FM Milan Popovic took 6 months off his busy schedule and developed an entire repertoire for White built around the Checkover Variation. It is super practical, easy to learn and tested against all ranges of players from 1600 to 2550.
This opening was not a common guest at the Grandmaster’s tournaments.
But after Anand crushed Kasparov in 1995, and Carlsen scored a few spectacular wins in the 2010s… Things changed.
Chekover Variation is one of those under-the-radar lines of the Sicilian that can up your game with White pieces without learning all the theory. It is closely connected to Maroczy Bind structures and leads to very promising positions for White.
FM Milan Popovic played it for over 10 years with great success. It allowed him to score 2 IM norms and win numerous tournaments placing in front of many IMs and GMs.
FM Popovic took 6 months off his busy schedule and developed an entire repertoire for White built around the Checkover Variation. It is super practical, easy to learn and tested against all ranges of players from 1600 to 2550.
Here is what you’ll learn:
- Against 3…cxe4: FM Milan Popovic’s top pick is 4. Qxd4! The Chekhover Variation provides clear attacking possibilities, straightforward tactics, and a serious edge (if you know what you’re doing)
- Against 2…Nc6: FM Popovic recommends 3. Bc4. It’s not a well-explored variation but very popular at the top level
- Against 3…e6: FM Popovic suggests the modified “Chekhover.” It has a lot of potential and can catch Black off guard
- Against 2…g6: We play 3.c3. Then, we take the center with d4 and get our attack rolling
- Against 2…a6: We exchange in the center and transpose to our core Chekhover. Even many IMs and GMs aren’t well-prepared against Qd4 systems. For club players, it’s even tougher for Black
- Against 2…Nf6: FM Popovic recommends the straightforward approach with 3. e5. Milan keeps the theory to a minimum and suggests a novel move order that gives up a pawn but generates tons of activity on the kingside and center
To make it a truly “Complete Repertoire” FM Popovic even covers the off-beat lines like 2…b6 and 2…h6 among other variations.
FM Popovic played most of these lines for over 10-15 years and you get all the wisdom passed to you after watching this course.
Outline:
Introduction
Chapter 1 2.d6 – Chekhover – Mainline
Chapter 2 2.d6 – Chekhover – 4.a6
Chapter 3 2.d6 – Chekhover – 4.Nf6
Chapter 4 2.d6 – Chekhover – 5th Move Sidelines
Chapter 5 2.d6 – Chekhover – 4th Sidelines
Chapter 6 2.Nc6 – 3.Bc4 – Mainline 3.e6
Chapter 7 2.Nc6 – 3.Bc4 – Mainline 3.d6
Chapter 8 2.Nc6-3.Bc4 – Mainline 3.g6
Chapter 9 2.Nc6-3.Bc4 – Mainline 3.Nf6
Chapter 10 2.Nc6 – 3.Bc4 – 3rd Move Sidelines
Chapter 11 2.e6 – Qxd4 Plan – Mainline 6.d5, 6.Bb4
Chapter 12 2.e6 – Qxd4 Plan – Mainline 6.d6
Chapter 13 2.e6 – Qxd4 Plan – 3rd, 4th and 5th Move Sidelines
Chapter 14 2.e6 – Qxd4 Plan – 6th Move Sidelines
Chapter 15 2.g6 – 3.c3 – Mainline – 3.Bg7
Chapter 16 2.g6 – 3.c3 – Mainline 3.d5
Chapter 17 2.g6 – 3.c3 – 3rd Move Sidelines
Chapter 18 Okelly – 4.Qxd4 Plan – Mainline
Chapter 19 Okelly – 4.Qxd4 Plan – Sidelines
Chapter 20 Nimzowitsch Variation – 2.Nf6…4.Nc3-e4 5.Ne4
Chapter 21 Nimzowitsch Variation – 2.Nf6…4.Nc3-Nxc3 5.dxc3
Chapter 22 Nimzowitsch Variation – Sidelines
Chapter 23 Sicilian 2nd Move Sidelines – 2.B6 Qa5 h6 d5 Qc7
Chapter 24 Model Games
Overview of the Repertoire
About the Author:
FM Milan Popovic [2393 FIDE]
is a FIDE Master from Serbia, boasting two IM norms. Not only is he an active competitor on the tournament scene, but he also coaches chess, helping players enhance their skills. Milan is passionate about blitz and bullet chess, with an online rating exceeding 3100. In online play, he’s faced off against numerous top 10 players and has notched some notable wins, including several against Magnus Carlsen. Beyond the chessboard, Milan holds a bachelor’s degree in gastronomy.
