Thank you GM Melik for the clear explanations of the ideas behind the moves. It helped me gain confidence in facing Maroczy bind positions.

Thank you Grandmaster.

what about 7...Ng4 trading 1 or maybe more minor pieces

TQ SIR...

Instead of 11. Qd2 (a line I used to play a lot, and also what was played here), 11. Qd3!? is a very key move. The idea is that on 11.. Bc6 white does not need to waste a move with 12. f3, as he will instead play for f4 later in the game. e.g. 11. Qd3 Bc6 12. b4! (since white does not waste a move on f3 and allow black's a5, he gets b4 in) with a good game for white. Computer analysis thinks it is a slight improvement over the more classical Qd2 line for white.

The explanation of the ideas behind the moves is superb. Also helps explain the first six games in the World Championship - those were deep theoretical 'discussions', just like this game.  Thanks Melik! 

Great lesson! I've experimented with the Maroczy bind a few times, with suprizingly good success but haven't played it recently... maybe it's time to start playing it again!

thank you for the plans and ideas behind opening

Hi,

I'd like to second the idea of showing one game with a straight forward lecture style approach and then go over a second game in a "solitaire chess" style format. While you review the second game, you would pause at each of the key junctures of the game and ask us to form a plan or find the best moves. This, in my opinion, is an ideal way for the student to truely absorb the material.

Thank you for all your work here. Keep it up.

Also, for the future, I would like to see a few games and opening analysis featuring the Veresov's opening. You are one of the few GMs that has some

expertise in this opening. Take care.

Hasn't this video already been shown before? I could have sworn I have watched Melik give this lesson sometime around the end of May. Of course, I could have it twisted,LOL!

Melik, I enjoyed the short drawn game.  It kept the concepts in my head better than adding the end game, which, although it shows a continuation of the plan, is beyond me at this stage. 

What I might like for you and your compadres to consider is to give us two games, one illistratived in teh video and a second, somewhat similiar game to ask questions about as we play thru it.  That way, I would be more certain that I am absorbing the ideas...

Melik, thanks so much!

Melik, thanks so much!  I just finished with Part 4 and then went back and watched this video again after looking over a number of Larsen and D. Velimirovic games (will check Peterussson next). Seems like black mostly draws but if white wins it typically is a quite a grind. Really, really appreciate the ideas you explained in this video esp. the idea for black with the dark squares.  Now back to Part 2 and Part 1 again! You're awesome!

Thank you, Melik, for the detailed explanations of the plans and play for both sides.  Excellent!