Keep It Simple: 1.e4

International Master Christof Sielecki's long-awaited new book utilising Chessable's unique video-sync technology is here.

Keep It Simple: 1.e4 does exactly what it says on the tin - it is an easy-to-learn, precise and systematic look at how White can topple every defence at Black's disposal.

But this Chessable first is far more than a chess e-book.

Included are a total of 17 hours of instructional video synced with 700 MoveTrainer™ variations allowing you to watch, read and practise at the same time.

IM Sielecki is, of course, no stranger to video chess instruction. His popular YouTube channel Chessexplained now has nearly 30,000 subscribers.

Here he presents a super-solid set of carefully chosen lines to equip players at all levels with tools to dominate Black in the opening.

IM Sielecki's main recommendation for dealing with the main line of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 is based on the Scotch Four Knights which follows with 3. Nc3 and aiming for d4 to get an advantage in the opening.

The author also presents reliable systems to keep the pressure on Black's every try.

Three chapters are devoted to the Sicilian, plus systems against the Caro-Kann, the French, the Pirc, Modern and Philidor and ways to counter the Scandinavian, the Alekhine and other rare lines.

This exclusive book is the first of a new generation of Chessable video-sync e-books and it is brought to you by one of the best video teachers out there.

Study, learn and enjoy.

110

Course stats

For: white pieces

Total students: 888

Recommended for: Casual players Intermediate players Advanced players

Paid video: 15 hours and 5 minutes

Free video: 2 hours and 55 minutes

Trainable variations: 690

Avg. line depth: 11.71

Instruction: 46,598 words

Released on: Mar 12, 2018

Support level: High

Section: 🎓 Titled player

Keep It Simple: 1.e4 has

5 out of 5 stars, based on 100 user ratings.

Variation Details

2 x Alekhine Defence (4.50 avg depth)

20 x Alekhine: 3.d4 (11.90 avg depth)

38 x Caro-Kann (11.39 avg depth)

28 x Caro-Kann: Two Knights, 3...Bg4 (11.89 avg depth)

96 x Four Knights Game (14.68 avg depth)

2 x French (3.50 avg depth)

96 x French: Exchange (13.53 avg depth)

24 x King's Pawn (9.83 avg depth)

16 x Modern (7.94 avg depth)

11 x Open Game (7.82 avg depth)

36 x Philidor Defence (9.47 avg depth)

48 x Pirc (9.94 avg depth)

8 x Russian Game (Petroff Defence) (9.25 avg depth)

62 x Scandinavian (Centre Counter) (10.56 avg depth)

49 x Sicilian: 2...Nc6 (10.98 avg depth)

46 x Sicilian: 2...e6 (11.89 avg depth)

17 x Sicilian: 2.Nf3 (9.76 avg depth)

14 x Sicilian: Moscow (10.57 avg depth)

29 x Sicilian: Moscow 3...Bd7 (14.07 avg depth)

4 x Sicilian: Nimzowitsch (12.25 avg depth)

4 x Sicilian: O'Kelly Variation (17.50 avg depth)

20 x Sicilian: Rossolimo, 3...g6 (12.80 avg depth)

1 x Start position (15.00 avg depth)

19 x Three Knights Game (8.37 avg depth)

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Comments

Last 10 Position Comments

danielgreen.0 156,250 Thank you! 17 hours ago

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Theoryhack 11,359,220 White is threatening Bf4+ Kd4 Qe3+ Kc4 Qc3 mate. Black has to loose masses of material to avoid this:

1) 11...g5 12 OO (Bd2 followed by OOO also very strong) Nxe4 13 Nxa8

2) 11...N (either) d5 12ed

3) 11... Qxc7 12 Bf4+ Ke6 13 Bxc7 Kd7 and now most bishop retreats win, but e5! Kxc7 ef6 is probably strongest - White will OOO and Black will lose further material or get mated. 21 hours ago

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Slormgorm 7,339,380 Defo should be an alt. 1 day ago

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c0rias 4,487,760 Great comment, thank you! 3 days ago

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jogardenegras 1,971,680 My computer suggests 8.Qd4 and I think it makes sense because it fits better in the concept "keep it simple". Remember that in variant "other 7", Qd4 is the move. 5 days ago

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oliv21 1,270,580 Hi Christof,
What do you think of 12. c3 for white ?
Plan is to prevent Nd5 so that the black light square bishop stays out of the game ?
Maybe black can try to play in the center pushing his doubled C pawn to pressure d3 which has become weak ?
Thanks !
2 weeks ago

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oliv21 1,270,580 Hi Christof,
In the opposite colour castle game, black should push c5 to launch his pawn storm on the queen side gaining a tempo on the white queen in d4.
Isn't it more appropriate to place our dark square bishop on f4 instead of c3 so that it will pressure the d6 pawn as soon as black pushes c5 ?
What are be the advantages of the bishop on e3 ?
Thanks ! 2 weeks ago

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AcceleratedBlunder 735,590 Probably good to mention here since it is not completely obvious to lower level players like me:

At first sight 10. Bd3 looks odd because it looks like black wins a pawn with ...Nxd4 11. cxd Qxd4, but white has tactics with the x-rayed queen now and can play 12. Rxe6+! and taking the rook either way is answered with a check from the bishop, Bb5+ or Bxg6+, and the black queen falls. Best response is 12...Be7 after which material is again equal. 2 weeks ago

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danielgreen.0 156,250 I don't really understand why this position is killing. What is White's plan now? Black is exposed but White is down two pieces and I don't see a clear win. Am I missing a mate or something? 2 weeks ago

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miflo 7,511,420 Nxf2 before Black moves the attacked c6 Knight could be a slightly better option - although White keeps a sizeable advantage in this case too. 2 weeks ago

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