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Chessville
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Accelerated
VHS format $29.95 This is the second foray into the realm of video chess instruction for Bad Bishop, the first being The Scheming Scandinavian, also by IM Martin. This time Martin delves into one of the more popular opening systems for Black, the Sicilian defense, and specifically the Accelerated Dragon variation, characterized by the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6.
Martin starts with three "Inspirational Games" to give the viewer a sense of the opening's general look and feel. He goes on to cover: the Maroczy Pawn Structure - Piece Placements - Classical System 6 Nb3 Bxc3+ - Classical 6 Be3 Nf6 7 Be2 0-0 8 0-0 d5! - 7 Nb3 0-0 8 Be2 a5 - Summary - Pseudo-Yugoslav 7 Bc4 0-0 8 f3 Qb6! - 7 Bc4 0-0 8 Bb3 a5 - 7 Bc4 0-0 8 Bb3 a5 9 f3 d5! - 9 f3 d5 10 Nxd5 & main line 10 Bxd5 - 9 f3 d5 10 Bxd5 - Summary - White's Early Nxc6: Galdunts-Kupreichik - Delanoy-Wiersma - Summary - Maroczy Bind, Gurgenidze System: Introduction - White's early Be2 & Be3 - 7 f3 Nxd4 8 Qxd4 Bg7 9 Be3 0-0 10 Qd2 Be6 11 Rc1 Qa5 - 7 Be2 Nxd4 8 Qxd4 Bg7 9 0-0 0-0 10 Qd3 Leko-Anand - 10 Qd3 Zvjaginsev-Sorokin - 10 Qe3 Nijboer-Tiviakov - Summary. This video features excellent production values, with crisp photography and excellent graphics. Accompanying the tape is a small leaflet containing the bare bone text of the 21 illustrative games used in the video. Packaged in a hard plastic case, not a cardboard slipcover, which is a big plus in my book. IM Martin combines known theory using illustrative games, plus original analysis, some his, and some suggested by others whom Martin freely credits. Martin makes use of the familiar format of a stem game, with periodic forays into important side lines. Due to the necessary brevity of the video-format, he naturally provides more of an overview of each line, albeit with specific move suggestions, rather than an encyclopedic sort of coverage as found in a printed opening tome, which is recommended for anyone intending to play the Accelerated Dragon. This video clearly attempts to show how Black can at least equalize, and most of the lines covered are reviewed from that point of view. Martin discusses most of the usual opening themes: pawn structure, piece placement, typical plans, tactical themes, exchanges to be sought or avoided, etc. Each major section of the video is first previewed - then viewed - then reviewed, an extremely effective educational method, particularly in this medium. One small irritation I noticed was the rapidity with which the camera switches to a new board and subject at the conclusion of each section's summary. Martin has just finished reviewing and summarizing his teaching and opinion about that particular section, and while I am contemplating his comments and the position, the camera has already moved on. Maybe a slower fade to the next scene would feel better. I suggest you keep your remote control handy with your finger near the pause button. Also very effective was the use of graphics on the diagrams, which is where the action occurs. Lines, arrows, colored squares, files, ranks and diagonals, flashing squares, are all used in appropriate combination to effectively highlight the point Martin wants to make. Yet he doesn't over-do these technological tricks either, so the result is the viewer pays more attention to them when they are used, heightening their effectiveness. Martin's commentary is both enlightening and entertaining. When he summarized a position saying "White's probably seriously worse in this position. He has to grovel to make a draw." I had to chuckle. I like his style! When combined with study of new GM/IM games and backed up by a comprehensive written reference, Accelerated Dragon Assault! should lend understanding and enjoyment to this powerful opening system.
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