Modern classical games
"Contrary to many young colleagues, I do believe that it makes sense to study the classics" Magnus Carlsen
Based on my yearslong experience, I concluded that regular study of the classical games considerably improves one's chess understanding. There is no better way for getting the right feeling of where the pieces belong on the chessboard than studying a good selection of well-explained classical games.
But when exactly do such "modern" classical games begin? It is scarcely possible to draw a clear borderline. One reasonable point is that the modern times in chess started with Max Euwe, who, in the middle of the 1930s was the first one to make successful attempts of introducing the professional approach in the process of preparation to competitions. Then Mikhail Botvinnik deepened Euwe's methods and brought them to a higher level. The development of the game became evident, and after WW2 we can certainly claim that the "modern" times in chess have already begun.
This course includes 33 videos, with carefully selected famous chess games from the period 1935-1999. World class GMs and all World Champions from the period can be found among the players of the selection, with many examples from Fischer and from Kasparov. Most of these instructive games were played in top competitions, including World Championships, Candidates and Chess Olympiads. Apart from explaining the critical moments on the chessboard, the videos and introductory texts also offer some general background information about the games.
Each chapter contains a text introduction about the game, a video file and a replayer, where you can make the moves shown in the video and/or additionally analyse your own moves. The provided diagram with an important position from the game can help to test your knowledge: if you don't know the position on the diagram, just try to find the correct move yourself and then check it by watching the video. Alternatively, you can find the position from the diagram in replayer and analyse it there.
An important part of the modern classics' heritage represents Petrosian's positional exchange sacrifices. Therefore, the last chapter in this course is dedicated to the remarkable legacy of the 9th World Champion.