Positional Sacrifices Volume II: Pieces is Now Available!
The long-awaited Positional Sacrifices Volume II: Pieces by IM Kostya Kavutskiy is now available! Enroll by end of July using the promo code EARLY20 during checkout to save 20%.
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In Volume II, IM Kostya Kavutskiy covers positional piece sacrifices, starting with a long and informative video highlighting the classic examples (featuring several generations of players from Tarrasch to Petrosian to Kasparov) before moving on to detailed chapters on exchange sacrifices (the most common positional sacrifice), minor piece sacrifices, rook sacrifices, and of course queen sacrifices. Lastly, Kostya showcases several modern brilliancies, featuring some of the most creative efforts by today’s elite players.
The focus of this course is to show the most thematic and typical examples of positional sacrifices, as well as discussing the many different types of compensation that a player can look for when sacrificing material. Kostya also spends time discussing execution and converting a strategic advantage by demonstrating concepts such as: simplification, preventing counterplay, and the transformation of advantages.
With a total of 89 instructive examples covered in the videos, plus an additional 15 annotated games and 20 practical exercises for solving, the course is one of the most comprehensive works on the topic of positional sacrifices to date. By the end of this course, students should develop a strong understanding and familiarity with the various motifs and concepts related to positional sacrifices.
In addition to the main topic of positional sacrifices, the wide variety of examples demonstrate many other classic middlegame and endgame themes that are essential knowledge for the tournament player, including topics such as: development & initiative, attacking play, breakthroughs, outposts, blockade, restriction, prophylaxis, practical defense, and many more. By diligently studying this course, one can expect to not only greatly improve their understanding and knowledge of positional sacrifices, but also their overall middlegame and endgame understanding as well.
Course Syllabus
Introduction (1:19)
The Classics (47:45)
Chapter 1: Exchange Sacrifices
Part 1 – Thematic Motifs (16:28)
Part 2 – Domination & Restriction (13:33)
Part 3 – Color Complex (17:26)
Part 4 – The Bishop Pair (23:46)
Part 5 – Endgame Sacrifices (21:12)
Part 6 – Double Exchange Sacrifices (22:02)
Chapter 2: Minor Piece Sacrifices
Part 1 – Opening Files (28:28)
Part 2 – Piece vs. Two Pawns (26:04)
Chapter 3: Heavy Piece Sacrifices
Part 1 – Rook Sacrifices (18:59)
Part 2 – Queen Sacrifices (22:30)
Part 3 – Queen vs. Two Minor Pieces (19:54)
Modern Brilliancies (31:27)
15 Additionally Annotated Games
20 Practical Exercises
Conclusion (1:06)
Overview of Key Concepts and Course Summary (PDF)
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