Mortal Games wrote on 03/16/12 at 16:46:34:
Shirov is coming dangerously close to Dzindzi...He shows and says numerous times that he came unprepared for this recording!He says:
Quote:But still I am very far from understanding it's character. So let's hope that this DVD on this system will actually help you to understand the Berlin Defense as well.
than he says:
Quote:I almost didn't play any good game in the Berlin Defense.
About his game with Naiditsch:
Quote:I cannot avoid mentioning that before this I lost my previous three encounters against him as White and two of them were actually in the Berlin Defence. So I could more or less expect that Arcadij would not mind repeating his liked opening against me and also thinking to the fact that those two games I lost in a horrible way. I made some serious strategical mistakes right after the opening somewhere between move 12 or 15 and then early on move 20 I could almost resign. I had a strategically nearly lost position. So although it sounds strange for a white game, but my aim before this game was actually to set up an equal fight in the Berlin Defense as White. Not to do something really wrong and be lost almost immediately.
Conclusion: I like his honesty but this still doesn't justify his lack of effort. The whole presentation actually shows how good the Berlin is as an opening. As Shirov says: "It's really who feels the position better normally wins. No matter which colour he plays." I agree with you 100%. I like Shirov as a player very much, but as a presenter on DVD's not so much. The main problem this time around though is the completely misleading Chessbase title, for clearly this DVD is not a repertoire for white.
As usual Shirov shows up to the studio with a few light notes to his games, being content to make up the rest as he goes along. Amazing how such a strong player is so unprofessional in delivering a presentation. I think these DVD's are seen more as a cathartic exercise by Shirov moreso than a teaching moment for consumers. Every clip on the DVD has a negative and apologetic tone, and implies that he is hardly and expert on the Berlin at all. Almost every variation and assessment is preceeded or concluded with the words: Maybe; Probably; I don't Know; Who Knows?; I apologise for saying I don't know, but the Berlin is so strategically complex I think it is justified to say so. And on and on it goes, folks I am not making this stuff up, and honestly Chessbase should be sued for fraud. "Beating The Berlin"....Really? Shirov's colleagues must be laughing hysterically.
I am convinced that were it not for his celeberity, and the fear of reprisals, that reviewers would consign this latest effort to the rubbish bin without hesitation.
It remains to be seen how much longer Shirov DVD's will generate sales based on his celebrity alone, although it could be that Shirov never intended this to be a repertore DVD at all, and it's Chessbase to blame for the absurd title.
Tops
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The Berlin Defence - Igor Lysyj, Roman Ovetchkin (Read 77199 times)
