.
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The DVD is best viewed within ChessBase (I used the freely-downloadable ChessBase
Light), so that the board can be viewed together with the commentary.
Additionally, the key variations are provided in ChessBase format enabling
the user to easily review suggested lines. Ramirez begins with an introduction
on typical Benko structures and then presents a repertoire against all of White’s
major options. These are contained in video segments typically lasting less
than 15 minutes each, providing a convenient setup for the busy person to work
through. It should be noted that only the Benko Gambit itself is covered, and
early deviations, such as 2 Bg5 or 2/3 Nf3, are not included.
The video format is more suited to presenting ideas rather than masses of concrete
variations and Ramirez conveys the general plans of the positions very well.
This DVD would serve as a good introduction to those thinking of taking up the
Benko, to use as a framework to build their repertoire around. However, I feel
it is also of great interest to established Benko practitioners, as topical
lines, such as Carlsen’s 12 Qe2 in the Fianchetto Variation, are covered
with examples taken from recent play. In keeping with the title, responses leading
to active play are recommended, and I very much liked the choice of intuitively
logical lines. For example, the modern …Ba6-c8-f5-c8 manoeuvre against
10 Rb1 in the Fi-anchetto Variation is rejected in favour of the more natural
11...Qa5, and Ramirez provides enough analysis to convince.
Overall, I really enjoyed this DVD. Ramirez presents clearly and his enthusiasm
for the opening is inevitably transferred to the viewer. My one minor criticism
is that details for some sidelines discussed are not always given in the accompanying
game files, but this should not detract from the material presented. Highly
recommended for anyone interested in the Benko Gambit.
As a faithful ChessBase member I want to give you some personal feedback
on Alejandro Ramirez's new DVD. I hope you will pass along my comments
as well.
Over the years, I have purchased a lot of ChessBase products. I have
counted and come to 57 DVDs, and this is not including ChessBase Magazine,
to which I am a yearly subscriber. My collection includes many outstanding
DVDs from a number of authors, including Kasimdzhanov and Gustafsson,
to name just two of my favorites.
That
being said, my personal opinion is Alejandro's DVD is the best ChessBase
video to date. He does an absolutely amazing job which goes far beyond
explaining the basics of this opening. Alejandro has been able to capture
the essence of the different variations in a concise manner and with an
excellent choice of games, which perfectly compliment his thoughts. I
really enjoyed his honest assessments of different variations and willingness
to share his own opinions, which do not always coincide with what the
database may indicate is the strongest move according to theory. He backs
up his opinions with strong arguments which show his deep understanding
of the opening.
While in all fairness the Benko is an easier opening then many others
to present ideas transposing into the middlegame, Alejandro has done such
an amazing job of presenting the longer term ideas that I feel I have
actually learned how to better assess the middlegame in chess in general,
and not just in relation to this particular opening. The ability to convey
this type of deeper understanding to others is extremely rare and is why
I sincerely hope ChessBase will look for opportunities to collaborate
with this talented young grandmaster on future DVDs.
Warm regards,
Matt Renner
Sampler: Alejandro Ramirez – Attacking with the Benko Gambit
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This video course provides a comprehensive and practical White repertoire in the Ruy Lopez! Through instructive model games and in-depth theoretical explanations, you will learn how to confidently handle both main lines and sidelines.
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Attacking
with the Benko Gambit
