Even in the Sicilian Defense, one of the most popular and well-developed chess openings, it is possible to surprise your opponent at move four! With the Kalashnikov Variation, Black immediately forces the opponent to make a difficult decision. It all starts with a Black pawn, kicking White's knight off the central d4-square. This push will lead the game into turbulent waters where your rapid development, attacking options, sound pawn structure and superior preparation will leave your opponent bewildered.
Grandmaster Daniel King knows what it takes to play the Sicilian with success, and his articulate explanations and practical approach to playing and learning will help you score your own Sicilian victories. This course is a repertoire for Black, focusing on the most important lines. In addition, there is a selection of well-annotated master games demonstrating key strategic concepts in practical settings. Once you hear about the Bad Bishop Bounce, Liberation Station, and The Trojan Horse, you will be eager to introduce them into your own games. The book also explains how to punish the sidelines you are most likely to face in club and online play, often allowing you to reach a superior position straight out of the opening! This complete repertoire includes answers to all possible alternatives for White after the moves 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 e5.
Daniel King is an English chess grandmaster, coach, journalist and broadcaster. He has authored dozens of chess books and courses on topics ranging from opening preparation to the historical biography Sultan Khan. With his frequent posts on his PowerPlay YouTube channel, he reaches a broad audience.
CONTENT
006 Explanation of symbols
007 Introduction
011 Part I Model Games
054 Part II The Kalashnikov Repertoire
055 Chapter 1 A misplaced knight: 5.Nb3
066 Chapter 2 The unassuming 5.Nf3
074 Chapter 3 The ugly 5.Nxc6
084 Chapter 4 Menacing...? 5.Nf5
088 Chapter 5 Too sophisticated: 5.Ne2
094 Chapter 6 The pragmatic 5.Nb5 d6 6.a4
102 Chapter 7 A bad Sveshnikov: 5.Nb5 d6 6.Be3
109 Chapter 8 A traffic jam: 5.Nb5 d6 6.Bc4
112 Chapter 9 A mini traffic jam: 5.Nb5 d6 6.N5c3
116 Chapter 10 The gentle 5.Nb5 d6 6.g3
123 Chapter 11 The modest 5.Nb5 d6 6.Be2
127 Chapter 12 The terrible 5.Nb5 d6 6.Bg5
130 Chapter 13 Sound development: 5.Nb5 d6 6.N1c3
141 Chapter 14 A careless fianchetto: 8.g3
144 Chapter 15 A move with potential: 8.Be3
147 Chapter 16 Main line 8.Nc4: minor 10th moves
154 Chapter 17 Main line with 10.g3 h5
163 Chapter 18 Main line with 10.g3 0-0
172 Chapter 19 6.c4: main line with 7.N1c3
185 Chapter 20 6.c4: main line with 7.Bd3
191 Index of variations
192 Index of names
Grandmaster Daniel King knows what it takes to play the Sicilian with success, and his articulate explanations and practical approach to playing and learning will help you score your own Sicilian victories. This course is a repertoire for Black, focusing on the most important lines. In addition, there is a selection of well-annotated master games demonstrating key strategic concepts in practical settings. Once you hear about the Bad Bishop Bounce, Liberation Station, and The Trojan Horse, you will be eager to introduce them into your own games. The book also explains how to punish the sidelines you are most likely to face in club and online play, often allowing you to reach a superior position straight out of the opening! This complete repertoire includes answers to all possible alternatives for White after the moves 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 e5.
Daniel King is an English chess grandmaster, coach, journalist and broadcaster. He has authored dozens of chess books and courses on topics ranging from opening preparation to the historical biography Sultan Khan. With his frequent posts on his PowerPlay YouTube channel, he reaches a broad audience.
CONTENT
006 Explanation of symbols
007 Introduction
011 Part I Model Games
054 Part II The Kalashnikov Repertoire
055 Chapter 1 A misplaced knight: 5.Nb3
066 Chapter 2 The unassuming 5.Nf3
074 Chapter 3 The ugly 5.Nxc6
084 Chapter 4 Menacing...? 5.Nf5
088 Chapter 5 Too sophisticated: 5.Ne2
094 Chapter 6 The pragmatic 5.Nb5 d6 6.a4
102 Chapter 7 A bad Sveshnikov: 5.Nb5 d6 6.Be3
109 Chapter 8 A traffic jam: 5.Nb5 d6 6.Bc4
112 Chapter 9 A mini traffic jam: 5.Nb5 d6 6.N5c3
116 Chapter 10 The gentle 5.Nb5 d6 6.g3
123 Chapter 11 The modest 5.Nb5 d6 6.Be2
127 Chapter 12 The terrible 5.Nb5 d6 6.Bg5
130 Chapter 13 Sound development: 5.Nb5 d6 6.N1c3
141 Chapter 14 A careless fianchetto: 8.g3
144 Chapter 15 A move with potential: 8.Be3
147 Chapter 16 Main line 8.Nc4: minor 10th moves
154 Chapter 17 Main line with 10.g3 h5
163 Chapter 18 Main line with 10.g3 0-0
172 Chapter 19 6.c4: main line with 7.N1c3
185 Chapter 20 6.c4: main line with 7.Bd3
191 Index of variations
192 Index of names