That all sounds very nice!

I am looking for a low-theory surprise-weapon besides my usual King's Indian, perhaps the Classical Dutch could fit the bill.
I have played the Leningrad for some years, so perhaps I should have some familiarity (at least in some anti-lines). But I think the Leningrad is too theory-heavy for being a surprise-weapon.

Do you think this DVD could help me (my level is between 2350 and 2400)?

Stigma wrote on 01/22/10 at 00:27:29:


That's true but the DVD also covers 7. ... Ne4, 7. ... Qe8 and even 7 ... Nc6

Structurally I'd say the Killer Dutch is very similar to Williams' book on the Classical Dutch with a similar allocation of space to the various branches of the opening as can be found there.  It's not so much a repertoire DVD as much as it is a broader review of the opening, albeit it very much from Black's point of view.

As pointed out it's a long DVD although no DVD however long can ever be as detailed as a book.  I'd say it's a "Starting Out" type product more than a comprehensive account.  It does it's job very well I'd say.

(and there are some crucial updates from the Classical Dutch book in most sections if not every one.  E.g. 7. ... Nxe4, 8. Nxe4 but also at various points in the 7. ... a5 line and others).

Actually I have it already.

The video runs close to 7 hours. It presents a repertoire built around "Ye old faithful"; the 7...a5 main line in the Classical (this is also covered, presumably by Williams, in a chapter of Dangerous Weapons: The Dutch which I haven't seen). There are lots of strategic guidelines and instructive games on this line.

There are also segments on lines where White doesn't fianchetto and all kinds of Anti-Dutch lines (2.e4, 2.g4 and 2.h3, 2.Nc3, 2.Bg5, 2.Nf3). Some of these sections are rather brief but should be enough to play on club level. In most of these often tactical lines he looks for answers that minimize White's attacking chances, in particular by not grabbing / holding on to offered pawns if there are good alternatives. The crazy lines suggested against 2.Bg5 really sparked my interest, and I've already used several of the other "anti" suggestions as starting points for my own research. 2.h3 intending g4 gets more attention than you'd expect because Williams thinks it's dangerous and worth trying as White.

Williams is an engaging presenter; he looks like he really cares about the lines he presents and that makes it easier to remember. 

There are lot of special effects used, like introductory music, chess-related video segments between chapters, varying board types, camera angles and backgrounds etc. They want to make this a big selling point, but to me personally some of it appears a bit gimmicky. At least it doesn't detract from the value of the material, and some will welcome this variety compared to just a presenter and a board for hours on end.