Bulgarian GM Ivan Cheparinov (2718 FIDE) recorded a 6.5-hour course, Play the Ruy Lopez - Part 1, where he handpicked the top-performing lines, and revealed his entire library of attacking plans & ideas.
GM Ivan Cheparinov starts a new fascinating project – in two databases, he will provide the full Ruy Lopez repertoire for White.
Many players are hesitant to try the Ruy Lopez opening due to its complexity. Aside from the theoretical overload, Ruy Lopez necessitates a subtle understanding of the arising pawn structures. There is, however, some good news. You will have a reliable lifetime weapon if you put in the necessary effort.
In the first part of his Ruy Lopez journey, GM Cheparinov covers everything except the position arising after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 which will be dealt with in Part 2.
In this database, you will find 16 theoretical chapters, 16 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (6h and 36 mins).
The starting position of the current project arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
When studying this course, don’t try to memorize all the variations (unless you are a 2700+ player). Nevertheless, we strongly suggest that you take a closer look at all the lines. In this way, you will see a lot of recurring tactical and positional ideas.
Here is what you’ll learn:
Against the dreaded Berlin, Cheparinov suggests 4.d3.
4.0-0 is the most popular move and there is a lot of theory on it. Instead, 4.d3 is giving more options for White and it’s one of the best ways to play against the Berlin Defense.
Even though the Black’s main moves are 4…d6 and …Bc5, Cheparinov also examines in detail rare continuations such as 4…Ne7, and 4…Bd6. By submitting the Berlin Defence to deep analysis, the Bulgarian grandmaster manages to create practical problems for Black in all the lines.
In this course, you will also see why Cheparinov considers 4.d3 to be White’s most precise reaction to the Janisch Gambit arising after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5
It turns out that Black faces huge practical problems in this system. It’s not even clear whether he can achieve objective equality. It goes without saying that all Black’s options on move 3 are covered in huge detail. Some of these options are indeed very challenging.
Another important crossroads in this course is the position arising after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4
At this point, Cheparinov examines all Black’s continuations except 4…Nf6. Move 4…Nf6 will be the subject of the second and final part of the Ruy Lopez project. As you will see in the analysis, none of the 4th move alternatives can provide Black with clear equality.
Outline:
Chapter 1 – Very rare 3rd moves
Chapter 2 – 3…Nd4
Chapter 3 – 3…g6
Chapter 4 – 3…Nge7
Chapter 5 – 3…d6
Chapter 6 – 3…Bc5
Chapter 7 – 3…f5
Chapter 8 – Berlin 4.d3 Rare moves
Chapter 9 – Berlin 4.d3 d6
Chapter 10 – Berlin 4.d3 Bc5
Chapter 11 – Very rare 4th moves
Chapter 12 – 4…g6
Chapter 13 – 4…Nge7
Chapter 14 – 4…f5
Chapter 15 – 4…Bc5
Chapter 16 – 4…d6
About the Author:
GM Ivan Cheparinov [FIDE 2718]
is a four-time Bulgarian champion (2004, 2005, 2012, 2018). GM Cheparinov competed in the FIDE World Cup in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2015, and 2017. In 2018, he switched his national federation to Georgia.
