ChessBase already offers a number of courses on these two important topics: calculation and positional play (strategy). Examples that come to mind are Robert Ris’s "Calculation Training" series and Ivan Sokolov’s "Understanding Middlegame Strategies" series, both of which I have discussed in previous reviews.
I was therefore very curious to see what Kostya Kavutskiy’s two courses had to offer, and would now like to present them together.
Free video samples:
This course offers a structured and practical introduction to the core elements of positional chess.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Strategic Classic: Bondarevsky - Smyslov
Communication
Born in Ukraine and raised in the United States, Kostya Kavutskiy speaks perfect English. He speaks very clearly and with careful articulation, making him easy to understand even for non-native English speakers. His facial expressions and body language also make for a very pleasant presentation.
Structure of the courses
It is immediately apparent that Kavutskiy has planned the courses with great care. The structure of the topics and exercises is very coherent. You can tell that he is an experienced trainer who guides the viewer through the material in a focused and systematic way.
The course "Mastering Calculation" focuses on calculation and decision-making. Important and well-known techniques such as candidate moves, pattern recognition and visualization each have their own chapters. But Kavutskiy also covers less familiar concepts such as "mental flexibility" and "reciprocal thinking". Here is an example of reciprocal thinking:
In this position, White would like to capture the black rook on f4 and win material. Unfortunately, Black could respond with 1...Qxd1 2.Nxd1 Ne2+, winning back the material under favourable circumstances. Instead of abandoning the idea altogether, however, White can try to improve the initial situation and make the capture of the rook possible.
White might notice that Black’s combination would not work if the white bishop were no longer on b1, since the rook on a1 would then protect its counterpart on d1. This leads to the candidate move 1.Bxh7+. After, for example, 1...Kxh7, White can play 2.Qxf4, as 2...Qxd1+ no longer works because of Rxd1, while the knight on c3 continues to cover e2!
The second course, "The Fundamentals of Positional Play", deals with positional play and strategy. The first chapter is devoted to classic master games, explained in detail, in which strategic themes proved decisive. The most extensive chapter covers the technical foundations, which Kavutskiy calls "Positional Operations". By this he means short sequences of moves involving positional manoeuvres designed to improve one’s position. Here is an example:
In this typical Stonewall position from the Dutch Defence, White has a positional advantage: the e5-square is weak and can no longer be supported by a black pawn. By contrast, White can still control the e4-square. With the following positional manoeuvre, White can consolidate this advantage:
A few moves later, the following position has arisen:
The white knights occupy and control the e5-outpost, while Black cannot establish permanent control over e4. White’s small positional advantage has become considerably more pronounced.
Another chapter examines the connection between strategy and tactics. This is particularly important because positional advantages often lead to positions that can only be exploited by tactical means. Kavutskiy sums it up as follows: strategy is the planning – tactics is the execution.
Technique
After the introductory videos, Kavutskiy provides both video exercises and small databases of additional exercises without videos, which he calls "Assessments". These exercises are linked online via ChessBase Books pages, but the positions can also be opened in Training Mode in ChessBase or Fritz:
One minor criticism: the video exercises do not use the interactive FritzTrainer format, which means that you have to pause the videos if you want to work out the solutions yourself.
Throughout the videos, Kavutskiy explains the respective topics in considerable detail and in a very accessible way. This applies both to the introductory videos and to those featuring exercises.
Level
The courses are suitable for amateurs and club players of varying strengths. As Kavutskiy explains in the introduction, it does not matter if you are unable to solve all the exercises on your own: this does not diminish the learning effect. This makes the courses more accessible to beginners and improving players than, for example, the aforementioned courses by Ris (although Robert Ris also offers courses specifically aimed at beginners) and Sokolov, some of which require a fairly high level of playing strength.
Conclusion
With these two courses, Kostya Kavutskiy has made an excellent ChessBase debut. Both are very well designed in terms of content and teaching method, highly entertaining, and Kavutskiy’s experience as a trainer is evident throughout. I can wholeheartedly recommend them, particularly to beginners and improving players, although stronger players will certainly benefit from them as well.
International Master Kostya Kavutskiy was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, but grew up in Los Angeles, California, and is now a renowned FIDE trainer and chess author. With a peak rating of over 2400 and more than ten years of coaching experience, he has a particular talent for breaking down chess concepts and explaining them in a clear and accessible way.
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