Train Yourself in Chess: IM Andrew Martin 5 DVD Course

Train Yourself in Chess
An Eleven Hour, Five Part Chess Course on DVD by IM Andrew Martin

On this first DVD in the series, International Master Andrew Martin breaks down the elements of chess so that the game becomes easier to understand. Players of all levels will find something of interest here, including many complete games from recent years.

Contents include:
Board and Board Properties, Quick Development, Piece Value, Control of the Center, Pawn Structures, Queen, Rook, Bishops, Bishop and Knight, Basic Checkmates, 7 Basic Principles, Premature Attacks, Four Elements of Chess...and more!

Running time: 2 hours, 21 minutes

Essential Chess Tactics - Easily Explained
Train Yourself Chess Course, Part 2 (Vol. 85)

All the basic tactical ideas of chess are discussed fully, followed by a series of very recent illustrative games, where we will see all those ideas in action. On this DVD you will gain confidence in your ability to handle tactics when they crop up over the board and, who knows, you may be able to land some tactical knockouts yourself!

Contents include:
Introduction and the Pin, the Fork, the Skewer, Double and Discovered Check, Discovered Attack, Destroying the Guard, the Decoy, Deflection, the Battery, Overloading, Line Vacation, Square Vacation, Stalemate, Zugzwang, Zwischenzug, Blundercheck, Illustrative Games 1-6...and more!

Running time: 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Dynamics of Strategy and How to Create a Plan - Easily Explained
Train Yourself Chess Course, Part 3 (Vol. 86)

Learn to make plans like the Grandmasters in your own games! This DVD will help you the next time you are sitting across from your opponent and not sure what should be your next move. You will gain confidence by learning about strategy and ideas to look for to create a plan. A plan may consist of a pawn "minority attack", controlling the center or just improving your pieces. This new found knowledge will improve your play and generate more wins.

Contents include:
Introduction to Dynamic Strategy and Planing, Basic Pawn Skeleton, Doubled Pawns (1 and 2), IQP Games, Protected Passed Pawns, Minority Attack Games, Dynamics of Strategy, Good and Bad Pieces, Pawn Chains - Rival Attacks, Material Advantage, No Strategy Without a Safe King...and more!

Running time: 2 hours and 16 minutes.

Attack, Defense, Space and Time - Easily Explained
Train Yourself Chess Course, Part 4 (Vol. 87)

Volume four in this series concentrates on attack and defense, then space and time. IM Andrew Martin will teach you skills that will help you understand when to attack and the important of avoiding premature attacks. In order for an attack to succeed is you must have a lead in developement and space. Timing is vital, so take advantage of opportunities and attack with as many pieces as possible. When defending you must create counter play to keep your oponent off balance and learn the value of patience, which is often overlooked by the average player.

Running time: 2 hours 11 minutes.

Endgame Self Training - Easily Explained
Train Yourself Chess Course, Part 5 (Vol. 88)

Learning how to play the endgame well is a most important skill, as simple positions lie at the heart of chess. In volume five Andrew Martin shows how to develop good endgame technique, using typical need-to-know positions to lay the foundation, and then full master games to show the strongest players tackling this part of chess. He also suggests how the student might train himself at home in the most efficient way - invaluable advice indeed.

Ten Important Positions, The Technique of Self Training, Five Illustrative Games...and more!

Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes.