Robert Ris' Fast and Furious: King's Indian Bluebaum-Sindarov

by Robert Ris
1/26/2026 – In my next Fast & Furious show I am having a closer look at the spectacular 27-move victory of Javokhir Sindarov with the Black pieces against Matthias Bluebaum. Against the Krasenkow Variation of the King's Indian (6.h3) the young Uzbek quickly left well-known territory just to avoid a theoretical battle. An excellent practical decision, as Bluebaum clearly didn't feel comfortable in the complicated middlegame and quickly lost track. In this installment I'll explain both sides their thematical plans and explain why one shouldn't automatically trust the engine's evaluation.
This video course offers you a complete, clear repertoire for Black against the moves 1.Nf3 and 1.c4. The recommended variations are easy to learn and not difficult to remember, but also pose White serious challenges.

In my next Fast & Furious show I am having a closer look at the spectacular 27-move victory of Javokhir Sindarov with the Black pieces against Matthias Bluebaum. Against the Krasenkow Variation of the King's Indian (6.h3) the young Uzbek quickly left well-known territory just to avoid a theoretical battle. An excellent practical decision, as Bluebaum clearly didn't feel comfortable in the complicated middlegame and quickly lost track. In this installment I'll explain both sides their thematical plans and explain why one shouldn't automatically trust the engine's evaluation.

In this DVD, Erwin l'Ami guides you through the fascinating Benko Gambit. As early as move three Black starts a fight for the initiative, a strategy that has proved to be successful in countless amateur and master level games.

Exercise:  Can you spot the most amazing move of this edition so far? Black to play and win!

Feel free to move the pieces on the live diagram!

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Topics: Fast and Furious
Robert is an International Master who mostly spends his time training and coaching talented youngsters. On the PlayChess server The Fast and the Furious is a popular show where he explains sharp opening lines for a wider audience. He is also a well-known ChessBase author who produced numerous DVDs and regularly contributes to ChessBase Magazine as well. Since 2015 he is the organizer of the Dutch Rapid Championships in his home town Amstelveen. He has started a YouTube channel with chess analysis as well.
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Robert Ris' Fast and Furious: Zukertort System Wei Yi-So

1/11/2026 – In the game Wei Yi-So, White opted for the Zukertort System which is gaining more popularity lately. In my video course The Menacing Colle & Zukertort System for the Club Player I discussed the unusual concept with castling queenside for White and I am glad to see the Chinese top player followed by recommendation. Despite the disappointing result, White had all the reasons to be satisfied with the outcome of the opening and got a promising attack. In timetrouble some huge chances to convert were not taken and White even lost due to a cruel blunder.
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Robert Ris' Fast and Furious: The Anti-Meran Explained: Carlsen vs Artemiev

1/8/2026 – First of all, I'd like to wish the viewers all the best for the New Year 2026 with a lot of exciting Fast & Furious episodes! In the last week of 2025 Magnus Carlsen managed to add two more World Championships to his CV by winning both the Rapid and Blitz section. I have a look at his black game against Artemiev from the Rapid event, in which he chose one of his favorite lines in the Anti-Meran which had served the Norwegian pretty well on previous occasions. In the current game, things were less fun for Black due to a grave error on move 15 after which White was completely winning. Come and watch if you are interested in learning more about this specific variation!

Video

60m English Anti-Bayonet

King’s Indian fans who choose the Mar del Plata attack (7...Nc6) against White’s classical system (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0) usually aim for a complex position with mutual attacks on open wings, requiring long-term strategic planning and tactical sharpness in critical moments. Computers often do not know how to handle the arising complex strategic positions, which suits players who like to think on their own instead of memorizing long variations. However, the fashionable Bayonet Attack (9.b4) interferes with Black’s ideas. After Black’s main move 9...Nh5 the positions opens, the lines get forced and computer analysis is important again. But this DVD offers an antidote against White’s Bayonet Attack, namely 9...a5! This move leads to sound positions with very few concrete lines, in which the focus is on strategy not on tactics. Objectively chances are equal but if Black knows what to do things might quickly become dangerous for White.

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