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Openings - Videos By S. Farmer

Poisoned Pawn 22.Qf4N [49:17] Alexi Shirov vs. Wang Hao, 2009 Russian Cup, Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Poisoned Pawn Variation. This game was presented by Zibbit on chessvideo.tv and since it was a line that I needed to know, I decided to make a study of it on my own. The fact that the Novelty was not seen until the 22nd move came as a bit of a surprise to me, but as will be seen, Wang Hao did not hold up to the pressure very well.

 The Jerome Gambit is viable --- NOT! [35:15] Ed Yetman vs. Steve Farmer, Match Game, Jerome Gambit. This game is one of several that Ed Yetman and I played using the Jerome Gambit at a time control of either G/15 or G/30 to see if this crazy opening is viable in quicker time controls. What is unique in this game is the unique 'Disruptive Sacrifice' that Black employed. It is an idea I borrowed from Fischer in his classic game against Pal Benko in which he sacrificed his rook on KB6. Here the combination is not as spectacular, but it is nevertheless effective.


Goring Gambit

Goring Gambit - An Introduction This video will give you some insight into this dangerous opening in the accepted variation. The feature game in this video is that of J. Penrose vs Soderburg, an amazing game that showcases Penrose at his finest.

Goring Gambit 6...d6 Main Line Part 1 - This, and the following video, highlight Black's main defense in the Accepted Goring Gambit, 5...Bb4 and 6...d6.
Goring Gambit 6...d6 Main Line Part 2 - This is the follow-up to the first video on this main line. I soon found that just two videos would not be enough to get the viewers hooked, so I made more!!!
Goring Gambit 6...d6 Main Line Part 3 - Cont' our coverage of the main line.
Goring Gambit 6...d6 Main Line Part 4 - Cont' our coverage of the main line.
Goring Gambit 6...d6 Main Line Part 5 - Cont' our coverage of the main line.
Goring Gambit - Black plays 5...g6?! In this video we see how Black is dismantled in the Goring Gambit Accepted if he prematurely weakens his kingside.

Goring Gambit Declined - Capablanca Defense and others. In this series we discuss the most popular ways of declining the gambit. The Capablanca Defense, for some reason, is what most people feel is the best way to handle the Goring, but I'm not overly impressed and feel that this line is no better or worse than any other line that can be played.
                       Part 1 of 3     |     Part 2 0f 3     |     Part 3 of 3

This game is one of my own Goring Gambit games which concludes with a very rare mating pattern. Great for Hallowe'en!

Sicilian Defense Najdorf Main Line 6.Bg5
In this series we take a detailed look at what has been long considered the Main Line of the Sicilain Defense - Najdorf variation. This entire series is free of charge but future coverage of Sicilian lines will be by pay-per-view.

The Najdorf is a specialty of mine, as is the King's Indian Defense and I am not willing to divulge my considerable knowledge in these areas free of charge, sorry. But if you like this free glimpse into the Main Line, then perhaps you will give serious thought into paying for future Sicilian and King's Indian videos.

Najdorf 6.Bg5 Game 001 Part 1 of 2 [70:21] Right off the bat we discuss what may be Black's best new idea, the early ...h6 and with Najdorf w/ ...h6 Revisited [61:57] we continue our debate of this new idea. Since I play this line with both colors it is important to me to know the best lines for both sides.

Najdorf 6.Bg5 with 13.a3 [46:19] In this video we look at viable alternatives... for White... from the main line. Actually, 13.a3 is an old move played back in the day of Fischer, Gligoric and Najdorf himself. This is known as the Argentine/Goteborg Variation and you can find a video on the Argentine Tragedy from the 1955 Gotenburg Interzonal on our Historical Interest page, but there have been advancements since then for both sides. One of the nice things about living in our modern computer age is that with strong engines like Rybka and Houdini old lines can be re-examined and brought back to life. In the old days chess theory was just that theory, but nowadays we are dealing with chess fact - you just need to know where to look! I have been playing the 13.a3 line for most of my life, in theory it makes sense, it slows Black down a bit with his queenside play (though it does allow for a pawn break opportunity for Black is he gets far enough down the board). Thanks to powerful engines this line may come back into vogue - well, at least I am not afraid to play it!

Najdorf 6.Bg5 13 a3 e5 Bad, 0-0 OK [24:56] It is useful to know some of the pitfalls that lay in waiting in the 13.a3 lines. For example, if Black plays 13...e5 (often a natural move in the Najdorf) then he is just flat-out lost! Conversely, for Black to castle at this point looks risky, but it is the best move in my opinion. In this video we address these two alternatives for Black.

Najdorf 6.Bg5 with 13 a3 Rb8 [67:53] Here we look at the main alternative to castling, and by far the most common move that Black will play. With 13...Rb8 Black is looking to play b4-b5 and to be able to recapture on b4 (if White trades) with the rook. Knowing the tactical nuances of the Sicilian will tell you that this would put the rook on a vulnerable square to be attacked by White with a timely Nd5 - even in some situations where Black has a pawn on e6! Lot's of crazy stuff happens in the Sicilian Najdorf.

The Main Line of 8. ... Qc7 9. O-O-O Nbd7, at this point White usually responds with 10. g4 or 10. Bd3 These will be discussed in future videos - so stay tuned or email me sfarmer29@cox.net to stay updated! The line with 10.g4 goes fairly deep and ends up with a roughly equal endgame, but there are pitfalls along the way, and even if you do end up in the theoretical endgame you will have an easier time understanding it with both colors.

The free coverage will stop after the main line presentation. Lines like the Poisoned Pawn, while technically in the realm of the Najdorf Main line will be a PPV series.

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