Mating patterns are the essence of attacking chess. By mastering the typical set-ups, a player can begin to sense when a mating idea is present and to finish off games beautifully and effectively. On this DVD, Grandmaster and worldrenowned commentator Maurice Ashley reviews some of the more interesting patterns with examples meant to educate and entertain. The patterns covered are a must for all aspiring chess players: mate with 2 rooks, bank-rank mate, mate with bishop and knight, bishop and rook mate as well as mating on diagonals. The course maximizes its learning effect by taking advantage of the latest ChessBase interactive format and comes with approximately 30 tricky positions, some with follow-up exercises, to test and solidify your newly acquired pattern recognition skills. With his usual dynamic flair, Ashley will take you on an interactive journey where he will instruct you on how to increase the odds of including these important patterns in your games and crushing your opponents in style.   • Video running time: 4 h 04 min (English) • 30 carefully selected tactical examples including video feedback • Including CB 12 Reader   System requirements Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 12/Fritz 13 or included Reader and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 or Windows 8, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet connection for program activation.

Ashley   The Secret to Chess   How Grandmasters Find Amazing Moves - Most chess fans believe that knowledge of the opening, middlegame and endgame is what separates Grandmasters from everyone else. While all of these are important, the truth is much more profound: Top players all have a deep insight into how to think about chess in ways that most players have never heard of.   On this DVD, Maurice Ashley reveals a simple idea that will forever change the way that you see chess. He shares the secret he discovered on his path to the Grandmaster title, a secret that every player must understand in order to reach the highest level. Introducing his new term “Drawback Chess“, he shows that chess is often not about looking for a winning move, but more about searching to find the flaws hidden deep inside your opponent‘s moves. With instructive examples and engaging practice positions, all explained with a clarity that anyone can understand, Maurice opens the door to a grandmaster‘s thinking process that will put you on the path to real chess improvement. Video running time: 4 hours   Maurice Ashley is an International Grandmaster well known for his dynamic brand of chess commentary and effective coaching style. He was a commentator for the Anand-Kasparov World Championship match as well as all of Kasparov‘s epic computer matches.   This Fritztrainer is also running under Pocket Fritz 3 and Pocket Fritz 4.   System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.

Ashley: What Grandmaster don´t see Vol 1: Protected Squares   Many times when a top player blunders, it is routinely described by the esoteric term „chess blindness.“ In the series What Grandmasters Don‘t See, chess trainer and world-class commentator Maurice Ashley strips away the myth, and for the first time explains why the root of these mistakes is more often based on the psychology of human learning.In Volume 1 of the series, Ashley coins a new term Protected Squares, and shows how many errors occur on squares that seem invulnerable because they are clearly guarded by pawns. In example after example and in his trademark style, Ashley will teach you how to avoid this kind of mistake and how to look for moves that will shock and amaze your opponents. In the first 19 videos on the DVD Ashley demonstrates both well-known and little known games in which a move on to a protected square plays an important part. In the second half of the DVD you are tested on what you have learned about protected squares with a series of exercises of increasing difficulty. This material is also drawn both from classics and from recent games. Video running time: 4 hours 18 minutes   Systemvoraussetzungen   Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard

Ashley: What Grandmaster don´t see Vol 2: Discovered Attack   Many times, when a top player blunders, it is routinely described by the esoteric term “chess blindness“. In this series What Grandmasters Don‘t See, chess trainer and worldclass commentator Maurice Ashley strips away the myth and for the first time explains why the root of these mistakes is more often based in the psychology of human learning. In this DVD, Volume 2 of the three part series, Ashley shows that no other standard tactical theme is more over-rated, overlooked and misunderstood than the Discovered Attack. In each example, Ashley illustrates how often players are confused by discovered attacks because the examples in the majority of chess books are poorly chosen to show how this important tactical idea really works in most practical games. In the first half of the DVD, Ashley uses interesting and entertaining positions to explain the points in his trademark effervescent style. The second half of the DVD is filled with examples to test what you have learned about discovered attacks, with a series of exercises of increasing difficulty. The material is drawn both from classic and from recent games. Video running time: 3 hours 36 minutes   System requirements   Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard. This Fritztrainer is also running under Pocket Fritz 4.

Ashley: What Grandmaster don´t see Vol 3: Summery and Test   Wenn Spitzenspieler einen schweren Fehler begehen, wird oft auf die Floskel „Schachblindheit“ zurückgegriffen. In der neuen Reihe „What Grandmasters Don‘t See“ nimmt GM Maurice Ashley diesen Mythos auseinander und erläutert, auf welche Weise diese Fehler in der Psychologie des menschlichen Lernprozesses verwurzelt sind. Auf der abschließenden dritten DVD der Serie entwickelt Ashley seine Idee der Geschützten Felder aus Band 1 weiter, dabei zeigt er, dass Felder, die scheinbar zuverlässig von Figuren geschützt sind, oftmals das Brutgebiet für verblüffende taktische Patzer sind. Außerdem vermischt der Autor die Themen aller drei DVDs, um ein genaues Bild der Schlüsselwege zu zeichnen, auf denen typische Fehler von Spielern aller Leistungsklassen ausgenutzt werden können. Für die erste Hälfte der DVD verwendet Ashley brillante Partien und Fragmente, um die Lektionen in seinem dynamischen Kommentarstil vorzutragen. Die zweite Hälfte der DVD besteht aus Testbeispielen aufsteigender Schwierigkeit. Das Material stammt sowohl aus klassischen wie aus aktuellen Partien. Videolaufzeit: 3 Std. 45 min.    Englische Sprachversion   System requirements   Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard. This Fritztrainer is also running under Pocket Fritz 4.

Bojkov: The true value of the pieces   when material is unbalanced   Queen against two rooks or three minor pieces, as well as a rook plus pawn vs two minor pieces - these are typical constellations where the material is unbalanced. In our first steps in chess we are taught about the nominal value of the pieces. The queen is equal to nine pawns; a rook to five, a minor piece is worth three pawns. This is a common sense solution aimed at teaching the beginner a system of values so that he or she does not trade a more valuable piece for a less good one. Later however, situations occur in games in which one side can trade two minor pieces (six pawns) for a rook and a pawn (also six pawns). Theoretically speaking, this should result in an equal position, but in reality one of the two sides will profit from the exchange. There are many cases of material imbalance in chess. In his new DVD GM Dejan Bojkov of Bulgaria makes an attempt to systematise the most important ones and gives valuable advice on how to handle the resulting positions. He also explains the hidden factors behind the imbalances, explanations which will guide you through the art of exchanging pieces.• Video running time: 4 hours 50 minutes (English) • With interactive training including videofeedback • Exclusive training database with selected 50 games • Including CB 12 – Reader   System requirements   Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 12/Fritz 13 or included Reader and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 or Windows 8, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet connection for program activation.

Bojkov: Chess Highways   Fast alle Schachfiguren (außer den trickreichen Springern) haben die Fähigkeit, sich auf geraden Bahnen fortzubewegen, ob vertikal (Linien), horizontal (Reihen) oder auf den Diagonalen. Diese geraden Bahnen, welche die verschiedenen Abschnitte des Brettes verbinden und den Figuren die Chance geben, den Ausgang der Schlacht zu entscheiden, sind äußerst wichtig im Schach, und daher der Titel Highways - Zugstraßen. Die Fähigkeiten der Figuren zu verstehen, ist für jeden Spieler ein absolutes Muss, vom Anfänger bis hin zum Meister. In einer Schachpartie sind Sie der General, und die Figuren sind Ihre eigenen Soldaten - je besser Ihre Beziehung zu Ihren Soldaten, desto besser Ihre Ergebnisse.   In seiner dritten DVD für ChessBase gibt GM Dejan Bojkov aus Bulgarien Aufschluss über die Eigenschaften jener Figuren, die sich auf geraden Bahnen fortbewegen, und Tipps, wie man die offenen Diagonalen, Reihen und Linien am besten nutzen kann, um aus jeder einzelnen Figur das Maximum herauszuholen. In 30 Clips werden Sie erfahren, wie Sie Ihre Schwerfiguren besser verstehen und die offenen bzw. halboffenen Linien effektiver verwerten können; Sie werden erfahren, was deren Ängste sind, und wie Sie ihnen helfen können. Am Ende gibt es auf der DVD eine Trainingssession, um das Materialverständnis besser zu fördern. Ein unschätzbar wertvolles Handbuch für Spieler wie Trainer. Videospielzeit: 5 Std. 38 min (Englisch)   Systemvoraussetzungen   Pentium Prozessor 300 MHz oder besser, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD-ROM Laufwerk, Maus, Soundkarte

Collins: Learn from the Open Games   In this DVD Sam Collins explains the games from which he has learned the most, arising out of 1.e4 e5. Topics covered include: exchanges, attacking strategy, gambits and sacrificial play, opening selection, play with opposite coloured bishops, restriction of the opponent’s pieces, play in queenless middlegames and endgame technique. The themes are of critical importance for an understanding of how to play the middlegame. However, Collins also gives a full explanation of the themes from the opening and early middlegame, making this an invaluable collection for players who play the open games with either colour, or who simply want to learn more about this central touchstone of chess development. Video running time: 4 hours   System requirements   Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard

Nigel Davies:   How to Beat Younger Players   Chess is turning into a young man’s game. Time limits are faster, sessions last longer and computer databases and playing engines seem to dominate opening preparation. Add the fact that older players often have jobs and families that take most of their time and it’s no surprise they suffer painful defeats at the hands of spotty youths. Nigel Davies is no stranger to this situation; a more mature Grandmaster who refuses to grow old with dignity he is still slugging it out with young players in tournaments and matches. On this DVD he argues that an older player with very little time can nonetheless remain competitive, but only if he uses guile and common sense rather than bluster and machismo. There are several aspects to Davies’ plan, for example using ‘low maintenance openings’, seeking out particular types of position, making the endgame your hunting ground and looking after your health. He goes on to show how several great players have used such techniques to make outstanding results in their 60s and even 70s. Video runnig time: 3 hours.   Nigel Davies has been an International Grandmaster since 1993 and is a former British Open Quickplay and U21 Champion. He finished 3rd in the 2008 British Championships at 48 years of age.   System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard

Grivas: Chess Expertise Step by Step Vol 1: Unexpected Tactics   Tactics in chess are sequences of moves which limit the opponent’s options and may result in a tangible gain by force. They are usually contrasted with strategy, in which advantages take longer to be realised and where the opponent is less constrained in his choice of reply. Tactics are an essential part of chess, since even purely positional games may contain certain moments where one cannot do without sharp calculations. The fundamental building blocks of tactics are forks, skewers, batteries, discovered attacks, undermining, overloading, deflection, pins and interference. This DVD covers important sections of this field and helps to understand in depth the proper handling of (unexpected) tactics in certain cases. We will examine how to achieve (or to avoid) mate on the back rank, the strength of the ‘dancing’ knights, how to sac the queen near the opposing king, how to march with the king, how to use efficiently the f4-break and finally how to make sacrifices to gain the initiative. As Nigel Short once said, ‘Modern chess is too much concerned with things like pawn structure. Forget it - checkmate ends the game!’.   Systemvorraussetzungen   Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard

Grivas: Chess Expertise Step by Step Vol 2: Mastering Strategy   Mastering chess strategy is a matter of constant practice and analysis. Many good books have been written on this subject and almost all important (or even less important) strategic assets have been examined in great depth. But there is still enough room in the endless variety of the game of chess for an attempt to classify various themes and a proper description of mechanisms and ways of handling specific types of position. This DVD, called ‘Mastering Strategy’, tries to cover important aspects of this field and to help you to assimilate knowledge and understand in depth the proper handling of strategy in certain cases. We will examine how to exploit the important f5-square, how to make the most of your own apparently useless isolani, how to handle positions with a pawnless queenside, the handling of the a7 outpost, how to increase small advantages and finally how to handle the weak d5-square. As James Whitaker has mentioned, ‘The person who knows ‘how’ will always have a job. The person who knows ‘why’ will always be the boss’. Video running time: 4 hours   Systemvorraussetzungen Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard

Grivas: Chess Expertise Step by Step Vol 3: Rook Handling   Rook handling and generally speaking endings constitute one of the most fascinating elements in chess. Rich in both tactical and strategic possibilities, they offer us the opportunity to marvel at its endless creative potential and unique ideas. Of all chess endings (pawn, queen, rook, bishop and knight), rook endings are the ones encountered most frequently. Like all aspects of chess technique, rook endings (and in in general the correct handling of rooks) encompass a significant amount of theoretical and repeated motifs, which we have to be aware of - just like our openings. In this way we will be able to make correct decisions at important junctures of the game, decisions that will either promise us victory or allow us to secure the draw. This DVD, called Rook Handling, tries to cover important parts of this field and help you to assimilate knowledge and to understand in depth the proper handling of rooks in certain cases. We shall examine how to keep our rook active, how to trap a rook, how not to lose a drawn rook ending, how to handle technical rook endings, how to successfully transfer our rook, how to enhance cooperation between rook & knight and finally how to defend against a knight & 3 pawns. To be honest, this is just a small amount of the huge quantity of material that one has to learn about rooks, but in any case it is a good start! Video running time: 4 hours Efstratios Grivas is a Grandmaster and highly experienced chess trainer and chess author. He lives in Athens, and he is also a FIDE Senior Trainer (Secretary of the FIDE Trainers Commission), an International FIDE Chess Arbiter and an International FIDE Chess Organizer. He has represented his country on a great many occasions, winning the 4th position in the World Junior Championship 1985, an individual gold medal at the 1989 European Team Championship and an individual silver medal at the 1998 Olympiad. In 2010 he was awarded the worldwide highly important FIDE TRG Awards - Boleslavsky Medal (best author) for 2009. Systemvorraussetzungen   Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard

Grivas: Chess Expertise Step by Step Vol 4: Endgame Magic   Der letzte Teil der Partie ist derjenige, wo ein versierter Spieler dem Gegner die meisten Probleme bereiten kann. Jeder Zug bekommt mehr Gewicht, jeder Fehler kann sich als sehr kostspielig erweisen, große Genauigkeit ist erforderlich. In unserer Zeit, mit der Abschaffung von Hängepartien und den immer schnelleren Zeitkontrollen, hat Endspielwissen größere Bedeutung erlangt als je zuvor. Diese DVD mit dem Titel ‘Endspielzauber’ soll wichtige Aspekte in diesem Feld abdecken und dabei helfen, sich Wissen anzueignen und die richtige Behandlung des Endspiels in bestimmten Fällen tiefgreifend zu verstehen. Wir werden untersuchen, wie man vom Isolani im Endspiel profitiert, wie man auf Gewinn spielen bzw. sich verteidigen kann, wenn ein Endspiel mit Turm und Randbauer gegen Läufer und Randbauer (auf derselben Seite) entsteht, die Technik des ‘Quadrats’, wenn der Vorteil der Mehrqualität schwierig zu verwerten scheint, wie man mit der bloßen Dame gegen den bloßen Turm gewinnt bzw. sich verteidigt, wie wir von den zersplitterten Bauern unseres Gegners profitieren, wie man einige spezifische Bauernendspiele behandelt und schließlich, was die Probleme der Mehrqualität sind, wenn sie dem Läuferpaar gegenübersteht. Wie Laurence Fishburn es in ‘Matrix’ formulierte: “Es ist ein Unterschied, ob man den Pfad nur kennt oder ob man ihn beschreitet.” Videospielzeit: 4 Stunden.       Englische Sprachversion       Systemvoraussetzungen:   Pentium Prozessor 300 MHz oder besser, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD-ROM Laufwerk, Maus, Soundkarte

Kasimdzhanov: The Power of Tactics   Rustam Kasimdzhanov explains tactics in the most amazingly simple way.   In his opinion there are only three elements which are really important and   which therefore decide most games: “pins”, “double attacks” and “back rank   weaknesses”.        The 2004 FIDE World Champion explains these three elements by starting from simple model positions and going on to examine progressively more complicated examples. One important factor in his explanations is always how to spot the underlying patterns in practical play and then bring them into existence. This is because it is rare to be able to execute tactical blows immediately - the correct preparatory moves have to be played first. The motifs he is dealing with occur so often in practice that Kasimdzhanov had absolutely no problem in finding sufficient up-to-date material. Video running time: 4 hours 20 min. System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM,Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard

Lilov: Castled Long - Attacking the King   The best target for an attack is undoubtedly the enemy king – especially if its position is weakened or still in the centre. But what should you do if your opponent has castled long to bring his king to safety? Which pieces should you use to spearhead the attack, how should you weaken his pawn shield, and what are the motifs that you simply have to know? On this DVD, IM Valeri Lilov will mould you into a player well-versed in the art of attack. You will emerge with a knowledge of the sure-fire techniques and strategies that you can use to rip open the opponent’s defences and hunt his king down! In over 20 demonstrative video lectures, Lilov explains the typical schemes of an attack, such as pawn storms, as well as plans which are tailored to the particular characteristics of a position. Another focus is on ways of setting up mate threats. This DVD combines Lilov’s animated presentation style with a selection of first-class games. Let yourself be fascinated and inspired by the attacks of the masters - so that in your next attacking game, it will be you having all the fun! Video running time: 4 hours   System requirements   Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9 and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 or Windows 8, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet connection for program activation.

Lilov: Attacking a King which has castled short   Every chess coach preaches that attacking a stranded king in the center is the easiest thing to do, but how about attacking a king which has already castled? More often than not kings hide on the kingside, right? So, that’s a good reason for you to know how to attack a king which has castled short. FM Valeri Lilov is glad to help you in this tricky business! His DVD focuses on a number fool-proof plans and techniques for successfully destroying the enemy’s fortress to bring the opponent’s king to justice! In a number of very instructive lectures, FM Lilov discusses g7 and h7 sacrifices, as well as various plans and ideas typical for certain positional setups, including opening the f-file and destroying the pawn bastions in front of the king. In addition, Valeri skillfully presents some of the most effective techniques for creating checkmating threats for the opponent. His presentation will often leave you with a lasting impression from the splendid examples Valeri has carefully selected to illustrate his points. Now it’s time to enjoy the art of chess with FM Valeri Lilov! Video running time: 3 h 59 min       System requirements   Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard    

Lilov: Tactics - from Basics to Brilliance Vol 4   Open games are well known to lead to sharp positions. Whenever there is a sharp position, we have many tactical opportunities as well! In this 4th Volume of his Tactics series, FM Valeri Lilov focuses on tactics found in the open games. Some of the basic questions this DVD seeks to answer are how tactics arise in open games and what you can do to avoid falling prey to early tactics after 1.e4 e5. In his instructive themed lectures, the author also takes the time to explain a number of tactical methods and techniques you can use to exploit your opponent’s mistakes, the ones most commonly seen in the open games. For this purpose, the FIDE master has carefully selected many instructive games and positions played in openings like the King’s Gambit, the Vienna Game, and the Two Knights Defence among many others. While open games abound in tactics, we never know who will see them first and thus gain a decisive advantage! So why not use Lilov’s step-bystep approach to creating and finding powerful tactics in your own games by fearlessly placing your pieces in sharp positions? You are on the way to your next magnificent win! Video running time: 4 hours 12 min.       System requirements   Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or 8, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard    

For a chess player, chess pieces are like specific tools in a toolbox. We need to know how to use them best, like a craftsman knows their tools. We shouldn't use a screwdriver to hammer in a nail; and we shouldn't use the queen just for defence. This series will show you in great detail the specific qualities of each chess piece, so that you can maximize their effectiveness and thus improve your game. Everyone knows that a rook is dangerous on the 7th rank, and that it belongs behind the pawn. However, there is so much more to learn about this inconspicuous piece! Let us explore together how the rooks should enter the game in the early middlegame, how they operate on open files and how they sometimes join a deadly attack, being transferred in front of the pawn chain. We will also discuss the cooperation of the rooks and many more topics.   Video running time: 5 hours (English) Extra: Additional database with exercises Training with ChessBase apps – Play key positions against Fritz on various levels   Jan Markos is a Slovak chess grandmaster, coach, and author, a former European Youth Champion. His book "Under the Surface" won the ECF Book of the Year Award in 2018. His most recent chess book "The Secret Ingredient", co-authored with GM David Navara, focuses on practical aspects of over-theboard play.

Bundle Offer For a chess player, chess pieces are like specific tools in a toolbox. We need to know how to use them best, like a craftsman knows their tools. We shouldn't use a screwdriver to hammer in a nail; and we shouldn't use the queen just for defence. This series will show you in great detail the specific qualities of each chess piece, so that you can maximize their effectiveness and thus improve your game. Queens are the true ladies of the chessboard. They are dangerous attackers, but poor defenders. They dislike dirty work, and often wait until other pieces prepare space for them. Let us learn together how to find the best spot for the queen in the early middlegame, how to navigate this piece around the board, how to time the queen attack, how to decide whether to exchange it or not, and much more! • Video running time: 5 hours (English) • Extra: Additional database with exercises • Training with ChessBase apps – Play key positions against Fritz on various levels   Jan Markos: Middlegame Secrets Vol.2 – The potential of the Rook For a chess player, chess pieces are like specific tools in a toolbox. We need to know how to use them best, like a craftsman knows their tools. We shouldn't use a screwdriver to hammer in a nail; and we shouldn't use the queen just for defence. This series will show you in great detail the specific qualities of each chess piece, so that you can maximize their effectiveness and thus improve your game. Everyone knows that a rook is dangerous on the 7th rank, and that it belongs behind the pawn. However, there is so much more to learn about this inconspicuous piece! Let us explore together how the rooks should enter the game in the early middlegame, how they operate on open files and how they sometimes join a deadly attack, being transferred in front of the pawn chain. We will also discuss the cooperation of the rooks and many more topics.   Video running time: 5 hours (English) Extra: Additional database with exercises Training with ChessBase apps – Play key positions against Fritz on various levels Jan Markos is a Slovak chess grandmaster, coach, and author, a former European Youth Champion. His book "Under the Surface" won the ECF Book of the Year Award in 2018. His most recent chess book "The Secret Ingredient", co-authored with GM David Navara, focuses on practical aspects of over-theboard play.  System requirements: Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows 8.1, DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9 and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 / 8 or 10, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVDROM drive and internet connection for program activation. 

Martin: First Steps in Pawn Structure   Understanding how to use pawns and how to handle different pawn structures are important topics for young or improving players to consider. On this new ChessBase DVD. IM and FIDE Senior Trainer Andrew Martin investigates the notion that ‘pawns are the soul of chess’ and tries to explain exactly what this means. The effective use of pawns in the opening leads to the correct development of the pieces and a good game springs naturally from there. The pawn structure must be considered throughout the game and this is something that Martin also touches upon. The viewer will be treated to a tour of excellent games, both old and new, many from the period 2012-2014, which highlight key ideas about the correct use of pawns and from which one cannot fail to improve one’s technique. Thus this DVD is ideal for players below 1800 or indeed ambitious players of any level.   • Video running time: 4 hours 03 minutes• With interactive training including video feedback • Database with 50 essential games• Including CB 12 Reader System requirements Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 12/Fritz 13 or included Reader and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 or Windows 8, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet connection for program activation.

Martin: The Basics of Winning Chess 2.0   Auf dieser DVD zeigt der erfahrene Trainer und Internationale Meister Andrew Martin wie das geht. Andrew Martin sagt über seine DVD: “Seit dem Erscheinen der ersten Ausgabe von ‘Basics of Winning Chess’ sind über zehn Jahre vergangen, und die Zeit ist reif für eine Rückkehr zu diesem Projekt. Schließlich hat sich das Schach im letzten Jahrzehnt dramatisch verändert und das Wissen über das Spiel und die Grundlagen des Schachs scheint umfangreicher denn je zu sein. Da müssen wir am Ball bleiben! Man sagt oft, Spitzenspieler spielen wie Maschinen. Haben sie erst einmal eine Gewinnstellung erreicht, gewinnen sie auch. Es wirkt, als würden sie irgendwann in der Partie auf Autopilot schalten und mühelos gewinnen. Diese DVD zeigt, wie sich diese Schachtechnik entwickelt hat. Das beginnt bei einfachen Grundlagen und führt zur Technik heutiger Meister. Diese Beispiele helfen uns, technisch selber so gut zu spielen, wie es uns möglich ist.“ „Version 2.0 zeigt zahlreiche Beispiele aus der modernen Praxis. Praktisch alle Partien sind lehrreich und von hoher Qualität. Beinahe alle wurden vor kurzem gespielt und sind mit Kommentaren und Analysen versehen. Diese DVD weist den Weg, wie man besser Schach spielt. Die DVD bietet eine Rundtour durchs moderne Schach und ist besonders nützlich für Spieler mit einer Ratingzahl von 1200-2200.”   • Trainings-Videos: 6 Stunden 6 Minuten• Interaktives Training mit Videofeedback• Exklusive Trainingdatenbank mit vielen kommentierten Partien• Mit CB 12 – Reader   Systemvoraussetzungen   Mindestens: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 Grafikkarte mit 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM Laufwerk, Windows Media Player 9, Chessbase12/Fritz 13 oder mitgelieferter Reader und Internetverbindung zur Programmaktivierung. Empfohlen: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 oder Windows 8, DirectX10 Grafikkarte (oder kompatibel) mit 512 MB RAM oder mehr, 100% DirectX10 kompatible Soundkarte, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM Laufwerk und Internetverbindung zur Programmaktivierung.   Nur auf Englisch lieferbar !

Martin: First Steps in Gambits and Sacrifices   Gambit play and the joy of sacrificing is an important part of the improving process. In order to become a strong player you must learn to attack and make combinations. Many continue to play in an aggressive style throughout an entire chess liftetime! So on this allnew ChessBase DVD FIDE Senior Trainer and IM Andrew Martin will show you how to go about this in the right way. There are several foolproof ways to improve at chess. They are: 1) Working hard at targeted subjects. 2) Analysing one’s own games. Studying master games. 3) Playing a lot to gain experience. 4) Taking good advice from a coach and thereby saving time. This is where the ChessBase DVD comes into its own. There are many modern brilliancies and fascinating ideas on this DVD. Comprehensive notes are provided to most of these games for your later enjoyment. Gambit play is still alive! we hope you embrace it. Video running time: 3 hours 21 min.   System requirements   Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard

Mikhalchishin: Power of Exchange   The correct technique of exchanging is the most important ability of Grandmasters! Which pieces to swap and which pieces to keep, whether to recapture with a piece or with a pawn, these are questions which every player of every level has to answer many times during a single game. And the greatest difference between GMs and amateurs is not in opening knowledge or in calculation power, but in this simple technique. The great Botvinnik even said that chess is just multiple exchanges. He explained Fischer’s technique of play: He had never bad pieces - he always exchanged them for his opponent’s strong pieces. Video running time: 3 hrs   Adrian Mikhalchishin, a Grandmaster since 1978, is currently among the top 5 world trainers and the Chairman of the FIDE Trainers’ Commission. He trained the team of USSR in 1980’s, national teams of Slovenia, Poland and the Netherlands, and was the trainer of Anatoly Karpov (1980-1986), trained Zsuzsa Polgar, Alexander Beliavsky, Maja Chiburdanidze, Arkadij Naiditsch and Vassily Ivanchuk.   System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard

It is known that pieces are more difficult to handle than pawns - but sometimes they can help each other, e.g. if it is about conquering a square! But what to do once you have gained control over it? How can the advantage of the new stronghold be exploited? All this and much more is shown on this DVD. Special attention is paid to the technique of piece transfer which helps to coordinate different attacks much more effectively. Treated themes: how to create weaknesses, how to conquer and exploit important squares, the powerful helping pawn, piece transfer to strongholds, coordination in the attack. • Video running time: 5 h 11 min (English) • With interactive training including video feedback • Extra: Database with further examples • Including CB Reader System requirements Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 12/Fritz 13 or included Reader and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet connection for program activation.