Sicilian Defense
A two DVD series taking a look at Black’s most aggressive response to 1 e4 from both a principled and theoretical perspective. In this first part, the emphasis is on themes and ideas as the viewer is armed with tactical and positional motifs and concepts after 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6. From the basic weaponry of the legendary Dragon bishop, maximising the c-file and traps and zaps, through to more complex topics such as prophylaxis and when to use the e-pawn, so many finer points are covered here.

Sicilian Dragon: The Real Deal! - Understanding the Dragon - Chris Ward - Volume 1
Roeland Pruijssers and Nico Zwirs show patterns you should know when playing the Open Sicilian. The interactive Fritz - Trainer format invites the viewer to answer questions and helps to test and deepen your knowledge.

Tactic Toolbox Open Sicilian - Roeland Pruijssers/Nico Zwirs
2...Nc6 3.d4
The entertaining presentation of Pruijssers and Zwirs help to understand this powerful recipe against one of the most popular openings against 1.e4. Watch the video and get ready to slay the Sicilian!

How to Slay the Sicilian - Roeland Pruijssers/Nico Zwirs - Volume 2
2...e6 3.d4 and others
The entertaining presentation of Pruijssers and Zwirs help to understand this powerful recipe against one of the most popular openings against 1.e4. Watch the video and get ready to slay the Sicilian!

How to Slay the Sicilian - Roeland Pruijssers/Nico Zwirs - Volume 3
2...d6 3.d4
The entertaining presentation of Pruijssers and Zwirs help to understand this powerful recipe against one of the most popular openings against 1.e4. Watch the video and get ready to slay the Sicilian!

How to Slay the Sicilian - Roeland Pruijssers/Nico Zwirs - Volume 1
This DVD will show you dangerous new sidelines that are ideal for combating the Sicilian after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+, with your author giving you the positional ideas behind less well-trodden Sicilian paths that avoid the main and winding main lines after 3.d4. The most critical sidelines are peppered with novelties, which are likely to surprise your opponent. With comprehensive explanations of the positional ideas, this DVD is suitable for everyone from beginners who are just starting out, right through to GMs who want to take advantage of the host of novelties in the dangerous but not very well-known sidelines.

E-DVD - A Modern Approach against the Sicilian - Volume 2 - The Moscow Variation
GM Jan Werle is a professional chess trainer, coach and author. In 2008 he became EU-champion in Liverpool and reached his peak rating of 2607. Hereafter finished his law studies obtaining two master law degrees (civil and commercial law) before he commenced with his job as a lawyer. However, his main passion, chess, prevailed and led to a comeback. He is, inter alia, giving chess lessons online to pupils worldwide, but also in schools. He enjoys to help and teach his students and to watch them improve. He combines the teaching with the playing of tournaments, keeping up his own level.

A Modern Approach against the Sicilian - Volume 1 & Volume 2
A Classical Repertoire for Black
The Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian has been one of the most popular openings for decades. Players of every level like it and it also w as an important part of the Black opening repertoire of two legendary World Champions: Bobby Fischer and Gary Kasparov.

Mastering the Sicilian Najdorf - Yannick Pelletier
This DVD will show you dangerous new sidelines that are ideal for combating the Sicilian after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, with your author giving you the positional ideas behind less well-trodden Sicilian paths that avoid the main and winding main lines after 3.d4. The most critical sidelines are peppered with novelties, which are likely to surprise your opponent. With comprehensive explanations of the positional ideas, this DVD is suitable for everyone from beginners who are just starting out, right through to GMs who want to take advantage of the host of novelties in the dangerous but not very well-known sidelines.

A Modern Approach against the Sicilian - Volume 1 - The Rossolimo Variation
This DVD will show you dangerous new sidelines that are ideal for combating the Sicilian after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, with your author giving you the positional ideas behind less well-trodden Sicilian paths that avoid the main and winding main lines after 3.d4. The most critical sidelines are peppered with novelties, which are likely to surprise your opponent. With comprehensive explanations of the positional ideas, this DVD is suitable for everyone from beginners who are just starting out, right through to GMs who want to take advantage of the host of novelties in the dangerous but not very well-known sidelines.

E-DVD - A Modern Approach against the Sicilian - Volume 1 - The Rossolimo Variation
GM Jan Werle is a professional chess trainer, coach and author. In 2008 he became EU-champion in Liverpool and reached his peak rating of 2607. Hereafter finished his law studies obtaining two master law degrees (civil and commercial law) before he commenced with his job as a lawyer. However, his main passion, chess, prevailed and led to a comeback. He is, inter alia, giving chess lessons online to pupils worldwide, but also in schools. He enjoys to help and teach his students and to watch them improve. He combines the teaching with the playing of tournaments, keeping up his own level.

E-DVD - A Modern Approach against the Sicilian - Volume 1 & Volume 2
This DVD will show you dangerous new sidelines that are ideal for combating the Sicilian after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+, with your author giving you the positional ideas behind less well-trodden Sicilian paths that avoid the main and winding main lines after 3.d4. The most critical sidelines are peppered with novelties, which are likely to surprise your opponent. With comprehensive explanations of the positional ideas, this DVD is suitable for everyone from beginners who are just starting out, right through to GMs who want to take advantage of the host of novelties in the dangerous but not very well-known sidelines.

A Modern Approach against the Sicilian - Volume 2 - The Moscow Variation
The Najdorf is one of the most dangerous variations of the Sicilian Defense. Fighting against it is always difficult, but GM Tiviakov demonstrates a very effective way to combat this popular opening. Crafty players take the fight to their opponents on their own terms, and starting with 2.Nc3 you’ll learn how to take Najdorf connoisseurs into nebulas territory where they may quickly lose their way.

A Nightmare for the Najdorf - Sergei Tiviakov
The Najdorf is one of the most dangerous variations of the Sicilian Defense. Fighting against it is always difficult, but GM Tiviakov demonstrates a very effective way to combat this popular opening. Crafty players take the fight to their opponents on their own terms, and starting with 2.Nc3 you’ll learn how to take Najdorf connoisseurs into nebulas territory where they may quickly lose their way.

E-DVD - Sergei Tiviakov - A Nightmare for the Najdorf
The starting position for this video series is 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5. A full Black repertoire is provided from this point. There are several interactive questions to test the viewers’ knowledge of the material.

A Sicilian Stunner - The Kalashnikov - Nicholas Pert
Bobby Fischer was a devoted Sicilian player. But the American chess genius and 11th World Champion was also a devoted 1.e4 (“Best by test” as he said) player, and his results against the Sicilian are remarkable. In almost all variations he came up with new ideas and developed systems of his own — such as 6.Bc4 (one of his pet moves) against the Najdorf, and the Rauzer.

How Bobby Fischer battled the Sicilian - Adrian Mikhalchishin
There are a number of good Anti-Sicilian options out there, however I believe the 2.b3 Sicilian to be one of the most overlooked and underrated systems available to White. This modest move came back to the fore as a legitimate Anti-Sicilian weapon when none other than Vladimir Kramnik used it in a few games to frustrate his Sicilian diehard opponents.

The Baffling 2.b3 Sicilian - Lawrence Trent
The Smith-Morra Gambit (1.e4 c5 2.d4!) is a great attacking weapon against the popular Sicilian Defence. On move two White sacrifices a pawn for fast development and good attacking chances, and Black can easily fall into one of the many devious opening traps. In this 4+ hour DVD International Master Michael Rahal uses model attacking games to illustrate the main ideas behind White’s aggressive approach.

Smash the Sicilian with the Smith-Morra Gambit - Michael Rahal
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6! leads to the so-called “Accelerated Dragon Defense” of the Sicilian, which is characterised by the idea to achieve the thematic central break d7-d5 in one move (in contrast to the “Dragon Variation”, in which Black plays d7-d6). On this DVD the Russian grandmaster and top women player Nadezhda Kosintseva reveals the secrets of her favourite opening. Kosintseva has played the Accelerated Dragon for many years and achieved a lot of success with it. You too can accelerate your opening – with this complete repertoire for Black against 1.e4!

The Accelerated Dragon - A Sharp Weapon Against 1. e4 - Nadezhda Kosintseva
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6! leads to the so-called “Accelerated Dragon Defense” of the Sicilian, which is characterised by the idea to achieve the thematic central break d7-d5 in one move (in contrast to the “Dragon Variation”, in which Black plays d7-d6). On this DVD the Russian grandmaster and top women player Nadezhda Kosintseva reveals the secrets of her favourite opening. Kosintseva has played the Accelerated Dragon for many years and achieved a lot of success with it. You too can accelerate your opening – with this complete repertoire for Black against 1.e4!

DOWNLOAD - The Accelerated Dragon - A Sharp Weapon Against 1. e4 - Nadezhda Kosintseva
In the modern game, a player has to be ready to play almost any opening variation at short notice. The plan is to interrupt the preparation of the opponent at every turn. A knowledge of dynamic and slightly unusual lines could well score many,many points for the resourceful player. The Kveinys Variation : 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Qb6! is surprisingly little-played, yet gives Black excellent chances and on this new ChessBase DVD, Andrew Martin explains how the system works. For the Master, we have a surprise weapon which players of the calibre of Svidler, Judit Polgar and Kveinys have used to defeat tough opposition. For the club player, where preparation is sketchy, we have a line which asks questions of the opponent right at the beginning of the game and creates immediate pressure on White to find good moves. That is the way to win! Perhaps the Kveinys variation will become more popular in the future. It does not deserve to be a comparatively rare sideline.

DOWNLOAD - The Surprising Sicilian! - Shock the Opposition with an early ...Qb6 - Andrew Martin
In the modern game, a player has to be ready to play almost any opening variation at short notice. The plan is to interrupt the preparation of the opponent at every turn. A knowledge of dynamic and slightly unusual lines could well score many,many points for the resourceful player. The Kveinys Variation : 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Qb6! is surprisingly little-played, yet gives Black excellent chances and on this new ChessBase DVD, Andrew Martin explains how the system works. For the Master, we have a surprise weapon which players of the calibre of Svidler, Judit Polgar and Kveinys have used to defeat tough opposition. For the club player, where preparation is sketchy, we have a line which asks questions of the opponent right at the beginning of the game and creates immediate pressure on White to find good moves. That is the way to win! Perhaps the Kveinys variation will become more popular in the future. It does not deserve to be a comparatively rare sideline.

The Surprising Sicilian! - Shock the Opposition with an early ...Qb6 - Andrew Martin
When choosing an opening repertoire, it is common to consider two types of variations. One is usually a solid opening, like 1...e5 against 1.e4, with plenty of strategical ideas and quiet paths of play. However, there are of course days when you want to play for a win with Black, when you want to bear down on your opponent’s position with a potentially crushing attack. The Najdorf is perfect for just such occasions – and it’s no coincidence that Garry Kasparov played it the most out of all the variations in the Sicilian – the opening served him well throughout his brilliant career. I myself have played it with both colours, but even I discover more to its endless depths every day! Strategy, combinations, attack and defence, sacrifices and marvelous manoeuvres – exciting chess is all about the Najdorf!

The Complex Najdorf - A Complete Repertoire for Black - GM Victor Bologan
The Sicilian family is big but the Sicilian that puts most pressure on White’s centre is the Classical Variation – Black quickly develops both knights to their most active squares. This DVD offers Black a complete repertoire against all weapons White may employ on move six. The recommended repertoire is not as risky as other Sicilians but still offers Black plenty of counter-play. It is an ideal system for players who want to enter the wonderful world of the Sicilian.

The Classical Sicilian - Mihail Marin
The English Attack against the Najdorf and the Scheveningen is one of the most exciting and entertaining variations in modern chess. The line, developed in the 1980s by the English top players John Nunn and Nigel Short, was a mainstay of such chess legends as Garry Kasparov and Vishy Anand, and is now also a favourite of players of the younger generation such as Fabiano Caruana and Alexander Grischuk. On this instructive DVD English Grandmaster Daniel Gormally, himself an accomplished attacking player, explains the most important lines of this fascinating system.

English Attack - Daniel Gormally
For years the only correct way to play against the Sicilian was to tackle it head-on with the Open Sicilian (i.e. when white plays an early d4). In recent years, some of the worlds best players have started to essay some dangerous anti Sicilian lines, with great success. In this Master & Amateur DVD, International Master Lorin D’Costa and chess software expert Nick Murphy outline the various “anti-Sicilians”. These openings can give you a potential advantage, whilst avoiding your opponent’s favourite Sicilian line.

A Repertoire Against the Sicilian - Lorin D'Costa & Nick Murphy
Lubomir Ftacnik complements his popular Scheveningen DVD with fresh material for training tactical themes. The world’s most popular opening, the Sicilian defense (played in more than 50% of all games!) rises and falls with attack, fantasy and combinations. The ability to spot a tactical opportunity, calculate variations and choose the best line decides the game in sharp Sicilian positions and, even on its own, is a skill worth having.

Tactic Toolbox Scheveningen - Lubomir Ftacnik
This DVD looks at the most important and most frequent tactical themes and sacrifices in the Sicilian Najdorf. Grandmaster Niclas Huschenbeth shows us the typical tactical ideas for both White and Black along with the criteria that need to be met for a particular sacrifice to work in this opening in several demonstrative games.

Tactics Toolbox Najdorf - Niclas Huschenbeth
Accept the Morra Gambit with confidence. Tame the Grand Prix Attack. Put fear into the heart of every tedious 2 c3 player. You can make 1...c5 a dangerous weapon whether it’s an open or closed Sicilian.

POWER PLAY - A Repertoire for Black Against the Anti-Sicilians - Daniel King
A Safe Path Through the Sicilian Jungle
The Sicilian has been known for decades as the most reliable way for Black to obtain an unbalanced but good position. Among the most popular Sicilians at the top level the two that certainly stand out are the Najdorf and the Paulsen. Unlike the Najdorf, the Paulsen provides a safer and more positionally based way of fighting against 1.e4. Black is able to obtain adequate counterplay in all variations without going for a do-or-die type of attack.

The Sicilian Tajmanov-Scheveningen - Alejandro Ramirez
The Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defence is the opening of champions. Kasparov, Anand and Bobby Fischer all made this uncompromising opening a central part of their repertoire – with success.

POWER PLAY - The Sicilian Najdorf - A Repertoire for Black - Daniel King - VOLUME 18
The Sicilian Defense is an old but nevertheless very modern opening. The continuous stream of new ideas in the Sicilian makes 1..c5 the most popular answer to 1.e4. On this DVD I do give an introduction to the most important Sicilian systems. However, the focus lies not on memorizing variations. Instead, I present some of my own games to show typical plans and strategies and to indicate typical and important tactical motifs, which can be used in various systems.

How to Play the Sicilian Defence! - Elisabeth Pahtz
Shirov’s uncompromising style of play is also reflected in his manner of commenting his own games.

My Best Games in the Sicilian Najdorf - Alexei Shirov
Especially against stronger opponents, 2.c3 is an excellent weapon.

Sicilian Defense with 2. c3 Alapin Variation - Sergei Tiviakov
The Closed Sicilian, by Nigel Davies is produced by Chessbase as part of the Fritz Trainer Opening series.

Closed Sicilian - Nigel Davies
On this DVD Davies makes a cogent argument for White playing 2.Nc3 rather than 2.f4 because of the gambit line with 2...d5!

f4 Sicilian - Nigel Davies
Sicilian Defense
The Sicilian Defense, a chess opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 c5, is
one of the most popular and highest scoring Black responses to the King's Pawn
Opening - 1. e4. With 1... c5, Black asserts control over the critical d4 square
and launches an aggressive counter-attack to seize control of the center of the
chess board. By choosing to play the Sicilian Defense, Black is willing to offer
White both the initiative of the Kingside and an advantage in piece development
opportunities in exchange for an advanced Queenside pawn and a spatial advantage
that often lead to flank attacks.
Popular Variations of the Sicilian
Defense: Najdorf Sicilian, Schveshnikov Sicilian, Scheveningen
Sicilian
Practitioners of the Sicilian Defense: Bobby
Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Mikhail
Tal, Viswanathan
Anand, Boris
Gelfand and Alexei
Shirov