The Sveshnikov Variation of the Sicilian – 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 – also known as Lasker-Pelikan or Cheliabinsk Variation – is one of the most popular and fascinating replies to 1.e4. Right from the beginning, Black is striving for active and dynamic counterplay, and this results in a double-edge struggle for the initiative. In the seventies of the 20th century it was Jevgeni Sveshnikov who worked out the system as a pioneer. Today, it fi rmly belongs to the repertoire of many outstanding players like Kramnik, Lautier, Radjabov and Leko. Dutch top grandmaster and six-times national champion Loek van Wely himself has played the Sveshnikov since 1998. On this DVD he comments on his latest encounters with world-class players like Shirov, Anand, Topalov and Kramnik. Nearly all games are from the period 2003-2006. As one would expect in the Sveshnikov, the games abound with combinatorial ideas and sacrifices; a feast for all fans of tactics. Van Wely focuses on the main variations 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 9.Nd5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c3 Bg5 12.Nc2 and 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nd5 f5. Video playing time: 3 h 43 min

Born in 1972, Loek van Wely learned chess at the age of 4 and was soon recognized as one of the greatest talents in the Netherlands ever. After becoming Grandmaster in 1993, he steadily climbed up the Elo ladder to reach a peak of 2714 and a place among the top ten in the world in 2001. From the years 2000 to 2005, ‘King Loek’ won the Dutch national championship six time in a row. His reputation as an uncompromising fighter with a merciless will to win make him a most welcome guest in tournaments all over the world.. Among van Wely’s greatest successes are his triumphs at the Berlin Open in 1991, the World Open in Philadelphia in 1992 and the New York Open in 1995. In 2005, he was the top board of the victorious Dutch team at the European team championship in Gothenburg.