Boris Schipkov: Dutch A80-A85
In the third and final part of his trilogy about the Dutch, Boris Schipkov turns his attention to the less important lines. But some of them could well be considered main lines, since they are played by respected grandmasters and since the statistics are excellent from the point of view of White. For example 2.Nc3 – White immediately begins to fi ght for the advance e2-e4. Or 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 – which is encountered so often in praxis that it can hardly be called a sub variation. The author treats all lines with great thoroughness. All are preceded by a text in which Schipkov presents the underlying strategic ideas of the variation in question and refers to the relevant model games.
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Gregory Huber: The Vienna Game C23-C29
Gregory Huber’s CD actually covers two openings, including the Bishop’s Opening (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4) as well as the Vienna Game (2.Nc3). This is logical, however, since in various lines of the Vienna Bc4 is also played and in the same fashion the Bishop’s Opening often involves Nc3. Nor does the author omit further possible transitions – above all to certain variations of the King’s Gambit – with the result that the CD offers a complete repertoire for 1.e4 e5. The work consists of a clearly laid out database containing 26 texts and 330 games, 220 of which have been annotated by the author. In addition there is a large database containing more than 27,000 games (a good 300 of which have been annotated), a training database with 124 training questions and a large opening tree constructed from all the games. All the features at a glance:
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Squares Strategy, Vol. 3 Middlegame
The Bangiev method of thinking is a strategy based on squares. Before every move, it therefore checks the constellation of pieces against quite specifi c pre-determined criteria. What it encourages is not your memory but your thinking: learn to understand the logic of the game by means of a few rules! It always the same restricted number of questions which you have to ask yourself and to answer at whatever stage of the game. Once you have understood the principle, you can have the pleasure of discovering that, with a little practice, you are always able to fi nd the best move. You can check your progress with grandmaster games, because grandmasters apply the correct thought processes without even being aware of it! The third CD, which is based on Bangiev‘s new method of training, is dedicated to the middlegame. There is a „Learning“ database in which the new method of training is presented in 20 introductory texts and 131 annotated game fragments. In a second database there are then 69 game fragments by means of which you can put into practice what you have learned.
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Knut Neven: Classical Nimzo-Indian – 4.Qc2
The Nimzo-Indian is not only one of the most solid openings against 1.d4, but it also suits the player with Black who is aiming from the start for the full point. In many treatments of the opening, White runs slight risks – doubled pawns and an isolated queen pawn are typical. At the peak of world chess, there is thus a clear preference for the Classical System 4.Qc2 – in which White usually retains the bishop pair and the pawn structure remains intact; however on some occasions it is necessary to make up for being behind in development.
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Budapest Gambit 2nd EDITION
The Budapest Gambit results after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5. It is a popular surprise weapon of many top young grandmasters. If White holds on to the gambit pawn then Black gains a dangerous initiative. But also in the quieter lines there is a lot of scope for the imaginative attacking player. Dmitrij Oleinikov introduces you to the development of the Budapest Gambit and the current state of theory. In many database text articles and model games he explains the fundamental ideas of this opening. There are 60 training quizzes, sorted according to strategy, tactics and traps. They are ideally suited to test your knowledge after you have gone through the course. The CD contains teaching and training databases, but also a full reference database with over 13,000 games from the Budapest Gambit and a full position tree.
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Norbert Sommerbauer: The Paulsen System B40-B49
The Paulsen System in the Sicilian Defence (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6) consists, after the further moves 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4, of two large subsections: the Paulsen ( Kan )Variation (after 4…a6) and the Taimanov Variation (after 4…Nc6). There are numerous transpositions and it is logical for both variations to be treated on a single CD. In addition to this, Norbert Sommerbauer has also examined all the other sub-variations which fi t into B40-B49. The CD offers to the player of the black pieces an almost complete repertoire against 1.e4, but is also well suited to the player with White, since the author also offers the latter his recommendations.
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Squares Strategy, Vol. 2: The Opening
The Bangiev way of thinking is a strategy based on squares. This means that before every move, the piece set-up is checked out against quite specific pre-defined criteria. The Bangiev-method does not develop your memory, but rather your thought processes: learn to understand the logic of the game by means of a few rules! In each phase of the game, you have to ask yourself the same restricted number of questions and then answer them. Once you have grasped the principle, you will be happy to realise how - after some practice - you can always find the best move yourself. You can test your progress by using grandmaster games; this is because grandmasters make use of the correct thought process, without perhaps realising that they are doing so!
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1.Nc3... The Van Geet Opening
Opening repertoires generally operate by restricting your opponent‘s options. The dirty little secret, of course, is that you‘re limiting your own at the same time. The van Geet operates on the opposite principle – invite your opponent to play in an arena where literally anything goes, where variations matter less than understanding and agility, where experience with specific positions is personally earned and extended each time you choose to start a game with 1 Nc3. This CD represents both a basic van Geet openings manual and an up-to-date theoretical database, designed to serve both average and advanced players.
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The Dutch Defence, Leningrad System A86-A89
People who play the Dutch Defence are usually aiming for more than a draw. This is particularly true of the Leningrad System (involving the moves f5 and g6 against 1.d4). The author is even of the opinion that this system is better than the King’s Indian, because you have already achieved the pawn thrust f5. Under A86 there are also variations, in which Black plays 3...d6 and does not necessarily follow up later with g6; these are also treated on the CD. In the chapter “Strategic principles underlying the Leningrad System” the author tackles various themes, such as, e.g., the e2-e4 breakout, which is quite often preceded by b3 and Bb2 (or else Black has no difficulty playing e5). Another theme is the “Queenside pawn attack”, frequently played in conjunction with an early b2-b4. But, in general, the author is more concerned with the possibilities for Black.
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Caro-Kann Panov-Attack B13-B14
The Caro-Kann opening (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5) is said, possibly unfairly, to be a bit on the tame side. But what is fascinating about it in any case is the number of totally different playing styles to which Black must adapt himself. One of these is the Panov Attack, (3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4), by means of which White immediately attacks the centre, but in doing so must also accept possible positions with an isolated d4-pawn. A second theme on the CD is the Exchange Variation, in which White exchanges on d5, but then does not play c4. It is considered to be harmless, but attained a fair amount of popularity after Fischer’s brilliant victory over Petrosian ( Belgrade 1970). It is a favourite of players who do not wish to take risks. The author treats all the variations which come under B13 and B14 in great detail.
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Queen’s Gambit, Orthodox Defence
The Orthodox Queen’s Gambit is one of the most solid openings, which you can fi nd against 1.d4. The author comments: “The continuing popularity of the Exchange Variation can be explained by White’s unsuccessful attempts to seriously break down the ultra-solid lines of the Queen’s Gambit Declined (Tartakower Variation, Lasker Defence, etc.).” Besides the typical minority attack there are quite varied ways of playing the Exchange Variation, such as long castling for White and then an attack on the king, or else a build-up with e3, Bd3, Nge2, f3 and e4. This very variety has contributed to the fact, that almost all world champions have made use of the Exchange Variation. The list in the large database contains firstly 16 texts, in which, above all, the various strategic possibilities are handled in excellent fashion. If you have understood these ideas, you do not need much theoretical knowledge in order to play the Exchange Variation.
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Dorian Rogozenko: Sicilian Dragon 1 B70-B74
When playing as White, if you do not want to enter sharp opening systems, you would do better to fight against the Dragon by castling short. These specific variations are the theme of Rogozenko‘s CD Dragon 1. White castles short and basically does not try to achieve an opening advantage. But the character of the positions is completely different from when White castles queenside and often does not fall in with Black’s plans. The author himself came to this painful conclusion the first time he played the Dragon; the annotations to this game alone cast much light on the opening.
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Mihail Marin: Catalan E00-E09
Mihail Marin: Catalan E00-E09 The Catalan is an opening in which Black may well be able to obtain easy equality, but in which he frequently draws the short straw in the ensuing positional battle. The reason for this is that the player of the white pieces has usually assimilated much better the laws governing this opening and the plans to be adopted. With great precision and clarity, GM Marin has examined the individual variations. Once again, as was the case with the author’s fi rst offering “English 1.c4 e5”, one comes across a large number of indications of possible transpositions and related variations, sometimes from quite different openings. In this fashion, the learner obtains insights into a genuine grandmaster’s opening.
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DORIAN ROGOZENKO: SICILIAN DRAGON B75-B79
The Dragon system of the Sicilian Defence belongs to those openings, which you do not simply play casually, but about which you become passionate. Many make use of it all their lives, and an antidote is soon found for each and every “refutation”. What have become the trademark variations of the Dragon are above all the sharp ones in which White castles long and Black castles short. GM Rogozenko has provided us with a very complete treatment of his theme – namely those variations in which White castles long. We benefi t from his breadth of specialised knowledge as he presents all the latest theory in 95 introductory texts about the individual lines. Over 500 of the approximately 1000 annotated games in the main database have been annotated by the author personally. The fi nal touch in the CD is the provision of two training databases – one from the point of view of White and the other from the point of view of Black.
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Reinhold Ripperger: Giuoco Piano C50-C54
Whoever plays 1.e4 as White, has to ask himself what he intends to do after 1…e5 2.Nf3 Nc6. If you do not feel up to the heavy positional demands made on you by the Ruy Lopez, you more or less have to turn to 3.Bc4 and after the strongest reply, 3…Bc5, you are into the Giuoco Piano. This opening set-up is reckoned to be one of the oldest known in the history of chess and the author is right to comment: “This opening, more than any other, reflects the very development of the game of chess. This means that the Giuoco Piano is the best suited for those making a start in opening theory.” The author put great emphasis on his training database, so that the learner can check the knowledge he has gained in an interactive fashion, struggling against the clock
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Knut Neven: The Gruenfeld (D70-D99)
The Gruenfeld is one of the most aggressive openings against 1.d4, and it’s no wonder that Garry Kasparov has included it into his opening repertoire. Playing with White, one is well-advised to accept the challenge since in the harmless variations it’s usually already Black who dictates the course of action. In the main lines, however, theoretical knowledge is of great importance. Knut Neven has taken on the great task of arraning the huge amount of data – all more than 60,000 games – in a clear-cut way, appropriately dealing with all important variantions.
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Dmitrij Oleinikov: The Colle System
The Colle System is rather a playing scheme than an opening. White plays d4, Nf3, e3, Bd3, 0-0, Nbd2 and possibly c3 - nearly regardless of what Black replies. Opening knowledge is of secondary importance. Exactly this is where the author starts his work, prioritizing on explaining plans, patterns and typical mistakes. For example, two chapters are titled "Ten inspirational games" and "Eight warning games". However, Oleinikov naturally also deals with opening theory in the classical sense and discusses the critical variations, at one point showing himself surprised: "To my amazement, none of my opponents has reached this crucial position so far". Certainly a hint that the second players know too little about the Colle System and rather play it by ear.
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Luc Henris: Albin Countergambit (D08-D09)
The Move order 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 is called Albin Countergambit, and it’s a gambit in the true sense of the word since after 3.dxe5 d4 Black sacrifices a pawn which he won’t get back so easily. This opening is one of the gambits which can’t be refuted, but nevertheless are considered as being inferior. However, what counts in the end is to get well-playable positions – and of course the points you score with them. Furthermore, the fact that Black is immediately dictates the course of action is definitely not to be underrated. Written by Belgian FIDE Master Luc Henris, the CD contains a comprehensive presentation of the theory of this gambit.
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Englisch 1.c4 e5 (A20-A29)
With the move 1.c4, you can avoid some of the openings and lines to be feared after 1.d4. Following 1.c4 e5 – this move order is also called reversed Sicilian – arises an independent opening which, however, still leaves space for many transpositions. To deal with the vast amount of material requires expert skill and great knowledge of the variations, both qualities distinguishing the author, Grandmaster Mihail Marin. The total number of 69,000 games on the CD shows the gigantic field he managed to cover. His ernormous work is refelected in no less than 60 database texts and 330 games, exclusively annotated for this CD. Further more, there is a training database with 46 games.
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Don Maddox: The Franco-Benoni
Pioneered by GM Gideon Barcza and later revived by Danish GM Bent Larsen, the Franco Benoni is, as its name implies, a cross between the French and the Benoni based on 1…e6 and 2…c5. This resilient, spring-like pawn structures is especially effective against unsuspecting 1. e4 players and can serve as a universal black defence against 1. e4, 1. d4. or 1. c4. Black has to be prepared to meet Benoni lines after 3. d5, but most 1. e4 players hang back from queen’s pawn structures, often entering a little known Sicilian Paulsen or Alapin backwater where the black player is better prepared. Includes more than 13,000 games, 800 annotated, a discussion of basic ideas and patterns, an Opening Tree, and 37 training positions.

Alexander Bangiev: White Repertoire 1.e4
The main focus of Alexander Bangiev’s repertoire CD is the Grand Prix Attack of the Sicilian Defence, featuring a wealth of introduction texts, playing suggestions and annotated games about this sharp attacking weapon. Yet this is only the starting point of the complete White 1.e4-repertoire which offers a playing plan against all common replies by Black. The point: the suggested lines have a lot in common, often transpose and many times lead to similar middlegame positions – effective opening study guaranteed.
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Boris Schipkov: Dutch Defence A90-A99
Choosing the Dutch Defence with the black pieces is a clear signal that you are willing to go for the full point. There are no such things as exchange variations or an early trade of queens. What's more, limited theoretical knowledge will serve you quite well here, for a change. What both parties do have to know in the Dutch Defence, however, is a couple of good ideas and manoeuvres – then a successful opening is guaranteed. On his new CD Boris Schipkov deals with the variations in which Black plays e6, mainly the Stonewall (with d5) and the Iljin-Schenewski Variation (with d6 and eventually e5). The database on the CD contains about 14,000 games, 300 of which annotated. 17 database texts feature introductions to the variations, 57 sample games have been annotated by the author. A training database includes 20 games with 70 training tasks to check your freshly acquired knowledge.
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Don Maddox: King's Indian Attack
Building an opening repertoire can be a daunting task. So much to learn; so little time. The King’s Indian Attack (KIA) offers a remarkable three-pronged solution to this problem: 1) A universal hypermodern repertoire based on NF3/d2-d3/g2-g3/Bg2; 2) A customisable 1 e4 repertoire channelling virtually every black response (except 1…d5) into familiar KIA waters; and 3) A permanent fall back for those times you need to rest your regular repertoire while you fine-tune it, modify it, or repair holes in it. The KIA is versatile and varied enough to serve you for the rest of your career in any one of these three capacities. Don Maddox co-authored the Bluebook Guide to the Winning with the King’s Indian Attack, and he has taught and played the KIA extensively. On this CD he discusses the basic principles of the KIA theory – from both the white and black sides. The CD contains more than 20,000 games (740+annotated), a complete KIA tree, and a KIA Training Database. The text introduction are extensive.
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King’s Indian with h3
Many players are in search of a weapon against King’s Indian. The system with h3, which offers White many tactical possibilities, has been proven to be quite successful in practice. White scores a solid 60 percent of all points. Theory, however, neglects this set-up. The standard opening books about the King’s Indian either fail to mention the move h3 or only give it a cursory treatment. In the past, players such as Bent Larsen and Lubomir Kavalek used to employ this system regularly, and today renowned grandmasters such as Michal Krasenkow, Evgeeny Baarev, Vassily Iwanchuk, Alexander Beliavsky like to advance their h-pawn with success. World champion Kasparov, Anand and Kramnik have tried this system with good results. On this CD Martin Breutigam provides a comprehensive introduction to this attractive opening. In 18 texts Breutigam explains it basic ideas and analyses the most important variations. Thus, this CD offers both an easy CD-to-learn introduction and the first in-depth theoretical analysis of this system. 130 illustrative games, a lot of them annotated, demonstrate the most important strategies for both sides. A training database invites you to check your knowledge.
Available in the following languages: English and German.
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NIMZO INDIAN 4.F3 AND SÄMISCH-VARIATION
The Nimzo Indian is one of Black's most popular and reliable openings. White strives for an opening advantage and interesting, rich positions with ample room for creativity. It is often a good idea to avoid the well trodden paths. Thus, the variations 4.f3 and the Sämisch, which are presented on this CD, are ideally suited to fight the Nimzo Indian. They usually give rise to sharp, unbalanced positions with chances for both sides. In the past, players such as Botvinnik, Bronstein, Geller, Spassky have used these systems successfully, while today e.g. Shirov and Jussupow play these lines with success. On this CD grandmaster Vadim Milov presents the most important ideas and lines of this opening. Ten introductory texts with links to the most important games explain the basic ideas and variations. Numerous proposals improve today's theory while 68 games annotated by Milov offer additional information and advice. A training database invites you to test your acquired knowledge. Available in the following languages: English and German.
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SCANDINAVIAN
The Scandinavian has long lost its former exotic status. Thanks to practical success and a number of publications by some players from Hamburg gathered around the several times German champions Matthias Wahls in Germany this opening even managed to gain the reputation of being a rather solid weapon against 1.e4. The Scandinavian - basically these are two different openings after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Black can now play 2...Qxd5 or 2...Nf6, and accordingly two different systems arise, and there is hardly any practitioner, who has both moves in his repertoire. Thanks to Curt Hansen, who scrutinized both systems extensively. His study of the current theoretical works is well reflected in his 62 database texts. But he also goes beyond the current state of theory and presents his own research. More than 30 games extensively annotated by the author (there are all in all about 500 annotated games); a real gem are his 12 games in the training mode; 316 questions are posed, and answering them you can reach a maximum number of 924 points.

HOW TO PLAY THE NIMZO-INDIAN?
The opening arising after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 carries the name of Aaron Nimzowitsch (1886-1935), who played some wonderful games with it and contributed many important ideas. However, the Nimzo-Indian can well be called the opening of the world champions. Capablanca employed it and lost one of the most legendary games in chess history - against Botwinnik, another world champion. His successors adopted the Nimzo-Indian as well, often even with both colours. Robert Fischer scored his greatest achievements with this opening in 1972 when he -among other things thanks to a brilliant Nimzo-Indian victory - became world champion. Also his heir to the throne, Karpov, used it to good success, and after him Kasparov. Having less the character of a theoretical work, Reinhold Rippberger 's CD follows a similar approach like "King 's Indian with f4 " - not concentrating on concrete variations, but rather showing how to play certain types of positions. Apart from the 21 introductory texts, the heart of the CD are the 300 games with many text commentaries. Furthermore, the author presents a database with 35 games featuring training questions. On top of that, the CD contains two additional databases with more than 47,000 games.

THE SLAV DEFENCE
The solidity of the Slav is obvious. With the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 Black supported his center while at the same time leaving scope for his bishop c8. Experience has shown that White has grave difficulties to obtain an opening advantage. There are nearly 32.000 games on this CD. Thus, what is called theory, here is of an enormous size and accordingly the achievement of the author far surpasses the usual standards. After three introductory texts grandmaster Dorian Rogozenko follows up with no less than 86 database texts, which introduce the respective variations. The author scrutinized 154 games especially for this CD. Together with the Slav-games regularly reviewed by Robert Hübner for the ChessBase magazine, this amounts to an enormous fund, from which the user can draw. In addition, there is a tree of all games and a training database.

Queen's Gambit with 5. Bf4
The Queen's Gambit Orthodox is one of the most solid defences for Black against 1. d4. From White's point of view, the system after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 5. Bf4 has enormously gained in adherents and nearly superseded 5. Bg5 in popularity. In view of fantastic 63% score for the first player, this can hardly be surprising. Rustem Dautov has included into his Database 13 texts and 3657 games. 255 games have been annotated, 81 of which by the author himself - most of them exclusively for this CD. A second database contains 20 games with 46 training questions. The heart of the database are the 13 database texts in which the author describes the various variations with the links to the most important games. At the of each text, there is a summary of the particular variation. Although Dautov has collected much practical experience with 5. Bf4 as White, he still tries to be very objective in his assessments. With the CD at hand, he presents us with the current status of an opnening.

BIRD-OPENING
It is no pleasure to play with Black against the Bird-Opening (1.f4) – one is vaguely familiar with some bad disasters, but less familiar with ways to avoid them. This opening theory in the traditional sense to learn. The focus lies rather on plans and manoeuvres, which can be applied in a variety of ways. To allow the opening into a compact database: 14 texts contain links to 200 illustrative games. The Russian does not hide his liking for the white side. But also comes up with solutions for the second player, who obviously profits from knowing White’s plan. Another database contains the approximately 15000 games ChessBase has to offer about this opening. The CD is rounded off by a tree of all games and two training databases dealing with tactics/traps and strategy/plans.

PIRC DEFENCE
There is a huge quantity of games played with the Pirc Defence. However, the number of really important ideas is comparatively small, and the central variations which are called theory are still easily comprehensible. That’s why this opening is very wide-spread, particularly among club players. The centrepiece of our new Training CD is a "small database" with eight database reports and 116 key games, where the author Grandmaster Aleksei Lugovoi has compiled all his knowledge about this opening. The entire material has been checked and revised by Alexander Khalifman, FIDE world champion 1999, so the quality of this database is very high. A further databases includes all Pirc games available from ChessBase, more than 80,000 in total, make the CD a top product also from the quantitative point of view.
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PHILIDOR DEFENCE
The Philidor Denfence 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 combines a number of advantages. The black player has a choice of various types of positions - he can play with or without capturing on d4. The typical plans and maneuvers are easy to learn and there is hardly ever any red-hot new theory. But you have to like playing a passive position while waiting for your chance. If you play 1.e4 with White you can hardly avoid this opening . The author, Alexander Bangiev, does not hide his liking for the black side but still never fails to indicate and analyse plans, ideas and promising lines for White. He writes: "This old defence, which was already played by Philidor, is characterized by active pawn-play. Philidor thought that pawns should not hinder the development of the pieces but should themselves become active. Famous is his saying: "Pawns are the soul of Chess", with which he wanted to express the idea that the pawn carries the positional ideas in chess, an idea that is supported by today's views" The CD contains 13.400 games, 300 of which are annotated, (134 by the author), a training database and a tree of all games.

QUEEN'S GAMBIT ACCEPTED
The Queens Gambit Accepted is one of the classical openings against 1.d4 and has been (is) part of the repertoire of all World Champions. These days Anand is the top player who most often employs this solid defence. But Kasparov, Shirov and Ivanschuk also occasionally resort to 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4. Schipkov characterizes the opening in the following way. "The Queen's Gambit Accepted is a postmodern opening because it combines and deepens classical and hypermodern ideas. Black is not afraid to surrender the centre (hypermodern) and has no weaknesses (classical). The Queen's Gambit Accepted offers a wealth of different possibilities. In contrast to the Queen's Gambit Declined we can develop the c8-bishop to b7 or g4; counter attacks such as e7-e5 or c7-c5 are possible without losing a tempo as in the Slav. But White also has various in the QGA. The large database includes 19 texts explaining the different variations as well as 20,779 games, of which about 1200 are annotated. A training database contains 30 games with 86 training questions. In addition the CD-ROM contains a tree made of all games. suitable for advanced players -extensive opening course in 17 chapters
-database with nearly 21,000 games
-ChessBase Reader included
-complete English version
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The Dragon for Experts
The CD covers all variations of the Dragon System of the Sicilian Defense after the starting moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6. Hungary's International Master Attila Schneider has an excellent reputation among the fans of this opening, having excelled with many publications and discoveries in his favourite chess field. His first CD is intended first of all for players who already have some experience with the Dragon.
This CD contains: - a small special database featuring the main piece of the author's work, 34 surveys with clear evaluations of each line in words and variations.
- a database with 9300 selected quality games, 500 of which with annotations.
- a big tree of all Dragon games available from ChessBase.
Includes ChessBase Reader for reading all databases (system requirements: Pentium with 16MB RAM, Windows 95, 98, 2000) Language: English

The Chigorin Defence
"On master level, the Chigorin Defence has been played relatively seldom, and probably that's one of the reasons why it has been analysed less intensively than other openings - good prerequisites for freethinkers and adventurers on the chess board!" (Breutigam) The Chigorin Defence resulting after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 has become popular again thanks to the young Russian Alexander Morozevich, who with this choice has been holding his own even against the players of the absolute world top. It was high time for a publication to make the subtleties of this opening understandable also to the non-grandmaster, and this gap in chess literature now has been filled by FIDE master Martin Breutigam. In a small but swell database with 100 entries - 7 texts and 93 sample games - the long time player in the German Bundesliga has compiled all his knowledge on the Chigorin Defence. Another database includes 54 training questions enabling the user to test his freshly acquired knowledge. Furthermore, the CD features a big database of more than 4.000 games as a reference database plus a big tree of all games.

RETI OPENING
What is the Reti opening anyway? Okay, 1.Nf3 d5, but then? Well, almost anything, only d2-d4 should not be played immediately (for that would be queen's gambit). The typical moves are 2.c4 and 2.g3, less topical is a setup with b3 and Bb2. The first player should be prepared to react to any black scheme. Yes, if necessary even d2-d4 will be played in the end. But it's just this variability which makes the white setup so dangerous.
The Reti CD includes 32.000 games, more than 1.000 of which with annotations. The opening key contains more than 14.000 games both for 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 and for 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4, so most of the games belong to the ECO codes A06-A14. Because as mentioned above, the move d2-d4 involves transpositions to other openings, also these systems are covered on the CD with some important variations. Don Maddox is the president of ChessBase USA and a strong Correspondence Chess player. He has many years experience as a chess trainer, and this definitely leaves its mark on the CD. His presentation of the Reti openings is intended less for the grandmaster but for the typical club player, as particularly in the extremely flexible Reti opening it is of great importance to understand the plans for play - merely learning variations will not take you very far here.
Furthermore, the CD includes a tree of all games and a training database with 79 examples.
Language: English and German

MERAN VARIATION D47-D49
The Meran Variation is an extremely dynamic opening, and its no coincidence that it belongs to the opening repertoire of geniusses such as Kasparov, Kramnik, Anand and Shirov. The lines arising after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 e6 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Bd3 dxc4 7 Bxc4 b5 often are of a very sharp nature, and Black's good possibilities for active counterplay make this choice a popular weapon on all chess levels. With Alexey Dreev, now for the first time an absolute world class player and specialist has taken on this opening for ChessBase.
The former youth world champion and manyfold candidate for the world championship has compiled well over 930 games, 35 of which saw himself at the board. More than 500 games are annotated. Dreev himself has provided comments on 116 encounters and another 41 are explained by German grandmaster Christopher Lutz, also a top expert on the Meran. The big database (about 5300 games) and the variation tree featuring all games have become standard with all ChessBase opening CDs. Fillet piece of the CD is the training database. The 20 sample games, assorted according to variations and accessible by index, contain up to 13 training questions each.

THE ACCELERATED DRAGON B34-B39
The Sicilian Accelerated Dragon after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 is a solid defense, enabling Black to go for a long term struggle for the full point. Due to its clear strategic conception, the learning player is able familiarize himself with its objectives in a logical way which is something of a rare exception in the Sicilian Defense with its excessively analysed tactical sequences. That´s why this opening is very popular above all with positional players. The extensive treatment is divided into three parts. First the different opening variations are presented in 15 chapters, each of which containing the relevant sample games. The complete database includes more than 8.000 games from which no less than 150 have been annotated by the authors themselves. After this introduction to theory, the middlegame part dwells on the strategic facets of the opening. In the concluding test part, you can finally check the freshly acquired knowledge in 20 games with 57 training questions sweating against the clock. Language: English, Spanish and German

CLASSICAL SICILIAN by Anthony Kosten
After the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6, the basic position of the Classical Sicilian arises on the board. This is the position which has been examined by our English author. GM Kosten´s very committed work is an exclusive database with "only" 942 entries. His expert preselection of relevant material considerably facilitates the study of this quite extensive opening sector for the learning player. The individual variations are presented in 27 detailed texts with links to 915 sample games (22 games from Kramnik) of which 200 are annotated (40 games analysed by Kosten exclusively for this CD). The training database features 25 test games with 55 training questions where you can gain points sweating against the clock. Moreover, the CD contains a reference database with more than 8.000 games (i.e. all games available in ChessBase format) and a tree of all games. Language: English and German

French without Nc3

„The French Defense has a proven reputation for adaptability and soundness, and is attractive to the Black player who seeks a complex strategic fi ght in unbalanced positions, with healthy counterplay and many chances to decide sharp battles in his favor! Black‘s defensive resources are based on a sound strategic foundation, and White must be alert at all times and willing to play forcefully and incisively in order to try to prove his advantage in positions with chances for both sides.“ (Neven) The second CD of Knut Neven‘s work on the French Defense covers all variations after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 and without 3. Nc3. The three main databases contain more than 148,000 games, more than 1,800 with annotations. In 12 database texts the author explains not only the most important variations but also themes and plans, with links allowing you to immediately play through the relevant sample games. Furthermore the CD features a theme key granting specific access to all motifs and games, a large variation tree as well as a special database with training tasks.

French with Nc3
“The French Defense has a proven reputation for adaptibility and soundness, and is attractive to the Black player who seeks a complex strategical fight in unbalanced positions, with healthy counterplay and many chances to decide sharp battles in his favor! Black‘s defensive resources are based on a sound strategical foundation, and White must be alert at all times and willing to play forcefully and incisively in order to try to prove his advantage in positions with chances for both sides.” (Neven) The first CD of Knut Neven’s work on the French Defense covers all variations after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3. The main database contains nearly 97,000 games, more than 5,000 with annotations. In 15 database texts the author explains not only the most important variations but also themes and plans, with links allowing you to immediately play through the relevant sample games. Furthermore the CD features a theme key granting specifi c access to all motifs and games, a large variation tree as well as a special database with training tasks. Language: English and German.

System requirements: Pentium Prozessor 300 MHz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows XP, CD-ROM drive, mouse, sound card

MODERN BENONI
The Modern Benoni is a fighting defence that will suit players aiming for active play rather than patient defence. Doing this, Black is willing to take risks (and those risks have to be shared...) in order to force his opponent into a complicated fight, both strategically and tactically. In the text part of the CD, the Canadian IM Jean Hebert introduces the typical patterns and motifs of the Modern Benoni, allowing you to quickly get familiar with this dangerous opening weapon. Then the single variationsare explained in detail. The opening tree with access to more than 13.000 games, more than 200 of which annotated by the author himself, makes it possible to quickly find the most promising lines for your practice. Finally you can check your fresh knowledge in 28 test games solving tactical training tasks against the ticking clock. Language: English and German

KING´S GAMBIT
The King´s Gambit is considered one of the most complicated yet one of the most beautiful chess openings. Many exciting games have been played with 2.f4, for example the "immortal game" Andersen- Kieseritzky, London 1851. The King's Gambit has always had its supporters. Used by geniuses like ex-worldchampion Boris Spassky or David Bronstein in the past, it is nowadays employed successfully by top players like Julian Hodgson, Nigel Short or Alexei Fedorov. In the hands of the inventive attacking player, the King's Gambit is an extremely dangerous weapon. However, it is also an attractive opening from a practical point of view as after 1.e4 e5 you need't learn the numerous lines of the open games, but can immediately manoeuvre your opponent into the direction you like.

THE SVESHNIKOV SICILIAN
It´s not difficult to indulge in superlatives on the Sveshnikov System of the Sicilian Defense, which arises after the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5. The very names of the top players of our time who have taken up this line in their repertoire is quite impressive. Kasparov, Kramnik, Shirov, Leko, Khalifman... This is one feature Rogozenko points at in his introduction, the other is that more than half of the games were played within the last six years - up to date at its best. On the other hand the author thinks the opening is easy to learn once you have understood the basic principles and plans. Grandmaster Dorian Rogozenko is one of the greatest experts of the Sveshnikov, and his thorough investigation of the system in 27 chapters is a treat for every ChessBase user. The database contains more than 12.000 games, many of them annotated by the author himself. Plus training database and a big tree.

THE ABC of CHESS OPENINGS
The CD consists of three parts. First you learn the basics of opening play, the strategy and tactics of the different openings. In the training database you can then test your progress by answering practical questions or solving specific positions. Each chapter is accompanied with a video introduction by the Grandmaster and chess trainer Daniel King. Multimedia: In video clips the well-known English Grandmaster Daniel King gives you valuable advice on how to play the opening. Language: English and German

TROMPOWSKI ATTACK
The Trompowsky attack, which arises after 1.d4 Nf6, Bg5 has matured into a full-blooded opening. On this CD a repertoire from White´s point of view is given. Database texts give you explanations of the important and critical position. Just playing trough some of the key game will enable you to understand the main points of the variation. Apart from that there is a large reference database with over 6,000 games on the CD, as well as a smaller Database with trainings questions. Available in the following languages: English and German.

MODERN WAYS OF PLAYING THE SICILIAN
The Cuban grandmaster Amador Rodriguez introduces six modern, partially rediscovered systems with which Black without extensive theoretical knowledge can cause his opponent some very unpleasant problems. In a number of introductory texts the special points are explained in clear language, suitable for amateurs and experts. The position tree allows you to keep all variations in view, with full statistical information on every move. Training positions are also included so you can practice what you have learnt. Available in the following languages: English, Spanish and German.