New: Understanding Middlegame Strategy Vol 12: Reversed Colour Systems – King’s Indian/Pirc Defence
Ivan Sokolov’s new course examines colour-reversed King’s Indian and Pirc structures, showing how extra tempi influence typical plans and why these positions feel uncomfortable for humans but not for engines. He analyses key model games from Kramnik, Botvinnik, and Fischer, demonstrating that White usually gets a pleasant setup without a guaranteed advantage, leading to sharp, dynamic battles decided by understanding rather than theory. The course equips practical players, both with white and black, with clear ideas, typical patterns, and concrete plans for navigating these complex reversed-colour systems. Photo: ChessBase
Understanding Middlegame Strategies Vol.12 - Reversed Colour Systems – King’s Indian/Pirc Defence
The King’s Indian Defence is one of the most dynamic openings in chess - and Pirc structures share much of the same DNA. With colours reversed (the King’s Indian Attack), these setups can be just as powerful. What may look modest at first often transforms into highly complex middlegames, where timing, precision, and a deep feel for dynamics make all the difference.
Video sample: Introduction
Video sample: Misplaced pieces
In this video course, Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov explores the fascinating world of King’s Indian and Pirc structures with colours reversed, often arising from the French or Sicilian.
You’ll discover:
• Why legends like Kramnik, Botvinnik, and Bobby Fischer successfully employed these systems.
• The strategic plans and dynamic ideas White can use to build lasting pressure.
• How Black must respond with accuracy to avoid slipping into passive or worse positions.
Sokolov blends classical games with modern analysis, to show that success here is less about memorising theory and more about mastering recurring patterns and strategies. With these insights, you’ll gain a real edge in practical play - whether you’re seizing the initiative with White or countering the system with Black. A course for practical players, designed to sharpen your middlegame skills, and give you the confidence to thrive in dynamic King’s Indian and Pirc-type battles.
• Video running time: 6 hours 14 minutes
System Requirements
Minimum: Dual Core, 2 GB RAM, Windows 10 or higher, DirectX 11 graphics card with 256 MB RAM, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 14/Fritz 16 or included Reader and internet access for program activation.
Recommended: PC Intel i5 (Quadcore), 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX11, graphics card with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10-compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11 and internet access for program activation.
Mac OSX
Minimum: MacOS "Yosemite" 10.10
Streaming
ChessBase Book, iPad, Tablet, any computer or smartphone
About Ivan Sokolov
Ivan Sokolov is a Dutch chess Grandmaster and author of popular chess books. He was Yugoslav champion in 1988 and Dutch champion in 1995 and 1998. For more than two decades he has been one of the elite players and has beaten many of the strongest players in the world.
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