In the 2020 Russian Championship Super Final, the hyper-creative Grandmaster Daniil Dubov played a queen sacrifice that would make the news of all chess portals worldwide.
Dubov gave his queen for Karjakin's two minor pieces and positional pressure that built up into a direct attack against the king and rightfully earned praise as the most spectacular game of the year. No less than against the so-called Minister of Defense!
What's equally impressive is that he got such juicy attacking chances using an 'almost-novelty.'
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.b4!? had been known for at least 150 years, but never got any attention from strong players. However, just the day after Dubov's game, strong players started using 6.b4 regularly, and its popularity has exploded ever since.
It's only natural that it picked up the interest of the author of
three elegant Chessable courses on the Italian, FIDE Candidate Master Han Schut.
So, CM Schut put on his digging pants, looked at all the games played in this rare variation (over the board and online), and gathered all the analysis he could find. Then, he broke it all down with the help of Leela and Stockfish to deliver the best material available in Dubov's Italian variation.
The result of his research is that Dubov's 'Giuoco Forte' is
A very poisonous variation with excellent surprise value
After
6.b4, the game enters uncharted territory. However, enterprising players will feel at home with a well of resources to create problems, while beginners will develop a sense of the initiative.
But with this short course, you can get the competitive advantage of knowing the best path and all the traps you can set your opponents. So study all of it, drill it with MoveTrainer™, and
Go bust your opponents in no time!
This course is mainly aimed at club player level-where the Giuoco-Forte is more likely to wreak havoc. But even titled players can use it, as CM Schut developed his analysis to the highest standards.
The course gives you a lengthy introduction to the Italian, carefully explains the position's fundamentals, and provides insight into the nature of Dubov's idea by looking at it 'from the outside-in'.
Despite the low level of theory, you're likely to get much of your preparation in your games, as CM Schut prioritized the most popular lines according to the Lichess Database.
Not only a theoretical survey
The course also contains a puzzle chapter to reinforce common motifs and tactics. So on top of knowing your positions, you will develop a feel for them!
Additionally, CM Schut suggests an interesting method to further your understanding of the position using some other Chessable tools. So you don't have to follow what you learn here blindly, but you can develop your own theory!
As the source material for the course is scarce, CM Schut is welcoming all feedback, analysis, and ideas to improve it.
So delve into this gem and feast on Dubov's Explosive Italian!
