Empire Chess 10: Battle with the Berlin Defense - Chess Opening Video DVD

Battle with the Berlin Defense
GM Leonid Kritz

This chess DVD is an in-depth analysis of the Berlin Wall opening. It starts with some side variations and moves chapter by chapter towards the main position of the opening - the Berlin Endgame. While working on this DVD, my intention was not only to provide the listeners with detailed variations, but also to help them achieve deeper positional comprehension about how to play this unique type of opening struggle. Ideas and strategic understanding matter much more in the Berlin Endgame than learning variations by heart. However, as in every modern opening nowadays, there are lines that must be learnt and there are single moves that must be known before you start employing the Berlin Defense in practical tournament games. Such lines are highlighted throughout the DVD, and particularly important moments are especially emphasized. When you study the material presented here, you should try to find the golden middle between the amount of moves you memorize, and the level of positional understanding you achieve. I wish you good luck in your own games by applying what you learn about the Berlin Defense in this chess DVD.

About Grandmaster Leonid Kritz

GM Leonid Kritz is a strong chess Grandmaster at 2612 FIDE and has achieved numerous impressive chess results (Youth World Champion U16 in 1999, GM at age 19 in 2003, Chess Olympiad representative in 2004, and SPICE Cup Co-Winner in 2008). In this chess DVD, GM Kritz instructs viewers on how to play one of the most interesting and different chess openings ever created - the Berlin Defense. Since Vladimir Kramnik used the Berlin Defense to beat Garry Kasparov in the 2000 World Championship, this eccentric opening system has achieved widespread popularity among club players and professional Grandmasters alike due to the incredibly solid nature of Black's position. In this chess DVD, GM Kritz explains how Black can easily achieve strong equality early in the opening - and if White does not play the best moves, it is Black who will be fighting to win the endgame thanks to the advantage of the two Bishops! This chess DVD is designed for intermediate and advanced players and will teach you the basic fundamentals, critical lines, and deep positional understanding of the Berlin Defense and how to fight for the win with Black against the Ruy Lopez.

Chapter Outline

• 1. - Introduction
• 2. - 4.d3 -Qe2-Nc3
• 3. - 4.d4
• 4. - 5.Re1
• 5. - 6.Ba4
• 6. - 6.dxe5; 6.Bg5
• 7. - 6.dxe5 Continued
• 8. - 9.Rd1-9.Nc3-11.Bg5-Nge4
• 9. - 9.Nc3 Continued
• 10. - 9.g4 Main Line