The Classical Sicilian has stood the test of time as one of the most principled and fighting defences against 1.e4. With its rich history spanning world championship matches and modern elite tournaments, this opening remains a favourite among players who seek a dynamic, counterattacking approach without venturing into extreme theoretical battles like the Najdorf or Sveshnikov.

In this comprehensive ChessBase course, I guide you through the essential concepts, strategic motifs, and cutting-edge theory of the Classical Sicilian, covering all key setups and move orders. The course is designed to provide a deep yet practical repertoire for Black, balancing solid foundations with aggressive counterplay.

What You Will Learn:
1. Understanding the Classical Structure: Learn the key pawn breaks, piece placements, and typical middlegame plans.
2. Mainline Coverage (6.Bg5, 6.f3, 6 Bc4 and more): Navigate White’s most critical tries with confidence.
3. Sharp Tactics & Strategic Play: Discover thematic sacrifices, central pawn breaks, and positional manoeuvres that make the Classical Sicilian a lethal weapon.
4. Move-Order Tricks & Transpositions: Avoid early pitfalls and guide the game into positions that favour Black.
5. Model Games & Exercise Drills: Reinforce learning with instructive examples played by top grandmasters.

With a mix of deep analysis, personal insights, and practical recommendations, this course equips you with everything you need to confidently play the Classical Sicilian in any tournament setting. Whether you're an ambitious club player or a seasoned competitor, this repertoire will help you seize the initiative and dictate the game against 1.e4! Are you ready to embrace the Classical Sicilian and take your chess to the next level? Let’s dive in! 

Video running time: 5 hours 27 min. (English)

Grandmaster S.P. Sethuraman is a former World Under-16 Champion and Asian Chess Champion. A key player in India‘s Olympiad success, he is known for his deep opening preparation and strategic mastery. With years of elite level experience, he is a true expert in modern opening play. His insights help players navigate the complexities of the opening with confidence. 

This is what is delivered:

• Fritztrainer for 4 platforms: App for Windows, App for Mac, ChessBase books and ChessBase Videostream
• Delivery as a download or by post (card with serial number)
• Video course with a running time of approx. 4-8 hrs.
• Repertoire database: save and integrate Fritztrainer games into your own repertoire (in WebApp Opening or in ChessBase)
• Interactive exercises with video feedback: the authors present exercises and key positions, the user has to enter the solution. With video feedback (also on mistakes) and further explanations.
• All videos and additional tasks, tests and texts included in the CB books.
• Sample games as a ChessBase database.

That's what the FritzTrainer App can do for you:

• Videos can run in the Fritztrainer app or in the ChessBase program with board graphics, notation and a large function bar
• Analysis engine can be switched on at any time
• Video pause for manual navigation and analysis in game notation
• Input of your own variations, engine analysis, with storage in the game
• Learn variations: view specific lines in the ChessBase WebApp Opening with autoplay, memorize variations and practise transformation (initial position - final position).
• Active opening training: selected opening positions are transferred to the ChessBase WebApp Fritz-online. In a match against Fritz you test your new knowledge and actively play the new opening.

Even more possibilities: Start FritzTrainer in the ChessBase program!

• The database with all games and analyses can be opened directly.
• Games can be easily added to the opening reference.
• Direct evaluation with game reference, games can be replayed on the analysis board
• Your own variations are saved and can be added to the own repertoire
• Replay training
• LiveBook active
• All engines installed in ChessBase can be started for the analysis
• Assisted Analysis
• Print notation and diagrams (for worksheets)
   

System requirements: 

Windows 10 or higher, Mac OS X (only download)

Windows 10 or higher
Minimum: Dual Core, 2 GB RAM, DirectX11, graphics card with 256 MB RAM, (DVD-ROM drive), Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 14/Fritz 16 or included Reader and internet access for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel i5 (Quadcore), 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX11, graphics card with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10-compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, (DVD-ROM drive) and internet access for program activation.

MacOSX
only available as download! Minimum: MacOS "Yosemite" 10.10