Alexej Shirov My best games in the Slav and Semi-Slav - $62.95
The Slav is typified by the move c6, and in the Semi-Slav e6 is also played; the relationship between the two is obvious. At some points, Shirov’s lecture is closely related to the history of the opening, because the Latvian has contributed to and advanced the development of many lines. In the Meran Variation, Shirov’s name is linked to a line which is now known as Shabalov Attack. After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6 it was Shirov and Shabalov, who introduced the move 7.g4 into chess praxis in 1992. Today there are over 1000 games in the Mega Database with that variation. Shirov recounts the way this extravagant line arose and explains some of its most important ideas. Video running time: 5 hrs 20 min.

Fritztrainer
Daniel King Power Play 4: Start Right - $54.95
In this day and age of opening databases you might be surprised to fi nd players getting caught out in the opening. Yet one sees it all the time. Players take liberties – they grab a hot pawn, attempt a complicated manoeuvre, or simply develop their pieces inefficiently. Whatever our playing strength, we need to take care in the opening. This DVD will help you to analyse and reassess your opening play so that you can begin the game off the right footing. At the end of the DVD you can test your attacking and defensive skills by examining a series of specially selected test positions. The Power Play series is suitable for anyone looking to improve their chess, but also provides ready-made lessons and exercises for a trainer. Video playing time: 5 hrs 50 min.

Fritz Trainer
Andrew Martin The ABC of the Czech Benoni - $52.95
The Czech Benoni has never quite made it to the top of the charts as a reply to 1 d4. Perhaps it‘s the very nature of blocked central positions which put people off. Thus after 1. d4 Sf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 the first impression is that the Black position could become rather passive and it‘s not difficult to find excellent games by White where he stifles all the life out of Black‘s game. Repertoire books are similarly pessimistic about Black‘s chances. But it seems to me that the best Black wins have been forgotten and I‘m in good company here, with players of the calibre of Nisipeanu, Ivan Sokolov, Milidanovic taking a fresh look at the opening and using the Czech Benoni with success in recent games. Thus by playing 3...e5, you angle the game into a path of YOUR choosing, which is very much the modern style and very diffi cult to do with Black. We are going to see some fascinating chess here and by the end of the DVD I hope to have convinced you that the Czech Benoni is well-worth playing. Video playing time: 4 h.