Breutigam review “1.e4 repertoire” – review

Breutigam review “Ammo 1.e4”

I was very excited when I heard that world-renowned master Martin Brautigam would be presenting a collection of White's competitive works after 1.e4 in a two-volume video course!

IM Breutigam is and remains one of my favorite Chessbase authors! I like his calm, objective and always friendly way of imparting knowledge. When I think about it, I'm afraid that because of this maybe he can sell me ammo after 1.f3 with 2.Kf2…. but I'd rather put that idea aside quickly 😉

What feels like a common thread running through Breutigam 1.e4's repertoire in such an ambitious project is carefully curated, authoritative and at the same time sublime differences that fundamentally seek meaning.

– Presenting unfamiliar problems to the black player early on

– So as not to let the amount of theory to be learned get out of hand for those interested – just remember the fourteen (!) Khalifman volumes in Repertoire 1.e4 based on Anand's model

It was particularly important for Martin Brautigam to recommend the variations with which White sets the trend so early. In choosing these special systems, the author drew inspiration from (former) world champions Carlsen, Anand and other great masters. This resulted in an interesting mix of minor and major variables, as can be seen from the table of contents:

In the first volume of its new release “1.e4! “Modern repertoire,” Brautigam explains his concepts as follows:

Against the Sicilian Defense choose Alapin Variation 1.e4 c5 2.c3,
Against the French – and also against Caro Cannes – there is the advanced variation 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 or 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5

Against the open pool, the recommendation fell on a “bishop of Vienna hybrid” 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4, possibly with 3.d3 and 4.Nc3.

The second volume then deals in detail with special concepts against all other reasonable defenses e.g

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 vs Scandinavian,
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 against Pirc, similar to 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 and possibly 4.f4 against modern defence,
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.f4 d5 5.e5 against Georginidze's regime,
Four pawn attack 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 against Alekhine's defense,
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nbd7 4.f4 against “The Lion” or 3…e5 4.dxe5 against Philidor
Plus concepts against various rare slots, including Nimzovic Defense (1…Nc6 2.d4).

The target group for this 1.e4 reference includes players who have always wanted to open with 1.e4 but haven't yet dared to do so due to the sheer amount of theory that seems inevitable, as well as 1.e4 fans who… want to refresh your repertoire.

Personally, I liked the following recommendations the most, which I have already tried successfully in blitz and speed chess games:

Karo was similar to Carlsen Firouzja 2021 with 3.e5 Bf5 4.c4!? In addition to 3.e5 c5 4.Nf3!?, which can often initiate the king's attack if the person following him does not know his way. Scandinavia has a similar situation with 2…Qxd5 3.Nf3!? And the attack with four pawns against Alekhine's defense after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4!? Which seems to be experiencing a well-deserved renaissance.

But also choose Breutigam 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5, 4.dxe5!? It has some bite and is nowhere near as harmful as many Philidor studies suggest. This is especially true of the cast of characters Brautigam recommends below for the charismatic person and which I have supposedly seen in Dworetzky before.

In total, the video playback time for both courses combined comes to approximately eleven (!) hours. This is rounded out by the model games that have become standard in Chessbase, Chessbase apps, interactive quizzes, and a tool for reference play or critical situations.

Conclusion: For me, the best Chessbase opening repertoire I've seen in a long time! Thanks Martin Brautigam! What about white ammo after 1.d4 and 2.c4? 😉