Sicilian Dragon: The Real Deal! Part 2 by Chris Ward

Following on from ‘Part 1: Understanding The Dragon’ where important themes and concepts were explained, now it’s time to delve into the theory that has shaped this exciting opening over the years. From reasons why once popular variations are no more (but with revival suggestions!) to coverage of the more modern systems currently deployed by the World’s elite, this two-parter has it all!

The Yugoslav Attack always grabs an audience and in this video course it is the 9 0-0-0 and 9 g4 lines that come under the microscope with all systems to date reflected upon but a bias towards where we are now and where it looks like we’re heading. Also featured are the ‘Dragadorf’ systems including the fashionable early …h5 ideas such as the one championed by Magnus Carlsen! With his constant monthly monitoring of Dragon games Worldwide on the chesspublishing site, Chris argues that rather than being analysed to death as many had predicted, in fact the opening has flourished in recent years with new variations frequently popping up. The viewer won’t be overwhelmed with myriads of moves to learn but with a nice choice of systems, will receive a good grounding in all chapters that can be used as a fantastic springboard for further investigation. There is simply no doubt that with these video courses assimilated, the user will be more ready than ever to enter the Dragon!
Themes: Yugoslav Attack 9 0-0-0 and 9 g4 and all things ‘Dragadorfy!’.

• Video running time: 4 hours 22 minutes(English)
• With interactive training including video feedback
• Extra: Training with ChessBase apps - Memorize the opening repertoire and play key positions against Fritz on various levels

Sample video

1. Introduction
2. Yugoslav Attack 9.0-0-0
3. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.0-0-0
4. Introduction to 9…d5 and Accepting The Pawn
5. 9...d5 10 exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd4 Bxd4 13.Qxd4 Qb6
6. 9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd4 Nxc3
7. 9...d5 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Bh6 and 11.Bc4
8. 9...d5 10.Qe1
9. 9...d5 10.Kb1
10. Old Main Line - New twist: 9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd4 e5 13.Bc5 Be6/Re8
11. 9...Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Be6
12. Yugoslav Attack 9.g4
13. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.g4
14. 9.g4 Bd7 and 9.0-0-0 Bd7
15. Without Bd7: 9...Nxd4/Be6/Bxg4
16. The Dragadorf and Beyond
17. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 a6
18. 8.Qd2 Nbd7/b5 and 6...a6 7.f3 b5 (Accelerated Dragadorf)
19. 8.Qd2 h5 and 6...a6 7.Qd2; 6...Nc6 7.f3 h5

System requirements:
Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 2 GB RAM, Windows 7, DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM , Windows Media Player 9 and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible soundcard, Windows Media Player 11 and internet connection for program activation.