Robert Ris' Fast and Furious: Viktor Korchnoi

by Robert Ris
3/27/2026 – Viktor Korchnoi's favorite opening used to be the French Defense, featuring some positionally risky lines with a lot of fighting spirit. That's what Viktor Lvovich loved to play and so we are going to have a look at some spectacular games he played in this opening.
In this video course, experts (Pelletier, Marin, Müller and Reeh) examine the games of Viktor Korchnoi. Let them show you which openings Korchnoi chose to play, where his strength in middlegames were, or how he outplayed his opponents in the endgame.

Korchnoi Special

This week would have marked Viktor Korchnoi’s 95th birthday: the perfect occasion for us to shine a spotlight on one of the greatest fighters and most creative minds in chess history.

Look forward to a week filled with exciting content dedicated to Korchnoi’s unique legacy including analyses, games, and insights into the life of an extraordinary champion.

To mark the occasion, we are offering two outstanding video courses at a special price: “Master Class: Korchnoi” and “My Life for Chess,” in which Korchnoi personally analyses his best games.

In this video course, experts (Pelletier, Marin, Müller and Reeh) examine the games of Viktor Korchnoi. Let them show you which openings Korchnoi chose to play, where his strength in middlegames were, or how he outplayed his opponents in the endgame.

Viktor Korchnoi's favorite opening used to be the French Defense, featuring some positionally risky lines with a lot of fighting spirit. That's what Viktor Lvovich loved to play and so we are going to have a look at some spectacular games he played in this opening.

Exercise 1:  Black to Play. What is the thematical idea here for Black?!

Feel free to move the pieces on the live diagram!

Exercise 2:  Black to Play. How should he fight for the initiative?!

Feel free to move the pieces on the live diagram!

This week's show

In this video course, experts (Pelletier, Marin, Müller and Reeh) examine the games of Viktor Korchnoi. Let them show you which openings Korchnoi chose to play, where his strength in middlegames were, or how he outplayed his opponents in the endgame.

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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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