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The Fighting Dragon

IM Keaton Kiewra

Inizia

Make the Dragon breath fire with IM Keaton Kiewra!
What does GM Hikaru Nakamura like to play when he needs to win as Black? Join IM Keaton Kiewra on a tour of his favorite opening, the Dragon Sicilian. The Dragon has long been a favorite of attacking stars like Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen. You'll see their games and more in this detailed examination of an exciting opening.

Here is what you will learn:

Learn the key tactics and sacrifices to shock your opponent!
Learn the proper move orders against White’s most critical tries!
Examine games by top Grandmasters!
Learn the personal tricks that Keaton has used to beat Grandmasters!

"I wish I had discovered this course much earlier! Personally, I hated the Sicilian before. But now, the Dragon is my #1 deadly weapon and I don't fear higher-rated opponents. Thanks, Keaton!" - Chess.com Member JeanJuno

"Played a game today where White captured the pawn on d5 and then the rook on a8. Needless to say, the game went well for me. This series on the Dragon has made it a mainstay for me when playing open Sicilians. Thanks for your insight IM Kiewra!" - Chess.com member nvwheeler

The Fighting Dragon - Part 1: The Yugoslav Attack

IM-Elect Keaton Kiewra debuts a series about fire-breathing beasts! The introductory video into the Yugoslav Attack brings us one of the original "stem games" in the 9.Bc4 variation with a battle between Karpov and Kortchnoi. Bottle up some of Keaton's knowledge in the Dragon, and see how Kortchcnoi could have improved in this legendary game...

22 min

5 sfide

The Fighting Dragon - Part 2: 9. 0-0-0 with Nxd4!

This weekend, IM-Elect Keaton Kiewra continues his series on the infamous Dragon Sicilian with a victory of his own from the US Chess League! Here we see Keaton take on d4, but rather than win by a queenside attack, he "puts the breaks" on White's kingside pawn storm, then wins by slow positional grind. Dragon players, enjoy this moment!

21 min

5 sfide

The Fighting Dragon - Part 3: 9. 0-0-0 with d5!

Keaton Kiewra, better known as "The Dragon Master", brings his initial segment in the Dragon Video Series to a close today with flare! First he reviews the critical ins-and-outs of the 9...d5 variation, then he astonishes us with a brilliant win by the Georgian Super-GM, Jobava. The battle of "Dragon vs Slayer" has officially begun on Chess.com!

27 min

5 sfide

The Fighting Dragon - Part 4: The Prophylactic 12...h5!

Keaton displays the critical lines of the Soltis (...h5) Variation, focusing mainly on White's direct idea of 16.Bh6. The theory is deep and complex, with "nerves of steel" required, but Keaton's clear explanations of the common patterns with the Dragon are brilliant. Enjoy!

28 min

5 sfide

The Fighting Dragon - Part 5: Clash of the Titans

To follow up on his installment in the Soltis (...h5) Variation, IM Kiewra reviews a game between two of the best players in the world! He highlights critical move order differences for the advanced player's, and then, along with the rest of us, he enjoys the amazingly sharp, tactical and brilliant show that Magnus Carlsen puts on with the black pieces.

21 min

5 sfide

The Fighting Dragon - Part 6: The Offbeat 9. g4!

9.g4 is exciting, tricky, and a must know for Black players who intend of playing the Dragon as a regular part of their repertoire. IM Kiewra focuses on Black's three main options, including the controversial piece sacrifice on g4.

26 min

5 sfide

The Fighting Dragon - Part 7: The Chinese Dragon

IM Kiewra is back this month to continue his series on the Fighting Dragon! He reviews a game in the Chinese Dragon between GMs Zhigalko and Bu Xiangzhi. As to be expected with Keaton, he does a great job highlighting the patterns of each position, the tactical motifs that repeat themselves consistently, and he provides insight into what the top Dragon players think about each idea in the position.

26 min

5 sfide

The Fighting Dragon - Part 8: The Classical System

After seven installments of Yugoslav Attack formations, IM Keaton Kiewra switches gears and talks about how Dragon players should face the more restrained Classical System, which involves White castling kingside instead of queenside. He shows what to do in case of either Be3 or Bg5 setups. In the stem game, a strong Yugoslav GM shows that maybe his opponent should have played his country's namesake opening after all!

20 min

5 sfide

The Fighting Dragon - Part 9: Levenfish and g3 Variations

Dragon players beware! After eight informative videos where black can basically develop on autopilot, IM Kiewra warns not to be so casual against a few of white's offbeat setups. In case of an early f4 (Levenish) or g3 system, Black needs to play ...Nc6 instead of the customary ...Bg7. Don't be caught off guard in these systems - learn why the move order is so important!

17 min

5 sfide

The Fighting Dragon - Part 10: The Finale and Fireworks!

IM Keaton Kiewra finishes his complete series on the Dragon by showing his attempt to garner a second GM norm. In a crazy position with both kings on the run, Black's finds more shelter, but the talented Hess continues to create complications until the end. Can Kiewra navigate a double-edged middlegame and avoid endgame traps as well? Watch the final video of this great series to find out!

24 min

5 sfide

The Fighting Dragon

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