KALASHNIKOV or SVESHNIKOV? 🤔

GM Daniel King examines wether to play the Kalashnikov or the Sveshnikov. Support on Patreon: 🔥 / powerplaychess ►Support via PayPal (💲): www.paypal.com...
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[@PowerPlayChess]

Remember, My Anti-Sicilians course will be appearing soon on Chessable. Release date 16th February!

[@marc-jean8599]

Can't wait to see it !

[@djgresearch]

I must admit, I'm not sure how you define Anti-Sicilian. If it's everything that's not an Open then boy - that's an awful lot! Does it include the Closed Sicilian where white plays g3 or the KI Attack? Both gave me problems when I used to play!

[@infernal314]

May I know how this course will mainly differ from that of the Power play series?

[@PowerPlayChess]

@@infernal314 I have changed some of my recommendations. For example, against the Rossolimo, I am going with 3...Nf6, a move I have played for years, successfully, and I feel is less well known than the main lines with 3...g6. Against 1 e4 c5 2 c3 I am recommending 2...e6, a system that brought me great success. In general, the Chessable course is much more detailed than the material I produced in the Power Play series. There is also a Quickstarter Guide to get you going on the main variations, as well as a model game chapter to demonstrate the chief strategic ideas. Very thorough!

[@infernal314]

@@PowerPlayChess Thank you.

[@PowerPlayChess]

Now on sale - My Kalashnikov course: www.chessable.com/kings-kalashnikov-sicilian/course/78873/

[@xgtete]

I'm still loving the Kalashnikov. Unfortunately, not many people play into the open Sicilian at my level. I can't wait for the Anti Sicilian course you're making for that exact reason. Your writing style makes things so much easier to understand. A focus on explanation of ideas and plans makes things easier to navigate in a practical game, rather than lines of analysis. Naming key ideas is a unique way of allowing a reader/learner to remember them. They create a nice thing to fall back on if you aren't sure what to do in a position. I still think to myself "Is the bad bishop bounce an idea here?" Or "Is it hammer time?" etc. It also allows you to know some key ideas to look for when analysing your own games. I can't praise it enough.

[@PowerPlayChess]

Good man! Thanks for your words Ryan!

[@PowerPlayChess]

@@BeFourCM Model games: that's always how I have studied openings. One needs something to aim for in terms of strategy. Afterwards, fill in the gaps by going through the detailed lines. The Model Games section is an integral part of the Kalashnikov Chessable course (and the book). I have done the same with the Anti-Sicilians course (provisional release date 16th Feb!).

[@infernal314]

Very true and if you are looking for a digestible navigation for openings I suggest you to see 17th and 19th courses of the Power play. Very enjoyable and easy to follow.

[@michaelf8221]

Agreed. Sveshnikov is more dynamic and rich. Kalashnikov is more strategic and easier to get a handle on.

[@zalannemeth7957]

Amazing comparison, wish you did this more often, great insights

[@simonhinkel4086]

Kalaschnikov first. With enough experience Switch :)

[@m42orion12]

Both are really good too be honest,but i gravitate towards the kalashnikov.Obviously magnus plays the svenshnikov so enough said.But both are really good alternatives to playing a sharp najdorf or dragon,try dannys course i can highly recommend it.Easy to follow and very very good pawn structures and strategies.His physical book version is also very good as well,learning by book is a very honest way of learning openings.Engines are for cars...

[@TomSchwert]

Daniel King is a Great Character, who has this nice british attitude of quiet and careful analyzing and communicating the content in combination with british humor and I guess with more Passion as he let us seen directly. Thx for all the joy he created.

[@shouldersofgiants4649]

Personally, I prefer the Sveshnikov. It's so much fun to walk through those minefields and the positions that arise are extremely sharp and black player should be prepared to walk a tight rope, especially in the 9.Bxf6 variation. However, I support and like everything Mr.King does, so it's Kalashnikov for this comment! 🙂 PS. Petition to make a Sveshnikov course once the channel hits 100k

[@JanKowalski-je7qf]

As white (~2100 lichess here) I usually struggle against the kalashnikov but I find Bg5 a6 Na3 b5 Nd5 Be7 Bxf6 Bxf6 c3 0-0 Nc2 Bg5 Be2 Shveshnikov sideline very comfortable for white. Basically I put the bish on f3 and create a white-squared blockade on d5 and e4 and black has trouble contesting it. On the other hand I have a lot of easy moves to make, for example a4 to bite into a6-b5 chain, 0-0 sometimes Qd3, Rd1 etc. And if I ever end up with endgame with any minor piece against black's dark-squared bishop then it's really close to just strategically winning (even opposite color bishops if there are rooks on the board can give white an edge, just because black's bishop is staring into nothing and has trouble getting somehow active).

[@davidcunningham54]

GM King, I recently purchased your new book "King's Kalashnikov Sicilian" and I have to say it's fantastic. I am a book lover, and this ticks all the boxes. Nice hard cover, games and instruction from Blacks perspective. Clear and easy to read text makes the variations easy to follow, while not being too cluttered. Did I mention color diagrams? It is one of my new favorite chess books. And I am really enjoying todays video. Your game annotation videos are always top notch, but I'm really enjoying the opening theme study. Looking forward to the next video!

[@PowerPlayChess]

Great to hear! Spread the word! The Anti-Sicilians course is coming soon (Feb 16th is provisional release date).

[@Oldlard]

@@PowerPlayChess just to say I agree with the OP, the hardback book on the Kalashnikov is a real pleasure to study and I hope the anti-Sicilian course also appears in the same book form.

[@TessaTestarossa]

Excellent content, I absolutely love this! Thank you for this comparison/theoretical overview.

[@joeldick6871]

Before starting the video, the difference between the Svesh and Kalash is that in the Svesh, black plays 4...Nf6 5.Nc3, so white can't play 6.c4, a Maroczy Bind. So basically, the Svesh doesn't allow the Maroczy Bind and the Kalashnikov does.

[@MrSupernova111]

A masterpiece! Thank you Maestro!

[@djgresearch]

An excellent summary - many thanks! It's funny how a seemingly slight nuance, the interpolation of Nf6 and Nc3 can make such a difference. I have noticed that after 1.e4 c5; 2.Nf3 Nc6; 3.d4 cxd4; 4.Nxd4, as black, you have a great deal of flexibility. As well as the Kalashnikov and Sveshnikov, you can still go into the Classical, Taimanov, Accelarated Dragon or Scheveningen.

[@leo-um6yt]

don’t forget the Paulsen & four knights!

[@marc-jean8599]

Thank you Daniel for these clear explanations. I'm going to take advantage of the discount and buy your Chessable course ! Thanks for all your videos, always interesting !

[@PowerPlayChess]

Thank you!

[@roqsteady5290]

About time you did an anti Sicilian course! Enjoying the coverage of Kalashnikov.

[@paulmeyer8612]

I bought your book in german language. Its very good! But Daniel, the white players more often play the rossolimo. Do you have a recommodation on these lines? ÖMK Dr.paul meyer/Austria

[@PowerPlayChess]

Which book did you buy in German? My Anti-Sicilians course is appearing very soon - in around 10 days - and of course the Rossolimo is covered. You will have to be patient, but not long to wait!

[@paulmeyer8612]

@@PowerPlayChess I bought the book king' s kalashnikov sicilian at niggemann, its availabe in germany! But in english language, sorry. A question to Page 140, the Variation you Analysen in the game. If you play 11.bd4 ed4 12.qd4 00 13.000 bf6 14.qd2 b5 you speak from a fantastic attack. But the engines are a little bit different. after the move 15.kb1 bf5 16.bd3 Fritz 18 gives white a little advantage. After 15. Kb1 stockfish suggests rb8 . Fritz plays 16.bd3 qb6 17.rhe1 qc5 and c3 with Aa little, but online a litlle advantage. I Can ' t see a fantastic attack and even won some blitzgames with white... But your whole suggestion of playing the kalashnikov is excellent , also your book, a lot auf work, also to study it!!!! Thanks daniel, esp. also for powerplaychess!! Your dr. paul meyer /austria

[@ocelot32chess70]

At my level I would be concerned about how to cope with Black’s backwards pawn on d6 in both variations. If you’ve learned all the variations it may well be OK, but at lower levels it comes across a long-term weakness.

[@gaopinghu7332]

In the Sveshnikov, the plan is simple: checkmate white before it becomes a problem.

[@LateCloser]

It's funny that (as a lifelong Sicilian player) the Sveshnikov never appealed to me, but when I saw your first video on the Kalashnikov I was interested; despite the pawn structure being so alien to me. The Chessable course gave me the courage to change my repertoire and I've reaped the benefits ever since. Happily recommend it to others. This "anti-Sicilian" course sounds interesting as well. Looking forward to it's release.

[@darioabbece3948]

The kalashnikov really looks like an improvement upon the sveshnikov. It keeps a lot of the good features while reducing risks very much

[@AroundWayOther]

well explained! thank you

[@RoyGazoff]

Daniel never stops making educational videos. Thnx

[@warnaoh]

Great insight thanks !

[@nickjackson6962]

Powerplay to 100k!!!

[@synchronium24]

Oh wow! 95.1k really is close now.

[@donovan665]

I've heard from Kalashnikov players who describe the difference as 'the Sveshnikov is the Kalashnikov for nerds'. ;)

[@shakmatsky]

found that after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6 6.c4 Be6 7.N5c3 then try with white Nd5 and N1c3 . This saves 2 tempi compared to 7.N1c3 white can keep small but nagging edge

[@infernal314]

I'm tempted to say -- Sveshnikov, any day, what a fun! But that's a very subjective opinion (although I frankly believe that Sveshnikov is sounder than Kalashnikov, which, however, doesn't matter too much on a club level) of a true Sveshnikov lover (you know, what I mean...) who plays Sveshnikov since his childhood (and learnt it from the book written by Sveshnikov himself when the opening was still called The Chelyabinsk variant). The thing is, however, that at that time (early 90's) it was a surprise weapon and I still remember the puzzled faces of my opponents after my fifth move -- so anti-positional, must be punished! Nowadays the situation is so different, Sveshnikov's reputation is very good even on the highest level but it has become an extremely complex opening. White's approach can be very positional or very aggressive or anything in between and you have to be ready to all these possibilities. I actually quite enjoy playing it with white as well. In contrast, I believe Kalashnikov is much easier to learn and white are usually not very familiar with these lines. Hence, Kalashnikov is a more pragmatic choice, I would say, especially if you start from scratch. And with the DK course on sale, it's a no brainer!

[@djgresearch]

It must be hard to keep coming up with catchy titles for vids. Why not have a competition? Give one with a really ordinary title and see who can come up with the best alternative. Prize (subscribers only) a free copy of Kalashnikov course??

[@joelra3702]

Hey Daniel what's your opinion on sticking to one opening repertoire and learning it well, as opposed to playing a few different openings-albeit at a much lower 'depth' so as to get more experience in different structures? Do you think there's a benefit to either approach? Speaking for myself as an 1800 rated club player who's trying to get to 2100. Currently playing the Spanish, Sicilian Kan and QGD Tartakower with Black, but have been considering picking up the French instead against e4 - which my coach advised me to do. For my rating openings is definitely my weakest area; I often outplay my opponents strategically and in the endgame so this is definitely something I need to work on. If you have any thoughts about opening choices in general I'd be really keen to hear. Thanks for reading all that and great content as always!

[@marcantoniosavelli1710]

I play the Kalashnikov (I'm 2100) and the reasons are 1. It is less studied than the Sveshnikov and most other Sicilians, so the white opponent will often be unprepared 2. I like to have the chance for an early f5, that allows to play an attacking and sharp game with black, and also does not traspose into the Sveshnikov, thus requiring more knowledge from the white player.

[@0114mercury]

What is your take on the fact that in the Kalashnikov Sicilian, white has not played Nb1-c3 yet, so white can delay the development of that knight, and when the other knight on b5 is kicked out, it can be returned to c3, rather than being forced land on the rim. Is that a reasonable option for white, why/why not?

[@bluefin.64]

One of the very best chess instruction videos I've seen on KZbin, and I've watched a ton. For me it's effect went beyond the two openings, I felt like I got a deeper insight into chess as a whole. I've never seen anything quite like it and all I can say is... more!

[@PowerPlayChess]

Thank you!

[@bluefin.64]

@@PowerPlayChess You're very welcome. I think the kind of comparative analysis you did revealed a valuable niche that's a possible opportunity for you. At least that's my self-interested hope. :-)

[@ricj441]

I've been looking forward to this anti Sicilian course!

[@themasterofthemansion3809]

I am so happy that Daniel mentioned the move Be6 in the end. I have played Sveshnikov for years and learned that if black is able to play Be6 then things are going well.

[@ahmadkabir3725]

Thanks Power play for all the videos and great explanation.

[@staygoldpwnyboy923]

Love the thumbnail picture!

[@predpalina]

With this introduction, I believe a book/cd on Sveshnikov is coming!?:)

[@PowerPlayChess]

Unfortunately not...

[@thomasurbani1600]

Drawing faces doesn't fit to Daniel King. Let others be foolish.

[@PowerPlayChess]

Oh dear. I do hope the sight of my face didn't mar your enjoyment of the video.

[@chazzabh]

Noooo. Not the new mawkish chess video fashion of SILLY FACES here too, of all places 😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@PowerPlayChess]

Rest assured, I will be donning a dinner jacket and bow-tie for my next thumbnail photo and no emotion will be displayed on my visage.

[@chazzabh]

@@PowerPlayChess Thank goodness. I was so worried!

[@eugeniomoccia3917]

ciao Daniel, how can you avoid 3. Bb5 in order to enter in the kalashnikov variation?

[@PowerPlayChess]

You cannot avoid 3 Bb5. The only route into the Kalashnikov is 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6. But it’s not a big deal! Please check out my Chessable course on the Anti-Sicilians for Black!

[@oraz.]

Really inofrmative

[@ojas3464]

👍A question for Chess historians - If they could foresee, what would earlier legends like Tarrasch, Capablanca have felt about these openings?☺

[@marcantoniosavelli1710]

They would have considered these openings unsound, as the early e5 with the d6-e5 structure was considered too antipositional. Later it was found that the dinamic potential compensates for this slightly antipositional structure.

[@ojas3464]

@@marcantoniosavelli1710 Thanks☺

[@joseraulcapablanca8564]

Thanks Daniel.

[@JoaoPedro-sb4fh]

Sveshnikov course after the anti sicilian? :D Also, id like to know more about yourself Mr King, i know that you are a really good najdorf player.

[@PowerPlayChess]

What would you like to know about me?! Please ask!

[@JoaoPedro-sb4fh]

Well, considering i loved the games you presented in chessbase india about najdorf and also an old video with kingcrusher. Id like to know more about your chess/playstyle/openings and how/why started playing.

[@PowerPlayChess]

@@JoaoPedro-sb4fh I like the Sicilian because it gives excellent chances to counter-attack. I have played many varieties: Kalashnikov, Loewenthal, Sveshnikov, Najdorf, Dragon, Classical, Kan. I enjoyed playing them all. In my professional playing days I claimed some good wins with the Najdorf (Anand at the Goodricke in Calcutta, defeating Dolmatov in an England-USSR match). But it is about picking the right opening for the right opponent, and putting work in to study the theory.

[@JoaoPedro-sb4fh]

@@PowerPlayChess oh, thanks for the excellent response! I believe in that too, understanding typical plans and knowing the theory. Thanks again for the answer and i wish you good luck on reaching 100k, its close!!

[@ernestogarcillan1977]

10:00 why not Bxf6 instead of Na3 ruin blaxks pawn structure